Archangel tarot card interpretation. Ways to interpret Tarot cards. — High Priest, Hierophant

The meaning of cards in fortune telling is one of the fortuneteller’s supports when interpreting the layout. After all, it is important not only to ask the question correctly, choose the necessary layout and cards, but also to give the correct interpretation. Below we will talk about the classic interpretation of Tarot cards.

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Interpretation of cards for fortune telling

Despite the existence of several schools of Tarot, in which there are sometimes significant and sometimes not very significant differences, most of the meanings are still similar. This way, you won't have to memorize new interpretations for each new deck. It is enough to know the classical meanings; based on them, it is much easier to understand and remember the non-traditional meanings of modern schools.

So, in any Tarot deck there is 22 Major Arcana And 56 Junior. This is a standard number, and no matter how the names or their meanings change, the number of cards remains the same. If your deck has fewer Major Arcana, or it is not divided into Major and Minor Arcana at all, this means that you are holding in your hands, and the traditional Tarot meanings will not suit you. For all other cases, you can safely use the interpretations presented below.

We provide a brief, very general meaning of each of the arcana, which can be used on or as a hint. It is important to understand that each of the arcana is much more multifaceted and broader in its meaning, especially depending on the position of the card in the layout, as well as on the other cards surrounding it.

Decoding Tarot cards for fortune telling

There are many options for the internal hierarchy of the Major Arcana: cards are divided into titled and allegorical, symbols of the main virtues and astrological elements, signs of luck and universal predestination.
J. Baines, S. Vronsky “Fate on the steps of the Golden Tarot”

	"Jester"- this is the first, and sometimes zero, arcan, since some decks begin with it, and some end with it. The card speaks of simplicity, childish inexperience and trust in the world on the one hand, and excessive impulsiveness, “blind” trust, stupidity, on the other. At the same time, the zero lasso symbolizes great potential, unusualness, and often symbolizes "white crows", standing out sharply against the background of the gray mass.
	"Magician"- the first of the Elders. Talks about the beginning of a new path, the emergence of a new idea. « Magician" indicates will and enterprise, symbolizes the onset of the stage of implementation and manifestation of initiative.
	"Priestess"- the second lasso in the deck and the first female card. This map of knowledge. She talks about the need to trust yourself and your intuition, about the benefits of acquired knowledge about the people around you.
	"Empress"- the next Major Arcana, which is a symbol of femininity. « Empress" - This is the embodiment of a woman in the roles of mother and housewife. Symbolizes harmonious relationships, marriage, the birth of children, family prosperity and general material well-being.
	"Emperor"- the fourth card, talking about power and authority. Symbolizes a stable position in society, promotion and implementation of planned projects. Sometimes « Emperor" goes too far and becomes a brutal dictator. It also speaks of the help of an influential friend from the outside.
	"High priest"- the fifth lasso, also represented by a male card. "Priest" or « Dad" , as it is sometimes called, can indicate both the learning process, both literally and figuratively, and the need for humility and playing by the rules.
	"Lovers"- the sixth lasso, which has the main meaning of love. Another, no less common, is the choice between two opposite and equally attractive options.
	"Chariot"- 7 lasso, speaks of victory after a difficult struggle or of small victories with daily difficulties.
	Following her "Force" tells us about a person’s inner strength, which helps him overcome obstacles in his path.
	Further "Hermit" First of all, it symbolizes the stage of loneliness, a period of temporary peace and silence, which is necessary for reflection and the search for meaning, patience, and acceptance of current events.
	Tenth Arcana "Wheel of Fortune", as is already clear from the name, says that everything changes, nothing lingers in our lives. In practical terms, the card symbolizes a rapid change of events, a quick change in the current situation.
	Eleventh Arcana "Justice" or "Justice", as it is also called, symbolizes rigor and impartiality. He says that it’s time to make a sound decision, objectively assess the situation, and not be led by emotions.
	"The Hanged Man" - one of the heaviest lassos in the deck, indicates a person’s weak position, his dependence on circumstances, people and the inability to influence them. By my position « Hanged" offers a new look at the current situation. The card speaks of the necessary, often unpleasant sacrifice that must be made, as well as the lessons that are important to learn and understand in order to move on.
	Thirteenth Arcana "Death", as a rule, does not imply physical death at all. We are talking about a metaphorical one. A person experiences changes on a psychological level. The old is already gone, but what the new looks like is still unclear.
	Next after « Death""Moderation" speaks for itself. It symbolizes balance in everything. The card shows the importance of avoiding extremes and patience.
	The next one of the most popular among the Major Arcana is the fifteenth Arcana “ Devil". This card talks about addictions, negative influences, provocations, slavery in the spiritual and physical sense.
	"Tower", the sixteenth lasso, speaks of imminent dramatic changes. However, unlike the thirteenth lasso, the situation changes precisely at the physical level. Usually under this lasso one is unexpectedly fired from a job, loses a partner, and so on. The events spoken of by the sixteenth lasso are difficult to experience. However, it is important to remember that " Tower» - this is always the beginning of a new stage.
	Seventeenth Arcana " Star » speaks of dreams coming true, hopes coming true. This card also symbolizes the successful completion of plans, creative implementation and success in any endeavor.
	"Moon » , the eighteenth Major Arcana, demonstrates fears and complexes. The map suggests that not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance. The lasso also symbolizes secret knowledge, magic and external influences.
	"Sun » - the nineteenth lasso, appears to indicate the onset of a time of clarity, creativity, optimism, and unlocking potential. May indicate pleasant acquaintances, quick marriage and the birth of children.
	Twentieth Arcana " Court » also a very positive card. She speaks of the beginning of a new stage, a time when your efforts will be rewarded and you will get what you deserve.

