All of the 78 Tarot card meanings are relevant and necessary for a full understanding

of the entire Tarot system. However, the

Major Arcana cards are the first keys to our
initial understanding.
Tarot card meanings of the Major Arcana
(Latin meaning big secret) deal with the
human condition. Each card represents the
joys and sorrows every man and woman
can experience in a lifetime. The human
drama illustrated in 22 cards. Amazing,
isnt it?
As an interpreter, the Tarot card meanings
arent always straight forward in a reading.
Even when we are reading the cards for our
own personal enlightenment, we know the
cards are a reflection of our lives, but often
what we see in a spread, is not as simple as

identifying happy or sad circumstances in our lives.

If it were that easy, everyone would be devoted to the Tarot for guidance.
That is why learning the nuances of the
Tarot card meanings is essential to our full
development, and we begin our learning
journey with the Major Arcana. It is much
more than merely placing a bet on the outcomes of your future.

0 - THE FOOL
Key Words:
Innocence
Beginning
Simplicity
Fresh Start
Blind Faith
Introduction:
The Fool Tarot card meaning deals with
that youthful exhuberance we feel when
starting out on a new adventure or taking
a journey of faith. We feel anticipation,
butterflies flutter in our stomach, and our
skin prickles with excitement...our journey
is underway - were unstoppable!
However, along with this passion comes
impetuousness. The Fool makes no

plans, or gives no thought to possible

complications along the way. Happy to be
doing something different, the Fool blindly
sets out where all else may fear to tread.
When contemplating the Fool Tarot card
meaning, I think of Joseph Campbells
landslide statement: Follow your bliss.
We can see this attitude in this card, which
is wonderful. But, we must also note the
lack of care about consequences - blind
faith is the Fools only guide.
Key Symbols:
The Dog: Dogs typically represent loyalty
and faithfulness. In this case, the dog
symbolizes our reward when we express
true faith on our path. As we continue
to step out in faith, and blindly follow
our bliss we shall gain the loyalty and

recognition from people, places and events

in our lives. Other Tarot decks depict the
dog loyaly tugging at the Fools robes,
preventing his fall into the chasm below.
Yet another confirmation that when the
Fool continues on his mission of passion,
protection is available, and the details
miraculously fall into place.
Knap Sack: How long do you think the
contents of the little knap are going to
sustain our hearty fool? Exactly, here again,
the Fool is taking little time to consider the
practical matters of his journey. However,
what if the knap sack contains something
far greater than consumables. Look closely
at the image. Some say it resembles
testicles, and these represent the seed of
the Fools philosophical offspring. In short,
as the Fool sows, so too shall he reap.

This depiction is a reminder of personal

responsibility. We all carry the seed of
consequence upon our own journey.
The Rose: Again, hitting home that balance
of the two messages this card represents:
Blind, beautiful faith is equal to the beauty
of the rose and a caution to heed the voice
of reason/ practicality are evidenced in its
thorns. The rose is the driving force - the
desired goal for which the Fool strives. The
color indicates it is a worthy goal for which
to strive - white, the color of purity assures
us the adventure is worth every step. More
on Tarot rose symbolism here.
Key Questions:
Am I following my dreams?
Am I honoring my prime passion?
What would the Fool do in my situation?

What do I value most...my beliefs or my

image?
Do I fear adventure or do I fear practicality?
If my life is my message...what kind of
message am I sending?

I - THE MAGICIAN
Key Words:
Power
Action
Awareness
Application
Resourcefulness
Introduction:
Close your eyes for a moment and picture
your ideal image of the Magician. Odds
are your imagination conjured up a regal
figure, powerful, graceful, and confident

- able to make things happen, and even

move mountains.
The Magician Tarot card meaning deals
with the ability to utilize every resource we
have available to us. When we think of the
Magician, we must understand that there
is no question of power. The Magician has
absolute power over all circumstances.
Simply put, the Magician is in control of his
own thoughts, and therefore the ruler of
reality.
When we pull the Magician cards for
ourselves or for a querent, it is an
indication that we have more power than
we realize to change our circumstances. It
is a card that reminds us of our unlimited
potential.

Key Symbols:
Lemniscate: Also known as the infinity
symbol, the Lemniscate symbolizes the
endless, infinite nature of energy. Energy
cannot be created or destroyed, and the
Magician is intimate with this knowledge.
The infinity symbol above the Magicians
head illustrates that he understands the
energy of his thoughts always lead to
infinite consequence. Some decks depict
an additional Lemniscate at the Magicians
throat - this symbolizes the infinite power
of the spoken word.
Uroboros: The serpent swallowing its own
tail is symbolic of cycles, and is another
message of the infinite nature of energy.
The Magician tarot card meaning here,
as with the Lemniscate, is that energy is
endless, and our ability to manipulate

energy is key. The Uroborus further

signifies the concept of rebirth and
regeneration. The Magician understands
that rebirth occurs in each moment hence another source of his power. Most
importantly, it is a symbol that stands for
the maxim one is all which is the highest
philosophy for the Magician.
All the elements: The Magician is keenly
aware that we are all born perfectly
prepared to live our lives. We each have
all the tools and resources within us to
use at our whim. This is indicated by all
the symbols of the suit shown within the
Magicians grasp. The Magician realizes that
he is the master of these tools, they are not
his master. The Magician reminds us that
everything we need to live our best life is
available to us as long as we master the

gifts of potential, and not become slaves to

our circumstances.
Key Questions:
Am I aware of my own power?
Am I recognizing my fullest potential?
Am I playing the role of victim or victor?
Am I using my power for good or abusing
it?
Am I connecting to my higher source of
energy?
Am I applying myself effectively and
beneficially?
What action can I take to move into a
better direction?
What resources are available to me, and
how do I tap into them?

II - THE HIGH PRIESTESS

Key Words:
Knowing
Psychic
Oracle
Secretive
Influential
Introduction:
Take a good look at the High Priestess
card and you will receive a great deal of
messages she conveys. Foremost, she
conveys a message of understanding. Even
her posture indicates she is established in
a position of knowledge. Her scroll holds
esoteric knowledge. She determines the
manner in which the knowledge should be
expressed, and only she decides to whom,
and how much knowledge is extolled.

Much like the Magician, the High Priestess

is unquestioning of her knowledge and
power. There is no question of source or
validity - her knowledge simply is. She
is aware of the motions of nature, the
movement of spiritual matters, and she
has accute awareness of the stirrings of the
mind. She is vitally tapped into the flow
of ancient knowledge. She instinctively
understands the innerworkings and
connections between nature, philosophy,
science and religion.
When we pull the High Priestess card
for ourselves or for a querent, it is an
indication that we are in communication
with the unseen forces. We must realize
these unseen forces are greater than
ourselves, and our ability to access this

energy is a great responsibility. We must

understand that we are all psychic, just
as the Priestess. However, only those
who respect the gift of psychic awareness
and utilize the gifts and the knowledge
beneficially that acquire the noble
presence and demeanor of the Priestess.
As you may have guessed, the Priestess
Tarot card meanings are not straightforward. As she is somewhat of a mystery
herself, she requires all those who come
to her to be worthy of her meaning, and
earn the honor of understanding her. Trust
that when you pull the High Priestess card
there are undercurrents working within
you that will blossom into intense and
beautiful experiences. All that is requested
of you to experience this blossoming is an
awareness of and respect for the higher

forces at work in the universe and within

you.
Key Symbols:
Cross: The ancient Greeks created this
symbol with all legs of equal length and
size. One of the simplest symbols, and
used since ancient times, it represents
several things to different cultures. In
ancient Greece it is an emblem of the four
elements. In the ancient Middle East, the
symbol represents the four directions
(north, south, east, west) and the four
winds. Even the ancient Aztecs used this
symbol to represent the meeting place
of god (at the cross-section). The High
Priestess bares this symbol at her heart meaning that at the heart of her very being
she is intimate with the ways of nature,
knowledge, and God. The unfolding

mystery of life is the core of her knowledge.

Moon: The moon lays at her feet - her
foundation is the fluxtuating night emblem
that symbolizes motion, illumination,
fertility, and even lunacy. Many decks
even depict the moon illustrated upon the
Priestess forehead. At her head and at her
feet are the attributes of the moon - her
thoughts are illuminated by the secret
power of the moon, and her her path is
guided by the pull of the moon. The moon
is all about intuition, psychic force, unseen
energy. When we have hunches, ideas, or
impressions that come from nowhere
this is moon power at work. The moon
lives in the darkest of places so she must
be triple clear in her messages through
the night. The moon brings of clarity of
mind, heart and spirit - but there is a price

if we are not careful. Being too swayed by

the power of the moon can lead to erratic
behavior or even pyschotic episodes. This
is why the High Priestess is such a strong
figure - because she not only heeds the
message of the moon - she also harnesses
its power.
Scroll: Everybody wants to know what
is written in the scroll the High Priestess
craddles closely to her womb, but only
she knows, and its not likely that shell
give up the information. The fact is the
scroll contains information that she
protects. It contains knowedge of esoteric,
occult, philosphical revelations that if
placed in the hands of one who has no
understanding or respect for what he/she
is holding - tremendous damage would be
done. This is why she holds it so close to

her - she knows that knowledge is both a

killer and a savior. There are some theories
that the scroll is the Akashic records which
contain the records of all-that-has-everbeen for every soul in existence. Whatever
the actual contents, be sure that the
Priestess is forever on guard - keeping the
secrets in tact until our minds are ripe for
the opportunity to receive the knowledge
she commands.
Further Note on the Priestess Tarot Card
Meanings: Many deck renditions depict
two columns at either side of the High
Priestess. On her right is a black column
with the letter B imprinted on it. On
her left a white column with the letter J
imprinted. These represent the pillars that
stand at entrance of Solomons temple in
Jerusalem. The words are Hebrew: Boaz

means in strength and Jachin means he

establishes. These pillars are symbolic of
the balance and reverence of higher power
the High Priestess represents.
Key Questions:
Am I listening to my inner voice?
What secrets are being kept from me?
Am I connected with my higher power?
What secrets am I keeping from others, and
why?
How can I more clearly understand my life
and purpose?

