The Tarot Deck Unlocked: At the Heart, Symbolism

 

The Pathway of Life

Elaborate, Fascinating and Intricate: Hidden Secrets, Archetypes, Spiritual Lessons, Universal Concepts...

A tarot deck consists of 78 cards divided into two groups, the Major Arcana (also known as Trumps) and the Minor Arcana – Arcana meaning secrets (special truth).

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The Major Arcana (22 cards)

A complete tarot deck in itself, it comprises twenty-two cards and represents major happenings in a person's life, archetypes, spiritual lessons, and universal concepts that also affect a person's life. In simplistic terms, viewed in their numerical sequence, the twenty-two Major Arcana cards can be seen to tell a story, revealing either the path of a person’s journey through life or linked to a human being's stages of development in life. The cards (story) start at the most basic point represented by the Fool (O) and lead to the ultimate position, the World (21). Each number has a significance, representing a stage and or influence on life, and each card carries a unique message, for example:

(0)  Pure Energy                 The Fool: New beginnings and innocence

(I )  Positive Action            The Magician: Possessing the tools, will and determination

(II)  Duality                        The High Priestess: Knowledge and wisdom

(III) Creation/harmony    The Empress: Nurturing, luxurious and protection

(IV) Expression                  The Emperor: Authority, power and leadership

And so forth, up to (XXI) Positive force, The World representing completion and fulfilment (deserved rewards)

The Minor Arcana (56 cards)

 

Consisting of fifty-six cards the Minor Arcana supports the Major Arcana, in that, it fills in the details relating to everyday existence, thoughts, feelings and events. They are as equally important as the Major Arcana cards for they reveal the inconsequential threads and form a meaningful pattern, showing how the influence of a major card will manifest itself in everyday life. They are cross-referenced to and or used to underpin the Major Arcana (major events).

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The Suit Cards and Numbers 

The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits: Rods, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. The four suits represent the four elements of life:  Rods (also known as batons and wands) = Fire, Cups = Water, Swords = Air, and Pentacles (also known as coins) = Earth. 

 

Each suit consists of ten cards, Ace to Ten and Four Court (Royal) cards: Page, Knight, Queen and King. Like with the Major Arcana, each number has significance and an influence on life. 

The four objects representing the suits: Rods, Cups, Swords and Pentacles are depicted in the amount of the number of each card.  For example, the ten of pentacles contains ten pentacles. The fundamental meaning of a minor arcana card comes from the knowledge of its number in correlation to its suit (element) and what it means in the make-up or position it holds within the structure of the tarot. The four suits (elements) are also cross-referenced and or associated with human characteristics and life fields, as shown briefly hereunder:

The Elements

Wands: Fire         =  vital energy, creativity, movement (work, career, property and travel)

Cups: Water         =  impulse, desire, feelings, emotions (love, relationships and intuition,  home)

Sword: Air            =  mental, thought, change (intellect, analytic, communication, clarity, power)

Pentacles: Earth  =  nature, material, grounded, practical, (common sense, responsibility, finances, security, achievement)

The Court Cards

As mentioned, within each Suit, there are four court (royal) cards: The Page, Knight, Queen and King. The court cards can be (more often than not) the most difficult to interpret. This is because they can represent people or signify special qualities of an individual/s, as well as describe a person/people's physical appearance. Although this may seem confusing, the primary point about the Court Cards is they represent actual people. To help clarify the significance, the role of a court card, what it represents and its meaning, a brief explanation for each card is given hereunder:

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The King: Symbolises the spirit. The King is usually of male gender, is apt to represent an older established man or firm and is the governing principle of the suit. In other words, the King is usually someone who has achieved mastery and is someone wise and in charge. Kings also bear the responsibility for society. The role of a king is to make decisions and take action.
 

The Queen: Symbolises the soul. The Queen is usually of female gender, is apt to represent a more mature woman and personifies the female influence of the suit. She inspires rather than commands. Queens are involved with the world around them, with relationships, family and the enjoyment of the world and its wonders. The Queen knows who she is and her rightful place in the world.

The Knight: Symbolises the ego. The knight is a young person moving towards maturity. He/she represents the development of the soul. Young in character they want to explore and test their skills, whilst experiencing the world and moving forces in a situation related to the suit. Knights can also represent figures of action.  At the same time, they bear the responsibility to help others, for that is what knights do.

The Page: Symbolises the body not yet developed. The page is a very young person, particularly in spirit and is eager with a fresh attitude towards life itself.  Being very young they are yet to experience the ways of the world and seek to develop themselves through learning and moving through the forces in a situation related to the suit. Pages can refer literally to children or student/s.

