Archetypes in Action: How Tarot Updates Itself

Archetypes in Action

How Tarot Updates Itself

I feel as though I spend half my life waiting for updates to install on my many devices. I understand the need for this and try not to complain too much. Updates are necessary to respond to changes in security threats, user needs and machine capabilities. Recently, I have seen some social media conversations that suggest tarot needs to be updated, perhaps for metaphorically similar reasons.

Updates and revisions to sacred texts often cause acrimony. I remember in the 1970s that the Evangelical teachers at my private Christian high school hated the then-modern “Good News Bible” that my father, a fairly hip United Methodist Minister, revered.

As sacred texts go, tarot differs from the Bible in many ways, not the least of which being it is made of pictures instead of words. Another difference is that in tarot, multiple interpretations of the cards, both in art and divination, are welcome.

There are many tarot artists who seek to ‘update’ tarot by using modern images, and working to make the image more inclusive, and more reflective of our diverse society. There are many tarot authors and readers who do the same, finding within the cards interpretations that reflect our modern lives.

I submit that the reason it is relatively simple for an artist to create modern versions of our beloved tarot characters, and for readers and writers of tarot to find new, modern interpretations, is that archetypes are timeless.

I sometimes think that, as the world of tarot has grown exponentially, many new tarotists have focused more on tarot images than on tarot archetypes. This is reflected in much modern tarot art that takes significant liberties in the depictions of the tarot archetypes. It happens to the point that some tarotists worry this might encourage a potential loss of universal tarot understanding – that our beloved archetypes might slip away in the sands of time.

Our understanding of those archetypes has already changed over decades – that’s part of the ongoing living process of tarot. Yet, many of us don’t want there to be so much change that we lose cohesion to the point that tarot becomes any random oracle.

I vacillate between two moods here. Do I trust the process and trust that the truth of tarot will keep itself, nurtured by the tarot historians and scholars in each generation? Or, do I give in to a sense of unease that, in a sea of “Divine Child,” Ancestor,” and “Master of the Head” cards, we will lose the Hierophant. That’s ironic, of course, since “Hierophant” itself is a modern renaming of the original Major Arcana Five, the Pope.

Creative tarot depictions work to define the archetype even as they redefine it. Archetypal assignment tarot decks help us find the commonality between different depictions. The central energy we find as we compare depictions is the archetype in its present moment.

The Goddess Tarot Deck

By Kris Waldherr

For example, the Magician in Kris Waldherr’s Goddess Tarot is Isis. In Lisa Hunt’s Animals Divine Tarot the Magician is Cerridwen. When we look at Isis and Cerridwen together, we can try to find the central themes that relate them to each other, and then connect that theme to more traditional associations like Hermes, the number one, the element of Air, Mercury, the path from Kether to Binah, and keywords like “tools, skills and abilities andtrickster”. If we are able to do that successfully, then our tarot knowledge, and tarot itself, is on a firm foundation.

Animals Divine Tarot

By Lisa Hunt

My primary thesis here is that, regardless of imagery, tarot can stay relevant to a changing world without major overhaul, because of the way the archetypes speak in divination. For example, in our modern world, our automobiles are very important. While there were no cars during tarot’s inception, the Chariot has come to signify our vehicles, and our issues of transportation.

Computers and the internet easily appear in the Pages, and some of the Swords cards. Even the World can now speak of the World Wide Web. There is nothing in modern life that tarot can’t depict. The dating app Tinder looks to me like the Seven of Cups, while Bumble sometimes shows up as the Queen of Swords.

I’ve seen these spontaneous tarot updates happen relative to locale as well. I first started reading professionally in Putnam, Connecticut, right as the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casinos were becoming some of the largest casinos in the world. I started noticing that the Wheel of Fortune would appear for casino workers, those hoping to be employed by the casinos, and those who were developing gambling addictions.

The question is, how do we come to know modern meanings for ancient cards? The answer is, the cards tell us!

There are three important ways to consider modern meanings for your cards. One is through communication with other tarotists. As we share our stories, we share our oddball experiences with the cards and our offbeat card interpretations. When we keep these stories in mind, sometimes they pop up in our memories to inform a particular reading. When that happens in a way that is accurate and helpful, that new meaning will forever be a possibility whenever we see that card.

