The Tarot Major Arcana Cards

Sep 19, 2023 | Learn Tarot

Master the Major Arcana cards with this beginner-friendly guide to all 22 of the major cards.

The Major Arcana refers to the first 22 cards in a traditional Tarot deck. It runs from The Fool all the way to The World and represents the major themes all humans have to move through within the cycle of life.

If you are new the world of Tarot cards and Tarot reading, then you may be wondering what exactly the Major Arcana is and what makes it so special?

These 22 cards are some of the most widely recognised cards out of the 78 card deck. They are frequently used in the media when representing the Tarot. We all know the cards Death, The Tower and The Devil. These are all part of the Major Arcana.

If you are new the world of Tarot cards and Tarot reading, then you may be wondering what exactly the Major Arcana is and what makes it so special?

So what makes these cards so special in a deck of 78 cards? The Major Arcana hold a lot more weight than they’re Minor Arcana counterparts.

They represent the major life lessons and themes and the major archetypes we all come across in the cycle of life. They set the overall tone for a reading and provide an anchor as we move through the other cards in a Tarot reading spread.

What does the Major Arcana represent?

The Major Arcana is called as such because ‘Arcana’ means lessons or knowledge. These cards represent the ‘major’ knowledge and lessons we as humans need to move through life. The other 56 cards in a traditional Tarot deck are called the Minor Arcana cards, because they represent the ‘minor’ life lessons and knowledge.

Another way to think of these two sections of a Tarot deck is that the Major Arcana is the umbrella and the Minor Arcana is everything that sits underneath.

These 22 cards are also seen as archetypes. If you’re not familiar with what archetypes are, they are a term used within psychology to refer to the universally understood symbology of a pattern of behaviour.

Something we go back to time and time again in Tarot is psychologist Carl Jung’s breakdown of archetypes. Particularly the four main categories of; The Self, the Persona, the Shadow and the Anima/Animus.

What are the 21 Major Arcana?

The Major Arcana is numbered from 0 to 21, meaning that in total there are 22 cards within the Majors. These cards all run from The Fool – which is given the number of Zero – and ends with the final card, The World – which is given the number of 21.

One way of seeing the Majors is in a table of three rows. This is often referred to as ‘The Fool’s Journey’ and positions The Fool as the hero of the Major Arcana cycle. He then goes on a journey where he encounters each of the archetypes locked within the 21 other Major Arcana cards.

With each meeting he is faced with a new challenge. When we read the Major Arcana cards, it can be helpful to put ourselves in the position of The Fool in this respect. It can help us better understand why a Major card has made an appearance in our readings.

The Major Arcana, like all of the Tarot, is a cycle. Once you reach the card numbered 21, you then circle back and start a brand new cycle with The Fool back at position Zero.

This represents our natural life cycles. We are never stagnant, life is always moving, throwing ups and downs our way. This is what we face within the journey of the Major Arcana.

The Major arcana therefore tells the story of the self. If we apply those four archetype’s from Jung’s work then we can see this a little more clearly.

Going back to that Fool’s Journey, the first line of the Majors represent the self, the second could represent the persona and the final representing the shadow with the animus and anima sprinkled throughout to add dimension.

The Major Arcana Cards

0 The Fool

The very first card in the Major Arcana. This represents new beginnings and freedom.

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1 The Magician

The second card representing creation and manifestation.

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2 The High Priestess

The third card which represents spiritual exploration and mystery.

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3 The Empress

The fourth card which represents fertility, nurturing and self-love.

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4 The Emperor

The fifth card which represents our personal power and authority.

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5 The Hierophant

The sixth card which represents our beliefs, habits and traditions.

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6 The Lovers

The seventh card which represents our duality and our unconscious and conscious.

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7 The Chariot

The eight card and the card of independence and exploration.

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8 Strength

The ninth card representing inner strength and self control.

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9 The Hermit

The tenth card meaning isolation and introspection.

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10 Wheel of Fortune

The eleventh card representing fate and destiny, the things out of our control.

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11 Justice

The twelfth card meaning our subjectivity vs objectivity and truth.

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12 The Hanged Man

The thirteenth card which represents stress, perspective and suspension.

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13 Death

The fourteenth card representing change, transition and transformation.

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14 Temperance

The fifteenth card representing balance, willpower and moderation.

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15 The Devil

The sixteenth card representing our vices, addictions and materialism.

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16 The Tower

The seventeenth card in Majors representing chaos, destruction and fresh starts.

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17 The Star

The eighteenth card referring to our hope, direction and optimism.

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18 The Moon

The nineteenth card representing our subconscious, dreams and shadow self.

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19 The Sun

The twentieth card representing joy, success and abundance.

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20 Judgement

The twenty-first card referring to thresholds and make or break moments.

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21 The World

The final card of the Majors, the card of completion and ascension.

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Learning the meanings of the Major Arcana

To help you learn the core meanings of all of the Major Arcana cards, here is a little infographic that acts as a quick and handy cheat sheet. These are the traditional meanings of the Tarot cards and meanings can vary depending on what deck you are using. These are ideal for any Rider Waite deck or a deck based on the Rider Waite meanings.

