Harnessing the Stars: Navigating Life Transitions with Astrology
Tarot card reading is a practice where the
expert tarot reader uses a deck of cards to get an insight into an individual’s
past, present, and future. You can say that this practice of reading tarot
cards is a type of cartomancy. One of the first instances of tarot reading has
been found since the 1450-1470s through the Devil’s card by a Dominican
preacher. Tarot cards are rich in symbolism. From a deck of 52 cards, the
individual must pick three after forming a question in their mind. The cards
are then interpreted to answer the questions. The concept is quite fascinating
and believer or non-believer I’m sure one has wanted to know how to perform
such interpretations, at one point in their life! Each tarot card is full of
symbols and sometimes it may get overwhelming to decide what to interpret and
what to not; what connections to make and what to not. There are thousands of
architectural symbols like castles, huts, to religious symbols like symbols
from Judaism, Christianity, Kabbalah, the Golden Dawn, and Astrology. In
addition to this, there is also the whole concept of numerology! However, it
can be really easy to interpret a tarot card if one knows the tricks and
techniques around it. Tarot card reading should be a light, fun, and enjoyable
experience instead of being a stressful, chaotic, and overwhelming one. Read
below to know the basics of interpreting various symbolisms of the Rider Waite
Tarot deck.
Understanding the difference between collective knowledge and personal wisdom:
One of the first things to keep in mind
before venturing into the world of tarots is that there lies a difference
between the collective knowledge about the symbols and your personal opinions
and interpretations. Collective knowledge is the wisdom that has been passed
through traditional beliefs and rituals whereas personal knowledge is derived
from one’s own experience of the interpretation and playing out of symbols.
Although many may preach that following the collective opinion of symbols is
the right way, it is better to follow what works and has worked for you. Trust
your gut and your instincts. And after doing so relate it with the traditional
norms and make a well-balanced connection between both for the best results.
Few Beginner tips to get started with reading tarots:
Start with what you know.
Tarot
reading should be a fun and enjoyable experience for all and thus start with
something that both interests you and makes you feel comfortable. For example,
if you already have some knowledge and interest regarding Judaism symbolism,
then start with that. A helpful tip will be to research some basic and common
symbols as well.
Research on common symbols.
If you’ve
ever observed a tarot deck you might have noticed that there are a few symbols
that are common across most cards. For example, tarots usually have a lot of
clouds, castles, and landscapes in their pictorial depictions. Researching
these symbols gives you insight into their meanings and makes the experience of
reading and interpreting simpler.
Explore personal connections and intuitions.
When you pick up a card, try and interpret it in your way. Let
your creative juices flow. Think and imagine. Ask yourself what this means to
you. Does it resonate with the current situation in your life? Does an open
window mean a storm is coming to an end? Make questions, interpret, and carry
forward with interest.
Compare Symbols across cards.
Suppose
you pick out a card with a castle on it, pull out all the other cards on the
deck which have the castle. Then form a variety of questions in your mind using
basic logic and common sense. For example, what is happening around this
castle? In the four wands, the picture depicts a celebration around the castle
whereas, in the Tower, the castle is seen to be tumbling down. Based on these,
use your interpretative and judgment skills to form a conclusion. Having a
question, you need to answer in mind, it becomes all the easier as you
interpret the symbols based on it.
A tarot reading can give you an insight
into your life and help with positive affirmations. It can give you the push
you need to dive ahead. So, enjoy the ride and don’t get too overwhelmed. One
step at a time, honey!