Practical Tarot guide: Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 3

Part 3 of this Practical guide of Major Arcana Meanings starts with The Devil and ends with The World.

XV – The Devil

Being slave of our own fears or own monsters: addictions, jealousy, envies, attachments, anguish, greed, materialism, etc.

To hurt oneself

Lower energies take control of something and although they are an illusion, they achieve such power in one’s mind that it can eliminate will power. One cannot see, advance or free one’s self from these energies, because one is made blind by any of the characteristics mentioned above.

To be caught up in negative energies that can be lower forms of behaviour or thought.

Acting on rage, animal instincts

Sexuality takes over your head, no reasoning

Alcohol excess or any excess, generally speaking.

Something has gone out of hand

Lower organs

Appetites on the loose

XVI – The Tower

The Tower represents crisis, and even though these sorts of crises are very healthy and sometimes necessary, they can cause pain. These crisis bring your forward, you move on and evolve.

The comfortably laid out world, this that is “normal” to us is shaken up.
Although this crisis was necessary, and maybe even desired or predicted, it finally occurs in all its strength, but not self imposed. Sometimes events or normality become intolerable, and nobody seemed to do anything. But nature and heaven make the decision for you if you can’t do it on your own. Sometimes, we have to go through it.

Clean house, all elements of everyday life are shaken up or burnt with healing fire, metaphorically speaking, of course. Only the bare bones are left, all that is superfluous has gone. Essence remains.

All values and fundaments are freed of clutter.

To break out of sick relationships, end choking routines, and eliminate things that get in the way and don’t allow forward movement.

Sorting out what is useful, and throwing away what is not.

Reorganization.

Chaos, it seems as if there’s no way to get order back

Something had or has to be done to end this

The normal and old order has come to an end.

XVII – The Star

This is an affirmation that comes from heaven and the universe: YES

Inspiration, beauty

Abundance, generosity, blessings

So much abundance of resources is available, that this woman pours water in water and the fertile soil. Pouring water in water: redundancy?

When reading in different areas of life and this card appears, it signals the correct way, the road that will make you happy. This road will make you feel complete.

Fulfilment

When feelings are consulted, it stands for generous and complete love.

It is the road traced by the stars in the direction of wholeness.

Religion: the road of the stars that leads to the attainment of God.

Truth, goodness and beauty.

XVIII – The Moon

Your goal is in view, but there’s still a long way to go because this road is not free of obstacles or setbacks. The difficulty lies in things we cannot see with the eyes but can be sensed thanks to our intuition.

The light of the moon reflects the light of the sun. Moonshine logically indicates that the sun (our goals) is actually there even if we don’t see it. Goals are almost at hands grip, but there are “dangers” that might take out our strength and make our pace slower.

Although we cannot see, if we keep our senses open, there will be signals revealed during the way. Listening to hunches or inner voice is advised. Animals sense thing we don’t normally pay attention to, but they warn us. This symbolizes intuition and watching out for signs of danger.

Hidden intentions, actions, motives, and words.

When this card appears together with the sun or the star, or both of them, then there’s no danger. It means light during day and night. Clarity, luck, joy, and harmony. This combination reminds me of a night full of stars, when the moon is full on a clear sky and this light makes everything glow: it’s inspiring.

XIX – The Sun

Success, light, clean, good.

Coming home, achieving goals.

Welcome. Being welcomed.

Happiness, peace, and optimism.

Opposites are not opponents anymore, the tension between them disappears and they can now work together as one. Peace at last.

Coming together

That which once was a united and separated is now again united. This explains the concept of coming back home.

A green traffic light: things flow freely and on the right track, harmoniously and safely.

Security

When I see the sun and the stars in a reading I always see success, happiness or harmony. The time is right or the outcome will be satisfying. For me the sun is an earthly and more down to earth symbol than the star which is a are more spiritual symbol.

XX – The Judgement

Freedom, liberation, relief

Finally time has come to let go or be liberated

Time to look back, recognize what worked and didn’t. Free from all burden, free to advance.

It’s time to set things straight and bring your affairs into order.

Classifying and organizing, making conclusions.

Feeling of relief and freedom after a project or task is over or achieved.

Pause for freedom after a hard job. A pause before the glory.

It has been a long and sometimes hard road, but this stage is over. You look back and all that seemed so hard and difficult doesn’t look like it anymore. You have matured, you’ve learned, and you are above the task: you solved, you lived, and you excelled. Freedom!

XXI – The World

All the elements of the universe, all the energies are in their place. The ideal, perfection.

Having the world in your hands.

Success

You are in harmony with all the universal forces.

