The fool is the first card in the Tarot deck and as such represents new beginnings. Symbolically, the Fool begins the journey of self-exploration which we embark upon when we come to the Tarot for knowledge about ourselves. The card pictures a young man about to step off the edge of a cliff. He displays a carefree attitude which is demonstrated in his willingness to take such risks without regard to the consequences. The Fool is an innocent (as we all are at the beginning of Life's journey) and because of his innocence may be somewhat naive. He carries a small pouch which contains the few possessions he owns, and the white rose in his left hand represents purity of heart. Despite his naivetΘ, the Fool is blessed with the protection of divine grace, symbolized by the sun shining at his back. There is a sense about him that even if he were to fall off the cliff, he would not be injured because he is a holy child of God, cared for and protected by the power of the divine. This card is reminiscent of the figure of St. Francis of Assisi, who in his simplicity, poverty, and purity of heart called himself "God's Fool." What do you see of yourself in him? What aspects of his character might you want to adopt in yourself? The Magician is the second card in the deck, and is the first numbered card. He is the bridge between the world of the spirit and the world of humanity. His right hand holds a staff upraised toward the sky and his left hand points to the earth. He is the transmitter of spiritual power, the mediator between God and mankind. Over his head is the symbol of eternity, and around his waist is a snake biting its own tail, another symbol of eternity. His magical table holds all four suits of the Tarot, each of which represents one of the four primordial elements of the alchemists; earth, air, fire, and water. His robe is white, symbolizing the purity and innocence found in the Fool, but his cloak is red, representing worldly experience and knowledge. In the bed of flowers at his feet this duality is repeated in the mix of pure white lilies and thorny red roses. The magician represents the bridge between the opposites, he is a composite of innocence and experience, spirit and matter, heaven and earth. He is experienced, unlike the Fool, and is the teacher of hidden truths. When you encounter the Magician along Life's journey, you have encountered the wise sage who can help you find your way. Perhaps he indicates a need to find a balance between the material and the spiritual aspects of your nature. Or he may be an encouraging sign of the strength you may need in a difficult time. What do you see in the power of the Magician? The High Priestess is the union of opposites. Unlike the Magician, who bridges the gap between heaven and earth, the High Priestess contains this duality within herself. Thus she is flanked by two columns, one white and one black. She is the inner spiritual guide who lives within each of us. Behind her is a veil covered with pomegranates, a fruit of many seeds which represents fertility and plenty and is the symbol of the Greek goddess Persephone. At her feet is a crescent moon, and it is this feature along with the white robe and blue cloak which reminds us of Mary, mother of Jesus, the woman of paradox who is both virgin and mother. The cross on her chest and the copy of the Torah in her hands again reminds us of the spiritual power she possesses. The High Priestess represents our unconscious, the teacher who reveals truth to us only in glimpses and in our dreams. She does not flaunt or exhibit her power openly as does the Magician, but rather represents the quiet, often misunderstood spiritual power within each of us. When you see her ask yourself, is there something I am overlooking? Is there something within me desiring expression that I have not listened to? The High Priestess indicates the need to look deep within ourselves for guidance and the answers to our questions. The Empress is the archetypal Earth Mother, the Anima, the Feminine Principle. She is full figured, possibly pregnant, and is surrounded by lush greenery and fields of ripe wheat. Below her couch is a heart-shaped pillow with the symbol of Venus emblazoned upon it, and her flowing robe is decorated with pomegranates, a symbol of fertility. In the forest behind her a river flows freely with water, the symbol of life. Her upraised hand holds a scepter which demonstrates her power and authority over the things of this earth. Whereas the High Priestess represents the unconscious and the spirit, the Empress represents the earth and all the bounty and fruitfulness thereof. Her meaning suggests richness and fulfillment, the satisfaction of physical needs and desires. Like any card, there is the potential for excess in her abundance and when you see her you must ask yourself how her rich, sumptuous imagery speaks to your heart. Are you perhaps too immersed in the material world? Or does she promise you a fulfillment which you have been seeking but have not yet discovered? What does she tell you about yourself? Material and spiritual interests must be balanced in order to experience a fulfilled life, and neither should be taken to the extreme. The Emperor is the complement to the Empress. He is the Masculine Principle, the Animus, the Patriarch. He represents power and authority, and his stern attitude is quite a departure from the sensual beauty of the Empress. Behind his throne are barren mountains, a symbol of the lofty heights of which he is master. The throne itself is decorated with four rams' heads, representing