If you’ve got a taste of the Tarot and you’re looking to see if Tarot reading is something you want to dive into a little more, then make sure you sign-up for my free self-led workshop below.

The Major Arcana Infographic Tarot Meanings

A Tarot Spread For a Mid-Year Review

Jun 14, 2023 | Journaling

We all love to set big goals at the beginning of the year, but as it goes on they get left behind in the past. How often do you check in mid-year to make sure you’re on the right track to meet those goals? How many times have you forgotten that you even had goals?

The next time you find yourself wondering ‘what Tarot spread should I do?’ think about when the last time you checked in with yourself was.

This mid-year review is the perfect Tarot spread to help you do just that. Review the energies that have got you to this point and what you can expect to cultivate as you move forwards.

Whether you do this 6 months into the year or 10 months into the year. There is no wrong time to sit down and make space for a bit of self-reflection.

Want to really get stuck into this work and connect with your most authentic self, all while building a consistent Tarot practice? Make sure to check out the Tarot For Reconnection Workshop.

Card 1 – What you entered the year with

This position shows you what energy you sprang into the new year with. It’s a good time to reflect on this and assess why you had that energy to begin with, whether it’s still present and if not, when and why did it disappear.

This is so you can see how you’ve changed from the person you used to be compared to the person you are at this present moment.

Card 2 – What has been driving you

What is your motivation for getting to you are right now? This card will show you what your main driving energy is, and what’s fuelling you as you work towards the end of this year.

It’s a good shout to see if this is even an energy you want to harness and be a vessel for. It might be that this energy is not at all what you were trying to achieve. If so, then now is a great time to see how you’ve got to this point and how you could change things.

If it is an energy you’ve been trying to harness, then review what steps you took to get here and make a note of anything you observed along the way.

Card 3 – How have you approached this year so far

This is the energy you’ve been using to attack the year so far. Card 2 shows you the energy that has built up naturally over time, but this is conscious energy. You’re actively using this energy to move forward.

Again, is this energy what you were trying to use or has it evolved into something more? Do you think this is the right energy to be wielding? Do you think it is helping you or is it hindering/slowing down your progress?

Card 4 – A lesson that you’ve learned

This card represents a key lesson that you’ve learned so far this year. Take a look and try and identify what this might be referring to and what difference it has made.

Maybe this lesson has completely changed the goals you have for yourself. Maybe this lesson has made you rethink some aspects of your life or of yourself. Dive into this lesson so you can see how it has impacted you.

Card 5 – A lesson that you’re about to learn

This card shows a lesson that is currently open to you. It’s one that is on the horizon should you keep moving in the direction you are currently. This lesson may be something that really challenges you or could even derail you.

How do you feel that this lesson is on its way to you? Do you feel a need to change direction in order to avoid it? If so why? If you’re ready to face this lesson head-on, why?

Card 6 – Your goal for the rest of the year

This is the energy you are able to harness should you embrace everything the rest of the year has in store for you. This is a great card to sit with and really absorb the energy it is offering.

How does it feel? Is it a welcome energy? Does it make you feel excited or scared? Make sure to dive into any thoughts or feelings that appear and pick them apart as much as possible. Try and get to the root of why this energy is so important for you right now.

*To help you dive into this a little more, I have a free workshop all about using Tarot For Goal Setting here.

Tarot is such a powerful tool for self-reflection and also taking care of your overall well-being. If you’d like to find out how you can better utilise Tarot or Oracle cards in your self-care routine then why not explore my FREE ‘Creating a Self-Care Tarot Practice’ deep dive lesson?

What the Queen of Pentacles Can Teach us About Organic Growth

Jun 7, 2023 | Journaling, Learn Tarot

What the Queen of Pentacles Can Teach Us About Organic Growth

The Queen of Pentacles has such a deep nurturing meaning that many overlook. She’s on par with The Empress in my eyes, just a much more practical version. She’s like your biggest cheerleader. She’s the loving mother that tells you that you can do whatever your heart desires. She wants what’s best for you.

Something we can take away from the Queen of Pentacle’s energy is a lesson in organic growth. This is something I spoke about at length in episode 38 of The Self-Care Tarot Podcast which you can listen to here:

In summary, the Queen of Pentacles helps to ground us in reality. She cultivates the ground from which we can grow in a way that is natural and aligned with our soul’s purpose. That sounds a bit airy, but it means that there is no rush to become who you are eventually meant to be.

It’s about the journey, not the destination

When we embrace the energy of the Queen of Pentacles we make a commitment to ourselves. We promise that we won’t force change, nor will we reject it. We commit to going through whatever comes up. Grow through what you go through vibes.

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“Grow through what you go through”

— Queen of Pentacles

Organic growth is all about the growth you don’t actively chase. It is what the universe guides you through and a lot of the time we don’t even realise it’s happening.

That’s why taking on the energy of the Queen of Pentacles is so important. She helps to give us the space to stop, reflect and understand what we’ve been through and how it has changed us.

Cultivating the Environment for growth

If you’ve ever done a bit of gardening you’ll know that if you try and plant something in an inhospitable environment it won’t grow. The same applies to ourselves. We can’t grow and develop if we are not consciously creating an environment where we can do so.