Tarot cards are called Arcana. Each Arcana has its own image, name and properties that determine its semantic meaning. A traditional deck consists of 78 cards or Arcana, which is divided into several groups: the first 22 cards are the Major Arcana group. The Major Arcana begins with the zero (0) card “Fool” (“Jester”) and ends with the card (XXI) “World”. Researchers of the occult have come to the conclusion that the images of ancient secrets are encoded in the drawings of Tarot cards. The Major Arcana symbolize the Great Mysteries. The remaining 56 cards symbolize the Minor Secrets and are called the Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana are comparable to a regular deck of playing cards. The Minor Arcana of the Tarot consist of four groups or four suits, just like regular playing cards. Their similarities don't stop there. The suits of Swords, Cups, Denarii and Wands actually correspond to the playing card suits of spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs. In each suit of Tarot cards, the first card is the Ace, followed by the cards Two, Three, Four, Five, and so on until Ten.

The Major Arcana in a reading relate to important issues and major events, while the Minor Arcana reveal the secrets of ordinary life and relate to the events of everyday life. They clarify the influence of the Major Arcana and show how they influence everyday life.

As in playing cards, in Tarot cards there are figured cards with images of figures, these are picture cards, which include Page (jack, messenger, princess), Knight (cavalier, horseman), Queen (Queen, Sibyl) and King (Pharaoh) . All face cards in the Minor Arcana are also called “court cards.” You may notice that Tarot cards differ from ordinary playing cards by one figured card - the Knight.

Major Arcana Tarot - meaning

But the main feature that distinguishes Tarot cards from a playing deck is the presence of a group of cards consisting of 22 figures. These are the Major Arcana of the Tarot, on which fortune tellers have been making their spreads for a long time. Strictly speaking, the name “Tarot” was not immediately given to such decks of cards; in the 15th century, cards like Tarot were called “triumphs” - “Trionfi”. And the name “Tarot” began to be used for decks of this kind from the beginning of the 16th century. Cards depicting recognizable figures, virtues, vices, heavenly bodies, such as the Fool, the Emperor, the Pope and even God and the Devil, were usually called “Allegories of Triumph”, or simply “Triumphs” in 15th century manuscripts. It can be assumed that such and other images - “triumphs”, ultimately gave rise to a series of 22 Triumphs, prototypes of the current Major Arcana of the Tarot. The names of these cards and the images on the pictures of the cards indicate a mystical essence and deep meaning. If you look at the cards and trace the sequence of the Major Arcana coming one after another, then each card in front guaranteed victory over the next one, surpassing it in value. The images seem to represent an allegory of the Renaissance world and are lined up in human ranks - a triumphal procession of characters and an allegory of the evolution of personality: Power (Emperor and Hierophant), Christian virtues (Strength and Justice), events (Death and Resurrection) and celestial bodies (Stars, Sun and Moon).

Minor Arcana Tarot - meaning

The Minor Arcana are divided into four suits, each consisting of ten numbered cards and four court cards. Each suit contains ten numbered cards from Ace to Ten. The court cards consist of three men and one woman and can vary from deck to deck. The court cards include the Page (Knave), Knight (Horseman), Queen (Queen) and King (Pope). In some modern decks, the Page became the Princess, the Knight became the Prince, the Queen became the Mother, and the King became the Father.

