Exploring Symbols in Tarot Imagery
In Tarot, each card is rich with symbols that hold layers of meaning. Learning to interpret these symbols in a way that resonates with you can deepen your understanding of the cards.
When delving into the Tarot, you encounter a myriad of images, each carrying its own significance in the study of Tarot. Here, we'll guide you through some key symbols and their meanings, which are subtle yet crucial in Tarot readings.
The imagery and symbolism in Tarot convey universal themes that deepen understanding, even as interpretations vary among readers. Mastering these elements will streamline your reading process and enrich your interactions with the cards, making your Tarot practice more profound and insightful.
Individual Interpretation
To truly harness the power of Tarot cards, it's essential to move beyond others' interpretations of the Arcana and discover meanings that resonate with you personally. Dive into the cards themselves and let the language of symbolism unveil the hidden depths of each element depicted in the Arcana.
By allowing the symbols to speak to you, they will come alive with meaning.
Symbols in Tarot serve as visible signs representing invisible concepts. This symbolism operates through relationships and associations, creating a rich tapestry of meanings that can vary based on personal insights and connections. Trust your intuition and explore the symbols in Tarot to uncover unique interpretations that speak directly to you.
Symbols in Everyday Life
Symbolic imagery isn't confined to Tarot; it permeates our everyday experiences as well. As you become acquainted with the meanings behind Tarot symbols, you may find yourself applying this knowledge to interpret the world around you.
For instance, a budding rose can symbolize new beginnings, while dark storm clouds might signify impending challenges. A lion often represents courage, a connection that resonates universally.
Well-designed Tarot decks are repositories of information encoded in visual symbols. In the Major Arcana alone, symbols drawn from alchemy, astrology, religious texts, and mythology abound. With some study, these symbols can be deciphered by almost anyone.
As you embark on this decoding journey, each Tarot card transforms into a silent guidebook, conveying its message to those who are open to observing and understanding. Attuned readers may even notice these symbols manifesting in their daily lives, offering additional layers of insight and connection.
Exploring Basic Symbolism
Certain symbols pop up across different Tarot decks, offering valuable insights to keen readers. While this isn't a full list, here are some common symbols and questions to help you delve deeper into their meanings:
Animal Symbolism: Animals like dogs, eagles, snakes, lions, and wolves are all over the Tarot. What qualities might each animal suggest about you or your Querent? Does the Fool's dog imply loyalty? Does a snake symbolize temptation?
Body Language: Pay attention to how characters on the cards interact. Do they look left (at the past) or right (towards the future)? Does Strength look down at her lion or away? Is a character's back turned, suggesting something hidden about the Querent?
Card Imagery: Characters on the Wheel of Fortune move quickly but seem to get nowhere. Is your Querent in a similar situation? On the Tower card, figures fall downward; if reversed, they appear to rise. What could this shift suggest?
As you explore these symbols and their implications, you'll uncover layers of meaning that enrich your Tarot readings, offering deeper insights into the situations and questions presented.
The Elements
Each Tarot suit is tied to one of the four elements, giving us a peek into different parts of life and our minds:
Earth (Pentacles): This is all about practicality, money matters, and stability. When you see cards with grounded characters, they’re likely highlighting your practical concerns and focus on real-world issues.
Water (Cups): Think about emotions, intuition, and the subconscious. Cards with watery themes might suggest emotional ups and downs, sensitivity, or hidden motives influencing you.
Fire (Wands): This stands for energy, passion, and creativity. Fire cards push you to take action, show initiative, and embrace transformation, often pointing to the need for bold moves or sudden changes.
Air (Swords): Linked to intellect, thoughts, and perceptions. Swords cards are about mental clarity, decision-making, and challenges related to logic and communication.
The Hanged Man and Air (Swords): The Hanged Man, hanging upside-down, is all about letting go, seeing things from a new angle, and gaining fresh perspectives. When you mix this with Air (Swords), it hints at a major shift in how you think or perceive things. The Hanged Man’s position encourages you to look within and challenge your usual thoughts and views.
