The Tarot Cards are identified by their "Name", which is a label printed on the Major card, or a combination of the Rank/Suit on a Court/Pip card. Morphologically the Tarot is better suited at answering internal "why" phrased (psychological or mood based), rather than external "what" phrased (physical or prognostic), questions. Unlike esotericists, Forecasters consider the 78 card RWS Tarot deck to be homogenous, with all cards, although different in allegorical meanings, having equal merit in a Reading. This is an important distinction, and why Fortunetellers should strive to avoid incorporating most esoteric elements (Tree of life, Fools journey, Qabalah, Sanctity, Hermeticism, etc.) used by lodges, magicians, or cults, within their Tarot readings.
There is no such thing as a standard Tarot deck, although the Rider-Waite-Smith [RWS] system deck comes close, and is referenced by most Tarot teachers and books. Two other popular variants are the Marseille system (based upon the original Tarot playingcard game deck, which lacks pictographs on the Pip cards) and the Thoth system (a more esoterically symboled deck, which assigns a few cards different meanings than the RWS). Although a reader can assign any consistent meaning they desire to any card, our discussion will be limited to "standard" RWS meanings attributed by most learned readers.
The imagery on Tarot cards is important, because image interaction between cards in a Tarot Spread graphically portrays an integrated story. This is why a reader should only work with decks that "feel" right to them. Unfortunately the classic RWS deck, while extremely popular, doesn't always meet every readers story telling tastes (see videos:
An important reading caveat is that the apparent gender of an image should never be construed as citing a specific gender (or age). So that the subconscious can know how to properly select a card to transmit its message, the reader must decide upon the card meanings description source (such as their memory, a textbook to be referenced, or writing on the card) before a reading, and stick to it throughout. However although the standard keyword association usually indicates a cards meaning, in any specific reading a card may instead appear because its imagery is referencing a place, an event or encounter, the personality of an acquaintance, or possibly even a pun or an inside joke.
Most Tarot readers only read the cards upright (spinning them if they come out reversed), but reading Reversals is acceptable. Traditionally readers encouraged the querent to touch the deck (even if just to cut the deck or finger a desired Fan card), but if there is concern over a rare decks preservation, this can be disallowed. Some reader will compromise by using an inexpensive "sacrifice" deck with their rough deck handlers, which can be easily replaced should the cards become damaged.
The RWS Suit indicates how a card is expressing its meaning. Swords are associated with the element of "Air". Thoughts (including calculations) and Words (including gossip) are major keywords. However, because perceptions can be hurtful, these cards are also associated with anxieties. Wands are associated with the element of "Fire". Zeal relating to Actions (including defensive maneuvers) and Travel are major keywords. Leadership, athletics, patriotism, and recognition are all emphasized. Pentacles are associated with the element of "Earth". Wealth, Healthiness, and Industry are major keywords. It is however also about how others perceive your handling of these matters (as in greediness or generosity). Cups are associated with the element of "Water". Feelings (including both elation and depression) are the major keyword, but it also includes emotional relationships, such as those with best friends or family.
In comparison, forecasters see the Majors as standing on their own without either Suit or Rank, and mostly indicating specific existential influences. While different, a Major card should not be considered as more/less important than other cards in the deck, and in fact several are antonym pairings of Minor cards. Forecasters also ignore the consecutive number orderings written upon the Majors (along with the Rank groupings of cards 1-7 as "maiden", cards 8-14 as "mother", and cards 15-21 as "crone"), as well as most of the esoteric symbology (such as Kabbalah or Alchemy) or associations with other divination systems (such as Astrology or Runes).
Court cards are unique in that they will express either their primary or secondary meaning depending on their context in a Spread, and in that they also directly interact with other cards in a Spread. Forecasters recognize Suit linkages, but not one of Rank, thus disregarding any notion of experience/age progression from Page to Knight to Queen to King. Gender is also not considered by forecasters to be indicated by the name/illustration on a Court card (historically this was an inappropriate caryover by former playing card readers), and instead the card will indicate a gender-neutral "role".