 

The Court Cards and Interplay of Astrology

Knowing the Court Cards represent people when combining this knowledge with what has been covered about the four suits and their elements, it becomes possible to link the court cards with the character traits of the astrological signs of the zodiac. This helps to understand the court cards more and also the interpretation of the meaning of each card is made easier. In saying this each zodiac sign can only give the broadest possible character trait/s and superficial idea of the description of a person as outlined below: 

Wands relate to the three Fire signs of the zodiac: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius

Fiery people and situations are characterized by drama, idealism, vision and exuberance.  They signify the inspirational strength and extrovert qualities of fire. Generally, Wand people are active, extrovert, dramatic and charmingly selfish. These three signs are primarily concerned with self-expression. They are renowned for bringing energy, and urgency and often sparking bright ideas. Wands often represent the innovator, boss, authoritative, entertainer, explorer and creative type of people.

 

Cups relate to the three Water signs of the zodiac: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

Water people are emotional individuals, who are often artistic, sensitive and may be self-indulgent. Generally, Cup people are soul-hearted, can be vulnerable, live in a fantasy world, and are seen as ‘lost souls’ who feel too much. Cups often represent the caring, nurturing, protective, detective and illusionary to visionary type people.

 

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Swords relate to the three Air signs of the zodiac: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.

Air people are thinkers and intellectuals. They are usually communicative, fair-minded and have sharp, quick minds. Generally, Sword people are fascinated by information and the organisation of ideas into a coherent whole. They may appear emotionally cold or aloof, or fickle and insubstantial. These three signs usually have very deep feelings but have tremendous difficulty expressing them or admitting to them. Swords often represent the entrepreneur, educated, professional and revolutionary types of people.

Pentacles relate to the three Air signs of the zodiac: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.

Generally, Pentacle people are practical people who are often well-off, work hard, require routine in their lives and demonstrate earthy traits. They are also usually warm, sensual and fond of material comforts. Pentacle people are extremely supportive in useful and practical ways and are frequently good with their hands. These three signs are also marvellous in a crisis, excellent hosts and lasting friends. Pentacles often represent the self-disciplined, sensible, practical, steady, reliable and resourceful type of people.

At the Heart of the Tarot lies Symbolism

Generally speaking, a tarot deck is presented in the form of a picture book of beautiful and vivid Symbols. The purpose of symbolism is to be the carrier of ideas, to play the role of sparking an individual’s intuition as well as in the meaning and interpretation of a card/s.

 

The Tarot World of Symbols is divided into The Five Archetypal Worlds

The Five Archetypal Worlds 

The Animal Kingdom, Human Creation, The Garden, The Landscape and The Spiritual World. 

These Worlds, through their symbols, communicate and carry various messages.

 

As an example, let’s briefly take a look at 'The Emperor,' Tarot card to see what Archetypal worlds are illustrated alongside some of the symbols depicted to represent them that convey meaning: The Eagle-superior force, represents the Animal World, the Sword-divine law of the universe and Scepter-authority/success, represents the Human Creation World, the Cliffs/Mountains/Water in the background represent the Landscape World and the White hair/beard of the emperor represents the Spiritual World.

 

Together these symbols signify and convey the meaning of Spiritual Evolution, Power, Authority, Discipline and Success. Note. All Five Archetypal worlds are now always illustrated in every card as is the case with ‘The Emperor’ card. The Garden World is not represented. Typical symbols would be, plants, flowers, fruit, trees etc.

 

For now, this is where we will leave the Five Archetypal worlds. A more accurate account is better gleaned when viewing each card specifically with its symbols on an individual basis.

 

The Five Worlds are supported and brought to life through the encouragement of Five Cohorts.

 

The purpose of the Five Cohorts is to create a strong bond towards the symbol's message. Their primary role is to support, fortify, and add value to the Five Worlds. They accentuate, embellish, describe, add and underpin a card to help the user connect their subconscious with the conscious. In other words, they marry the user's senses linking their subconscious with their conscious to ignite insight and highlight the significance, and the relationship of the card/s meaning in life (day-to-day events). The full role they play will become more apparent later when we enter the Tarot Learning Room to study individual card meanings.

 

The Five Cohorts: 

Colour, Numbers, Images of People, Words and Signs (including backgrounds, objects, elements and seasons).
 

Colour 

Like its counterpart a symbol or object, colour is intended to represent an idea, element, quantity, quality or relation. Operating as a key, colour can unlock a certain part of an individual’s subconscious mind and entire being. Every colour represents an idea, element, quantity, and or quality, carrying the vibratory effects of one of the "elements" - Earth, Fire, Air, and Water. Generally speaking, there are twelve universal key colours.

The colours and the use of colour, and its influence on a tarot card are not discussed now as this will be delved into more deeply, on an individual basis, when we view the individual meaning of each card in the Tarot Room of Learning.