The second way is to look through your deck with an imaginative eye. Think about what cards might mean. Then, when you see those cards in action, you can see if those modern alternative interpretations might be pertinent.

These two methods for learning new card meanings illustrate a reason it is so important to have in your practice real-time readings for others; it’s a solid way to confirm the truth in the cards.

The third method of allowing tarot to update itself is simply to pay attention in readings. As you look at the cards, let your intuition lead you to what they might be saying. Over time in your practice you will remember the first time a particular card gave you a new type of message. After that, the possibility of that message with be present every time that card appears.

In this way we grow as tarotists, and tarot grows with us. When needed, each card has the ability to express its archetype in a new and relevant way.

Major Arcana Christmas Season 2018

As the Universe prepares to celebrate Christmas, the Major Arcana is facing a crisis. World is alternating between depression, anxiety, anger, and hopelessness. They have gathered together in hopes of finding a solution to save the World.

The Fool admits to not knowing which path to take, and the Hanged Man is contemplating different directions.  Empress worries about the children taken from their parents and confined to camps without the comforts of loving homes and parents to protect them, as well as her concerns for children all around the World who do not have safe homes, clean drinking water, medical care, and food on their tables. She has asked Strength to find a way to help and has turned to the Hierophant for spiritual guidance in her endeavor.

The Devil knows that current and past bad habits are contributing to the problems, and vows to change course. The Wheel of Fortune admits we cannot leave change to chance. We must act immediately. Chariot chimes in that there must be greater control in the Universe and has asked the Emperor to step up and take command.

Tower admits there has been too much destruction – floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires rage out of control. We cannot sit around and wish for all to suddenly improve, says Star.

The Moon, Hermit, and High Priestess are deep in meditation, seeking answers. The Lovers know a solution cannot be achieved alone – that we need strong partnerships around the globe in order to effect change.

Those who have done wrong to the Earth must one day answer for their ill deeds, says Judgement, and our friend Justice will be there to administer their punishment.

Death wants to end the strife and trials, and to begin anew with hope. He wants Sun to once again shine on this beautiful planet. Temperance pleads for understanding how important it is to not place blame, and not make demands, but to work alongside each other.

They now all look to the Magician. He is the one who has everything needed to start the process of healing. He has the knowledge and the tools to make the World happy once again.

This holiday season, may we all work together and do our part to save the world. The Major Arcana can offer suggestions as to how we might help. They cannot do it alone. They need us to do our part, and make it a Merry Christmas for our World.

Can a Tarot Practice Become Unhealthy?

Can a Tarot Practice Become Unhealthy?

Fear of tarot is a thing, even amongst spiritual people and diviners. Most of that fear is borne of religious prejudice, superstition, or simple misunderstanding.

The truth is that for most people the process of having tarot readings, reading tarot and studying tarot is beneficial in many ways.

Working with a great tarot professional can give perspective, understanding, strategy, goals and encouragement, as well as a sense of spiritual connection and hope for the future.

Studying tarot, and reading for oneself, can instill spiritual grounding and connect us to our inner guidance.

I firmly believe that tarot can help pretty much everyone in one way of the other.

There are times, however, when a tarot practice can become unhealthy, or at least unhelpful. This can be made worse by tarotists who refuse to acknowledge this possibility and don’t want to work to find ways to mitigate these potential pitfalls.

The important thing to remember is that, aside from being a trump-taking card game, tarot is a helpful creative and spiritual tool. That’s right, a tool, like a stove, a hammer or a curling iron. Tarot in and of itself can’t be evil, can’t be harmful and can’t be unhealthy. Tarot is simply cardboard and ink, art and symbolism. You might get a paper cut, but that is the only harm tarot can do you.

Yet, the way we use a tool matters. A hammer can be used to build a house or commit a murder. Tarot can’t be unhealthy, but we can use tarot in unhealthy ways.

Here are three tarot-related behaviors to watch out for in yourself, your clients and your friends.

1.    Psychic Addiction

Psychic addiction happens when we rely on cards and readers to tell us what we want to hear rather than accepting what’s really going on in our lives. We shop for readers who will give us the rosy picture of the future we desire. We interpret our own cards to support our fantasies. Very often psychic addiction happens when we pay too much attention to the predictive aspect of psychic work, rather than digging in to the cards for perspective and strategy.