Grasping these elemental connections can really deepen your Tarot readings, giving you richer insights into different parts of life and the human mind.
Flesh and Clothing Symbolism
In Tarot, the way flesh and clothing are depicted can give us deep insights into the cards’ meanings:
The Fool: In the Wirth Tarot, the Fool’s bare buttocks show vulnerability and exposure. This suggests a moment of embarrassment or a need to face yourself honestly, without any pretence.
The World: The figures on the World card are nude, symbolizing a return to innocence or purity. This invites you to think about how you might regain some lost innocence on your life journey.
The Star: Nudity on the Star card represents purity and transparency, indicating a sense of openness or naivety in your current situation.
Death: The lack of flesh on the Death card suggests stripping away the superficial and getting to the essence of a situation, often linked with transformation and renewal.
The Chariot: Pulled by two beasts of different colours, the Chariot symbolizes balancing opposing forces. This can indicate a need for harmony and integration of conflicting aspects of your life.
Two Columns and Pairs: Characters between two columns usually act as mediators or symbolise finding the balance between dualities. Those standing in pairs suggest a choice or the need to maintain equilibrium in decision-making.
Temperance and The Star: Temperance shows combining elements from two vessels, symbolizing moderation and harmony. The Star, on the other hand, pours liquid from her vessel, symbolizing generosity and spreading positive or healing energies.
Reading these symbolic details in Tarot cards helps Readers give more tailored guidance and insights based on the Querent's specific situations and challenges.
Objects and Objectives
Exploring what characters carry in Tarot cards reveals a lot of symbolic meaning:
Possessions: If a character has a collection of possessions, it might mean you already have the resources or solutions needed to tackle your problem.
Sharp Swords: Swords indicate the need for decisive action or quick decision-making when facing challenges.
Walking Sticks: These can symbolize relying on support or guidance from others, or the need for stability and balance as you move forward.
Veils: Veils often hint at hidden knowledge or mysteries waiting to be uncovered, encouraging deeper exploration or introspection.
Hats: The style of a hat worn by a character can give clues about their current mindset, concerns, or aspirations.
In Tarot, every detail in an illustration is a deliberate symbol with its own significance. With practice and familiarity, you can use these symbols to deepen and personalise the meanings you've learned. This lets you go beyond standard interpretations and connect more deeply with the cards and their messages.
Jump-Start Your Practice with Symbols in Tarot Readings
Here’s a guide to help you dive into Tarot readings by focusing on different types of symbols. Let’s break it down into steps.
Body Language Symbolism
Question: What emotional state is the Querent currently experiencing?
Card 1: How is the character's posture indicating the Querent's emotional state?
Card 2: What facial expressions are revealing about their feelings?
Card 3: How are their gestures reflecting their current mood?
Example Reading
Card 1: Look at how the character stands or sits. Are they slouched, suggesting sadness or fatigue, or upright, indicating confidence or alertness?
Card 2: Notice the expressions. A smile can suggest happiness, while a frown might indicate worry or frustration.
Card 3: Pay attention to gestures. Are their hands open, showing openness and receptivity, or clenched, suggesting tension or anger?
Element Symbols
Question: What actions or decisions should the Querent consider taking?
Card 1: What does the presence of fire (Wands) suggest about potential actions?
Card 2: How does water (Cups) influence their emotional approach to decision-making?
Card 3: What role does air (Swords) play in their thought process and communication?
Example Reading
Card 1: Fire symbols might suggest taking bold, energetic actions or pursuing a creative project.
Card 2: Water symbols can guide the Querent to consider their feelings and relationships when making decisions.
Card 3: Air symbols could emphasize the importance of clear thinking and effective communication.
Clothing and Flesh Symbols
Question: What hidden aspects or desires does the Querent need to acknowledge?
Card 1: What does the style or condition of their clothing reveal about their inner desires?
Card 2: How does the presence or absence of flesh (nudity) symbolize hidden aspects of their personality or motivations?
Card 3: What role does their physical appearance (posture, expressions) play in their current situation?
Example Reading
Card 1: Fancy or elaborate clothing might indicate a desire for recognition or a need to express oneself.