The names of the Minor Arcana suits may vary depending on the deck. You need to understand that we are talking about the same suit. Often Denarii are called Denarii, Pentacles, Disks or Coins. Wands are often called Staves, Wands or Flowers. Cups can be called Cups or Hearts, Swords - Spades. But you can easily recognize the suit by its symbol. In ancient cards, the value of the card was indicated by a number and symbols corresponding to the suits. For example, the number 9 and nine wands were depicted on the 9 of Wands.

Suit of Swords in Tarot cards the first highest suit of the deck. Swords are associated with logic, reason and intellect. It is the strongest and most dangerous suit and personifies forces acting on the physical plane, struggle, passionate desires, conflict situations, any purposeful action on oneself or another person. When divining, Swords warn of enemies, dangers, strife and failure in business.

Suit of Cups in Tarot cards is the opposite of the suit of Swords and symbolizes love, concern for other people, care and kindness in all its manifestations. The suit of Cups symbolizes the sensual and emotional spheres, which include love, harmony, pleasure, happiness, healing. Cups are desires that can be satisfied in different ways: relaxation, holidays, feasts, gluttony, pleasant acquaintances, love, art, the world of the tangible and creative.

Suit of Denaria (Pentacles) in Tarot cards is the third most powerful suit of the Minor Arcana in the Tarot deck, which symbolizes property, money, wealth, material well-being, business, prestige, communication, contacts, success, achieving goals, human health, and intellect.

Suit of Wands in Tarot cards - This is the fourth suit, which symbolizes fame and success, and is associated with business and financial issues of the fortuneteller. The Suit of Wands indicates a person's potential, his efforts to achieve success. The suit of Wands in the Minor Arcana of the Tarot represents enterprise, development, wisdom, aspiration, energy, ingenuity, authority, position in society, superiority, and material well-being. The suit of Wands also includes politics, management and administrative affairs.

Tarot cards - interpretation of meaning

It is not known exactly when the 22 Triumphs, otherwise known as the Major Arcana, were combined with the 56 cards of the Minor Arcana to form the complete 78-card deck that we now know as the Tarot. An important point in studying Tarot cards is their Basic meaning. The main meaning of each card can be determined by two keywords, which, like two sides of a coin, characterize the positive and negative meaning of the card. These are not opposite meanings, these are two polarities of one card, the essence is somewhere in the middle. Depending on the layout and neighboring cards, the balance of the main value moves more in one direction or another. The semantic meaning of the card is clarified in each specific case using other keywords.

An important point when studying the meanings of Tarot cards are Key words, secondary meanings of Tarot cards. These words are usually related and complement each other in meaning. From homogeneous meanings, the fortuneteller selects the most appropriate one for the situation in order to find a balance and average value between the keywords in each specific case. When interpreting the layout, a novice fortuneteller can choose any meaning of the Tarot card from the Basic Meanings and from the Key Words, which is most suitable for the meaning of the layout.

If the entire deck is used in the layout, then the Major Arcana play the role of the main forces of a wider and longer spectrum of action than the Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana point to less significant symbols and forces that are temporary and more everyday. In the scenario, you should always pay first attention to the dropped Major Arcana, and then move on to the interpretation of the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana in the layout are primary, the meanings of the Minor Arcana in the layout depend on the meaning of the Major Arcana, and not vice versa. On our website we show the most common and classic meanings of the Minor Arcana Tarot cards, which can take on additional meanings depending on the specifics of the deck.

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In order to start working with a magic deck, you first need to familiarize yourself with the meaning of each card - without this, complete and reliable fortune telling simply will not work. Interpretation of Tarot cards is the most difficult, but at the same time the most interesting process for a tarot reader. And today we will talk about how you can generally interpret cards, how to learn to understand classic and specialized decks.

Ways to Interpret Tarot Cards

There are two main ways to interpret magic cards. The first is to study the basic meanings of each Arcana according to the instructions attached to the deck, specialized literature, various courses and master classes. The second is an independent study of the symbolic field of each card, when the tarot reader simply takes the deck and gradually, carefully examining each Arcana, records his own associations associated with it.