III - THE EMPRESS

Key Words:
Promise
Femininity
Abundance

Creativity
Assurance
Introduction:
The mother figure of the Tarot deck, the
Empress Tarot card meanings are all
about love, abundance, nurturing, and
pleasure. When we observe the card we
see elements of nature - all exploding
on the card - the Empress brings about
the flood of growth and is the epitome
of abundance. She reminds us that there
is always enough for everyone to enjoy.
There is no shortage.
Many decks depict the Empress as
pregnant. This is very symbolic, and when
pulled, this card conveys a message that
the situation is pregnant with promise - full
of opportunity. Along with the symbolism

of pregnancy holding promise, comes

the waiting period. Just as there is an
incubation time until the child comes
forth, so too is there a time of waiting until
our desires become manifest.
Venus is the astral ruler of the Empress
card. As such, this card expresses love,
beauty, art, and pleasure. When we pull the
Empress card it is a clear indication that
were on the right track with our artistic
endeavors and should be encouraged to
participate in the activities that instills love
in our hearts, and creativity in our souls.
The Tarot card meanings associated with
the Empress are strongly linked with
motherhood. When we pull this card for
ourselves or for others it is often a message
to a mother or from a mother. Keep this in

mind as you are conducting your readings.

Key Symbols:
Shield: The Empress abides by one motto:
From love I do come, from love I do go
and her shield is a testiment to this creed.
The Empress knows (as we all should)
that when we enter all situations with the
shield of love, we are always protected.
When we envelope ourselves with a forcefield of love, there is no need for fear. The
shield is a paradox - we think of protection
- yet the emblem of love (Venus, a heart)
is pictured on the shield. The paradox is
that where there is love there is instant
protection, yet to love also requires our
vulnerability.
Waterfall: Water is a universal sign of
motion, emotion, abudance, and also

gives the reader a concept of abundance

as it is usually depicted on the card in the
form of a waterfall. This symbol expresses
the ability of the Empress to open up her
intuitive resources and allow abundance
to flow through her freely. Consider the
exhilerating rush of a waterfall - expansive
and powerful - even a little frightening as it
crashes against the rocks. The waterfall is a
reminder that with tranquility also comes
extreme force - we must be mindful of our
capacity to love and create - as well as our
ability to hate and destroy.
Wheat: Wheat is a universal sign
for nourishment. With it comes the
association of harvest. This symbol is a
profound expression of the Empress in
her nurturing glory. She assures that all
the elements are in place so that growth

occurs, and bounty is harvested. She also

reminds us that the seeds we sow are in
direct relation to the harvest we shall reap.
The wheat is also a symbol of a process - a
time to sow, a time to grow and a time to
pick the fruits of our labor. The Empress is
keenly aware of time and the part it plays
in manifesting our desires. Let the wheat
be a symbol to us that our desires are
not usually on microwave time (press a
button & its done). In short, it takes time
to see the process of our desire unfold into
our reality.
Key Questions:
How can I nurture myself more?
Am I connecting enough to mother nature?
Am I respecting the process of unfolding
my desires?
What does being a mother/having a

mother mean to me?

What role does love play in my life - is it
foremost in my existence?

IV - THE EMPEROR
Key Words:
Strategy
Rulership
Authority
Masculinity
Practicality
Introduction:
The father figure of the Tarot deck, the
Emperor Tarot card meanings are all about
advice, widsom, authority, and grounding.
Take a moment to observe the Emperor
card. It becomes apparent that this is a
character who has been there, done that,

and has the battle armor to prove it. The

Emperor has obtained his wisdom through
experience. Hes been through the wars,
hes ruled his people wisely, and hes
experienced all life can throw at him. What
better source for advice than a battletested, thoughtful, strategic ruler?
Look more closely at the card, and you
will detect a scrutinous quality in his eyes.
When youve seen everything the Emperor
has seen, you would have cause to be a
bit skeptical too. This contributes to the
Emperor being the perfect authority figure.
He is as wise as his years because caution
has served as the better part of valor in his
life. This makes him an excellent source of
wisdom and advice. He does not become
carried away by fad or fancy - he sees
through the most clever of disguises and

nothing slips by his scrutiny.

When we pull this card in a reading we
get an instant grounding effect. In
areas of business, we are encouraged to
consider all the facts, revisit our strategic
plans, reconsider our partnerships and
re-evaluate our allegiances. When we are
unsure of circumstances, the Emperor
reminds us that sometimes doing is
the only method we have for knowing.
Another tip - the Emperor is a master of
his own making, and when he shows up in
a reading, we would do well to realize our
own inner strength and motivation is what
makes us a leader.
Key Symbols:
Beard: As mentioned earlier, the Emperor
has been there, done that and the

beard is a symbol of his experience. As an

archetype, we commonly see masculine
figures of authority or father figures with
long white beards. It reassures us that this
man has acquired years of wisdom and
experience - he is worthy of listening to
because hes seen first hand the effects of
his own actions. He offers us the gift of his
own life example - a short-cut, because
when we heed the advice of our elders
we can often avoide repeating the same
mistakes.
Ram: Featured prominently in most
decks, the head of the ram is a symbol
of determination, action, initiative, and
leadership. The ram is also a symbol
of Aries, which is the astral ruler of the
Emperor. Aries is the first sign of the
Zodiac, further reinforcing attributes of

leadership, authority, and other forefathertype characteristics.

Staff: In this rendition, the cross is at the
top of his staff. This is a symbol of balance,
and each arm of the cross represents
balance amongst the four directions,
four winds, and/or the four elements. As
a ruler, it is imperative to understand the
interconnectedness of things, and to be
able to balance the elements of nature
appropriately. Other decks depict the
Egyptian ank upon the Emperors staff this is a symbol of balance and life.
Key Questions:
Am I leading by example?
What kind of ruler am I?
Am I being inflexible? Too practical?
Do I need some advice on this situtation?

Upon what resources am I calling in order

to be the best leader?
Whats my strategy to accomplish these
goals and are they realistic?

IV - THE HIEROPHANT
Key Words:
Law
Holy
Respect
Ceremony
Knowledge
Tradition
Conformity
Introduction:
The Hierophant can be a tricky card to
interpret as there are many different
layers of meanings being presented at

once. Foremost, the Hierophant (link to

the definition of hierophant) is a vehicle
for religious knowledge. Historically,
the Hierophant has spent his entire life
(chosen as a child for religious purpose)
studying the texts of many or a chosen
branch of organized religion.
Although he is a keeper of religious
knowledge, he differs from theHigh
Priestess. Where she is the holder of
esoteric knowledge for the sake of holding
- the Hierophant is the keeper of religious
content for the sake of presentation. The
Hierophant has an enormous responsibility
because he stands as a religious icon to
the people. Just as a priest or the Pope
is the image of his religion, so too is the
Hierophant.

The Hierophant is certainly a master

of esoteric wisdom - incredibly wellversed and educated in the ways of
spirit. However, he is bound by tradition,
ceremony, and committed to presenting
himself in a manner that is suitable to the
ideals of the people to which he preaches.
The Hierophant is the leader of religious
order - he guides the masses in instruction
and serves as a liasion between man and
God.
As such, he weilds great power and is ever
in-check not to abuse this power. He is
consistently conscious of his responsibility
to the people, and his mission to present
the word of God in an honest, true,
accurate manner to the people. He knows
he must not mislead the people, for to do
so would mislead himself, and all he has

learned of God.
When we pull the Hierophant Tarot card,
our attention is focused on our convictions.
The occurance of this card is a message for
us to examine our belief systems, how we
operate with these beliefs, and how they
effect our lives.
Key Symbols:
Hand: The Hierophants right hand held up
in such a manner is a sign of benediction.
This position (mudra) symbolizes a
blessing of love and spiritual well-being.
His position is also pointing heavenwards,
which reinforces the spiritual blessing. As
the people come to the Hierophant, this
hand blessing is sought out by them - it is
an assuring motion and grants the people
assurance that all of their spiritual needs

are met.
Keys: What do keys do? They unlock
doors. The keys of the Hierophant card
symbolize the keys to spiritual knowledge,
and wisdom. The ancient Greeks depicted
keys as a symbols for knowledge and
life. This specific card symbol: A gold &
silver key crossed is a papal emblem of
authority and translates to mean the keys
to the kingdom of heaven. As such, the
Hierophant is seen to be an authority, and
the holder of the kingdom keys - again, an
intermediary figure or translator between
God and man.
Staff: This is the symbol of the triple cross
and is one of the symbols used in the office
of the Pope, who is the global head of
the Roman Catholic church. Each mark is

symbolic level of devotion - meaning: 1)the

Father, 2)the Son, 3)the Holy Ghost. This
staff is another sign of the Hierophants
authority and his supreme status. This
symbol reinforces the Hierophants
responsiblity of the spiritual well-being of
the people. The staff, (as well as the keys,
and the hand blessing) are all external
signs that the Hierophant is more than
qualified to extoll spiritual advice and
leadership to the people.
Key Questions:
Is my religion serving me?
Am I called to do religious work?
Am I an effective spiritual leader?
Are my beliefs helping or hindering me?
What are my views on organized religion?
Do I have the conviction to back my faith?
Do I need approval for my spiritual beliefs?