Card 2: Nudity can reveal a need for authenticity and stripping away facades.
Card 3: Their overall appearance might give clues to their current state of mind or how they’re presenting themselves to the world.
Object Symbols
Question: What resources or strengths does the Querent already possess to overcome their challenges?
Card 1: What do the objects they carry symbolize about their current resources or strengths?
Card 2: How can these possessions be utilized effectively to address their challenges?
Card 3: What hidden potentials or opportunities do these objects represent?
Example Reading
Card 1: Objects like a staff might suggest resilience and support, while a sword could indicate clarity and decisiveness.
Card 2: Consider how these objects can be used—perhaps the staff represents leaning on friends or the sword symbolizes cutting through confusion.
Card 3: Hidden potentials might be hinted at by lesser-noticed items, like a hidden book symbolizing untapped knowledge.
Overall Reflection
Question: What overarching theme or message emerges from this reading?
Card 1: What is the central theme or message that ties together all the symbols and interpretations?
Card 2: How can the Querent best integrate these insights into their life or decision-making process?
Card 3: What is the potential outcome or advice based on the combined symbolism of the reading?
Example Reading
Card 1: Find the common thread—perhaps it’s about embracing authenticity or finding balance.
Card 2: Suggest practical steps for the Querent to integrate the insights, like taking decisive action or focusing on emotional clarity.
Card 3: Offer a potential outcome, such as achieving inner peace or resolving a conflict.
By focusing on these different types of symbols in each question, you’ll deepen your understanding of how symbolism enhances Tarot readings. Trust your intuition and let the symbols guide your interpretations. Happy reading!
Developing Your Tarot Reading Skills: A Three-Step Process
Here’s a detailed guide on how to deepen your understanding and interpretations of Tarot cards through symbolism:
One: List the Symbols
Select a Card: Draw a card from your Tarot deck. For example, let’s consider the Justice card from the Universal Wirth deck.
Identify Symbols: Study the illustration on the card from top to bottom. Make a list of every symbol that stands out to you. Here’s an example list for the Justice card:
Crown
Throne
Sword
Scales
Individual Interpretation: Understand that different readers may notice different symbols based on personal associations and current circumstances.
Step Two: Make Associations
Explore Categories of Associations
Astrological: Consider the astrological associations of the symbols. For Justice, the scales are associated with Libra. Does the Querent have Libra traits, or is someone involved in the situation a Libra? What qualities of Libra (balance, fairness) can apply to resolving the question?
Mythical or Biblical: Justice often depicts a figure with symbols reminiscent of King Solomon. How might wisdom and decisiveness play a role in answering the Querent's question? What lessons from biblical or mythical justice can apply here?
Emotional: Reflect on the emotions evoked by the card. Justice suggests objectivity and fairness. Is there a need to set aside strong emotions and focus on factual evidence?
Personal History: Does the Justice card trigger memories related to legal matters or situations where the Querent felt justice was or wasn’t served? How do these memories influence the current question?
Literal: Is the Querent currently involved in legal matters (court cases)? Does the situation involve fairness (scales) or conflict resolution (sword)? Is there an authoritative figure (crown) that needs to be consulted?
Metaphorical: Could the Querent feel judged unfairly or accused of something metaphorically? How does the concept of justice apply to their perceived situation?
Personal: What does justice mean to the Querent personally? What outcome would they consider fair and just in the context of their question?
Physical: Analyze the physical posture and gestures of the figure on the card. How does this posture suggest an approach or attitude that might be beneficial?
Similarities: Compare the Justice card with other cards in the deck (e.g., High Priestess, Hierophant). Are there recurring themes or similarities in posture and composition that provide additional insights?
Step Three: Suggest Strategies
Transform Associations into Strategies
Balance and Decision-Making: Based on the associations you’ve explored, suggest actionable strategies for the Querent. For example, if the Justice card is associated with Libra, advise the Querent to seek balance and avoid conflicts in their decision-making.