intellectual heights and sure-footedness in climbing the lofty crags. His right hand holds an Ankh, Egyptian symbol of Life, and in his left is an orb representing the world over which he rules. In his extreme form the Emperor can be cold and unfeeling, relying solely on his laws and pronouncements for judgement. In this sense he is inflexible and stern, yet his age indicates an understanding and ability to express compassion gleaned from many years of experience and rulership. What do you see in his powerful persona? Is there something in you which is inflexible and judging, or is his power indicative of achievement and success despite many hardships? The Hierophant, or the Pope, is similar to the Magician in that he represents a link between ourselves and the divine. The role of the Pope is traditionally that of the mediator between God and mankind, the high priest on earth. As such he represents the spiritual teacher who helps us come into contact with the divine. Unlike the Magician who simply points the way, the Hierophant is a trusted guide, one who will take us by the hand and lead us to our spiritual goal. He also represents tradition, the orthodox, organized methods of nurturing spirituality. Regardless of your religious background, the Hierophant represents the spirituality you were taught from childhood, the religious traditions which are your heritage. The darker side of this card can represent authoritarian control and domination of religious expression. If you encounter the Hierophant, you may need to examine your spiritual life, particularly in terms of the communal expression of that spirituality. Perhaps there is a need to return to the roots and re-explore forgotten traditions. Or there may be the opposite need to learn to stand on your own spiritual feet, as it were, and explore the spiritual depths of your own psyche apart from any communal expression of faith. What feelings does the Hierophant elicit when you see him? What is he trying to tell you? The lovers represent relationships in our lives, particularly intimate and/or sexual relationships. This card indicates situations in our lives where love is primarily important and may reflect the state of our relationships at the time. The lovers are blessed and protected by the angel in the clouds above them, and the sun shines brightly overhead, bringing warmth and security. The earth at their feet is green and fertile and suggests life and happiness. However, as with all the cards, there are negative aspects to be considered in the symbolism of the lovers. The snake in the fruit laden tree behind the woman suggests the story of Adam and Eve, the fall of humanity from grace, and the temptations of the world. The Hindu concept of Maya, which refers to the illusory nature of the material world, is suggested in the temptation of the fruit. Behind the man, on the other hand, is a black tree with flames for leaves. The flames represent the fires of passion which burn within each of us and which can cause spiritual imbalance in our lives if we allow them free reign over us. The world is both a blessing and a curse, and it contains the potentiality for both good and evil. The lovers represent both the beauty and the corruption of our physical, bodily aspect. How do the images speak to you? What is their relationship to the other cards in your reading? Do they indicate a need for more balance in your life? Or do they suggest worldly fulfillment and happiness? The charioteer in this card is a young man whose face bears the unmistakable countenance of determination, focus, and ambition. He is related to the Fool in that he is anxious for new experiences and for adventure, yet he differs from the Fool because he is focused and has a clear goal in mind. He represents youthful passion, potency, the desire to succeed and accomplish great goals, without the naivetΘ of the Fool. His canopy is covered with stars and his uniform suggests celestial power and spiritual assistance because of the crescent moons on his epaulets and the stars in his crown. The Chariot indicates not only the pursuit, but the nearly assured success of the driver's ambition through the exercise of a focused and determined will. The duality of this ambition is represented by the sphinxes at the front of the vehicle. The black sphinx is negative aspect of an over ambitious desire to reach a goal at any cost. The white sphinx is the positive aspect of this same desire. Does the Chariot indicate a need to embrace a goal and pursue it with vigor? Or does he suggest that perhaps your determination is excessive and possibly detrimental to the health of other aspects of your life? How does this image reflect your inner and outer circumstances? This card represents strength, determination, and power in a manner similar to the Chariot. However, the differences are obvious at a glance. Instead of a powerful, focused warrior we encounter a gentle woman, unarmed and without the protection of armor. She overcomes the lion with a quiet strength which can only come from within. Where the Chariot represented outer strength and will, the card of Strength represents inner power, the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle. That the woman represents the spirit is manifest by her white robe, representing purity, and the symbol of eternity above her head. She wears a belt and crown of flowers and stands unprotected in an open green field. The Chariot indicates that worldly success is possible if our goals are pursued with focus and energy. The Strength card tells