This card gives the feeling of completion, of excellence, and happiness; the feeling of being “full”.

Spiritually, it represents the gaining or attainment of God consciousness.

In love questions, the obvious: true and complete love, without restrictions.

In profession questions, it means having found your place in life, your mission.

In health questions, complete healing or cure.

State of grace

Joy in life and in the world

Permanent and universal meanings and values.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at: atika@mindspiritmotion.com
I’l be delighted to help you in any way possible.

You can find Part 1, Part 2 and the Introduction of  the Practical Tarot guide of Major Arcana meanings with these links:
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Introduction
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 1
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 2

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Practical Tarot guide: Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 2

Part 2 of this Practical Tarot guide starts with the Justice card and ends with the Temperance card.

VIII – Justice

As the name of this card indicates, it has to do with justice ad fairness.

Fairness in a wide range means “you shall sow what you plant (seed)”
Many times it has to do with legal papers, justice departments, lawyers and everything to do with legal matters. Contracts, paperwork, etc.

As an answer to an outcome or behaviour it means fairness.

Of course, when the neighbour cards are “negative” (there are no negative cards) than it can mean lack of justice, unfairness, lies (devil) or manipulation of the truth; not being able to see the truth.

Impartiality

Judging others, being judged

IX – The Hermit

This is for me a very controversial card; it needs a bit of carefulness to define its meaning.

Although it basically means “insight”, to get away from everything that distracts and disturbs in order to look inside of yourself and find your way and your truth (to follow the way of virtue), it may also not have such a happy meaning.

The hermit lives in a cave instead of trying to live in “virtue” among his fellow men ad women; he believes that in order to be “spiritually advanced and free” he has to stay away from them, either to escape from temptation or because he might feel he’s too good to be with normal people. He has good eyes but he needs a lamp to see because he’s in darkness; he can walk but he needs a cane.

When I see this card in contrast with the card of the Emperor I see sometimes a disturbed man (it can also be a woman), someone who stayed behind in some areas (economically, mentally, emotionally) and this causes him/her sorrow when conscious of this situation. It can also be someone who can’t really be aware of himself; he/she is in darkness. His/her behaviour may be harmful to others in a passive way because of his blindness or ignorance. Of course this occurs with “negative cards” (there are no negative cards)  as neighbours.

This troubled person may be in crisis and needs a “time out” in order to find himself again.

Patience, the pass of time without acting. The only movement allowed is in your spirit-mind.

I see our civilization reflected in this blind man at the moment. I perceive the desire to follow the light of hope that is spirituality, the following of our eternal Father’s will or the “energy”, etc (it doesn’t really matter how you want to conceive it).

X – The Wheel of Fortune

Fate, destiny

This card together with cards like “The Sun”, “The Star” or “The World” means luck and fortune.

There are things in life against which one cannot act, the inevitable, the uncontrollable.

When I see this card I try to keep my eyes open because this card might bring surprises. You can investigate what the whole thing is about by doing further readings in relation with this card; you can find out which event it refers to or at least which area in life will be affected, also whether things are conflictive in nature or harmonious.

It may call for acceptance of life “how it is” or “how it turns out to be”.
This attitude of acceptance can be resignation, but for a mature and experienced person, life’s ups and downs can be worked out to still achieve pre-set goals.

Life might require flexibility in the light of unexpected events.

A rock in your way can be walked around, climbed or hammered to pieces in order to get to the “other side”, but you can also just stand there and feel bad about your luck. Either way it is only “your choice”.

XI – Strength

This card I like very much, I like what it means:

The lion represents force and passion; all that in nature and in our nature which is very strong and which can force or control peoples lives.

In this case the lion allows his mouth to be opened or closed by this woman or being because he/she is in harmony with the force of nature and inner passions. He/she is mature and “knows” out of experience how to live in harmony with these forces. He/she is in peace with himself/herself and the surroundings, and can “play” knowingly with dangerous powers.

The hat is the sign of the infinite “8”

In contrast with “The Hermit”, there’s achievement of spiritual and mental harmony and no fear to be exposed to life. She doesn’t even see temptation. She is sovereign.

Her attitude is a healthy one, towards fate, passions, and forces. She knows the cycles of life, how things work; and she is perseverant in living life how she chooses to.

Resolution, perseverance.

How do I go about in life and temptation?

Am I sovereign in my deeds and actions?

XII – The Hanged Man

This card talks about being at a stop and seeing things backwards or acting like it’s not supposed to be.

The presence of the following attitudes: confusion, stubbornness, immaturity, but also being dumb.