When was the last time I examined my

belief system?
Am I disciplined and committed to spiritual
development?
What is my responsibility in religious/
spiritual growth?
Who do I look up to or who is my mentor in
spiritual matters
Do people look to me for spiritual advice,
and am I properly meeting their needs?

VI - LOVERS
Key Words:
Sex
Love
Health
Union
Trust
Passion

Temptation
Vulnerability
Communication
Introduction:
Absolutely, this is Tarot card meaning is
all about love and everything it entails.
Without a doubt, this is one of the more
straight-forward card meanings in the
deck. The aspects of our lives that deal
with passion, infatuation, sex, arousal,
and all those things that heat us up - these
are what attracts the Lovers card into our
readings. This card comes up when we
are contemplating a new romance, when
were obsessed with another person, or
when we are in more than one amorous
relationship. On a lesser scale, card
also comes up when we are developing
a partnership in business. It may also

indicate matters regarding friendship and

family.
When we talk about the subject of lovers,
there are other factors that come into play.
Such as issues relating to trust, respect,
devotion, commitment, compatibility
and compassion. In fact, any time we
enter a new relationship, whether it be
for love or friendship, we are in a give and
take position. Relationships require an
awareness that it takes two to tango - and
we most give as much as we take from the
relationship.
The Lovers card is a reminder that balance
is essential. Although the heightened
experience of whirlwind passion is
incredibly delicious - deep inside we
know that this experience alone doesnt

make a solid foundation. This is where

temptation makes its appearance. Were
tempted by the trappings of certain things
in a relationship (sex, money, prestige)
but at its core, the Lovers card represents
the package deal, and this card reminds
us that we are all capable of having that
whole package deal in a relationship.
Other decks depict this card as an Adam &
Eve illustration - another reinforcement of
temptation.
Other renditions of this card depict the
archangel Rapheal behind the lovers with
open arms - an expression of blessing and
healing. Rapheal is often associated with
health and the healing arts, and this is
where the card gains its healing attribute.
In this version (Morgan-Greer, permission
and rights for educational use listed on the

home page) the pervasive coloring of green

in the card also points to health issues as
green is a health-related color. It is also the
color of the heart chakra.
Key Symbols:
Eye Contact: Their eyes locked and looking
deeply indicates an unspoken form of
communication. They say the eyes are
the windows to the soul and when we
are in a relationship we open our souls to
each other. Eye contact is all about subtle
expression and communication. This
version of the Lovers card clearly expresses
the importance of communication on all
levels of a loving relationship.
Lily: Identified as a symbol of purity,
innocence and fertility. The lily also
symbolizes vulnerability, and the freedom

to be ourselves, as well as allowing our

partner to be as he/she is too. With no
restraints or expectations, relationships
take on a more natural development. The
lily is also a symbolic flower of health and
provision.
Nudity: No need to be bashful about it nudity is the ultimate form of expression
and the ultimate letting off of our guard.
After the clothes are off - theres nothing
more to hide. It is an external expression
of complete trust and vulnerability. Nudity
is a powerful expression - it gets the point
across that something very profound
(trust, love, self) is being shared here. The
tenderness pictured in this card really gets
its point across that love and being loved is
a very sacred thing.

Key Questions:
How do I feel about trusting others?
How do I feel about my relationships?
Am I being honest about my relationships?
Do I need to pay closer attention to my
health?
What relationships in my life do I need to
re-examine?
Am I always on my guard or can I allow
myself to be vulnerable?
What will it take for me to have a
passionate, loving, trusting relationship?

VI - LOVERS
Key Words:
Tact
Skill
Action
Control

Focused
Driven
Motion
Balance
Physicality
Introduction:
If youve done a little research on the art
of chariot battle, youve observed that
it takes a lot of skill, determination and
control to manuever a chariot - particularly
in the heat of battle. Imagine for a moment
controlling two 1,000 pound horses while
navigating direction all in the midst of the
commotion, noise, and fervor of battle. It
makes the head spin. Needless to say the
Chariot represents tremendous focus and
drive in order to accomplish the goal and
win the battle.

An often over-looked item of chariot-battle

is that the best plan of attack in a chariot
is from the side. This was a common
tactic for ancient chariot warriors and is
mentioned here for its symbolic meaning.
Coming upon our problems from the
side - or a different angle will often give
us the perspective we need to overcome
the obstacle, or give us a different plan of
attack for success.
Close your eyes and let your imagination
wander to the days of when chariots
were the ultimate form of transportation.
Consider the skill, focus, balance and
determination it would take for one to
control that chariot. One false move at a
high speed, and the chariot would easily
topple. It was not a mode of transportation
for the light-hearted. These are the

attributes the Chariot card brings to a

reading.
Often, the Chariot card shows up when
there is an obsession about work, a
question about goals, or an issue of overachieving. When a person is obsessed
with climbing the ladder of success - the
Charioteer is the one cracking the whip
behind the scenes.
The Chariot also embodies motion. Often
we pull this card when we are traveling
physically, or moving in an emotional
direction. Its usually a fast motion too. If
we want to get somewhere fast, or a quick
change of pace is coming - most assuredly
the Chariot will appear in the reading.

Key Symbols:
Crown: This deck version shows a crown
of five pointed stars. These pentacles are
symbolic of perfection and also indicate
our Charioteer is at his physical peek of
perfection. That he is wearing these stars
as a crown indicates his thoughts are
primarily upon the elements required to
get the task at hand accomplished. His
thoughts dwell upon his ability to perform
to a high level in order to achieve his goals.
Horse: The horse is another symbol of
physicality and vitality. The horse is linked
with elemental and instinctual powers.
They symbolize speed of thought, speed
of deed, and speed of action. This horse
symbol brings further attention on aspects
of motion, transportion, and reaching the
destination to the Tarot card meanings of

the Chariot.
Moons: Moons also deal with motion,
influence and development. This card
depcts slivered moons on the Charioteers
shoulder and at that top of his staff.
These are symbols that indicate we are
often driven by unseen forces in matters
of obtaining goals or striving for success.
Although the Charioteer is very aware
of elemental matters and matters of
the soul - these moons indicate that
more investigation must be made on his
motives.
Key Questions:
What drives you?
What is your motiviation?
Are your goals reasonable? Obtainable?
What are you trying to control, and why?

Do you have the skills you need to

succeed?
Can you try a different approach to
reaching your goals?
What would you do if you had a sudden
change in direction or location?

VIII - STRENGTH
Key Words:
Balance
Strength
Courage
Patience
Compassion
Understanding
Introduction:
This is another Major Arcana card that
doesnt beat around the bush - its

meaning is quite clear in both illustration

and title. Looking at the card we see a
great deal of strength - but what kind of
strength? Is the young maiden exterting
physical strength to subdue the lion? Her
face looks serene, her posture is calm - she
doesnt appear to be struggling.
Yes, the Tarot card meaning here is that
of strength - but not purely physical. The
young maiden in white (a symbol of purity)
subdues the lion through a strength that
is internal. Through compassion, love,
patience, and cunning, she is able to calm
the lion into retreating into a behavior that
is more manageable.
As with all allegories, the story of this
Strength card is more than what meets the
eye. The deeper meaning deals with having

the compassion and understanding to

sooth the savage beast within us in more
effective ways than brute strength.
Simply put, the lion is our inner beast - that
part of ourselves that needs to feed. This
beast is always needing more money, more
recognition, or it needs more food, alcohol
or drugs to feel at ease. The pure maiden
represents that part of ourselves that has
the ability to nurture, calm and exhibit
self-love. Only she can allay the ravenous
need beast.
When we pull the Strength card it is
certainly a message that strength is
required for some challenges ahead. Its
also a sign that we absolutely have the
strength that is required of us. But on a
subtle level, this card is a signal that we are

already complete and self-love is the key to

meeting our needs.
Key Symbols:
Lion: As mentioned above, the lion is a
symbol for the primal urges - the physical
needs and cravings we all, as humans want
met. The lion is also a symbol of fire which
burns within us - representing our wants
and desires with a intense blaze. This is
not to say that the lion all it represents is
negative. On the contrary, many of us use
our needs as motivators for achieving great
things in our lives and reaching our goals.
The key is to know thyself and temper our
primal (ego) urges with our more divine,
spiritual nature.
Mountains: Mountains symbolize
aspiration, achievement, courage and

accomplishment. In this case we can liken

the mountain to challenges we face in our
lives. As we look upon the Strength card
and see the mountains in the distance we
are aware that we will always be met with
challenges in our lives. However, what
makes climbing the mountain difficult or
easy is the way we approach it.
Wreath: Wreaths symbolize completion and
infinity (circle). A wreath or crown around
the maidens head is a symbol of victory. In
this case, the wreath indicates victory can
be claimed in the battle against banal or
primal urges that do not serve us. There is
hope and understanding when we realize
we can achieve harmony in our hearts, and
balance can be won.

Key Questions:
How do you define strength?
In what way do your physical urges
motivate you?
How can you approach the need to feed
syndrome?
How do you exhibit self-love and
compassion towards yourself?
What are your internal battles and how can
you reach a balance?
What area in your life requires you to have
the most strength and what different kinds
of strength can you apply here?