With the Queen of Pentacles, we are bringing together the deep emotional energy of elemental water and the grounding and supportive nature of elemental earth.

Together we get this safe space to really open up and be vulnerable. We are safe and secure allowing us to be able to be 100% honest with ourselves. The perfect environment for review and reflection, two key elements in growth.

How to do this Queen of Pentacles work

The most essential part of Queen of Pentacle’s work is creating time and space for you to sit and reflect. Once here, you can give yourself a Tarot reading, do some self-reflecting meditation, and maybe even write some poetry or paint. Whatever helps you really tap into what you’ve been going through.

*Why not do this work in my digital Energetic Tarot Journal? There’s plenty of space each week for you to really get stuck in and start to connect with your own organic growth.

An example of this would be if you’ve just gone through a period of grief. Making this time for yourself to reflect and process can help you better understand your loss, what you’ve learned through it and even help you express emotions that were hard to accept at the time.

Remember that organic growth is allowing the changes that happen naturally to occur. We don’t fight anything, we simply give it the space to pass through unchallenged.

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“We are safe and secure allowing us to be able to be 100% honest with ourselves. The perfect environment for review and reflection”

In the podcast episode all about organic growth and the Queen of Pentacles, I offer some journal prompts. I want to offer them up to you again.

Prompt 1: Let’s start with an analysis of your ability to let go of control. It’s a big part of allowing for organic growth so here we go. Write down 10 times you have made plans or set goals and the universe has directed you in a completely new or opposite direction.

Prompt 2: Go through your list and write down how you coped with this. What did you do instead, how did it feel to have your original plans scuppered by fate? Once you’ve done that, highlight or mark off how many of those reactions were positive and how many were negative.

Prompt 3: Looking at your list again, do you have an abundance of positive or negative reactions to those redirections? If you have an abundance of positive reactions, why do you think you reacted that way? If you have an abundance of negative reactions, why do you feel you had those reactions instead of something more positive or optimistic?

Prompt 4: Finally, for any negative reactions write down what positive outcome came from that redirection.

So for example, if you had the plan to reach the most senior position at your work but then the company went under and it made you redundant. You probably won’t have had an overly positive reaction to that because you just lost your job, but positive outcomes of that might have been that you learned what you did and didn’t want from your career.

You may have realised you’ve been in the wrong career all along or you ended up working at a place you love even more because you were forced to look elsewhere by fate.

Your Guide to Tarot and Numerology

May 31, 2023 | Learn Tarot

Numerology can be a key to unlocking an even deeper level of meaning for your cards.

Explore how the mystical world of numerology could help you expand your Tarot reading practice. Add more meaning and depth to your readings and get more out of the cards than you ever thought possible.

WORDS: Cat Crawford

IMAGE: Egor Myznik

When I teach energetic Tarot I always mention the many different symbologies we can draw meaning from. Tarot and numerology are one of the first things I break down for my students. This is because it was the key that unlocked so many more meanings and understanding for me personally.

By understanding the esoteric meanings of the numbers 1-9 I managed to differentiate between cards that had previously seemed the same and found meanings in cards that I only had a surface level understanding of.

When you think of any esoteric practices, there will be a way to link them to your Tarot readings. Whether it’s astrology, Kabbalah or alchemy, all of these different threads can be tied together. Numerology is just the beginning rabbit hole you can go down.

If you want to learn more about numerology with Tarot and how to use it, keep reading. Plus, make sure to share the infographic so more people can discover the power of numerology within the Tarot.

What is Tarot numerology?

Tarot numerology is how we find meaning in the numbers that are assigned to the cards. The major arcana are numbered 0-21 and the minor arcana run from 1 or ace to 10. Understanding the numerological meanings of these numbers can help us dig even deeper into the meanings of the cards.

The way I teach Tarot numerology is a Westernised version. If you’re more interested in Eastern ideologies, you might want to research those numerological meanings. Although there may be some similarities, there are also a lot of differences.

In numerology, we start with the first nine numbers. These are single digits and form the very foundations of all numerology. If we are working with a card that has double digits, we add the digits together until we have reduced that card’s number back down to a single digit.

Example:

In the major arcana, The Sun card is assigned the number 19 because it is the 19th card in the majors. To find its numerological meaning we have to perform the following equations.

1+9=10 > 1+0=1

The numerological value of The Sun card is therefore the number 1. We can then look at the numerological properties of that number and apply them to our interpretation of the card.

How do we use numerology in Tarot readings?

How you choose to use numerology within your Tarot readings is completely up to you. If you feel quite comfortable with the properties of the numbers 1-9 then you might want to make it a staple of your readings.

If you like to lean on other ideologies and theories in your readings then you might decide to use just a sprinkling of numerology.

The key to using numerology effectively in Tarot reading is to learn how to apply numerological meanings to your Tarot interpretations. Numerology shouldn’t eclipse all other intuitive messages you’ve received from the cards, it should elevate and deepen those meanings.