us that our deeper power comes from within. The lion represents inner and/or outer challenges that attempt to hinder us in our life's journey. This card tells us that we can overcome any difficulty if we utilize the inner Strength of our spirit and trust in the divine power of the universe for our energy and sustenance. When this card is encountered in a reading, it may be an indication of the need to deepen our spiritual life. Or it may be a reminder to those of us who have forgotten the inner strength that exists within. The hermit is the wise spirit within. He, like the Fool, stands at the edge of a precipice on the peak of a barren mountain. But unlike the innocent, naive Fool who carelessly steps over the edge, the Hermit holds the staff of wisdom in one hand and a light in the other to give direction to those who do not know the way. The Hermit is the ancient spirit which lives within us through the existence of the Collective Unconscious, the universal mind which guides us through the darkness with its clear light. The Hermit represents the deepest part of ourselves, that part which knows what to do in times of decision, knows the right way to respond to the world and its challenges. The Hermit is the seer who guides us during difficult times, the prophet who speaks the voice of conscience to us when we lose our way. When we encounter the Hermit in a reading, we should take it as an indication that the answers we seek can be found within our own hearts. How does the Wise Man speak to you as you encounter his visage? The Wheel of Fortune, perhaps more strongly than any other card, has a dual aspect of light and dark, good and ill. This card represents the circular nature of time as reflected in the phrase "what goes around comes around." Our live are full of ups and downs and none of these periods of difficulty or prosperity last forever. There will always be change in our lives and we must learn to adapt to the changes in our lives or we will be left behind as the world moves along without us. The Wheel of Fortune clearly indicates the transitory nature of the world and gives us an opportunity to reexamine our lives to determine where we are in the cycle at the time we encounter the card. If we are at the "bottom" we may need to prompt ourselves into moving forward and bringing about positive changes to our situation. If we are riding high at the top of the cycle, the card may be reminding us to "count our blessings" and not be callous or take our good for granted. The card is filled with symbols: the four beings in each corner are the symbols of the four Gospel writers of the New Testament. The wheel itself bears both the letters "TARO" for the Tarot and the Hebrew letters of the name of God, "YHVH." The sphinx at the top of the wheel represents success and good and reminds us of the sphinxes in the Chariot card. The devil at the bottom of the wheel is there to keep us alert, to help make us aware that all things are subject to change. Justice represents harmony and balance. Throughout all the cards as we encounter the positive and negative aspects of life we must choose between right and wrong, darkness and light. Justice represents the balance that we must all create in order to live healthy and fulfilled lives. The woman sits between two columns, as does the High Priestess and the Hierophant. In her right hand she holds a two-edged sword representing duality, and in her left hand are the scales used to find balance and harmony between the often conflicting elements of our lives. When you encounter the card of Justice the meaning to be understood is not necessarily that you have a choice to make but rather that you must look at areas of imbalance or excess in your life to determine where more moderation and equilibrium can bring peace to replace turmoil. Does your life reflect the principles embodied in the concept of Justice? The Hanged Man appears to be a captive, suffering an undeserved punishment under the power of an unknown malicious force. This initial impression generally leaves a reader with the uneasy feeling that the card portends disaster or trouble. However, when viewed more closely, the positive aspects of the card become more evident. The young man bears a peaceful countenance upon his face, much more the look of a man content with his fate than at the mercy of unknown powers. He also has a bright yellow halo around his head, suggestive of his purity and innocence. The Hanged Man is a willing victim, someone who has chosen the path of sacrifice to accomplish a higher goal. He hangs upside down upon a cross, like St. Peter who was crucified upside down for his witness to the message of Jesus. The Hanged Man represents the willingness to forsake the temptations of instant gratification for a higher cause, and because of his willing sacrifice he accomplishes the goals he has in his heart. When we encounter the Hanged Man, we should consider areas in our lives where we may need to act in a more selfless manner either for the benefit of others or for the fulfillment of our own deeper needs. In contrast, we may need to examine our life for areas in which we are giving too much to others at the expense of our own mental and spiritual well-being. What emotions does the image of the Hanged Man stir in you? The Death card is probably the most feared and misunderstood of all the cards in the Tarot deck. In general, people tend to take the meaning of this card far too literally and fear that the indication is for the death of either themselves or others. Relax! The card of