IX - HERMIT
Key Words:
Wisdom
Humility
Solitude
Searching
Detachment
Deliberate
Observation
Introduction:
In our fast-paced, harried world of today,
we would all do well to do as the hermit
does. The Hermits stride is slow but sure.
He takes each step with a deliberate,
conscious approach - knowing that each
step of the journey is a small imprint upon
the larger picture of his path. He does
everything in this manner - each breath he

takes, each word he speaks, every decision

he makes is a deliberate act.
This is one prime source of the Hermits
wisdom. In recognizing that each of our
thoughts and actions is a brick we use to
build our lives, we partake in the creation
of our own reality. The Hermit has had to
learn this lesson by means of distancing
himself from the regular, routine world.
By removing himself from the normal
stream of societal thought, the Hermit is
able to listen to the inner stirrings of his
own intuition and act upon it.
In much the same way, by turning off our
telephones, switching off our televisions,
and removing ourselves from the barrage
of external chatter - we are able to finally
hear the small voice from within that leads

us to higher ground.
The Hermit walks a fine line. By
purposefully choosing to remove himself
from society he also runs the risk of being
misunderstood and labeled inappropriate.
These labels do not concern him as his
path of spiritual knowing and higher
wisdom are his prime concerns.
The path of the Hermit is certainly not
for everyone, but we all have parts of
ourselves that need a little quiet time at
the least. When the Hermit shows up in a
reading it often refers to a need to be still,
contemplate, meditate, observe what is
going on before any further action is taken.
Key Symbols:
Staff: Appearing as an attribute amongst

pilgrims, saints and even priests, the staff

is an emblem of power and authority.
The staff is in the Hermits left hand,
representing the hand of higher awareness
(subconscious mind). In this case the staff
represents the Hermits ability to use his
isolation and the knowledge he has gained
as a tool upon his path to even higher
levels of awareness.
Stance: The Hermit stands upon the
precipice of an icy mountain. This
symbolizes the heights of his journey,
and further intensifies the feeling
of his isolation. Mountains typically
symbolize achievement, growth, and
accomplishment. The symbolism in this
case is the Hermit has achieved his goal
and he is continuing the path he has
chosen, committed to his endeavor of

ultimate awareness.
Star: The star of David shines brightly
within his lantern. Biblically, David is
means beloved of God and so the light
from the star symbolizes the light of God.
Further inspection of the star reveals that it
is comprised of two triangles, one inverted,
the other erect. This is a common symbol
for male & female, or opposing/balancing
energies. In the context of the Hermit, this
symbol represents balance, and using
the energies together for the purpose of
spiritual advancement.
Key Questions:
Have you taken the time to simply be?
Are you able to be still? If not, why?
What is your level of awareness at this
moment?

Are you receiving the guidance you need

on your path? If not, why?
Are you able to be quite and listen to the
still small voice within?
Is the current path you are on still as
meaningful as when you first set out?
When was the last time you stopped to
take a break from the hussle-bustle of your
life?

X - WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Key Words:
Luck
Chance
Change
Destiny
Revolution
Consequence

Introduction:
As a whole, the Tarot system focuses on
personal responsibility. Meaning, the
underlying persuasion of each card places
the responsibility of life events squarely on
the individual. Were in charge of our lives,
and the consequences of our thoughts and
deeds shape our lives.
With that said, even the most ancient of
philosophies have to admit sometimes
things just happen and theres no way
to trace back a cause. Sometimes things
take place in our lives that appear to be
pure happenstance...dumb luck some
people call it. The Wheel of Fortune card
represents those events in our lives that
come out of nowhere. They come in the
form of unexpected surprises, a promotion
we werent needing/wanting/requesting

- an inheritance from a relative you didnt

even know you had or a surprise visit from
a friend you havent thought about in
years.
The Wheel of Fortune is a very auspicious
card. When pulled in a reading it generally
indicates a happy, unexpected event is
in the works. However, take a look at the
card, and you see an unfortunate fellow
falling off the side. As is the nature of fate,
sometimes surprises arent so happy.
It is important to note here that what is
good or bad is all in our interpretation.
When what may appear as an unsavory
event showing up unexpectedly in our
lives we must try our best to recognize
some potential good from the situation.
We may not see any benefit in the tragedy
- but down the line (when the Wheel

turns again) circumstances from that

tragedy may lead to amazing and positive
influences.
The Wheel of Fortune is also about
consequence. Although weve recognize
that sometimes stuff happens this card
also addresses the cyclical nature of life.
Simply put, this card is a message that
says what goes around, comes around.
When this card appears in a reading, it may
mean that we should consider our actions
and how they are affecting ourselves and
others around us. This is in line with the
concept of Karma which is a philosophy
that proposes every action we take affects
everything else - what we sow, so shall we
reap - for every action there is an equal
reaction.

This is an important concept to grasp when

we contemplating this Tarot card meaning.
When we approach our lives with this in
mind, we tend to invest more quality time
in our thoughts and actions. If we took just
a few moments considering the effects of
our thoughts and actions, we might reap
more benefits for ourselves.
Key Symbols:
Clouds: Clouds are typically a symbol of
that which is higher - higher thought,
higher energy, etc. In this case, the clouds
are a symbol of a higher power at work
in the events of our lives. As mentioned
earlier - sometimes things just happen and the symbol of the clouds represents
events coming out of the ether and
moving our lives in an unexpected
direction.

Falling Off: Its inevitable, as the wheel

turns, a few things are going to fly off to
make room for new things. Its the nature
of evolution and revolution. As already
mentioned, its important to consider
our approach to loss. If we view loss as
a bad thing - this is exactly what it will
be. If, however, we observe a removal as
being an opportunity, we broaden our
persective and allow for positive change.
The illustration of falling off is also
representative of beliefs and ideas. As we
have new ways of thinking about things,
our old ways of thinking must drop off. Its
simply the way life works.
Wheel: As the central star player on this
card, its important to take a close look at
the symbolism of the Wheel. Since ancient
man, the Wheel has been a symbol for

mobility, revolution, and cycles. Used

in work, the wheel has enabled man to
perform more efficiently. Used in ritual,
the Wheel is symbolic of the natural flow of
energy. When we consider the ease of the
Wheel turning and flowing in motion, we
are reminded of how our own lives move in
much the same manner. Although we have
old and new events - the hub of the wheel
(symbolic of ourselves - our core nature)
remains the same.
Key Questions:
Do you feel lucky? Why?
How do you handle change?
How do you feel about chance or luck?
If you consider change bad consider why
you think this way?
Do you take the time to consider the
consequences of your thoughts & actions?

XI - JUSTICE
Key Words:
Truth
Balance
Justice
Equality
Congruence
Admission
Examination
Introduction:
Benjamin Disraeli, a British Prime Minister
and Novelist once said Justice is truth in
action. This is a perfect summary for the
Justice card. When we observe this card,
we see our lady Justice means business.
Her posture and demeanor express a nononsense aura - she takes no prisoners
- there are no excuses - no wishy washy

stuff with her. She is here to expose the

truth and bring to light those issues which
require our attention.
The Justice cards prime message is that
of accountability. Justice appears to us
when we know we should do something
and were not doing it. Maybe its as simple
as knowing we ought not to have that
third doughnut - perhaps its as serious as
returning something that was stolen back
to its rightful owner. Whatever the case,
Justice serves as a loud message from
our conscience. Remember Jiminy Cricket
in the cartoon Pinocchio? The Justice
card is to a reading as Jiminy Cricket is to
Pinocchio - a little (sometimes nagging)
voice that lets us know we should do the
right thing.

Justice in a reading is a call to examine

what weve done in the past, contemplate
future actions - balance the equation - take
responsibility and be sure in all matters
we remain as even-minded as possible in
our endeavors. Keep in mind the Justice
card is staight-forward and to the point.
There is no hiding, no making excuses,
no procrastination. Lady Justice cuts
down all illusions and exposes the heart
of the matter for what it is. The Justice
card can help you take a look at your
responsibilities and obligations and see
that youve been falling short of the mark.
This is not a negative experience. There is
no judgment or disapproval here. Justice
simply exposes the facts as they are with
no bias.

On a more banal level, pulling the Justice

card can also indicate legal matters, legal
paperwork that needs to be sorted out,
a court case or a settling of disputes in a
rational, formalized manner.
Key Symbols:
Crown: Just as we would expect, the crown
is a symbol of authority, command, and
royalty. We can also gather that Justice
is the crowning feature of this card.
Lady Justice wearing a crown indicates
that she is in a position to calmly and
rationally detect what is true and fair. She
is experienced in the matters of balance,
truth, and equality.
Scale: The scale is a symbol of equality
and balance. It is a perfect visual measure
when something is out of whack. The

scale in all its precision shows us which

part of our life is out of balance - when the
scale is tipped more to one side we know
we need to take some corrective action.
Sword: In the Justice card the sword
represents double-edged action of 1)
right-thought and 2) right-action. The
blade cuts through and questions or foggy
notions we may have about a situation.
By cutting through the fluff we are able to
clearly identify the areas of our lives that
need closer examination. The sword also
indicates that self-examination may be
uncomfortable - but the clearing is for the
best and as we cut away the clutter we will
inevitably benefit.
Key Questions:
Is my life out of balance?

What can I do to be more balanced?