Sometimes, this card talks about youth and the difficulty of this time. Not a grown up and not a child. Like an ostrich which its head in the sand.

It also sometimes indicates a time of not being conscious of things or events. It seems like having wasted time “hanging on a foot” with no purpose at all, and it is as if having observed the world from the wrong perspective.

Then is this card an invitation to stop, open your eyes, turn around and look at the world from a whole new perspective. A healthy and constructive perspective is needed in order to solve and advance in life.

XIII – Death

In films you usually see the great fear some of the characters live with this card. But this whole tragic and exaggerated drama is so far from the meaning of Death in Tarot.

Death of that which is old is birth of things new.

Death and re-birth.

Old chapters in life come to an end and clean the environment, preparing life for wholly new chapters.

This which decayed and doesn’t work anymore is pulled out from the roots, deeply extracted. And there, where stagnated energy is expulsed, starts new life and new energies that are constructive.

Of course, depending on your point of view and the situation, this card can provoke sorrow or joy. If your level of attachment with the “familiar” ways is high or if your secure position is at risk, then it doesn’t matter if the change is good for you or not in the future, this will be a negative card.
In these situations trying to recognize that the sign of the times indicate that things are coming to an end, and I don’t mean it in an apocalyptic way, is hard work. But these events are just part of the recurring cycles of life.

I have to admit, endings can be terrible. And although in the long run one is thankful that everything happened the way it did because a new life with its beauty and new opportunities now exists, in the very moment of these events drama can and may take over. It is important to adopt the position of the next Major Arcana: Temperance; we live in a dual world were extremes exist; it is healthy to try and find the middle road.

Whatever this card is about, it is always a promise of a new beginning; and most times it is something to be happy about.

XIV – Temperance

Moderation and balance

Knowing how to deal with the opposites in a dual world and not going to extremes each time.

The balance of duality is desired or achieved.

The person or situation being consulted shows strength of balance. Its middle point or core energy can be influenced but its essence remains untouched.

Stability, balance, flexibility

Health stability of a person or situation

Mature.

Temperance is a very positive energy. Sometimes situations, energies or personalities can go to extremes, but to find that middle point is an important goal in life.

This card shows that duality in the world is not something to avoid or fight against; instead one should try to be conscious about how it manifests and learn how to deal with nature and move ahead in life.

Correct use of resources, of what is available, it gives stability.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at: atika@mindspiritmotion.com

Continue reading the Practical Tarot guide:
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 3
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Introduction
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 1

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Practical Tarot guide: Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 1

Part 1 of this Practical guide of Tarot Major Arcana Meanings starts with The Fool and ends with The Chariot.

0 – The Fool
The Fool and the Magician are the same person.

The Fool has the same resources, knowledge, and experience as the Magician, but the Fool “chooses” to have all that tied up in his tablecloth and assumes a passive attitude in relation to his life’s work. The Magician decides to spread his “tools” and use them actively.

The Fool is one that is on his way, on a journey, but also someone who decides not to take responsibility, attachments, etc. He is free. This free journey is temporary; he will always stop and decide to act upon life’s many tasks and challenges.

Sometimes it may seem like he really is careless and irresponsible when combined with “negative cards” (there are no negative cards).

He can also be a child, someone who’s not aware of something because of distraction or ingenuity. But he can also be someone who is on a personal process of new discoveries or life experiences.

When I see this card I have the feeling of someone who is not really there, he or she is physically or mentally somewhere else, like a bit distracted. There’s a bit of evasion in his attitude.

When seen as a child, this card symbolizes innocence and wisdom at the same time: innocent and complete trust in God and in life, with no worries at all.

I – The Magician

The Magician is the Fool who decided to stop being evasive. He recognizes it is time to act, and he decides to do so.

The “apparent Fool” then turns into The Magician who masters his cosmic profession (his hat is the symbol of the infinite). And this he enjoys and executes openly (with passion).

Profession is a key for me when I see this card because, out of my experience, this card appears almost always related to that area where you make your efforts everyday. And this is true whether you are a banker, teacher, housewife or a student.

Of course, this card relates to the statement “it’s time to be active” or “it’s time to start being active”, but in the readings I notice that some of the messages are related to work or profession when this card appears.

It may also refer to someone who is good in his job. Someone who takes good care, a good boss, a passionate employee, etc. are all included in the Magician.

Creativity and acknowledgement of relations between events that escape the eye (this is the capability inspired by the street con artist).

Building your own destiny.

So you see the Magician and the Fool are two sides of the same coin. Both are wise and trusting in their own capabilities. Both are self-confident, confident in life and in God, etc.