Address Perceptions: Use the symbolism to suggest changes in thoughts, feelings, actions, or environments that can lead to a resolution. For instance, if the Querent feels unfairly judged (metaphorical association), encourage them to address this perception directly or seek clarity.
Organic Interpretations: Over time, this process of listing symbols, making associations, and suggesting strategies becomes intuitive and natural. It fosters interactive and personalized readings that resonate deeply with the Querent.
Trust Your Intuition: Ultimately, trust your intuition and the insights derived from the symbols that resonate most with you and the Querent. Your personal interpretations based on symbolism often provide the most relevant and meaningful guidance.
Conclusion
By following this structured approach, you can significantly enhance your Tarot reading skills. Delve deeper into the rich symbolism of the cards and offer more profound insights to those seeking guidance. Happy reading!
Building a Connection with Your Cards
To deepen your Tarot practice, establishing a strong bond with your deck is key. Here’s how to get started:
Familiarization and Interpretation
Tarot Journal: Keep a dedicated journal for your Tarot readings. Write down your interpretations, insights, and personal connections with each card. This helps you build a unique understanding and deeper connection with the Tarot symbols.
Free Association: When interpreting the cards, let your thoughts flow freely without overthinking. This taps into your intuition and personal insights, making your readings more effective.
Symbolism and Intuition: Tarot symbols reflect universal themes, but your intuition is just as important. Trust your gut to guide you toward meanings that resonate personally with you and the Querent.
Learning from Experts
Expert Guidance: Learning from an experienced Tarot reader can be incredibly valuable. They can help you identify and categorize themes—such as animals, colours, landscapes, and unique imagery—based on their expertise and your personal experiences.
Deck Variations: Each Tarot deck has its own unique symbolism, shaped by the artist’s vision. Embrace this diversity, as it enriches your readings and allows for tailored interpretations.
Symbols in Tarot Reading
Animals
Birds: Thoughts, spirituality, freedom.
Bull: Power, persistence, stubbornness.
Butterflies: Transformation, change.
Crab: Emotions, defence, navigating feelings.
Dog: Loyalty, protection, trust.
Dragon: Intelligence, protection, transformation.
Eagle: Spiritual truths, creativity, divine messages.
Fish: Emotions, subconscious, prosperity.
Horse: Travel, personal power, movement.
Lion: Courage, leadership, strength.
Salamander: Emotions, beliefs, introspection, evaluation.
Snake: Transformation, fertility, adaptability.
Colours
White: Purity, truth, peace, enlightenment.
Black: Death, transformation, hidden aspects.
Blue: Intuition, harmony, tranquility, sometimes coldness.
Green: Growth, fertility, wealth, new beginnings.
Orange: Ambition, energy, balance.
Purple: Nobility, mystery, pride.
Red: Passion, strength, danger, love.
Yellow: Joy, optimism, intelligence, sometimes cowardice.
Gold: Success, spiritual enlightenment.
Silver: Femininity, intuition, hidden wisdom.
Grey: Sadness, humility, emotional turbulence.
Landscape Imagery
Clouds: Divine messages, ideas, confusion.
Fields: New opportunities, fruition of efforts.
Flowers: Joy, friendship, attainment.
Horizon: Boundary between conscious and unconscious realms.
Lightning: Truth, sudden change, divine intervention.
Mountains: Obstacles, spiritual challenges, goals.
Moon: Intuition, new phases, feminine energy.
Paths: Direction, journey, transitions.
Rain: Grief, acceptance, emotional cleansing.
Rocks: Obstacles, complications, denial.
Sea: Emotions, dreams, mysteries.
Snow: Isolation, harsh conditions, temporary states.
Stars: Guidance, new directions, self-discovery.
Sun: Happiness, growth, enlightenment.
Water: Emotions, relationships, mysteries.
Distinctive Symbols and Imagery
Arches: New beginnings, transitions, opportunities.
Blindfolds: Focus on the inner world, denial of reality.
Boats: Travel, change, emotional reflection.
Bridges: Assistance, overcoming obstacles, opportunities.
Castles: Goals, shelter, strong foundations.