It is difficult to say which method is better, since each master has his own opinion on this matter. So, for example, for a person with a rich imagination, interpreting the Tarot Arcana in an intuitive way may be more convenient than memorizing book interpretations. Some people generally prefer to combine both methods - familiarity with the book, traditional meanings of the cards, as well as their own elaboration.

A lot depends on the deck itself. For example, the interpretation of Rider-Waite Tarot cards usually does not cause any difficulties, since all Arcana, including the Minor ones, are depicted in the form of simple pictures, the meaning of which can be understood without even looking at the book. But Aleister Crowley’s Tarot of Thoth cannot be understood intuitively, since the Minor Arcana are not drawn, and the meanings themselves put into the cards by the author are very different from the classical interpretations. Of course, for an experienced tarot reader this deck will not be particularly difficult, but it will be quite difficult for a beginner to work with it.

Personally, I try to find an individual approach to each deck. I studied the Thoth Tarot from the works of Aleister Crowley himself, and only then worked through each card independently, adding my own associations to the traditional meaning, which I recorded in a notebook. I began to study the Wild Unknown Tarot intuitively, and only then, after recording my own associations, I looked into the MBK - it turned out that my vision of the Arcana is very close to the meaning that the author put into them. The interpretation of Tarot cards in layouts made on Nicoletta Ceccoli’s deck still varies for me depending on the topic of fortune telling: these cards are more reminiscent of metaphorical ones than traditional Tarot. The MBK for this deck seemed to me not at all informative. But it turned out to be difficult to study the Hermetic Tarot without a book attached to the deck.

As you can see, there is no single correct way - it all depends on you. For example, I know one girl who, on principle, does not look at reference books at all and works exclusively with her own feelings - her layouts always hit the mark, despite the fact that some of her interpretations are very far from the classical ones. So the interpretation of Tarot layouts is a purely individual thing.

General interpretation of the Major Arcana Tarot

Despite the fact that different decks may have different interpretations of the same card, the Major Arcana usually retain a similar meaning. Now we will look at the interpretation of the Waite Tarot cards - beginners can rely on these meanings. However, do not forget that the final interpretation depends on your personal perception and the specifics of the deck.

As you understand, the full interpretation of Tarot cards will be much broader than the meanings given in the table. But you need to expand the symbolic field of each Arcana yourself, based on your feelings.

So, we have talked about the main meaning of the Major Arcana, now we should move on to the Minor Arcana. We will also take White's interpretation of the Tarot as a basis. Please note that the interpretation of the Minor Arcana and court cards in different decks can change, sometimes quite significantly.

Wands

• : new beginnings, breakthrough energy
• : Partnership, plans for the future
• : Success, leadership
• : Prosperity, harmony, enjoyment of the results of labor
• : Unrest, problems
• : Social recognition, success
• : Competition, defending your position, views
• : Rapid change, communication
• : Self-defense
• : Success that brings difficulties
• : News, new interests
• : Travel, action, trip
• : Business acumen, activity
• : Activity, influence

Cups/Bowls

• : Creative energy, love, the beginning of a romance
• : Happy relationships, successful partnerships
• : Holiday, party, celebration
• : Apathy, boredom, sadness, satiety
• : Depression, grief
• : Simple joys, nostalgia, greetings from the past
• : Confusion, multiple options, illusions, dreams
• : Lifestyle change, leaving something behind
• : Fulfillment of desires
• : Satisfaction, happiness, luck
• : News that touches your heart
• : Invitation, proposal
• : Intuition, help
• : Gentleness, advice, healing, kind soul

Swords

• : Critical moment, success through difficulties, triumph of intelligence
• : Neutral position, waiting, balance
• : Separation, unhappiness, anxiety
• : Retreat from the world, rest, sometimes hospital
• : Pointless struggle, restrictions
• : Get away from difficulties, troubles
• : Theft, deception, failure to resist
• : Fall into the trap
• : Mental anguish, worry, anxiety
• : Failure, collapse, failure
• : Surveillance, obtaining information by phone or letter
• : Argumentation, destruction of changes
• : Dishonesty, bitter experience
• : Authority, ambition

Pentacles/Coins/Denarius

• : Material success, good health
• : Manipulation of money or time, frivolous attitude
• : New business, success
• : Success, but at the same time unwillingness to meet changes
• : Material losses, deterioration in health
• : Getting help
• : Willingness to work hard
• : New hobby, study, work
• It can be difficult for beginning tarot readers to interpret a particular card when it appears in a thematic reading. So, for example, what can the Ten of Pentacles mean if we ask about a person’s feelings, if the main meaning of the card is money, property, inheritance? In fact, the interpretation of the Tarot for relationships is not as complicated as it sometimes seems. You don’t have to memorize some lists of keywords and copy the meaning of each card in various areas of life into a notebook - you just need to turn on your imagination and think about how the traditional interpretation can manifest itself in a narrower way.