 

Numerology

Numbers are also part of the building blocks of the tarot. Numbers are used as a form of expression, their meaning being ageless and changeless. As discussed prior, each card, Major and Minor Arcana, is allocated a number. Once again like Colour, we will not address the meanings of numbers at this time as it is more appropriate to look at them more closely when learning about an individual card within the Tarot Learning Room.

 

People (Images)

In the mainstream, the Tarot cards within a deck contain images of either a person or people. It is generally accepted that illustrations of this nature reflect a specific individual or someone and or persons. Expression: In general, the expression on the image of either the person or people displayed in the card depicts a message regarding mood and emotions, etc. For example, a sorrowful look indicates a sad or not-so-happy time (this is obvious in most cases but not always). Action: Another example, is what a person or people are depicted doing within a tarot card, this also adds value to meaning. For example, a person: laughing, working hard, looking weighed down - carrying a burden, celebrating etc.

Words

Generally, all the cards within the Major Arcana deck, the Aces of each Suit and Court cards are named and, more often than not, give a customary meaning. For example, the 'Strength' card, as shown above, can immediately conjure up in one's mind thoughts or images of being strong mentally and physically (health) or perhaps even both. Key interpretations (meanings) of the Strength card. 

 

Signs  

The obvious and hidden (includes backgrounds, elements, objects and seasons).

Clues that are not always obvious may also appear within the illustrated Tarot card aside from the main picture itself, within the ‘background, hints to the overall meaning of the card can also be gleaned. For instance, take the Hierophant, number V in the Major Arcana. Often the Hierophant is seen as sitting either beside two pillars or in front of a pillared archway. Between the two columns (pillars) lies space. This background helps to set and give emphasis to the theme of ‘a keeper'. Someone who possesses something special and or represents an elevated awareness. A key interpretation of the Hierophant is ‘Higher Consciousness’. Backgrounds become more pertinent when all the symbols are grouped and viewed as a whole. 

Within the Five Suits of the Minor Arcana, a further example of signs can be found. The Elements represented by objects rarely appear as the main focal point yet reflect underlying tones through the nature of things and their associated qualities and planes as briefly described hereunder as well as within the Five Worlds mentioned earlier.

 

The Elements as Signs: Underlying tones (i.e. object, nature of things and planes-associated qualities and atmosphere)

 

Fire. Object = Wands/Sticks (batons). Nature: Represents, the force behind Inspiration (Spark and Creativity). Plane: The Physical, traditionally linked with matters concerning Career, Travel, and Property.

 

Water. Object = Cups. Nature: Represents, the force behind Impulse or Desire (Emotions and Intuition. Plane: The Emotional (feelings), traditionally linked with, matters concerning Love-romance, relationships-marriage, family, people, and the home.

 

Air. Object = Swords. Nature:  Represents, the Mind of Ideas. Plane: The Mental. traditionally linked with matters related to mental states, intellect, power, clarity, ideas, and transforming thoughts.

 

Earth. Object = Pentacles/Coins. Nature:  Represents, the force behind Structure and Foundation (material world, solidity and tangible. Plane:  The Material, traditionally linked with worldly matters concerning financial reward, comfort, security, consolidation, and commitment.

 

The Seasons (Weather and Atmosphere) Mood: The final Sign we briefly touch upon is the illustration of the seasons in the cards. Although frequently it performs more of a minor role, it is significant as the background plays an integral role in and reinforces mood and atmosphere. Thus, it also complements the overall theme of a card, proving useful in that it underpins meaning and helps grasp and understand the message within the card. Simply put, take an overcast, dark grey and cloudy sky, usually associated with Winter it can conjure up an atmosphere/mood of feeling sad, gloomy etc. An example of this can be seen in the V of Cups (as shown above): the sky background depicted is overcast cloudy and darkish grey (almost as if a storm is about to hit). The pictured gloomy background atmosphere, when combined with other symbols within the card (i.e. spilt cups, the person's head drooping with a sorrowful look) can be seen to reinforce/underpin, the actual meaning of this card which is despair and disappointment.

 

A final point, because the building blocks of The Tarot weave an elaborate, fascinating and intricate structure, it is not important at this time to fully understand everything we have covered. But, only to gain sound knowledge and background of what these are and how they fit into the tarot's makeup. How exactly each building block works, its full role and how it fits into place will only be truly visible when taking a closer look at each card in its own right.

 

In our next article, we move into The Tarot Learning Room. Beginning with the Major Arcana,  ‘The Fool - 0’, we will ‘get up close and personal’ with each of the twenty-two cards to explore their meaning.

 

 Until then, as they say in New Zealand (Maori), "Kia Ora".