Chains: Restriction, bondage, material attachments.
Children: Innocence, new perspectives, regeneration.
Cross: Union, balance, connection to higher power.
Fire: Passion, destruction, creativity.
Fountain: Peace, abundance, spiritual well-being.
Hammer: Hard work, communication.
House: Self-concept, protection, hidden aspects.
Keys: Knowledge, liberation, unlocking potentials.
Lantern: Truth, divine presence, self-exploration.
Pitcher: Values, transformation, sustenance.
Scale: Balance, equality, attention to overlooked aspects.
Shield: Protection, restraint from overindulgence.
Sphinx: Balance between thought and instinct, guarding values.
Tower: False ideas, apprehension, transitions.
Wheel: Cycles, motion, creative energies.
Wreath: Success, wisdom, protection.
Structures
Arches: Pathways, new directions, opportunities.
Brick Walls: Hindrances, negative thinking, need for positivity.
Bridges: Assistance, resources, overcoming obstacles.
Castles: Goals, substantial foundations, shedding limitations.
Pillars: Balance, moderation, middle-ground.
Seasons and Directions
Each Tarot suit correlates with a season and direction, helping with timing and thematic interpretations:
Cups (Summer/North): Harvest, wisdom, hope, intuition, inner wisdom.
Pentacles (Winter/South): Inner growth, transformation, energy, passion.
Wands (Spring/East): Rebirth, new beginnings, creativity.
Swords (Fall/West): Abundance, closure, maturity, letting go.
Conclusion
Tarot reading is a journey of self-discovery and insight, facilitated by the symbolic language of the cards. Trust your intuition, foster a deep connection with your deck, and allow symbolism to guide your interpretations. Tarot offers a pathway to understanding universal themes and personal truths, making each reading a unique exploration of inner wisdom and external influences.
Understanding the Language of Symbols in Tarot
Symbols are the heart of Tarot readings, enriching your interpretations and providing deeper insights. Let's explore how to interpret common symbols like birds and snakes in Tarot.
Birds in Tarot
Birds appear frequently in Tarot decks, each with its own symbolic significance. Here are some common interpretations:
Freedom: Birds often symbolize liberation and the ability to rise above limitations.
Flight: They represent aspiration, higher ideals, and spiritual growth.
Perception: Birds are associated with keen perception, intuition, and a broader perspective.
Detachment: They can symbolize detachment from earthly concerns or emotional distance.
Music: Birds' songs may represent harmony, communication, or the divine voice.
Fragility: Birds like doves symbolize peace and vulnerability.
Nesting: Represents domesticity, nurturing, and creating a safe space.
Alertness: Birds are known for their vigilance and awareness of their surroundings.
Snakes in Tarot
Snakes are powerful symbols in Tarot, varying in meaning depending on their context:
Wisdom: Snakes are often linked to wisdom, knowledge, and intuition.
Transformation: Shedding their skin symbolizes renewal, transformation, and rebirth.
Healing: Snakes can symbolize healing, especially in ancient mythologies.
Sexuality: They represent primal energy, fertility, and creative life force.
Deception: In some contexts, snakes signify deceit or hidden agendas.
Guardianship: They are seen as guardians of sacred places or knowledge.
Dual Nature: Snakes embody the dual nature of existence, with both light and dark aspects.
Interpretation Tips
Context Matters: Pay attention to the specific Tarot card and its narrative. How do the bird or snake interact with other symbols or figures? This interaction shapes its meaning.
Symbolic Associations: Consider cultural, mythological, and archetypal associations of birds and snakes. These can vary widely and add layers to your interpretation.
Personal Intuition: Trust your intuition and initial impressions when interpreting symbols. Your unique perspective and feelings towards these symbols can offer profound insights.
Continual Exploration: Keep exploring and deepening your understanding of symbols through practice and study. Symbols evolve and may reveal new meanings over time.
By delving into these symbols within the context of Tarot readings, you can unlock deeper layers of meaning and offer richer interpretations to yourself or Querents. Let the symbols ignite your imagination and guide your intuitive insights in Tarot practice.