  Let's take our example with the Ten of Pentacles: since the card talks about property and money, then it can answer the question about a person’s attitude like this: he is more concerned about the material background of the relationship, some kind of personal gain, rather than feelings. This may well be a marriage of convenience or a couple where one person has some kind of material benefit. A girl who clings to a young man for money or a man who is in a love affair with a “good match” - this could be this interpretation of the Tarot card. The Three of Cups in feelings will mean true joy from relationships, a celebration of the soul, or a union in which lovers spend a lot of time in companies, parties, and lead an active lifestyle in society. The main thing here is to think a little and turn on your imagination - then you will be able to intuitively choose the correct meaning of the card in any thematic scenario, not only in love.

  
  Separately, it is worth mentioning the interpretation of cards in specialized decks, which differ from Rider-White, which is considered a classic. For example, the interpretation of Crowley's Tarot is simply impossible without studying the works of the author himself. This occultist's deck is based on the Kabbalah and astrological correspondences. It is filled with esoteric symbols, including those from Egyptian and Celtic mythology, so it cannot be interpreted purely intuitively. More precisely, if you wish, of course, it will work out, but without understanding the full depth of symbolism put into these cards by the author, you will not be able to see many of the subtlest nuances of interpretation.

  The interpretation of the Decameron Tarot is based on the world of human passions. This deck is best suited for addressing love relationship issues. It will not be possible to tie the interpretation of cards to the classics when working with it - you need to study the specifics of the deck and penetrate into the meaning intended by the author.

  The interpretation of the Tarot of Shadows by Vera Sklyarova is generally a topic for a separate conversation. Here you will not see the usual names of the Major and Minor Arcana, but instead you will meet dark angels, entities, phenomena and objects. So, for example, in the place of the usual Magician in this deck stands Satan, and the fourth Arcana is not the Emperor at all, but Lucifer. Among the Minor Arcana there are magical herbs and objects, human vices and tools of sorcerers - in a word, the deck is very far from the classics, and to understand it you need to be well versed in the world of black magic.

  As you can see, cards can be interpreted in different ways. And a lot depends on your personal perception and the meaning laid down by the author.

Tarot is a complex divination system used throughout the world. Although many have suggested ancient origins for the cards, no one is absolutely sure where they came from. The concepts and mystical knowledge of tarot are timeless, but the practice of using cards for divination is subject to debate. Many believe that they have Egyptian or Indian origins.

The Tarot itself is a deck of seventy-eight cards, divided into twenty-two major arcana, which symbolize the main events of life, and fifty-six minor ones, giving a detailed view of more daily situations and events.

By choosing a card, we penetrate into its archetype, read its essence, which synchronously corresponds to the energies of our life. You may draw one or more cards to receive advice about a current situation for yourself or others.

Many people are keen on predictions; one of the popular and accurate ways to find out the future is to make a Tarot reading and then interpret it. It is important to know the meaning of the cards. Beginners are recommended to study them; in the future, having gained experience, you can interpret the cards using your intuitive vision.

Here are the main characteristics:

• The cups represent relationships.
• Pentacles cover work and money.
• Swords symbolize conflict.
• Wands speak of magic and creativity.

The wonderful thing is that anyone can perform fortune telling. Tarot cards speak about your intention. They cannot tell you what is not in your subconscious, because you give the arcana your energy, and they simply reflect it back.

Learning Tarot can begin with learning the meaning of each card, it is important to understand its meaning, this is very useful. But, when you begin to practice fortune telling and get to know your deck better, it will begin to speak to you with its special individual symbols.

Major Arcana

Fool: childlike idealism, innocence, stupidity, unlimited potential. If the Fool appears in your fortune telling, it's time to start something new. Be spontaneous, and embrace the “dope” in you.

Mage: skill, magic, strength. This is an action and ability card. You can achieve what you want.

The High Priestess: the unconscious, dreams, mysticism. The card opposes or complements the Mage. Where he steps forward, she takes a step back to let her intuition speak. Listen to the space between them.

Empress: earth mother, creation, fertility. The Empress is very sensitive and very caring. She tells you that it is important to nourish others and yourself, in particular, this must be done through nature.