Am I being honest with myself?
Am I taking healthy responsibility for my
actions?
Where do I place blame for my actions and
my lifes circumstances?
Have I been neglecting some of my
obligations and commitments?
Do I need to take some time to re-examine
my life because Im out of balance?
Can I keep a proper equalibrium - do I have
an even temper & even mind?

XII - HANGED MAN

Key Words:
Yield
Suspend
Surrender
Sacrifice
Non-Action
Submission
In-Between
Introduction:
Just the term Hanged Man can be
offsetting, and has a tendency to put us ill
at ease. However, take a moment to look
at our hanged fellow - he shows no sign
of struggle on his face. In fact, the whole
scene of the card is rather serene with hues
of blue covering the card. The Hanged
Mans expression is one of complete calm

and assurance - not what one would

expect at the gallows.
This is precisely the point. There is
no expectation with this card. All
expectations, along with all actions have
been suspended. The Hanged Man is in a
state of purposeful, complete surrender,
yielding his mind and body to the Universal
flow.
When we pull the Hanged Man card it is
an indication that we may be hung up
in our own distracting thoughts, were
complicating things, or we need to step
away from something. This card delivers
a message that now is the time to ease
off from doing and simply be for awhile.
When we withhold action for awhile, and
just take in the events as they happen we

allow things to flow more simply. If, on the

other hand, we struggle, fight, and insist
on control - we are met with restriction and
road-blocks every step of the way.
You mightve noticed that keyword up
there: sacrifice. This strikes some fear
into many hearts, but there is no reason
for fear. The sacrifice the Hanged Man
asks us to make is in the form of giving
up things in our lives that do not serve
us. By suspending ourselves (thoughts,
actions, emotions) we can gain perspective
in order to identify the habits we cling to
that hinder our progress. Sometimes in a
reading the Hanged Man can be a message
that we should set aside our own needs for
the needs of others around us too.

Key Symbols:
Legs: The Hanged man is dangling by his
left leg - our left appendages are symbols
of higher awareness. We also see the mans
legs cross in an odd formation one leg
straight and the other crossed at a right
angle. This is a symbol of a cross-roads that our thoughts have bubbled up to a
jumble that has got us stuck - we are at a
cross-roads and at a loss for decision. This
ties in with the Hanged Mans advice to
take no action. Rather, calm yourself, be
still, and yield to the situation - answers
will come when we take the time to be still.
Head: As mentioned earlier, there is no
expression of struggle or discomfort on
the Hanged Mans face. This is a process
of voluntary surrender, and he knows the
outcome will lead to benefit. Further, we

see a halo at his crown - this is a symbol

of enlightenment, and gaining higher
awareness and insight.
Ropes: Ropes have long been a symbol of
binding or imprisonment. Weve all gotten
knots in our shoelaces, and we all know
what happens when we frustratedly tug
and shake at those knots in an effort to
loosen their hold. Never works. However,
when we take a deep breath, and take
the time to slowly pick away and loosen
the knot we are finally able to get that
knot free. This is the message - the
more we struggle and rage against our
circumstances, the tighter our knots will
be.
Key Questions:
Are you investing time to relax?

Are you willing to sacrifice your

expectations?
Are you struggling with a decision or
problem? Can you let it go?
Are you over-extending yourself and need
to take a time-out break?
Should you wait a bit to make that decision
youve been worried about?
What activities in your life can you give up
in order to allow more benefits?
What beliefs and thoughts do have that
hinder your progress? Can you give them
up?
Are there things/people in your life you are
trying to control? Can you let go of that
need to control?

XIII - DEATH
Key Words:
Change
Exposure
Transition
Termination
Inevitability
Introduction:
All of us stop and shift in our seats when
we come upon the grim reaper. Many of
us equate death as an ending, like getting
called out of the game of life. Thankfully,
that is not what this card is about.
The Death card speaks of a major
conclusion in an area of our lives. Often
when this card shows up in a reading it
means the querent has had, or will have

a change that is monumental - an ending

of circumstances that were dragging on
for far too long and the only way to make
a clean break is to have a sharp ending.
The key point to remember here is that
where there is an ending, there is also a
beginning.
The Death card also exposes us to the
inevitabilities in our lives. Everyone has
heard the old adage the only thing
you can count on is death and taxes.
The quote left out one other inevitable
occurance: Change. We can alway count on
change. No matter how long weve been at
our jobs, how long weve been married, or
how long weve lived in one location - fact
of the matter is that everything changes.
We may remain in the same house all of
our lives, but our lives will always change.

Life is in constant motion and this is the

irony of the Death card. Death is never the
end - it is simply a motion in a different
direction.
Please note: The historical nature of the
Tarot is steeped in allegory. As such, this
occurance of this card rarely indicates
actual physical death.
Key Symbols:
Skull: Long seen as a symbol of humanitys
mortality - the skull is a symbol that
all things change and transition. Some
cultures see the skull as the seat of the
mind - the home of our thoughts. In this
case, we can translate the skull to mean
the death of unwanted thoughts.
Sun: More irony with this card! The sun is a

symbol of life and growth. The sun in this

case serves as a symbolic reminder that
where there is an ending, there is always a
new beginning. The sun will rise again, and
tomorrow is another day.
Rose: A long-standing symbol of purity,
promise, and beauty. In the case of the
Death card, this rose represents the
promise of new beginnings. We must also
take the thorns into consideration - with
the promise of new hope, we may have
to endure a few stinging thorns (painful
ordeals) along the way. Such is the way of
life.
Flag: When we consider the cards on
which the flag is featured (Death, Sun
& Judgment) we get a good concept
of its symbol meanings. The flag is an

announcement to change - something has

shifted and a flag makes the world aware
of this shift. It is a bright, bold obvious
sign that a new day is dawning. This is not
about subtle shifts - the flag is about inyour-face transformation; an event to
announce to all who will hear.
Key Questions:
How do you handle change?
What can you do to prepare yourself for
change?
Is there something in your life that is due
for a change?
Should you wait a bit to make that decision
youve been worried about?
How do you feel about endings? Do you
recognize they are followed by beginnings?
Are you being honest with yourself in
exposing areas of your life that need

transition?

XIV - TEMPERANCE
Key Words:
Merging
Balance
Healing
Blending
Connection
Chemistry
Fluidity
Moderation
Introduction:
So many of the Tarot cards (seemingly all
of them to one extent or another), deal
with balance and its importance in our
lives. Yes, certainly the Temperance Tarot
card meanings are about balance. But

theres more to it than that.

We have to be thoughtful in our appproach
to this card because its meaning wont
hit us over the head like a ton of bricks.
Rather, its a subtle card that whispers in
our ear come closer.
As we lean in closer to hear with our
spiritual ears exactly what Temperance
has to say - we find we arent listening for
words at all. What we hear is the tranquil
waters running through our spirits. These
are cleansing rivers that run through our
energies, providing us with peace and
healing. Imagine you are diving into the
these crystal clear waters. Diving in is an
act of connecting to our source and by
connecting we find rejuvination in the
rhythmic flow of healing waters moving

through us. Mesmorizing, isnt it?

There is a lot of power in this card, and
the flow is the source of that power.
The Temperance card is a call for us to
recognize the flow in our own lives, and
observe the nature of energy. When we pull
this card in a reading it is an indication that
a healing is in need or is taking place. It is
also a sign that subtle shifts are or need to
take place in order to gain that peaceful
scene we see pictured in this card.
When we quietly and objectively
investigate our lifes path we begin to
see patterns. Temperance encourages
us to take these patterns and find a
good balance in our lives. Envision the
flowing waters of this card and see all
the imbalance drifting away in your life.

When moderation is put into play, and we

connect with a natural flow, then healing
begins to occur at all levels.
The keyword chemistry is included here
because Temperance deals with mixing
the right ingredients in our lives in order to
flow easily upon the path of our choosing.
It takes a little time to balance the load
just right, but once we do we experience
some tremendous breakthroughs in our
progress.
On a more day-to-day level the
Temperance card often indicates a
commitment to sobriety, a healing taking
place, a need for emotional stability, and
a need for self-love. Very often spiritual
seekers will pull this card as a promise
of new growth after theyve experienced

spiritual drought.
Key Symbols:
Cups: The cups transferring the waters
here are a symbol of finding the right mix,
keeping in motion, and going with the flow.
The cups and the water have also been
thought as a biblical symbol reminiscent
of Christ turning water into wine. The
symbolism here is that we are able to
transform any situation into something
different by our tempering our thoughts
and actions in such a way as to bring about
the results we desire.
Feet: Feet are symbolic of a pilgrimage,
and make reference to our spiritual walk.
The right foot (consciousness) is dipped
into the water which is symbolic of the
subconscious. This is a signal that our

analytical minds need to be hushed for

a bit. The left foot (unconsciousness) is
settled on land which is a signal to ground
ourselves. Again - this card is all about
balance. As we align our mind, body and
spirit we begin to see amazing results in
our lives.
Triangle: In Ancient Egypt the Triangle
was seen as a symbol of intelligence
and indicated the capacity for love. The
Buddhists utilze this geometric pattern in
the Sri Yantra mandala as a tool to invoke
the energy of love. The triangle also deals
with the love represented in the mother,
father, child union as well as the holy
trinity. As mentioned earlier, as a graphic
representation of an inverted triangle, it
symbolizes a vessel in which love is poured
or carried. Additionally, this symbol has

long been recognized as a sign of balance

and creativity.
Key Questions:
Do you go with the flow, or do you struggle
with change?
What can you do to create more peace and
balance in your life?
Are you on a life path that forks in the
road? Are you torn between two paths?
What thoughts, beliefs or actions can you
merge together to create harmony in your
life?
What would it take for you to get just the
right mix or find a happy-medium in your
life?
Are you concerned about your health? If so,
what steps can you take to strike a healthy
balance?