Unlike many other addictions, psychic addicts don’t necessarily need to completely avoid readings in order to recover, they simply need to change their behaviors and expectations. Very often, psychic addiction is brought about by anxiety that is undiagnosed or untreated. Once that problem is taken care of a person can generally find the helpful benefits of divination without taking it to an unhealthy place.

2.    Intense Anthropomorphism of Tarot

Let’s face it, we all personify the cards a bit. “What did the cards say?” “My cards are being saucy today!” “The cards never lie!” These are things we tarotists say. However, there is a line between understanding tarot as a tool of communication and believing that we are communicating with cardboard. When we start ascribing a sense of self-awareness to a deck of cards, we lose sight of reality. Tarot should help us understand our reality, not deny it or hide from it. Spirituality must help us make sense of our world rather than help us escape our world.

3.    Failing to Use the Right Tools for the Right Job

If you think you might be pregnant, you can get a pregnancy test at any grocery store. If you want to understand the emotional and spiritual ramifications of adding to your family, have a reading.

It’s amazing how often we turn to the cards to give us information that another tool could give us more concretely and easily. At the same time, we often fail to use tarot in the ways it can be most helpful to us – when we are desperate for guidance in decision-making or spiritual understanding 

Some other behaviors that concern me include the tendency to be didactic and dogmatic about tarot interpretation. In my experience tarot is most helpful when we give the cards a little wiggle room. Likewise, is the habit some have of making the tarot, or the words of a psychic, their only source of information, rather than adding the voice of spiritual guidance along with the voice of other experts.

Tarot is the most helpful tool I have every had the pleasure to use, and I am grateful to able to use it for myself and my clients. I am happy to see tarot spreading in popularity around the word. In fact, this is something I have prayed for, and worked for. The more people that have access to tarot, the better.

However, if common sense doesn’t accompany our tarot practice, there is always the possibility that we will turn our wellness practice of divination into something more sinister. As long as we stay grounded in reality and disciplined in the way we use our psychic resources, I believe we can avoid those behaviors that can create unhealthy practices in divination. Instead, we can use those resources to stimulate our growth, heal our wounds and plan for the very best future possible.

Understanding your Zodiac Sign through Tarot

Most of us are familiar with our Sun Sign within Astrology and know what sign to look at when reading about our relationship style according to our Zodiac Sign or looking at the horoscope section of the newspaper.

This only scratches the surface of what Astrology can tell us about who we are and the energy that is most influential in our lives. It is ludicrous to think that there are only 12 personalities on the planet. Sun Signs are a top level way that astrologers can provide general information to a lot of people. If you want a more detailed astrological reading you will need to get a full natal chart which is based on the specific time and location of your birth, and maps the location of all the planets at the time of your birth, going far beyond your Sun Sign alone.

But this doesn’t diminish the importance and usefulness of your Sun Sign for understanding some of the forces that drive you and some of the influences that are having a big impact on your life.

The information available to us from our Sun Sign can also be deepened by coupling it with Tarot. Much of the wisdom of Astrology is mirrored in Tarot, and just as the different Zodiac Signs are associated with the different elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water), so too are the suits of the Tarot.

Each sign of the Zodiac also has a corresponding card in the Major Arcana of the Tarot deck. Understanding a bit more about the meaning of each of these cards can throw some further illumination onto what we can learn about ourselves from our Sun Sign.

Aries (March 21-April 19) – The Emperor

A fire sign rules by Mars, Aries is linked to the Emperor, a symbol of authority, structure and control. In a Tarot reading The Emperor is a card is often a symbol of undergoing an intensive life experience during which much is learned, and the person comes out the other end stronger. This link indicates a person who is a born leader and isn’t afraid to make decisions. However it also indicates a person who sees themselves as the centre of the universe, even if they are benevolent to those around them.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) – The Hierophant

Earth based Taurus is linked to the Hierophant, a symbol of tradition and conformity, as well as ethics and morals. In a Tarot reading the Hierophant is a divine messenger and represents strong spirituality. This link indicates a person who is always at the centre of their community and has great influence on those around them. They are trend setters and peace keepers.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) – The Lovers

The dual nature of airy Gemini is linked to the Lovers, a symbol of partnership, duality and self love. The Lovers card is often taken to represent romantic love, but it is more closely linked with ideas of self-love and self-acceptance and being complete as an individual before sharing with another person. This link indicates a person who has a duality of nature and can adapt to different situations, but is also sometimes hard to pin down.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) – The Chariot

Watery Cancer, ruled by the Moon, is linked to the Chariot, a symbol of control and will power. The Chariot speaks of the need to focus and put in the hard work in order to reach a goal. This link indicates a person who protects themselves, wearing armour like a charioteer, and seeks balance across the different aspects of their life.