Emperor: tradition, authority, rules. The Emperor is a paternal figure in a very rigid, traditional sense of the word; it is the father who is the provider and punishes when punishment is warranted. If an emperor appears, rules and regulations are of utmost importance because they give us structure.

Hierophant: faith, training, conformity. The Hierophant believes in education. He often represents the church.

Lovers: duality, love, harmony. Lovers often talk about romance. Sometimes they talk about a difficult decision in which it is important to make the right choice, but it is not always clear which one, because you want both at once.

Chariot: balance, self-control, war within oneself. The card shows two horses or two sphinxes. By pulling the chariot, you should master both of them. If you do this, you will win.

Strength: resilience, resilience, self-confidence. While the chariot requires a heavy hand, true strength requires a light touch. It is important for you to have patience and compassion, as well as confidence.

Hermit: spirituality, loneliness, wisdom. The hermit withdraws into himself, seeking an understanding of something greater. If it appears in the reading, then it’s time to engage in introspection. Give yourself some time to be alone and find answers.

Wheel of fortune: changes of fate, cycles. Change is the only constant in our lives. The Wheel of Fortune tells us that with each cycle we are moving in a certain direction.

Justice: morality, karma. The card appears when you are trying to do something right or when you feel like you have been deceived. In any case, examine yourself to find true justice.

The Hanged Man: sacrifice, self-awareness, knowledge. The Hanged Man is another union of opposites, and it requires us to let go of something in order to gain control.

Death: change, transformation, completion. Even if the card does not mean literal death, it is still scary because people are afraid of change. Something comes to an end, and something new comes. The door closes, but the window opens.

Moderation: moderation, compromise, self-control. She brings opposing forces into the fortuneteller’s life and teaches them to respect them. This requires a balance of hard work and self-restraint.

Devil: self-deception, ignorance. Talks about a bad situation that you yourself created. The devil insists that you take a close look at your life and see where you have made a mistake.

Tower: destruction, betrayal, starting all over again. The tower is burning about the sudden, destruction of everything you hold dear. It may simply mean a new perspective or a drastic change in life circumstances.

Star: hope, inspiration, new opportunities. After the tower has destroyed everything, the star provides balm for the soul. No matter what happens, there is always a way out, hope. When a star appears, relax and allow the peacefulness and vastness of the Universe to calm and inspire you.

Moon: illusion, mysticism, possibility (positive or negative). Allow yourself to be open to fantasy. Allow the impossible.

Sun: clarity, confidence, guarantor. Now we are back to the light. There is no ambiguity here. Under the sun you should bask in your confidence. The Arcanum tells you that you are brilliant, energetic and successful.

Judgment: condemnation, atonement. You might interpret the Court in a harsh light. But it's better to look at the map differently. Use common sense and meditate on the choices you have made in the past without judging yourself or others.

Peace: completion, fulfillment, unity. The world completes the tarot cycle. You have finished what you set out to do and now you must savor the unity that you have found within yourself.

Minor Arcana

Bowls (Cups)

Element - water.

Cups speak of relationships and emotions. When you see Cups dominating a reading, it means that something is happening in the area of ​​relationships, but Cups can also indicate that you are following your emotions rather than logic or thoughts.

This does not mean a negative thing at all, be sure to remember that there are no “bad” cards, but they can have a downside. If you are driven by your emotions, your reason is left behind, leading to unrealistic expectations and self-absorbed behavior.

• Sensitivity.
• Emotions.
• Love.
• Sentimentality.
• Interpersonal relationships.
• Element of Water.

Pentacles

Element - earth.

Pentacles (coins, discs) - symbolize work and prosperity. This could be work that generates income or work you do in your home to support your family and relationships. It depends on the context, but in most cases, Pentacles refer to work that provides monetary benefits.

The disadvantage that the suit indicates may be greed; it also says that a person is losing sight of what is really important.

• Material issues.
• Finance.
• Wealth.
• Business.
• Money.
• Material profit.
• Essential pleasures.
• Hard work and diligence.
• Earth element.

Swords

Element - air.

The energy of Swords appears at some point in the life of every person. We all experience conflict. We fight with ourselves and with those around us.

Swords represent logic and intelligence. Sometimes our minds are at war with our hearts, and sometimes our hearts are in danger from the power of our intellect.