II – The High Priestess

This is a wise woman, although this card can refer to a man with a developed intuition. A very down to earth person which has also access to the “other world” (symbolized by the cloth spread behind her). This other world is the world of intuition.

Intelligence and intuition are her tools. Wisdom.

She knows about the secrets of life (the book of sacred writings), she is mature and practical; but she is reserved. You have to go to her in order to get the information; she won’t give it away without you asking.

She carries life and knowledge inside of her; she has the secret of life thanks to her experience.

This woman can bring wise words and ideas; she can guide others to act because of her wisdom. She knows the facts and can advice you.

I usually see her as a mature woman, not a young one. Sometimes I see her as a mother, mother in law, etc.

Depending on the cards near her, she will use her hidden knowledge to help and to heal, but she is also capable of harming and gossiping.

Feminine intuition.

This woman’s guide is intuition.
This wisdom which she carries should be heard.
This woman could be your inner voice.

She advices or guides.

III – The Empress

This wise woman is very active, also in decision making. She is in domain of herself and moves actively through life.

Most of the time, the Empress symbolizes the woman who is being read of, as long as the consultant is not emotionally unstable. If the consultant is a dependant or unstable personality, then the card representing him or her will be another card like the Fool or the Hanged Man.

Clear mind, clear words, clear actions would describe her being. Her wisdom is practical, she makes decisions.

Growth and readiness for creation. Fertility.

Creativity in action.

To go outwards and enjoy beauty.

It can also be a woman who is the boss, influential, sovereign, the wife, etc.

In contrast with the High Priestess, The Empress combines intelligence, intuition and wisdom with “action” and adopts a leading role. The High Priestess is active in mind and soul but shows a passive outward attitude.

IV – The Emperor

He is the masculine active principle. Halfway sitting and halfway standing which means he’s about to take action, he’s ready to act.

This card talks about the practical, down to earth and realistic attitude of a man who owns himself.

Maturity, authority, and practical mind are his characteristics. The Emperor is someone who makes the “correct” actions, the “good for all” above selfish goals. Fair and practical.

When I see this card I have mostly the impression of a clear minded man who is generous.

When he’s the boss, he’s fair
When the father, loving and caring
When the husband, friend and lover, correct and faithful

The Emperor is a practical and faithful man. Not only in his intentions, mostly in his actions.

Intelligent man

Authority, man capable of making decisions, man in position to make decisions.

Material power

V -The Pope

He represents spirituality and morality; everything wise

This card symbols the importance of the card directly in the direction of his pointing finger. I usually meditate on the right hand side neighbour card; its combination with the Pope shows you something you’re overseeing, something you didn’t know had importance or something you didn’t know had to do with your question; and this is always something you should pay attention to.

The Pope’s signalling finger shows you the way or tells you: “look! So it is!”

Wisdom, experience, capability of seeing the great picture. Authority.

Doing God’s will or the “right thing”.

VI – Love

This card talks about human relationships and social contacts, and also the influence these relationships may have on you to manipulate, restrict or push you into action, through “rationality or social mores”.

It also represents the spiritual world which rules over rationality and social influences (Cupid, the angel of love). This force that is in each one of us, guides us to make our own heart felt decisions; the longing for love and goodness, the “urge to do the right thing”.

In relation to love matters, it is the tension between sensuality as a direction to choose from and heart as the other direction (will power).

Choice

Heart over sensual and temporary satisfaction.

Relationship based on love and choice.

VII – The Chariot

Movement and decisions

Time has come to make a decision and to concentrate your efforts on a goal. Mind, heart and body in the same direction will drive you forwards. If your heart and your mind don’t agree in which direction to go, it would be the same as having a chariot with two horses who want to gallop in opposite directions at the same time: there’s no way to advance.

When awaiting an event, this card signals that it’s moving; the decisions were made or will be made soon.

The moment to act is now. Choose your way or direction and make it true.

This card is always influenced by the cards next to it. It shows an easy road or a bumpy one depending on if it’s a positive or a “negative card” (there are no negative cards) right next to it. This card next to the moon means, it’s still a long way to go but the direction is correct; keep your eyes open so you don’t miss your goal.

The word “road” in this case can be a life path, a company where you want to work, a job or project to do, a course of action; everything that means making a decision of going consequently in a direction.

A deep intention that is carried through and made real.

This card alone as an answer related to a task means success, it moves.

The right choice.

This card also represents the decision of “moving on” into the next stage of life

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at: atika@mindspiritmotion.com
I’l be delighted to help you in any way possible.

Continue reading the Practical Tarot guide:
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 2
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 3
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Introduction

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