Example:

You get the Eight of Swords in your future position and you feel like this is a sign that you’re really building strong and stable narratives for yourself. Clearing limiting beliefs and allowing yourself to thrive without limitations.

In numerology, the number eight has the properties of resourcefulness and hard work to create security long-term.

The properties of the number eight shouldn’t take over from that initial meaning. Instead, it should add to it like so…

The Eight of Swords is a sign that you’re really building strong and stable narratives for yourself. Clearing limiting beliefs and allowing yourself to thrive without limitations. You’ve worked hard to clear these beliefs and rewrite your inner schemas. It’s been a hard road but you’re starting to see your work paying off in how you think and feel about yourself.

The Number Zero

There is one number that we can easily overlook in numerology and that is the number zero. This is probably because it quite literally symbolises nothing.

Zero appears first on The Fool’s major arcana card. Here it represents infinity, a concept not yet made flesh. There is limited potential in zero but also nothing at all. It’s a paradox of a number.

Even though it’s often overlooked, it’s one of the most powerful. The circle of the zero shows us that cycles exist on all plains of being. There is power in circles, it brings people together, and it can be used for protection, attraction and summoning. Never forget the zero.

Numerology meanings in Tarot

Although I’ve talked about how we tend to reduce double digits down until they fit nicely into a single-digit meaning, there are other ways we can approach numerology in Tarot.

For example, we could see each digit as its own energy, just like we do when we’re doing a Tarot reading. We can then read each individual property of each digit exactly like we would the Tarot cards.

Example:

You pick a past and a present card to assess your day and see how you can move things forward over the next 24 hours. You get the Three of Pentacles and The Hanged Man.

You can either read the spread like this:

3+12=15 > 1+5=6 – this gives you a single number that represents the reading as a whole, so your reading’s number would be 6, the number of love and achievement. You can then use that information to deepen this two-card reading, thinking about how love or achievement might be able to play a role in what you choose to do in the present.

Or, you could read it like this:

3 & (1+2=3) – this way is a little more complex. You would apply the properties of the number three to the Three of Pentacles. Then you would look at The Hanged Man’s number 12 and add the two digits together to get three and again apply the number three’s properties to the hanged man.

Or finally, like this:

3 & (1&2) – this way avoids any mathematics completely. Instead, you read each digit as its own entity. So you would apply the properties of the number three to the Three of Pentacles as normal. Then, for The Hanged Man, you would look at the properties of the number one and the number two and see how they work together energetically.

The number one is the number of creation and the number two is the number of harmony and balance. You could combine those meanings to give you a complete meaning of creating more harmony and balance in life in your interpretation of The Hanged Man.

To see the properties of the numbers 0-9, take a look at the infographic I’ve created below. Use this whenever you want to add numerological meanings to your readings.

If you’re looking to create a deeper and more connected Tarot reading routine, make sure you grab a copy of my Energetic Tarot Journal. There is space to log your reading numerology so you can go back and reflect or work into meanings more intensely.

How To Celebrate World Tarot Day & My Story

May 24, 2023 | Learn Tarot

How To Celebrate World Tarot Day & My Story

World Tarot Day is close at hand; if you’re unaware, I’m here to introduce it to you. Get ready to learn about what this day represents, how you can celebrate it and I’ll let you in on my Tarot journey so far.

What is World Tarot Day?

World Tarot Day was founded not too long ago back in 2003 by Den Elder. It celebrates the rebirth of a new world of Tarot, modernised and ready to serve us in a more personal way.

Many emerging Tarot readers today are fighting to bring the world of Tarot to a new light. We want to show people how powerful a tool Tarot can be. Not for future telling or prediction, but for understanding the present and self more fully.

When is World Tarot Day?

World Tarot Day takes place every year on the 25th of May. What’s more, 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of World Tarot Day!

It’s also a global event, not just found in the UK or Us, but it can be celebrated worldwide.

How can you celebrate it?

The very best way to celebrate this day is to spend time with your Tarot cards. Carve out time to cleanse them, use them or journal with them. Maybe even treat yourself to a new deck (like we really need an excuse).

If you’re really struggling to think of a way to spend World Tarot Day, then here are a few suggestions to get the ball rolling.

Use the hashtag #worldtarotday on your social media posts and share your daily reading, favourite deck or chat about why you love Tarot so much.
Gift a deck to someone else. Maybe there’s someone in your life that would love their own Tarot cards, or maybe you want to pass down your deck to someone close to you.
Reach out to other Tarot lovers. Whether it’s joining a community on Facebook or reaching out to your favourite Tarot readers online.
Learn one new thing about the cards. It might be what astrological sign is linked to them, maybe you learn more about the Fool’s Journey? Think about what areas of Tarot you could look more deeply into.
Give yourself a Tarot reading. What better day to take advantage of this global Tarot energy than to do a reading?

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Why Tarot means so much to me personally

As a visual learner, I always found understanding more academic subjects difficult. That’s one of the reasons I never studied psychology after I left school. I wanted to and it was an area that interested me greatly, but I really struggled in an academic environment.

For me, Tarot has given me a visual and emotional way to explore psychology and more importantly, my own psychology.