• Intellectualism.
• Pursuit.
• Destructive forces.
• Aggression.
• Ferocity.
• A loss.
• Disappointment.
• Air Element

Wands

Wands mean fire, creativity. Fire can have a creative function. But it can also be a destructive force if left unchecked.

Usually, the suit has the meaning of a magical moment of beginnings. If you encounter the dominance of sticks in fortune telling, this means that the time has come to realize a creative dream.

This doesn't necessarily mean painting or writing, for example, although anything is possible! The cards may indicate that it is time to start your own business, taking risks.

• Motivation.
• Height.
• Energy.
• Entrepreneurship.
• Career or job.
• Element of Fire.

All minor arcana

Meaning of numbers

• Aces: Beginning. Creation. Power. Essence.
• Twos: Balance. Relationship. Cooperation. Duality. Choice. Yin and yang. Existence. Experience.
• Threes: Generation. Implementation. Extension. Results. Increasing the current state.
• Fours: Reality. Implementation. Logics. Rationality. Universe. Stability. Boundaries. Order. Material world. Physical body.
• Fives: Changes. Crisis and transformation. Uncertainty. Changes. Distressful situation. Lots of activity.
• Sixes: Spiritual balance. Expression. Emotions. Harmony. Education. Compassion.
• Sevens: Stage of development. Wisdom. Spirituality. Great importance. The number of the power of the sages.
• Eights: Justice. Judgment. Business and wealth. Success. Abundance, harvest. Manifestation. Accident.
• Nines: Change will be for the better. Idealism. Optimism. Positive changes are happening. Durability.
• Tens: Top. Depth. Success. Great happiness. Or a big misfortune.

Face cards

Beginners find yard maps difficult to interpret. When they appear, you should remember that they can have 2 different interpretations - direct and figurative. In the first case, the figure represents an actual person in the life of the fortuneteller, in the second - a symbolic meaning. They may represent events or hidden internal psychological aspects.

In a literal interpretation, physical characteristics and age are first analyzed. The Drow Arcana can also indicate astrological signs. Most often they represent the individual characteristics of people.

• King/Knight: father, adult male.
• Queen: mother, woman.
• Knight/Prince: son, young man.
• Page: daughter, young woman.

For those who wish to become familiar with the ancient symbol system, you should pay attention to the purchase of your first deck.

Competent tarot readers advise leaving the purchase of more highly specialized decks for later (for example, Tarot Manara), and opting for classic ones, i.e. universal maps.

1. Rider-Waite Tarot. The design of each image helps to understand the true meaning of all Arcana, which is especially important for beginners. Its symbolism is simple and clear and familiar to almost everyone. The main disadvantage: not all of Waite’s meanings (for example, Lovers) are agreed upon by adherents of classical interpretations.
2. Tarot of Thoth, by Aleister Crowley. The dark design of the cards is clear through the use of numerous signs and symbols. The main disadvantage: there are no images in the Minor Arcana (from 2 to 10).

Choosing a Tarot deck for beginners is the first step in the difficult path of learning Tarot.

Despite the fact that the Marseille deck is considered a classic, since it uses drawings that were in use during the Middle Ages, it is undesirable to take it due to the fact that the characters on the Major Arcana are presented very schematically, and the Minor Arcana are not indicated in any way. It's better to leave purchasing this deck for later.

First impression

Method 1: Familiarize yourself with the Tarot cards. The main thing is to understand the picture, since understanding helps you remember the essence.

1. Look carefully at each drawing, noting the figures depicted, their emotions and the colors used. This way you can capture the meaning of the card, even if it’s superficial.
2. Try to understand what emotions a particular Arcana conveys. Determine whether they are positive, neutral or negative.
3. Even a competent step-by-step guide to reading Tarot cards will not help if you start studying at the wrong time. You should not get to know them in moments of frustration or joy. Emotions interfere with correct perception, so you should wait for a time when you feel completely calm.

Theory

No one can start practicing without a foundation. Pay special attention to the theoretical part.

1. Educational literature. The process of fortune telling is a complex science, so it is not surprising that there are special books to help you understand it. The textbook “Tarot of the Kshatrievs” is especially popular. Situational cards" with a 50% discount, which can be found on the Internet or in magic and esoteric stores. Do not neglect books, as from them a person will receive rare information that will take a long time to get to on his own. Other useful authors and their works:

• Abraham S. “How to tell fortunes with Tarot cards”;
• B. Hayo, T. Bridget “The Mystical Tarot of Aleister Crowley. Answers to all your questions";
• Klyuev A. “Tarot textbook. Traditions, decks, fortune telling practice;
• Mary K. Grey, 21 Ways to Interpret Tarot Cards.