The Pips do however exhibit recognized Rank progressions which may help the forecaster in clarifying the stage of an activity. Pip cards in Ranks 1, 2, 3, and 4 (transient) and Ranks 6, 7, 8, and 9 (habitual) are about following the course of a project from Inception, -to Planning, -to Executing, -to Reaping. Pip cards in Ranks 5 and 10 (setbacks) reflect impositions on progression (you get 'Beaten' in the game, or 'Sidelined' from the game, respectively).
These four videos cover the RWS deck construct in more detail:
The King can be thought of as a just and wise ruler. It is usually reasonable and fair, but can sometimes dig-in and become inflexible and unyielding.
The Queen can be thought of as a nurturing and loving caretaker. It is usually compassionate and kind, but can sometimes rise-up and become fierce and protective.
The Knight can be thought of as a brave achiever. It is usually confident and strong, but can sometimes overreckon and become foolhardy and reckless.
The Page can be thought of as a zealous neophyte. It is usually enthusiastic and curious, but can sometimes assume and become impulsive and rash.
Some of the Tarot Cards (due to either their unfortunate English labels or Ms. Smiths choice of imagery) at first glance appear to have identical meanings. This is escpecially true with cards that give a surface impression that they are specifically geared towards matters of Love or Tragedy. However, although the differences between some cards may be subtle, they are significant.
Here are a few examples:
Chariot is about wielding external control, whereas
Strength is about wielding internal control.
Death is always about making a transition, whereas
10 of Swords is always a finality.
Devil is about OPTING to stay, whereas
8 of Cups is about OPTING to leave.
Fool implies facing a situation blindly, whereas
World implies facing a situation prepared.
Hanged Man is about pausing to see, whereas
Hermit is about pausing to process.
Justice is about a subtractive process of trimming, whereas
Temperance is about an additive process of harmonizing.
Lovers is about making a philosophical choice, whereas
2 of Cups is about intimacy of all types.
Magician is about undertaking through instauration or revival, whereas
3 of Pentacles is about collectivising through advertising or recruiting.
Star is about external wellness, whereas
6 of Cups is about internal wellness.
Wheel of Fortune is exclusively about positive perception, whereas
9 of Swords is exclusively about negative perception.
2 of Swords is about an inability to make a decision, whereas
2 of Wands is about working out the details of a decision made.
2 of Pentacles is about probing for an advantage, whereas
3 of Wands is about exploiting an opening.
3 of Cups is about sensibly indulging in hedonism (participation), whereas
4 of Wands is about receiving earned acclaim (recognition).
3 of Swords is about stress over an internal agitation, whereas
8 of Swords is about stress over a potential external misfortune.
5 of Wands is about negative-leaning hindering discord, whereas
7 of Wands is about positive-leaning stimulating rivality.
6 of Wands leadership deference is granted because of deeds, whereas
King of Wands leadership deference is granted because of charisma.
Many of the Tarot Cards (due to either their English labels having several possible meanings or the image allegory having become vague with the passage of time) are subject to misinterpretation by the casual viewer. This is especially true when there is a prominent object or activity depicted within a cards image which can have a different meaning within another context.
Here are a few examples:
Chariot is specifically about the athletes command; the tamed vehicle is immaterial.
Death is a metaphor; it is not about imminent life termination.
Hanged Man is not about punishment.
Judgement is about appraisal of an accomplishment; it is not about resurrection or music.
Justice is about equilibrium; it has nothing to do with judicature, statutes, or even equity.
Lovers is about ethics; it is not about a romantic pursuit.
Strength is about control over internal urge; it is not about musculature.
3 of Pentacles is about "blowing your own horn" to attain admiration for your talents or possessions; not specifically about gathering allies.
3 of Swords is about mental stress from overthinking; not about feeling betrayed.
3 of Wands is about actively Networking; not passively waiting for a lucky break.
4 of Swords is about experiencing the mental calmness of certainty; not about entombment or coma.
7 of Swords is about shrewd mental outmaneuvering; never about lowbrow larceny.
10 of Wands is about actively taking on responsibility; not about passively being saddled with an onerous burden.
Be on guard: King mastery is not immune from snobbishness.
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