Death can be one of the most fruitful and positive cards in the deck. Death is a symbol of the ending of some phase or aspect of our lives that may bring about the beginning of something far more valuable and important. If we encounter this card in a reading it may be an indication that we need to learn to let go of unhealthy attachments in our lives to pave the way to a fuller, more fulfilled life of deeper meaning and significance. The Death card is a card of change, a card of transition. We are transformed by the death of old ways of thinking and by releasing ourselves from clinging attachments that restrain our further growth. The Death card represents the clearing of the old to usher in the new and therefore should be welcomed as a positive, cleansing, transformative force in our lives. "Unless the seed should fall to the ground and die, it shall never bring forth fruit" should be the guiding spirit under which this card is understood. The death and clearing away of limiting factors can open the door to a wider, more satisfying experience of life. What changes are you experiencing? What phase of life is passing away to open you to a richer experience? Or, more actively, what can you do to bring about positive change in your life? Notice, the sun is setting in the distance. Or is it rising? Temperance, like Justice, indicates the need for balance and tranquillity to achieve and experience fulfillment in our lives. The angel in the image has one foot on a stone and the other in the river. In this stance she represents the need to "test the waters" before jumping headlong into unknown circumstances. Here she tempers the whimsical flight of the Fool who jumps without giving a second thought. In her hands are two cups which she uses to mix water. One cup can be thought of as holding hot water and the other cold water. The temperate individual mixes the opposites and finds a balance in life by avoiding extremes. Behind her is the Royal Road of Wisdom which, if followed in the spirit of Temperance, will lead us to the golden crown of self-knowledge and self-mastery in the distant horizon. How does the image of Temperance speak to you? Does it indicate a need to find more balance in your life? Or does it teach you that compromise is not only necessary but healthy in your choices? The card of the Devil represents those hidden forces of negativity that constrain us and deceive us into thinking we are imprisoned by external forces. The Devil is an inner force within each of us, he is an embodiment of our fears, addictions, and other harmful impulses. The people chained at his feet are entranced with the paralyzing fear of his illusory power and therefore stand still with hopelessness and a numb appearance. However, the chains hang loosely around their necks, an indication that freedom is within their grasp if they can only break free of the hypnotic attachment to the temptations offered by the Devil. The Devil is a master of deception and illusion. The chains he binds us with are not real, we have freely given him any power he has over us. When we encounter the Devil in a reading, we must ask ourselves where we are "stuck" in life. We often fall prey to despair and the thought that we are controlled by external forces but we forge our own chains of imprisonment and powerlessness. What are the addictions or attachments restraining you from experiencing the freedom of the Fool? Are you giving yourself over to the illusion of helplessness and despair? You have the power within to set yourself free from the bondage of the Devil. What can you do to free yourself from his deception? The Tower follows the card of the Devil and represents the breaking of his bonds. The Tower can be seen as a place of imprisonment and illusion and the destruction of this edifice paves the way to an experience of freedom in our lives. In addition, the Tower can signify our ego and the illusion of considering ourselves "above" others. When the Tower of deception, ego, and illusion is destroyed, we are freed to face Truth and Reality without the trappings of false attachments. The sudden destruction of the Tower represents the immediacy of change, and the often disorienting effects of that change. However, in order to become free and empowered human beings, we must be willing to accept the trials of personal transformation and accept even radical disruptions of the "status quo." The Tower is about inspiration, freedom, reality and the release from bondage. Whereas the Devil may have indicated a need to make a change, the Tower represents the present reality of change. Are you undergoing a major shift in consciousness? Are you beginning to see things in a new way? The Tower tells us that things are being "stirred up" in our lives. The important question to ask is whether we can accept this change and move forward into a more positive psychological state, one where personal freedom is the rule. The Star is a card of harmony and balance, much like the card of Temperance. However, because the Star follows the card of the Tower, it also represents the end of a period of change and turmoil. The Star is a card of fulfillment, peace of mind, mental and emotional stability. Like Temperance, the woman in the card holds two containers of water, but in this case she pours the water out to nourish the earth and continue the cycle of fertility which is represented by the lush greenery around her. Also like Temperance, she has one foot on land and the other in the water. The water represents the spiritual realm and the land is a symbol of the