1. Seminars and courses. Today, finding such training programs is quite simple: enter into the search query “Announcement of my upcoming seminars on the psychological Tarot” and you will find several suitable techniques. This method will suit those who do not like to read too much and who find it easier to study directly under someone’s guidance.
2. Records. The famous expert N. Markov answered the question: “Nikolai, how can you remember all these Tarot cards?” answers: “Watch my video lesson: Tarot cards as the key to the subconscious” and recommends having a special notebook where the beginner will take notes. They can be absolutely anything: from ordinary interpretations of other authors to independently developed associations. It is extremely important to make all notes by hand, since writing helps you remember the text better and record the results of all the layouts.

In the future, such works will help in practice. If you forget a meaning during a reading, you can easily find it in your notes.

1. Meditation. In fortune telling, you need to trust your intuition, and in order for it to work for your benefit, it needs to be regularly developed. Meditation is great for this, but by doing these exercises you will be able to better remember and understand the meaning of the symbol system. Take a specific Arcana and begin the process. Remember the images and sensations that arise, and then record them in your notebooks.
2. Comparisons, analysis, conclusions. Choose cards with the same number but different suits. Analyze their meaning and compare them with each other. Find pairs of absolutely opposite cards and indicate their differences. This method trains the memory, forcing you to remember the decoding.

Spend at least 10-20 minutes studying every day.

Practice

Without performing readings, no one can become a real tarot reader. It's also a great way to understand the operation and remember the meanings. Below are the basic simple tarot card spreads for beginners.

One card

How does Tarot work? It’s easier to start learning with the usual Danetka (named from two words yes and no) - the most understandable layout that absolutely everyone practices.

• Ask a question that can be answered yes or no;
• focus on the problem that matters;
• take out the card;
• decipher it depending on the area of ​​the question.

The disadvantage of Danetka is that it is sometimes difficult to correctly explain the entire situation using one card. It is advisable to formulate clear and specific questions, the answer to which will be known in the near future.

Card of the day

Before going to bed or the next morning after waking up, choose an Arcanum and use it to determine the main events of the next day. The practice can be repeated every day or done before important events.

Three cards

Another common layout that helps to find out the future or understand the current situation. Typically, the first card represents the past (it influenced the formation of the present), the second – the present time, and the third – the envisioned future.

Study the symbols using these layouts, as more complex ones will only confuse you. Among numerous interpretations, a beginner cannot see the essence and correctly interpret the situation.

Minor Arcana

If the Major Arcana represent certain archetypes that are not so difficult to remember, then the Minor Arcana are more diverse and their meanings are much narrower. This is what distinguishes Tarot cards from other methods of fortune telling. How to remember the Minor Arcana? It's not that difficult if you try hard enough.

1. Try to remember the suits. There are four of them: Swords, Cups, Wands, Pentacles. These may vary slightly depending on the deck (e.g. Pentacles - Disks). Each of them corresponds to a specific element, which is interpreted in a special way:

• Wands – Fire, decoding – work, career, study, profession;
• Swords - Air, decoding - intelligence, reason, quarrels, conflicts, disputes and clashes;
• Pentacles - Earth, decoding - materialism, business, property, money, movable property and real estate;
• Cups - Water, interpretation - relationships, friendship, partners, love and marriage, leisure time.

1. Aces. Stand out among other characters. More often it is drawn in the form of a hand pulling its sign out of a cloud. It is both a gift from God and a seed in the questioner. Those. This is a germ, powerful and strong, but it is not a fact that it will sprout in the future. Based on this interpretation, a beginner will quickly remember the interpretation of four cards.

Aces are the seeds of the elements. A. Crowley.

1. Rank. If a certain pattern does not emerge from the numbering, then one can easily talk about the differences between the Page, Knight, Queen and King. The higher the card, the more stable and high position the person occupies; she is wiser and more educated than those below her. This is another answer to the question of how to learn to understand the Tarot.

Conclusion

When faced with the Tarot for the first time, many are frightened by the number of cards and refuse further acquaintance with them. It's actually not too difficult to remember them, but you need to break the process down which will make it easier to learn.

Regular mastery of the theoretical part and constant practice will improve your skills. By following these methods, you will remember the decoding of the 78 cards of the Tarot deck in a fairly quick time.