Leo (July 23-August 22) – Strength

Bold and fiery Leo is connected with Strength, a symbol of bravery, focus and compassion. In a reading this card indicates that a person has the resources that they need to meet their challenge. This link indicates a person with inner strength and self-assurance, but who is also generous and compassionate, as well as fiercely protective.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) – The Hermit

Down to Earth Virgo is linked with the Hermit, a symbol of contemplation and the search for guidance. The Hermit represents the ability to step back from the noise of the universe and self-reflect, noticing details that others can be blind to. This link indicates a person who is always seeking, new knowledge, self-improvement, love and respect.

Libra (September 23-October 22) – Justice

High minded Libra is connected with Justice, a symbol of clarity and truth. Justice is the card of Karma and speaks to the consequences of actions, and the importance of integrity. This link indicates a person who is committed to what is fair and right, but also someone who can be indecisive as they try and balance the influences in their life.

Scorpio (October 23-November 22) - Death

Ferocious Scorpio is linked with Death, a symbol of new beginnings and metamorphoses. Death rarely refers to physical death in a Tarot reding and rather points to the end of cycles and new beginnings. It is also linked to an ability to deal with grief. This link actually indicates a person who is full of life, as they bounce back easily from pain and disappointment, and are always excited by the prospect of something new.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 22) - Temperance

Free flowing and watery Sagittarius is connected to Temperance, a symbol of balance and deeper meaning. Temperance in a reading often calls for patience and is a reminder that all things come in their own time. This link points to a person who strives to be moderate in their approach to lie, but is actually prone to taking things too far.

Capricorn (December 22-January 20) – The Devil

Devoted Capricorn is connected with the Devil, a symbol of materialism and playfulness. When the Devil appears in a reading it is often a sign that a person feels out of control and needs to take back control of their destiny. This link indicates a person with a forceful personality and a drive to succeed. It also speaks to a tendency to try anything and everything, if when you are pretty sure it isn’t right for you.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18) – The Star

Airy Aquarius is linked to the Star, a symbol of hope, faith and rejuvenation. The Star often carries a message of hope, healing and renewal. This link indicates a person who is optimistic and altruistic, always thinking about the needs of others.

Pisces (February 18-March 20) – The Moon

Pisces is linked to the Moon, a symbol of intuition. The Moon often appears in a tarot reading when a person is feeling anxious or doubting themselves, and encourages the person to trust their gut. This link indicates a person who can fit in anywhere and easily connect with others.

Reading Tarot for Yourself: Are There Times to Put the Cards Away?

Scroll through any social media tarot group and you will find a great deal of information, a bit of misinformation, and plenty of advice from tarot enthusiasts all around the world. It’s an opportunity to put your finger on the living, breathing pulse of tarot and see what is unfolding in the tarot world.

One bit of evolution I’m happy to see over the past few years is that the notion that one can’t or shouldn’t conduct a reading for oneself seems to be less in play than ever before.

This makes me happy. I believe that if one can’t read for oneself one shouldn’t read for others. I believe that self-reading is the process through which we learn about tarot and learn about ourselves. When we get good at self-reading, we also learn a great deal about practicing detachment.

This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t have readings with others. There is something very powerful about letting another individual divine for you, and it’s a different process than divining for yourself.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that, while most people seem to advocate self-reading, many tarotists also advocate the concept of “giving the cards a rest” and “putting your deck away” in response to sincere queries from readers who feel disconnected from their cards, or unable to read for themselves.

Let me restate that to be clear.

A tarot reader asks for suggestions because they are not feeling the flow of a reading. The standard ‘helpful’ solution is to stop trying and put the cards away.

There are plenty of techniques for pushing past a tarot reading block, including simply saying the name of the card aloud and listing its keywords. The idea that one should stop trying because one is struggling seems ludicrous to me.