material world. She represents the wisdom of experience and the calm certainty of self-confidence, self-knowledge. She will not rush carelessly into the unknown like the Fool but will remain calm and in peace because of her wisdom. The Star is a guiding light within us, the deepest part of our Self which knows that we are under the protection and guidance of the Divine spirit. What reaction does she call forth from you as you encounter her peaceful image? The Moon is the card of intuition, dreams, and the unconscious. The Moon provides light as a reflection of the Sun, yet this light is dim, uncertain, and only vaguely illuminates our path as we journey toward higher consciousness. Similarly, our dreams, intuitions, and inner promptings lead us forward toward higher levels of understanding if we listen carefully and use our judgement to help interpret the veiled messages of the unconscious. The water at the base of the card represents the inner ocean of the collective unconscious from which a crab or crayfish appears. This creature represents the often disturbing images which appear from our inner depths, just as the dog and wolf at the beginning of the path represent the tamed and the wild aspects of our minds. The path leads between two towers into the mountains in the distance. The towers represent good and evil, much like the columns flanking the High Priestess. The mountains in the distance represent the higher knowledge we seek under the illumination of the Moon. How do you respond to the promptings of the unconscious? Do you attempt to understand the vague promptings of your dreams, or do you simply ignore these messages? How does this card affect you? What wisdom can you find by listening carefully to the images within your unconscious? The Sun is an image of optimism and fulfillment, the dawn that follows our darkest night. As the source of all life on earth, the Sun represents the blessings of divinity, the Source of Life itself. The child playing joyfully in the foreground represents the happiness of our inner spirit when we are in tune with our truest Self. The white horse upon which the child rides represents strength and purity of spirit. The sunflowers in the background represent life and the fruitfulness of the spirit under the nourishment of the Sun. This is one of the most positive cards in the Tarot deck, and should be received with joy and thankfulness if encountered in a reading. The only negative to be concerned about in relation to this card pertains to our tendency to become attached to the "good times" when we are experiencing them and to forget the trials we survived in order to get there. In your bliss, do not forget the trials that have passed or that others may be experiencing. Compassion and understanding are the fruits of experience and should never be forgotten. How does this happy card fit in with the rest of your reading? Is it tempered or balanced by another card that portends either past, present, or future challenges? Judgement relates to the necessity of decision. You are faced with a choice and the time has come to deal with the questions before you, time to take action toward developing your greater good. The card also indicates an inner awakening, the beginnings of a new way of living and experiencing the world. Something which was lying dormant within us, some unconscious knowledge or truth is finally being awakened and brought into the light. The Judgement card has positive and negative aspects. In the positive sense we are being awakened from a long sleep, a period during which we lacked clarity, and now insight is dawning upon us in a psychic rebirth and resurrection. In the negative sense, we are being called to account for past actions and to justify in the light of truth what we have done in the past. Judgement is a time of reckoning, a time of bringing to light those things which were hidden. The psychological process of self-revelation often brings relief and joy, yet it is often a difficult process in which we encounter darker aspects of our personality which were hidden out of fear or self-defense. What are the choices and challenges you must face as you encounter the card of Judgement? Most importantly, what is your judgement of yourself, your own self-appraisal? The card of the World signifies fulfillment, the end of the journey, the final completion of the cycle of time. We have arrived and have accomplished our purpose. The Fool's journey is completed in the World, his wisdom and experience is now complete. The four beings representing the gospel writers of the New Testament appear again in the corners of this card and their presence here reminds us of the Wheel of Fortune. The World card is very much associated with the Wheel, the cyclical progression of time and our human experience. The dancing figure in the center of the wreath wears a purple robe signifying royalty and bliss. She rejoices with us in the completion of the journey and celebrates not only this completion but also the new beginnings it promises. The World is a card of self-knowledge, of joyous wisdom, and of freedom from the bondage of false attachments. The circle represents the culmination of a long journey, the enlightenment experienced by the seeker who has struggled for the Truth. Yet the circle also represents the ever turning Wheel of Life and we must remember even in our most satisfied, fulfilled times that the cycle will continue. Change will come again, and the Fool's journey will be started once more. Where are you in your journey as you encounter this card?