As someone who is a lifelong sufferer of depression and anxiety, Tarot has offered me a way to not only manage my mental health but to understand it. It’s this understanding that has opened up so many doors for me.

I can run myself as many baths, have holidays and have someone tell me what’s wrong until the cows come home. For me to actually be able to make actual changes to my well-being, I need to be aware of what’s going on inside my own head. For me, Tarot is that telescope and mirror that I need to see what’s happening.

For me, Tarot is a more hands-on way to process information. It has given me the ability to take back control of parts of myself that I had so often felt was completely out of my control.

So for me, this World Tarot Day is all about saying thank you to this tool. I want to thank the Tarot for always being there when I need it most and to continue to help me understand this crazy thing we call life!

Why is Tarot Trending Again?

May 17, 2023 | Learn Tarot

Why is Tarot Trending Again?

Why is Tarot trending again? Over the last few years, we’ve seen a Tarot renaissance. More decks than ever are being produced and we can now find decks on the shelves of mainstream shops such as Urban Outfitters and Waterstones.

The question is, why has it popped back up? Why now and how has it changed since the early 20th century?

Discovering Tarot Self-Care

One of the ways Tarot has made a modern name for itself is through the increased focus on self-care. As a society, we now make our mental and spiritual well-being a priority. Tarot readings can be important tools for this kind of work.

Alongside things like journaling, Tarot has the ability to help us better understand our own thoughts and feelings. The cards allow us to dive into why we feel a certain way and can help us create a more balanced lifestyle.

One of the main ways I use my knowledge of the Tarot is energy balance. I know how to identify when I need more of a certain energy in my life.

For example, over the last few months, I’ve been very focused on education and work. There’s been a big emphasis on mental energy, but that means creative energy has taken a backseat.

I started to notice that I was becoming increasingly frustrated with my day-to-day routines. I always had this feeling of needing some sort of excitement, something different to shake things up.

This was because I was out of balance, neglecting heart-centred energy in favour of mental energy. I was burning out because I wasn’t giving any time to the things that help me feel connected with life in general.

Realising the Link Between Tarot and Psychology

Tarot and psychology have been linked for over 100 years. The influence of Carl Jung and his archetypes on the Rider Waite-Smith Tarot deck provides many of the card meanings we still use today.

Understanding and using psychology within a Tarot reading can open up even more doors for introspection. It gives us a way to be our own sounding board.

Especially in the UK, access to things like counselling and therapists can be tricky. Although Tarot should never be used in place of professional help, it can bridge the gap.

For me, I found my way to Tarot reading through a need to manage my mental health. I was travelling at the time so my access to medical services was limited. The Tarot was like a bandage that supported me and kept me in control until I could create a more stable routine.

It’s not only our own psychology it can help us understand. Tarot can also help us better understand the behaviours of others. We can see how someone’s actions cause our own reactions. We can better understand how the world works and pivot our own goals and actions to create the best result.

Tarot Influencers Boosting Tarot Card Popularity

The use of social media and things like podcasting has played a huge role in the boom of Tarot. With influencers, designers and authors gaining much more exposure than they would have just 30 years ago.

Some of the top Tarot names currently are:

Hay House books have also played their role. This publishing company are one of the biggest publishers of Tarot and spiritual books worldwide.

There are now more ways than ever to get stuck into Tarot. Online courses and tutorials, books and more can help anyone with the passion to learn to find their own way of reading.

Something that’s really nice about the online Tarot community is you get a better idea of the different ways of reading Tarot.

Before, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking there was only one set way to read Tarot. With all these different readers offering tips and information, people now have a much better understanding of what they can use the cards for.

An Emerging Need for Spirituality

If I had to condense down the answer to ‘Why is Tarot trending again?’ I would say this. Tarot is trending again because we need it now more than ever.

We are overloaded with information about the world. The news reports on nothing but death and disaster and it’s no longer just news of your local area, now it’s global. We now get asked to pay attention to every single negativity happening 24/7.

It’s fantastic that more and more people are looking for ways to help and support others. However, spending all your time fighting for others or even fighting other people’s battles, disconnects you from your own. This allows them to build strength and that’s where problems can arise.

The beauty of Tarot reading is that it is deeply personal. Even sitting down to give yourself a quick reading is making time to press pause and just check in with how things are going. It allows you more energy and understanding to ensure you’re in tip-top condition and never pouring from an empty cup.

Tarot is trending because the world needs a tool that reconnects and grounds in the present.

Repeating Cards In Your Readings, What Does It Mean?

May 9, 2023 | Learn Tarot

Repeating Cards In Your Readings, What Does It Mean?

If you read Tarot regularly for yourself, you may have noticed repeating cards popping up. Repeating cards in your readings is very common, but they can be hard to decipher for yourself.

I always imagine that repeating Tarot cards are shouting at me. Like when you write something in all caps to make a point. But, it really depends on the context of the reading.

Below, I’ve pulled together some common FAQs to help you decipher what repeating Tarot cards means for you.

What do repeating Tarot cards signify?

If you’re thinking ‘Why do I keep getting the same Tarot cards?’ then there may be something that you are avoiding or that is still to be processed.