Imagine telling a golfer struggling to get their putt right to put their clubs away! Would you tell a singer to stop practicing if they couldn’t hit the high note? Would a yoga teacher tell a student to just give up on a challenging posture, rather than helping them do the best expression of that posture possible?

Struggling to find a psychic connection, or having a hard time getting into the tarot zone, is rarely a reason to put the cards away. That so many tarotists use this as a first go-to seems to me to be the next bastion of the “you can’t read tarot for yourself’ crowd. The tune has changed only slightly. Now you can read for yourself, but only if no struggle or need for skills growth is involved.

This begs a question, though. Are there times when it does make sense to put the cards away? If you are using it right, tarot is a helpful companion on life’s journey; a companion that can make your life easier by giving focus, reassurance and perspective daily. Yet, I can think of two times in the past thirty years when it has made sense to put the card away for a minute. One was personal, the other happened to a client.

Long before I was a professional reader, I was a dedicated tarotist. When I became pregnant with my first child, I was a bundle of nerves. How would things turn out? Would I be a good mother? Would we have enough money? My mind raced with worry and insecurity.

I turned to the cards, but not in the contemplative and support way I now teach my students to use. I fell into the anxious cycle of predictive questioning, made worse by the fact that the Devil was stalking me. It was time to put the cards away.

After my son turned one, the cards came back and haven’t left since. I became a professional reader when he turned three. He’s twenty-eight now.

The only other time I’ve seen a need to put the cards away was in working with a client. My statement to her was not that she should put her cards away, per se, it was that it was okay not to listen to them. In fact, my exact quote was, “F the tarot”. Here’s why.

My client, a young woman, had met a guy she really liked. They were getting along, she saw a few red flags, but enjoyed him nonetheless. Her friend did a tarot reading for her that said he wasn’t to be trusted, and the relationship would not last. This prompted her to call me for a professional reading. My assessment was the same.

My client was bummed. She was having fun and enjoying this new relationship. The cards suggested that she was grounded and realistic, and that she could easily survive the worst this relationship might become. I didn’t see evidence of violence or abuse, and neither did she.

It was under those circumstances that I said, “Okay, F(orget) the cards. It’s fine to go forward and see what happens. If things start to go bad, you are forewarned and can get out quickly. In the meantime, enjoy yourself.”

Basically, the cards are not your mother. They can’t tell you what to do. Well, they can tell you what to do, but you can always choose to do something different. That’s how free will works.

If you are struggling to read the cards and understand their message, it’s usually better to lean in, study harder and listen deeper. If you are struggling with anxiety, or with a desire to throw caution to the wind and take a risk, there may be a moment in time when you find yourself unable to use the cards in a helpful way. These moments in a tarotist’s life should be rare and temporary.

Who Am I Today?

A simple-yet-profound tarot exercise is to ask this question and pull one card.

Who am I right now?

As an example, here is the card I received in answer to that question today.

Today, I am the Eight of Cups reversed.

That isn't the most romantic or encouraging card. If you do this exercise every day, some days you'll be the Star, other days you'll be the Devil, and sometimes you get a mundane card such as I drew today.

The trick is, no matter what card you pull, to take the time to deeply interpret it. For me today, the Eight of Cups reversed shows my determination to do the work I need to do, personally, professionally, and creatively, even when I feel like walking away from my tasks. Today, this card tells me I am tenacious. I am dedicated. I will not be distracted by emotions or desires.

Truthfully, this card makes a lot of sense. What I want to do right now is take a nap. What I need to do is catch up on a lot of paperwork. Here we see just how valuable this exercise is, and how much the Universe conspires with tarot on our behalf. I asked simply who I am today, but the Universe's view of me reminds me to be my best self, my non-self-indulgent-self, my non-napping self.

The value of that is far-reaching. By encouraging me to see myself as tenacious, I am encouraged to accomplish my goals. That will give me a sense of accomplishment and personal pride and satisfaction. That's a heck of a reward to reap from a single tarot card, isn't it? Grab your cards and give this exercise a try. Who are you today?

Advice for Tarot Readers: Embrace the Blank Space

Recently a student and I were discussing ways to begin a tarot reading. I’m not talking about invocation or creating sacred space. I’m talking about the very first thing you say to your querent after you begin the divination.