XV - DEVIL
Key Words:
Ego
Loss
Error
Addiction
Illusion
Disruption
Introduction:
The image of the Baphoment is a shock to
many. In a primarily suppressed society,
topics relating to the devil are not openly
discussed and illicit intense discomfort.
However, if we approach this card in an
open-minded, mature manner, we can
glean a mass of insight.
Before exploring this card further, take a

moment to consider the laws of nature.

When we observe the trees, the sky, the
grass, the birds, and other phenomenon of
nature, do we see the presence of a devil?
Do we see bondage amongst bobcats?
Selfishness amongst seagulls? Tyranny
amongst Tiger Lillies? Absolutely not. The
thought is ludicrous.
This is big consideration when
contemplating the Devil Tarot card. Out of
all life that exists on this planet only one
creature can identify that which is devil.
That creature is of course, the human. Only
humans can classify what is devil and
what is angel.
So what does a human have that the rest
of the natural world doesnt? What makes
a human able to create, define, or interpret

the personification of the devil? A mind.

And with a human mind comes the human
ego running along beside it.
The ego is the key to understanding the
Devil card. Ego tells us were better than
the other guy, or were not good enough
for the glee club. Ego tells us we need
external stimuli (drugs, alcohol, food) to be
acceptable to society, or feel comfortable
in our own skins. Ego tells us we need a
new car to get respect or we need to put
our spouse in his/her place so we are on
top.
When we pull the Devil card in a reading
weve got some serious examining to do.
We need to consider who or what is in
charge of our lives. The Devil is a very loud
message stating that were in danger of

giving up our control to our base nature.

Or, its a message that weve already
dropped to a level of functioning that is
beneath us.
We are designed for greatness, yet when
we stoop to the level of ego-thinking were
blind to our own beauty.
This is not to say the ego is all bad. We
all need our egos to function. Ego is a
problem only when we allow it to run
through our thoughts unchecked. An
uncontrolled mind is an ego-driven mind.
An ego-driven mind is one that operates
under the illusion that love and acceptance
must be obtained at all cost.
The truth is that love and acceptance can
never be gained because they are always

ours - they are at the core of our being at

all times.
Special note: this card rendition (MorganGreer, permission and rights of use
listed on home page) of the Devil Tarot
card meanings depicts green as the
predominant color. Consequently the
reader may be intuitively lead to suggest
health issues in a reading as the color
green (corresponding to the heart chakra)
is considered a color relating to health.
Key Symbols:
Fly: The fly is a symbol of very primitive,
base energy states. Its nature is pesky and
irritating. It happily feeds on rot and waste.
We can liken these qualities in ourselves;
when we are duped into thinking we
are unworthy or we are feeding on filthy

thoughts. Our addictions can be as

nagging and pesky as the fly. Our little
selves (the one whose voice cries me, me,
me) express the lowest level of energy and
it turns like a maggot in our minds.
Flame: The flame is a symbol of
illumination. In this case it serves as a
symbol of hope that we can all overcome
the not-so-savory urges and characteristics
the Devil card represents. The flame also
reminds us that there is no darkness - there
is only an absence of light. When we carry
the light in our hearts and minds, lower
level energy will always be dispelled.
Inverted Five-Pointed Star: Simply put, the
inverted (up-side-down) five-pointed star
is the opposite of its original meaning. The
five-pointed star, or pentagram is a symbol

of harmony amongst all the elements.

Therefore inverted, this symbol means
disharmony, error, and maligned thought.
Chains: In conjunction with the Devil card
we get the sense of being bound to habits,
thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors that enslave
our spirits. The Devil is nothing more than
a metaphor for living a base/banal and
substandard existence.
Key Questions:
Am I feeding an addiction?
What do I gain by letting my ego control my
life?
Do I think Im unworthy of love?
Happiness? Peace? Why?
Do I always feel like I need to answer to
someone? Why?
What is pestering me all the time? What

can I do about it?

Do I feel like I never have enough, can
never be enough? Why?
How can I lift myself out of these lower
levels of thoughts and feelings?

XVI - TOWER
Key Words:
Change
Eruption
Upheaval
Exposure
Cataclysm
Blind-sided
Sudden Shift
Introduction:
One look at this card and we know
something is afoot, and it doesnt look

good. The Tower Tarot card is all about

change; usually very sudden, not-sopleasant change.
Changes in life are typically gradual.
This allows our minds to accommodate
change, or for us to become accustomed to
different shifts in our lives. When a sudden,
cataclysmic change occurs, such as what
the Tower card suggests, it is an anomaly
of sorts. Such a drastic upheaval means
the Universe trying to wake us up from our
zombie-like state. This wake-up call comes
in the form of an event that blind-sides us
and shakes us out of the fog weve been
living in.
When we are so entrenched in one single
way of life, or one inflexible way of thinking
we sometimes need to get a little rattled to

get out of our daze. This is exactly what the

Tower card represents. Its as if we weve
been comatose and the Universe comes
along with those electric paddles to jolt
our hearts back to life.
An interesting observation about this
card, particularly in this rendition
(Morgan-Greer, permission and rights
for use detailed on the home page.) is
its movement. Clouds are rushing, fire is
thrashing, waves are crashing, people are
falling, everything is at high-speed motion
except for the tower.
This symbolizes that the signs have been
all around us. However, we continued
to sit in our ivory tower or continued
to construct our lives based on errant
thinking, all the while the storm is brewing,

and a fire is blazing right in front of our

eyes. So in actuality, the changes foretold
in the Tower card arent so sudden, we
were just too blind to the signs. We refused
to admit the problems. We simply turned
away.
The presence of the Tower card in a
reading is nothing to sneeze at. If youve
gone through a traumatic shift already,
nurture yourself as best you can and learn
the lessons that came with the event
corresponding with the card. If this card
is in your future position take heed of
the warning and examine your life. By
identifying your ivory tower of illusion,
you may save yourself a lot of grief in the
future.

Key Symbols:
Falling: Falling is a befitting way to convey
absolute loss of control. There is no railing
and no net to save us. When were freefalling theres not one thing that can
be done but fall and hope for the best
when we land. Most decks depict two
figures falling: A male who represents
conscious thought/action, and a female
who represents unconscious thought/
action. In this case, this is a symbol of
duality and opposition. The two figures
represnt conflicting thoughts and actions,
inevitably leading to an eruption. This
concept is at the crux of all the Tower Tarot
card meanings.
Fire: Fire is typically an agressive symbol.
It obliterates everything in its path, leaving
little semblance of the original landscape.

This is further indication that the Tower

card means serious business, and when
change comes it will significantly alter
the landscape of our lives. Its also worth
mentioning that the fire in the card burns
from the top down. This indicates that
change is long overdue, and that we may
be at the top of our game when a shift
comes.
Lightening: Lightening has long been seen
by ancient peoples to be a direct signal
from God. Some Native Americans thought
lightening was brought about by a wink
from the Thunderbird who was considered
the Great Creator. In India, lightening was
considered a flash from the third eye of
Shiva, symbolizing the light of truth and
enlightenment. Lightening is a powerful
message of truth emanating from our

highest source forcing us to conduct a

reality check.
Key Questions:
What am I pretending about?
Have I built my life on false or unhealthy
values?
Am I stuck in an unhealthy rut? What can I
do to change it?
Am I lying to myself about something going
on under my nose?
Am I living in an ivory tower of illusion?
Living under false pretenses?
Am I ignoring some tell-tale signs that Im
not being treated with the respect and love
I deserve?

XVII - STAR
Key Words:
Hope
Promise
Healing
Guidance
Cleansing
Assurance
Ascencion
Rejuvination
Introduction:
Since as long as we have had eyes to see
we have lifted them upwards to the stars
for assurance and guidance. Winking back
at us, the stars signal comfort to us. By
their very design they instill wonder in
the deepest parts of our hearts, and allow
hope to spring forth.