When we think of Tarot as energy, it becomes easier to understand why certain cards are hanging around. A card holds a certain kind of energy and if it keeps showing up time and time again, it means that the energy is still there.

If you interpret the card as something negative, then it could mean you’re yet to process or overcome this energy.

If you interpret the Tarot card as something positive, it may need a bit longer to come to fruition or it may need to hang around for a bit longer for your benefit.

When you get repeating cards in your readings, make a note of them. Make sure to really dive into them through journaling, to better understand what messages are trying to be delivered.

What does it mean if I get repeating numbers in a Tarot reading?

Numerology is one of the key theories we use to interpret the Tarot cards. Messages trying to be delivered through numerology will often appear as repeating numbers. Think about angel numbers like 1111 and what that signifies.

In the Tarot it means something very similar. All twos for example may be interpreted as big decisions needing to be made or even a better balance to be struck.

Example:

Getting a Two of Wands, a Two of Swords and Two of Pentacles could suggest a need to better balance mind, body and mental well-being.

Treat your repeating numbers in a Tarot reading in the same way as angel numbers. It can help you to interpret them more clearly.

Another example would be if you got all Aces in your reading all at the same time. Aces equal one in the Minor Arcana, meaning that they represent 1111. You can apply the angel number’s properties to your reading and see what you discover.

What does it mean if I get repeated Major Arcana cards in each reading?

The Major Arcana cards represent the major archetypes we encounter on our journey through life. If a specific archetype keeps appearing for you, it is a powerful presence in your life right now.

The archetypes usually show up when something needs to shift. It might be something within ourselves or something within our material world. We’re never the same after encountering an archetype.

I like to visualise the archetype on the card standing in my way. It will block me from moving past, which gives me the opportunity to ask why. I can spend some time with just that card and journal with it, finding the answers as to why this archetype is refusing to move.

What does it mean if I get repeating Minor Arcana suits in my readings?

There are a few different ways that the Minor Arcana can repeatedly show up. It may be in the form of suits, numbers or a single specific card.

The most common is the suit. Getting the same suit time and time again in your readings shows you where your energy is sitting.

If you have an abundance of cups, your energy is sitting in your heart space
If you keep getting swords, then your energy is in your head space
If you are getting more wands, then your energy is in your sacral and solar plexus space
Finally, if you continuously get pentacles, then your energy is firmly in your root chakra space

You may get the same Minor Arcana card time and time again. This means that there is some sort of challenge or lingering energy that needs to be dealt with.

Think about all the reasons why something may hover over us. It may be waiting, it might not be able to pass us by for some reason or it may be watching over us to keep us safe.

Whenever you get a repeating Minor Arcana card ask yourself ‘Why might this be hanging around right now?’.

Think of repeating cards as house guests. If this card was a person who knocked on your door, what might they want?

Are they welcome or unwelcome? Why is that? Start to dig into your relationship with that card’s energy in order to find the answers.

The very best way to understand repeating cards in your readings is…

Tarot journaling. Keep a written record of all the readings you do and make sure to check back in with old readings to see if anything is reoccurring.

You will never remember everything you experience in your readings. Memory is fickle, but the written word is concrete. It can more accurately portray information as it was at that exact moment. It also means you can look back on readings and find new meanings behind them.

To help with this, make sure to take a look at my digital Tarot journal. My Tarot journal has been designed with weekly readings in mind and incorporates monthly check-ins too. It’s the perfect way to start and create a continuous Tarot reading practice.

The Swords Tarot Cheat Sheet

May 1, 2023 | Learn Tarot

The Swords Tarot Cheat Sheet

One of the things I love most about the Tarot is how much there is to learn. However, it can be overwhelming. That’s why I thought I’d put together some cheat sheets for the Tarot cards. Today we start with the Swords Tarot cheat sheet.

Below you’ll find a full-sized infographic that offers you all the information on the swords you need.

What are the Swords in Tarot?

The swords are one of the four minor arcana Tarot suits found in a traditional deck of Tarot cards. Within the swords Tarot suit, you will find a total of 14 cards. These range from pip cards (numbered cards) to court cards (page, knight, queen and king).

The swords rule over our mental space. They can be linked with the top three chakras covering the crown, third eye and throat chakra. Knowing this helps us to visualise whereabouts in the body this energy sits. Giving us a better idea of what types of situations and actions the cards are referring to.

The swords are also the element of air within the Tarot cards. This means that they can perfectly represent our intellect, mental processes and communication. Something that the first three chakras also have power over.

What do the Tarot swords mean?

Below is a very brief overview of what each of the 14 Sword cards means within the Tarot. To find out more detailed meanings, you can find all of these cards and more in my full Tarot directory.