Some of us begin divination looking at only one card. Others prefer to take in an entire spread before speaking. Regardless of reading style, we all must begin the reading somewhere.

When musing about professional tarot reading, one of the things that always strikes me is that our job is impossible to prepare for. Sure, we can rest, we can shuffle, we can put on a pretty dress. Yet there is never anything to prepare us for what might come up in a reading, and we should never try to anticipate how a reading will go.

Regardless of what we know about the cards, despite how psychic we may be, at the beginning of every reading we know nothing, and we have to say something.

Some readers simply begin with a description of the first card laid out and proceed in a card-by-card fashion. Some clients prefer this method, and sometimes the cards that appear in the spread beg to be read that way.

While card-by-card reading isn’t my favorite technique, I firmly believe that every reader should be able to give a great card-by-card reading. The benefit of the card-by-card technique is you always start with the first card, so you always have a clue about what your opening line will be.

The first sentence in an oracular session is important, I think. That first statement can put the client at ease or make your client more nervous. That first sentence can strengthen the energetic connection between you and your client or cause the client to resist connecting with you.

The reason I don’t love card-by-card reading is that it limits what my opening line will be. My favorite way to open a reading, and the way that feels most authentic to me, is to lay out the opening spread and take in the cards, and the energy, for a moment.

This can be a terrifying moment, because it is an unpredictable blank space that we are under pressure to fill. Yet this is also a moment full of magick, and full of promise.

If we can embrace that blank space without fear and open ourselves to the Universal wisdom that flows through the cards, and through us, we will find the best way to open the reading, every time.

Sometimes I begin with a laundry list of things I see going on, in no order of importance. Sometimes there is a specific department of life that seems amiss. Sometimes there is a general energy that comes off the spread, and that is where I start.

I think the important points are these. First, the way we begin a reading affects the energy of the entire session. Second, we need to have in our toolbox a variety of techniques for opening a reading. Third, there is immense pressure in those first moments to say the thing that will create the best energy for the reading to proceed. We do that best when we welcome the scary blank space and trust our intuition and the cards to fill that blank space with wisdom.

What makes the difference between a card reading and a card interpretation?

Here's a technique that can be incorporated into any introspective cartomancy reading style, whether tarot or other oracle cards.

One problem I see with card interpretations both amateur and pro, for self and for others, is that often, all that is delivered is vaguely general warm and fuzzy advice based on keywords.

The reason this seems to happen is that we latch on to the keywords of a card and don't take the reading any further.

For example, imagine a general reading one-card pull. The card received has a primary keyword of 'patience'.

In a self-reading, upon receiving such a card a person might say, "I guess I need to be more patient".

That's great advice for anyone, but is it a great tarot reading? Not at all, exactly because it is great advice for everyone.  A tarot reading must be specific and individual to be truly meaningful.

The next step, that all-too-many tarotists miss, is to turn the interpretation into a hard-hitting reading.

One way to do that is to allow that key word to lead to the next logical question. This process of finding and forming questions is in itself intuitive. The answers can come from within, from logic, or from further divination.

To continue with our example, the question might be, "What is going on in my life that is particularly trying my patience?"

The answer might come from surround cards, the answer might be obvious, or might require some introspection or divination.

Further questions might include, "Why is this tying my patience?" "At what point should I be more proactive?" "What am I to learn from this"?

Very often this process will require more divination than that original one-card pull; I always say that if a reading is worth a single card, it's worth as many as you need.

That an idea, theme or concept like patience, success, communication, goals or relationships appears in a reading is standard. Yet the reading stops being a recitation of keywords and general bland advice and becomes a true process of personal exploration when we interpret not only the card; we interpret why we received the card.

The message is always important, but it is the reason for the message, the timeliness of the message, and the context of the message that makes a reading most valuable.

Want to Ask Tarot if You Should Do Something? Try This Technique Instead!

There are a few really great tarot groups on social media where folks share readings they perform and ask other group members to share thoughts and interpretations to offer a clearer understanding of the reading.

Very often the readings consist only of three cards with no positional meanings and a poorly worded question. This sometimes leads to confusion and misunderstanding, rather than the clarity we hope to glean from a tarot reading.

Tarot is like any other tool, your success with it will be determined by your own skill and technique.