The Star Tarot card holds that same

twinkly hope and promise we see when
we look up at the stars in the night sky.
Everything about the card suggests
serenity, assurance, and hope. It is a
message for us to take heart, be at peace
and know that all is well. The waters
running from the maidens pitchers are
never-ending. There is an abundant supply
of love and the cycles of life run smoothly
along the currents of peace.
The sky is clear with a hue of blue, which
is a symbol of inspiration, creativity and
aspiration. We also see a predominance of
green which is a symbol of healing.
Our maiden intensifies the feeling of
blissful peace as she is among the fertile

gardens in her most natural state. It is as

if she is in an oasis of creative, inspiration
that serves as a place of healing and
renewal. The lushness of her surroundings
is compounded by the tranquility of her
demeaner and it all puts us instantly at
rest. She is nude which is a symbol of
her ease - nothing to hide or fear, she is
completely natural in her own skin as well
as her surroundings.
We see the water she pours out is a part of
a cleansing process. She pours out healing
waters in dimensions of time: pouring out
a pool in the present time, and pouring out
a healing river that runs through our future
days as well (see the pitcher symbolism
below).
If we allow our imaginations to step into

the card, we become surrounded by the

beauty and warmth that delivers a promise
that all is well. We are surrounded by
elements of faith that let us know our
needs are always met. This is a very
spiritual card, as it rings out messages of
renewal, purification, and assurance that
each of our days are saturated with the
promise of joy, truth and love.
When the Star appears in a reading it
indicates that the querent may have been
through a rough time and is now entering a
time of rejuvination. This card is a message
that a time of relaxation is here. Think spa
for the soul. Think breath of fresh air. Also,
if the querent has been worried about a
situation, this card indicates that he/she
is on the right path, and that all things will
work out to a happy end. The Star Tarot

card meanings ar all about the promise of

a better day.
Key Symbols:
Bird: By their very nature birds are symbols
of aspiration, illumination, and higher
vibration. They live in the realm of the skies
and this makes them symbolic of higher
places in thought, body and mind. When
we contemplate the bird we are lifted
above the mundane, lifted of our burdens,
and our souls are set free to fly above the
restrictions weve placed upon ourselves.
Pitchers: Pitchers are symbolic of vessels
containing the nectar of life, the healing
waters of peace. They pour out an endless
supply of crystal clear, cleansing waters.
In this rendition (Morgan-Greer. See
permissions for use on home page) the

blue pitcher represents the water element

which deals with motion, emotion and
fluidity - it comes from her right hand
which deals with consciousness. This is a
symbol that we pour from ourselves the
energies that we are aware of, and we
should be mindful of this process. In her
left hand (symbolizing unconsciousness)
she pours waters (emotions) from a
red pitcher which is the element of fire
(passion). This is symbolic that we must
be face emotions that we may be burrying
in an effort to view how these supressed
emotions are effecting our environment.
Star: As mentioned earlier, the star has
long been a symbol of guidance. From
the wise men being led to the Christ child,
to star-eyes of Mithras that when open,
served as windows to the cosmos, the star

is an ancient oracle. The star is just over

our maidens crown, from this we can intuit
that guidance is her crowning glory, and
that her own higher-consciousness is her
ultimate guide. Note that there are seven
stars surrounding the centre star which
is the number of prime chakras, which
is thought to be symbolic of perfectly
balanced health. It is also interesting to
note the seven-pointed star is a common
emblem among the Gnostics. The eightpointed star is a symbol of Venus as the
evening star, and thus reinforcing this
Tarot card meanings of love, peace and
hope.
Key Questions:
Do I allow my higher source to be my
guide?
How can I nuture myself and those around

me more?
Do I emit a presence of peace and harmony
to others?
What can I do to allow more tranquility
into my day?
Am I allowing peace and relaxation to flow
through my life?
What can I do to be more at ease with
myself and my surroundings?

XVIII - THE MOON

Key Words:
Cycles
Emotion
Intensity
Reflection
Confusion
Influence
Emergence

Perplexity
Introduction:
No one is immune to the influence of the
moon. She is the mirror, reflecting back
the light that shines upon her. She is a
timepiece to the ancient movements of our
galaxy. She is the music that prompts the
ocean to dance. She is the illuminator of
our creative powers. Pretty intense, no?
This kind of intensity laces all of the Moon
Tarot card meanings. This is one of the few
cards that is a story in-and-of-itself, and
tells it from start to finish in one flash.
The story of this card begins with the
lobster (crawfish, or crab in other deck
renditions) which represents us and our
greatness or higher purpose/calling.

Emerging from our primordial ignorance

(this is not derogatory - we are simply
unknowing of our divine potential), to
start our journey of higher purpose, we
are met with all manner of influences. The
symbolic crab also links to the astrological
aspects of Cancer with moon as its ruling
celestial influence.
Yapping dogs, gnarling wolves, winding
paths, the lure of empty promises...its
a wonder we can get any where with all
these influences pulling at our attention.
Whats more, we are attempting to find our
way and higher purpose in the midst of the
darkest of night.
We see the Moon, forever our illusive
guide through all the distractions. But is
she a help or a hindrance? When she is in

her growth we feel ourselves expand in

confidence with her. We can even become
pregnant with our own importance when
she is in her prime fullness. When she is
waning, we feel ourselves shrink into the
abyss of darkness, we grow unsure of our
path and purpose. We may find ourselves
confused at every turn.
The key to this card (and the moral of its
story) is influence. We must constantly be
aware of what is influencing our lives, our
decisions, our actions. We must unravel
the perplexity of our thoughts and see
clear to that which is causing us to move
in a certain direction. And when it comes
to our higher purpose, we must have the
highest intensity of diligence to stay the
course and persue the path that leads to
expressing our highest selves.

We must also keep in mind that we have

the power to use the pull of the Moon to
our advantage too. She holds immense
power available for us to use if only we
hone in on it; focus and direct its energy.
Further, the Moon is a luminary - which
reminds us her reflective light can serve as
a source of intuitive clarity.
Effectually, when we pull this card in
a reading it often indicates were torn
between many influences. From the TV
that stays turned on for too long to the
boss that calls us during dinner - we are
distracted by external influences that have
taken us away from our core path. This
card is a message that we need to reflect
upon our life and use our intuitive abilities
to determine what best thoughts and

actions to take to correct our course.

Key Symbols:
Dog and Wolf: The dog is a symbol of our
tamed mind which is loyal to our bidding.
The wolf is a symbol of our primal urges
and bears its teeth at our every attempt to
be conventional. Neither beast is all bad
nor all good - but they both war with each
other in our minds. Hence each is on either
side of our path. One yapping at us to do
the right thing the other growling at us to
break out and go wild. All the while the
Moon has her own ideas about what we
should be doing. The key here is to tap into
our inner wisdom and gain the ground by
our own internal navigational faith system.
Lobster: Also depicted as a crayfish or a
crab in other deck renditions, crustaceous

creatures are a symbol of hidden psychic

power. These creatures live in water (which
is a symbol of the subconscious) and
when they emerge from the depths of the
water it is an expression of coming out of
the dark or coming out of hiding. Further,
these creatures are usually equipped with
a hard exoskeleton which is a symbol of
armor which protects the tender, beauty
we all carry inside our souls. As mentioned
in the introduction above, the lobster is
a representation of us on our pilgrimage
to carry out our higher (most often
hidden) divine purpose. Additionally, its
worthwhile to investigate the astrological
aspects of Cancer as the moon is its ruler.
Towers: Apart from being phallic symbols
and thus appealing to our base (primitive)
natures, the towers also represent the

trappings of an easy life. One either side of

the path stands the promise of treasure,
stability, safety, and comfort. Although
these are appealing qualities, they are
often illusions when we are on the path of
our higher purpose. In the case of this card
the towers represent stagnation, or lure us
into settling for something when we could
have the divine gifts that are our birthright.
The towers also remind us that if we build
our lives upon false illusions, or settle for
something leser, they will inevitably come
crashing down upon us.
Key Questions:
What am I allowing to distract me?
How can I see clear to my higher ideals?
Do I have clarity of thought, purpose and
deed?
What is taking me away from my highest

achievements?
What am I allowing to sway my judgment
are influence my decisions?
Have I strayed from my divine path? What
do I need to do to get back on track?
What steps can I take to silence those
yapping (nagging) thoughts that distract
me from my joy?

XIX - THE SUN

Key Words:
Life
Energy
Growth
Clarity
Vibrancy
Understanding
Illumination

New Beginings
Breaking Through
Introduction:
Where the Moon may portray a subtle,
undercurrent of influence, there is no
subtlety with the Sun Tarot card. The sun
is pervasive in its power, blazing with its
message of vitality, and its presence in our
lives equates to life-giving energy.
The Sun is inevitable. We can always count
on it to rise each morning. Even if weve
had the most dark and dispairing night we
are able to derive confidence that this too
shall pass when we see the sun lifting over
the horizon.
Cultures have worshipped the sun over the
ages because it gives life. It allows crops to

grow, it allows productivity during the day,

and it illumines the world so that we may
see things clearly without the symbolic
undertones of darkness overshadowing
our judgment.
When we pull the Sun card in a reading
it is a very good sign. It means weve
struck gold. Weve come to the other
side of a long period of grief, mourning, or
confusion. Weve come to a point of clarity
and understanding. Were seeing that
promotion in our jobs. Were relocating
to the house and neighborhood in which
weve always wanted to live. Were
receiving that opportunity that weve been
dreaming about for such a long time.
Other deck renditions depict a nude child
riding a white horse on the Sun card. This

is a symbol of freedom from doubt and

fear. The horse represents mobility in a
new direction which we are able to do
because of the clarity and brilliance the
sun (new understanding) shines upon
our lives. The child is also a symbol new
beginnings and total trust that our way is
always illuminated by the sun-energy, and
we have no need to fear the darkness.
This is a break through card. So often
we go through the motions of our lives,
wondering if well come out of the dark,
curious if all our hard work is ever going to
pay off. The Sun card is a clear message,
that yes, indeed the proverbial flowers in
the garden of life that weve painstakingly
cared for are about to come in full bloom.
When the vibrancy of the Sun card shines
in a reading, everything is coming up roses.