Ace of Swords: Offers a fresh dose of mental energy. This could be a new idea, a new mindset or a form of communication.
Two of Swords: The duality of the mind. It aligns with decision-making and needing to listen to the inner voice for guidance.
Three of Swords: Building mental resilience and strong lines of communication. It is an energy of growth and learning.
Four of Swords: Reflection and introspection. The stability of the four offers a stable footing for deep self-exploration and discovery.
Five of Swords: The humanity of intellect. It helps remind us of the complexities of being a sentient being with access to reams of information.
Six of Swords: The achievement of air. Having a mental breakthrough, a eureka moment. A card of success and realisations.
Seven of Swords: The spiritual connection with the physical mind. Understanding and being open to divine guidance in spite of the rational mind.
Eight of Swords: Long-term stability within the intellectual world. Forming healthy communication, thought process and mindfulness.
Nine of Swords: The abundance of intellect. Often linked with anxiety and overthinking. Allowing too much air energy to have control.
Ten of Swords: A need for a reset. Often linked with burnout and mental distress. A need to replenish the self or find a new challenge.
Page of Swords: Being open and ready to absorb new ideas and ways of thinking, communicating and planning. The novice of air.
Knight of Swords: Passionate communication or trains of thought. Not thinking things through and acting on un-fleshed-out ideas.
Queen of Swords: The nurturer of intellect. Focusing on ideas, plans, and strategies and allowing them the room and sustenance to grow.
King of Swords: The intellect of the mind. Pure information, ideas and communication. Often without substance.

Sword tarot cards often get a bad rep as they can often be read negatively. However, there’s a lot you can glean about the self from the sword cards. Swords represent our very essence. The thoughts we have day to day, the inner dialogue we listen to.

Never underestimate the power of a Swords Tarot card.

The Swords Tarot Cheat Sheet: View It Here

How To do a Tarot Reading On Yourself

Apr 24, 2023 | Learn Tarot

How To Do a Tarot Reading on Yourself

One of the hardest things about Tarot reading is knowing how to do a Tarot reading on yourself. You would think it would be easier, but oh no. The more you have invested in the outcome, the harder it is to see the truth.

This doesn’t mean you can’t do readings on yourself, it just means a different approach is needed. It means that you may have to put some pre-reading work in, to get the clearest and most objective reading possible.

To help you out, here are a few of my top tips for reading for yourself.

Tip 1: Check in with your current energy

Tarot effectively reflects your energy back to you visually. Whatever you’re thinking and feeling – whether it be subconsciously or consciously – are illustrated in the cards you pull.

If you sit down to do a reading and you feel frazzled or burnt out, you’ll find it really hard to read. This is because there’s so much energy buzzing away without direction, even the cards can’t make sense of it.

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“Tarot effectively reflects your energy back to you visually. ”

Similarly, if you feel emotionally delicate then doing a reading could send you spiralling even deeper if you interpret the cards negatively. It’s best to make sure that you are in as neutral a place as possible. This allows you to avoid any bias and see the truth of things without those rose-tinted or doom-tinted glasses.

Tip 2: Decide what you want to get out of the reading

Sitting down to do a Tarot reading on yourself without a goal in mind, is like trying to read a book with no plot. You have to know where your end point is, and where you want to get to. Only then can the Tarot cards create a journey for you.

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“Sitting down to do a Tarot reading on yourself without a goal in mind, is like trying to read a book with no plot. ”

This is why asking questions of the Tarot cards is so popular. You’re giving the reading a structure, which helps to create a narrative. Without it, all the messages seem jumbled and hard to decipher.

Tip 3: Think metaphorically instead of literally

This one took me a very long time to absorb. It doesn’t just apply to readings for the self, it also refers to reading for others.

The cards are manifestations and sometimes personifications of the energy we find in the universe. When we take them literally, this becomes more prediction than interpretation.

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“The cards are manifestations and sometimes personifications of the energy we find in the universe.”

Thinking of the characters and scenarios pictured on your Tarot cards as metaphorical can be a game changer. Suddenly you start to better understand the guidance and stop looking for the dictation.

We interpret Tarot cards. We are the ones that take the information they offer us and create something the conscious mind understands. Not the other way around.

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Tip 4: Pay attention to energetic balances

Our conscious minds are very good manipulators. However, it can’t change the facts of the four elements, which is why it’s so helpful to keep them in mind when reading.

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“The elements provide facts that the conscious mind can’t easily dispute.”

Integrating the correspondences of the element to the cards can help you better see balance and imbalances. For example, you may think you’re approaching a situation from a very air-based, strategic position. However, the cards say otherwise. The cards show more wand cards, which means you’re actually approaching things from a purely impulsive POV.

The elements provide facts that the conscious mind can’t easily dispute. I’ve found focusing on these energy balances really helps me to step out of my own biased way of thinking.

Tip 5: Choose a simple spread and focus on deep dives

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is thinking that the more cards, the better the reading. Choosing a spread that focuses on 2-3 cards in detail is much better than focusing on the surface-level meanings of 10+ cards.

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“Choosing a spread that focuses on 2-3 cards in detail is much better than focusing on the surface-level meanings of 10+ cards. ”

When we use smaller spreads we give ourselves more room to breathe. We allow for space for each card to have its moment, rather than jumping from one card to the next as quickly as possible, losing meaning in the process.

Tip 6: Journal your Tarot readings

Off the back of that previous point, make sure to journal alongside your readings. If you struggle to journal when reading Tarot, why not try using my Tarot Journal which you can find in the shop?