One sort of question that really does not lend itself to the three-card non-positioned spread is a question that begins with the word “should”.

Should I buy this car? Should I leave my job? Should I give Joe another chance?

Many smart tarot people shake their heads at the should questions because, by definition, a should question is a “yes-or-no” question. Many people feel that tarot is not well-suited to answer yes-or-no questions. The thing is, many of our questions for tarot do involve decisions. I think we can get good information to help with our decisions if we use the right phrasing and technique.

If you ask, “Should I buy this car?” and lay out three cards with no positional meaning, it will very likely be hard to understand what the cards are actually saying to you.

Try this instead.

You can do this technique as a tarot spread, or simply ask questions and pull cards – the result will be the same.

Ask “What will be the result if I buy this car?” and pull a card. Ask “What will be the result if I don’t buy this car?” and pull a card. Perhaps you would like to ask, “What will be the result if I look for a different car?” or, “What if I don’t buy a car at all?”

By breaking your question into multiple questions that anticipate all possible options, and by replacing the phrasing of “should I” with “what would be the result if I” you will drastically increase your chances for a clear, helpful, insightful tarot reading.

Plan Your Trip with Tarot

It is common to seek answers from Tarot concerning when to travel, but do you use Tarot to plan your trip? Tarot cards can determine your travel location and itinerary! Here are instructions on how to conduct your own Travel Reading with Tarot:

Step 1: Draw Your Guide Card

First, draw your Guide Card. This card determines what part of the world you will explore and what your travel mission is. Draw one Major Arcana Card and place it in front of you to meditate on throughout your reading.

Cards meaning international travel are: The Fool, The Magician, Wheel of Fortune, The Hanged Man, Death, The Tower, The Moon, The Sun, The World, and The Chariot. Cards meaning domestic travel are: The Heigh Priestess, The Empress, Strength, Justice, Temperance, The Devil, The Star, Judgement, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, and The Hermit.

Step 2: Draw Your 2 Location Cards

Next, shuffle your deck then draw until you come onto a Minor Arcana card. Draw two cards and place them under your Guide Card. Use Italy (home of early tarot decks) as your center point for international travel and your own location as the starting point for domestic travel.

●      Swords represent a North location

●      Cups are South

●      Wands are East

●      Coins are West

For example, if you draw 3 of Coins and 10 of Swords, that is a Northwest location. You could consider destinations in France, Norway, or even Canada. If you are traveling domesticaly from New York, you might visit Washington or Oregon!

Step 3: Draw 4 Itinerary Cards

Now, plan your trip itinerary! Draw four Minor Arcana cards and arrange them in a row underneath your Location Cards. The suit of each card dicates what type of plan to arrange.

●      Card 1 represents food

●      Card 2 is lodging

●      Card 3 is daytime activities

●      Card 4 is nightlife

Each card’s suit dictates your plans:

Swords are intellectual which means schedule a trip to a state-of-the-art restaurant, book your stay close to a stimulating city, visit historical landmarks, and at night seek out plays or lectures. You are adding to your repertoire of cultural knowledge. Push yourself to explore the intellectual terrain and do research to uncover your location’s history!

Cups are emotional so eat at down-home, hyper-local locations, book your stay with a host you feel connected to, go on outings where you can make friends like a local tour, hike, or picnic in the park. At night, try for a small music event at a cafe. The focus should be on your inner-state rather than on trying to get to every landmark or check things off an itinerary.

Wands are spiritual in nature, so if you draw a wand, eat unfamiliar or exotic food, book a mysterious and enchanting room for yourself, and visit spiritual buildings or powerful natural landmarks like a garden or lake where you can meditate on your Guide Card. At night, go for a new experience that is representative of where you are: where do locals go?

Coins are material, so if you draw a Coin card that means this aspect of your trip is about pampering and indulgence! Eat comfort food, stay somewhere lush and clean, visit spas or relax at beaches during the day, or pay for an exciting adventure like a trek, ropes course, or bike tour! At night, eat fancy dinners or turn in early to watch movies and order room service.

Conclusion

As you plan your trip, use your Guide Card to zero in on your plans, work out the kinks of your itinerary, and inspire your itinerary choices. Who knows, you could end up fly-fishing in Timbuktu… Bon voyage, dear Traveler!

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