Key Symbols:
Nudity: Weve seen nudity in the other
cards, and it always symbolizes freedom,
letting our guard down and allowing our
true nature to come forth. Nudity is the
ultimate form of expression. When we
drop our defenses, we make a way for all
the wonderful gifts the Universe has to
offer us. Nudity is a symbol of being able
to communicate our true nature without
fear. This further embodies the meaning of
this tarot card because it works hand-inhand with the vitality and clarity the sun
represents.
Flower: As the sunflower turns its face to
the light of the sun, so too does the face
of humanity turn to the light of Truth.
This is an adaptation of the motto held
by the science, philosophy and religion of

Spiritualism. This is a perfect summation

of what the sunflower represents. If youve
ever observed the sunflower you will see
that they stretch and move their faces to
meet and greet the sun. We should all do
the same: Reach further and extend to
greater lengths to meet the face of truth,
clarity, and spiritual illumination.
Wall: Walls are symbolic of holding back,
separating, or keeping something from
experiencing the natural flow of energy. It
is represented in this card for two reasons:
1) to remind us that all the growth,
rejuvination and clarity the life-giving sun
energy has to offer will never be ours as
long as we are closed to it. We must never
build walls agains the illumination that
rightfully belongs to us as divine creatures.
2) the wall represents a break through. It

indicates that no matter how bleak our

situation seems, or how bitter and blocked
we have become, there is always an
opportunity to break through the walls we
may have built around our hearts.
Flag: When we consider the cards on
which the flag is featured (Death, Sun
& Judgment) we get a good concept
of its symbol meanings. The flag is an
announcement to change - something has
shifted and a flag makes the world aware
of this shift. It is a bright, bold obvious
sign that a new day is dawning. This is not
about subtle shifts - the flag is about inyour-face transformation; an event to
announce to all who will hear.
Key Questions:
How do I begin remove blockages in my

life?
Is there an area in my life I need
clarification?
Have I built some walls around my heart or
against others?
Am I allowing the highest and best energy
to flow through to me?
What would it take for me to expose my
true self and the beauty I represent?
Do I turn my face to things of truth, beauty
and vitality or do I mire in the mud?

XX - JUDGEMENT
Key Words:
Faith
Honesty
Judgment
Resurrection
Transformation

Heeding a Call
Introduction:
For many, the word judgment evokes
some very unsavory thoughts and
images. Its no wonder the term makes
some people cringe. For eons this term
has been associated with religious
misunderstanding and intolerance. Wars
are waged in the name of religion, and
Judgement is the battlefield.
Ironically, the reason for a religious
war can be skinned down to one mans
judgment against another mans religion.
Further pared, it could be said that one
man has judged that the other man should
have his religion, not anothers.
In the Christian faith, Judgment is

associated with the Judgment day. That

day, according to Biblical text, in which
all souls will be called and each soul is
measured and marked according to virtue
and obedience to God.
Religion aside, Judgment plays a part in
every life in every day. We make judgment
calls about how to raise our children.
We use good judgment about how we
manage our finances. We need judgment
to determine what career we want to have.
Now that weve covered the various types
of Judgment, lets take a hard look at the
card. There is no evidence of fear in the
card, and no conveyance of scolding or
negativity. This is because the Judgment
Tarot card meanings are not about judging
against others. It has nothing to do with

negative judgments made against our

actions or against other people.
This card deals with honesty. Nancy Lopez,
one of the most accomplished women
of the professional golf scene, made a
fine point when she said: Doubt yourself
and you doubt everything you see. Judge
yourself and you see judges everywhere.
But if you listen to the sound of your
own voice, you can rise above doubt and
judgment. And you can see forever. This is
the prime message of the Judgment card.
When we put a negative spin on this card,
it becomes confusing, confounding and
seemingly irrlevant to a reading. However,
when we understand that judgment is a
natural, God-given gift that we can use in
order answer our highest calling - it takes

on an entirely new meaning.

The Judgment card comes up in a reading
when it is time to heed our highest calling.
When we are at a crossroads, and it is time
to lift ourselves us and transform our lives.
It comes at a pivotal time when we must
be honest with ourselves, judge what best
action should be taken and rise up to the
challenges to embrace our best life.
This is an inspiring card. It indicates that
higher energies are in motion to assist us in
living a new, fresh, wonderful life. Just as
the Christ was resurrected to a new phase
of life, so too can we transform ourselves
and move into a new way of living.
Other deck renditions show the angel
Gabriel blowing his horn to call up the

souls to their higher understanding. This is

precisely the message this card bears. It is
time to heed the call of resurrection. Now
is the time to make a positive difference in
our lives and in the lives of others.
Key Symbols:
Arms: The figures in this card are accepting
higher knowledge with open arms.
When we observe our lives with love and
honesty, we are fully prepared to except
a final judgment. We are willing to take
this declaration and move to a higher
level. By openly embracing the newfound knowlege of our life direction we
are able to more effectively move into a
new direction. Knowledge is power when
we take it in with open arms, we become
powerful ourselves.

Cross: The ancient Greeks created this

symbol with all legs of equal length and
size. One of the simplest symbols, and
used since ancient times, it represents
several things to different cultures. In
ancient Greece it is an emblem of the four
elements. In the ancient Middle East, the
symbol represents the four directions
(north, south, east, west) and the four
winds. Even the ancient Aztecs used this
symbol to represent the meeting place of
god (at the cross-section). The cross in this
card indicates that an even-mind (sound
judgment) is of foremost importance in our
personal development.
Horn: The horn is the symbol of the angel
Gabriel. It is an audible calling to us to
rise out of our complacency and heed the
call to live profound, invigorating lives.

The horn is also a symbol of clarity and

divine intervention. The horn sounds from
God and our own higher selves. When
we hear the horn blow it is time to make
a better change in our lives. The horn is
also a symbol of our inner calling. When
weve been stuck in a situation that does
not serve us we hear the horn of our inner
voice urging us to move in a direction more
fulfilling to our soul purpose.
Flag (in Rider-Waite): The flag is an
announcement to change - something has
shifted and a flag makes the world aware
of this shift. It is a bright, bold obvious
sign that a new day is dawning. This is not
about subtle shifts - the flag is about inyour-face transformation; an event to
announce to all who will hear.

Key Questions:
What is my highest calling?
Is it time for a transformation in my life
Am I judging others or myself too harshly?
How can I raise myself out of a gloomy
situation?
Am I being honest about the way Im living
my life?
Am I listening to to my higher self and my
higher power?
Am I making sound judgment in this a
situation thats been on my mind lately?

XXI - THE WORLD

Key Words:
Value
Success
Achievement
Fulfillment
Enrichment
Satisfaction
Introduction:
Theres a joke that goes something like:
when you play a country and western
record backwards, what happens? Your
dog comes back, your lover comes back,
your money comes back and you live
happily ever after. This is the theme of the
World Tarot card.
The World is the last card in the Major

Arcana. As such, it embodies the

completion of a long, sometimes difficult
journey. The World represents all elements
coming together in order for us to receive
the satisfaction and success for which
weve been striving.
It goes beyond getting the car we want or
getting that promotion at work. The World
is an indication of such heady success that
we could win the lottery and give it away
because weve achieved a level of joy much
higher and greater than the lottery. Weve
achieved enrichment and soul-fulfillment.
Absolute contentment.
The figures in the four corners of the card
represent the four fixed signs of the zodiac,
Leo, Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius. This
is symbolic of all the stars coming into

alignment on our behalf and all things

coinciding for our ultimate reward.
When we look closely at this rendition of
the card, we can see the symbol of the yin
yang (note the formation of the purple
ribbon around the female figure). This is
an ancient symbol for balance and unity. It
indicates that we can work our opposites
and differences to their advantage and all
things can come to work together as one.
Further observation of the card shows us a
lemniscate, or an infinity symbol (the red
ribbon at the crown of the female figure).
This assures us that we are infinately
rewarded for the positive efforts we take
to improve ourselves and those around us.
The two batons in the females hand are
another symbol of balance. Theyve also

been noted as sacred scrolls of knowledge.

Within the laurel wreath are stars of light
indicating attainment of enlightement or
cosmic consciousness.
In a reading this card is highly auspicious.
It means that the project youve been
working on will receieve the highest
acclaim. The counseling youve been
undergoing with your lover will lead to
a happy conclusion. The rehabilitation
youve been going through will have a
profound and healthy outcome. The World
is a promise of success, and a reminder
that the highest value in life is the
condition of your own soul.
Key Symbols:
Legs: The leg formation here: one leg
straight and the other crossed at a right

angle is symbolic of a cross-roads that

we all reach, and our ability to choose
what we desire for ourselves. This leg
positioning is also seen in the Hanged
Man card. Where the Hanged Man uses for
suspension to uncross (or yeilding to the
dilemma), the World card is its opposite.
The crossing indicates that we have used
our diversity (even our peculiarities and
quirks) to our advantage. We are at the
cross roads and we are complete. There
is no need to suspend ourselves, we may
now take action knowing we have already
achieved our ultimate desires.
Lemniscate: Also known as the infinity
symbol, the Lemniscate symbolizes
the endless, infinite nature of energy. It
symbolizes the knowledge that energy
cannot be created or destroyed. This

symbol in this card refers to the infinite

nature of humanity. We are forever
immortal, and our spirit only progresses
into ever increasingly higher levels of
transformation. It is also an emblem
refering to the infinite nature of our
thoughts and what we think leaves an
impression on the Universe. We are all
connected, we are all infinite.
Wreath: This is a laurel wreath, and has
been a symbol of victory since the first
ancient games upon mount Olympus
where the victor was crowned in laurels.
A sweet smelling laurel is also a symbol
of protection, peace and purification and
is associated with the god Apollo. It is a
message that the favor of the Gods is upon
us, and that we shall be the victor in this
stage of our lives.

Key Questions:
What is my ultimate desire?
Do I believe that now is my time for glory?
Am I ready to accept my highest
achievement?
How will I receive the accolades for my
hard work?
Can I envision the upcoming reward for my
toiling?
Do I have faith that all things are coming
together for my highest and best good?