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“Journaling alongside your Tarot readings allows you time to dive deeper into their meanings.”

Journaling alongside your Tarot readings allows you time to dive deeper into their meanings. You can really jot down all the thoughts, feelings, ideas and inspirations the cards offer you. Plus, it gives you a clear record of previous readings to refer back to.

Tip 7: Take action on the guidance given to you

Finally, the bit everyone misses. Take action on your readings.

Use the information and guidance the cards have helped you gather. There’s no point doing a reading if you’re only going to ignore everything it offers up to you.

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“There’s no point doing a reading if you’re only going to ignore everything it offers up to you. ”

This is where the Tarot journal comes in handy. In your journal, you can jot down bullet points of things you want to do or take action on, off the back of the reading. It’s a great way to work on goal setting and achievements. Especially if you have a passion project you’re working on or a soul-led business.

Knowing how to do a Tarot Reading on Yourself is a Game Changer

Many people will learn to read Tarot for other people and that’s fantastic. But, knowing how to do a Tarot reading on yourself is something that can transform you. It gives you back a sense of personal power that we often struggle to reclaim.

It can take some getting used to and you might have to find a new groove with your readings. It is possible though and I couldn’t recommend it more.

What Are the Minor Arcana Cards in a Tarot Deck?

Apr 17, 2023 | Learn Tarot

What Are the Minor Arcana Cards in a Tarot Deck?

What are the minor arcana cards in a Tarot Deck? Well, they are the cards that make up the other 56 cards in a standard 78-card Tarot deck. These minor arcana cards are split into four groups or suits. Each suit has its own properties and by reading the suit we can get a better idea of what the card means.

To help you better understand what the minor arcana really is and how to use it, here are some ‘need to know’ tips.

The Elements and the Minor Arcana

With the four suits of the minor arcana come the four divine elemental energies. These are as follows:

Water = Cups
Air = Swords
Fire = Wands
Earth = Pentacles/Coins

By understanding which element is paired with which suit, we get a better idea of its energy. We can start to better understand the context of the card and its impact on our situation.

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“Knowing the elements of the minor arcana cards allows us greater insight into their area of expertise.”

For example, say you are currently at a crossroads and need to know which avenue to take.

A sword card may suggest that the decision needs more thought or strategy behind it. Swords are the elemental energy of air, which means they rule our mentality, intellect and communication.
A wands card may ask us to take a leap of faith and do what feels right, just do something. This is because wands are the element of fire and rule our personal power, actions and creativity.
A cups card may ask us to follow our intuition and do what feels right in the moment. This is because cups are the element of water and therefore rule our emotional and intuitive selves.
Finally, a pentacles or coin card may ask us to stop overthinking things and choose the safest option. This is because pentacles are the element of earth and rule our stability, material world and safety needs.

Knowing the elements of the minor arcana cards allows us greater insight into their area of expertise. It is what separates their energies from each other.

Want to find out how to use Tarot cards in a variety of different ways? Click here to find our more.

The Court Cards and Numbered Cards

Within any of the four Tarot suites, you’ll find the cards run from Ace to 10 and Page to King. This is reminiscent of the Tarot cards days as a simple card game. Knowing what the minor arcana cards in a Tarot deck are, means also understanding their history.

In the very early days, the Tarot had ‘trump’ cards which are now the major arcana running from 0 to 21. The minor arcana had similarities to a standard deck of playing cards however. This means that each of the classic suits – hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades – were transformed into:

The Cups = Hearts
The Swords = Spades
The Wands = Clubs
The Pentacles/Coins = Diamonds

Along with the suits, the Tarot also adopted the courts. These became the pages, knights, queens and kings. Just lie the numbered or ‘pip’ cards, the court cards also adopt the elemental energies of their respective suits.

However, these court cards also contain a second energy. They are dual energy cards. This means their dominant energy is that of their suit, but there’s also the court energy which influences the direction of the suits energy.

Kings = Air
Queens = Water
Knights = Fire
Pages = Earth

When we read the court cards of the minor arcana, we have to acknowledge their duality. So, for example, a Queen of Wands will be the emotional aspect of our personal power and creativity. She may suggest a need for creative expression or to reclaim personal power that’s been lost.

Another example would be the Page of Pentacles. This is still a dual energy card, but teaming earth with earth.

This simply means that he is an extremely grounded card. His energy is heavy and he suggests a need to get right back to basics. To explore your very foundations and do a full survey of where there may be cracks.

Minor Arcana Means Minor Lessons

One of the main things to understand with these cards is that they are the smaller baby steps. They require smaller adjustments and shifts to make a difference. Compared to the major arcana which are all about big life altering energies.

The minor arcana are what we face day to day. It is the smaller lessons we learn in life. This is why we have more of them in a Tarot deck than we do of the major arcana. We face these things every day, whether it be consciously or subconsciously.

Allow the major cards to set the tone or the theme of your readings. Use the minor arcana to build the meat, the action and plans that lead off the reading.

Want to learn more about the individual minor arcana cards? Make sure to take a look at my free Tarot directory.
If you’re looking to really get stuck in with the world of Tarot, why not check out my other freebies, courses and workshops?

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