Tarot reading with
Taco:
The tarot is a set of cards typically
featuring twenty one trump cards, the fool, and an extra face
card per suit, in addition to the usual suit (face and pip) cards
found in ordinary playing cards. Tarot cards are used throughout
much of Europe to play Tarot card games. In English-speaking countries,
where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards are utilized
primarily for divinatory purposes with the trump cards plus the
Fool card comprising the twenty two major arcana cards and the
pip and four face cards the fifty six minor arcana.
Common card interpretations
Each card has a variety of symbolic
meanings that have evolved over the years. Custom or themed tarot
decks exist which have even more specific symbolism, although
these are more prevalent in the English-speaking world. The minor
arcana cards have astrological attributions that can be used as
general indicators of timing in the year, based on the Octavian
calendar, and the court cards may signify different people in
a tarot reading, with each suit's "nature" providing
hints about that person's physical and emotional characteristics.
To perform a Tarot reading, the
Tarot deck is typically shuffled by either the subject or a third-party
reader, and is laid out in one of a variety of patterns, often
called "spreads". They are then interpreted by the reader
or a third-party performing the reading for the subject. These
might include the subject's thoughts and desires (known or unknown)
or past, present, and future events. Generally, each position
in the spread is assigned a number, and the cards are turned over
in that sequence, with each card being contemplated/interpreted
before moving to the next. Each position is also associated with
an interpretation, which indicates what aspect of the question
the card in that position is referring to.
Some common spreads include:
* Celtic Cross: This is probably
the most common spread. Ten cards are used, with six arranged
in a cross and four placed vertically beside the cross. Another
card is placed horizontally across the central cards of the cross.
The first central card of the cross is frequently the significator
and the second represents the conditions surrounding the question;
the crossing card often represents an obstacle they must face,
an aspect of the question they have not yet considered, etc.
* Horse-shoe: Another very common question asking spread. Seven
cards are arranged in a semi-circle or 'V' shape. The cards, from
left to right, represent the past, present, influences, obstacles,
expectations (or hopes/fears), best course of action and likely
outcomes. Some variations of this spread swap the expectations
and inspiration cards around.
* 3-card spread: Three cards are used, with the first representing
the past, the second the present, the third the future.
* Astrological spread: Twelve cards are spread in a circle, to
represent the twelve signs of the zodiac. A thirteenth card is
placed in the middle; often the significator.
* 1-card spread: It should be noted that a single card can constitute
a spread.
* Tetractys: Ten cards arranged in a four-rowed pyramid. Each
row represents earth, air, fire or water and each card within
the row has a very specific meaning. The single card in the top
row is the significator.
There are numerous other spreads
- essentially, the reader may use any card arrangement in which
they find by experience to be useful.
Reversed cards
Some methods of interpreting the
tarot consider cards to have different meanings depending on whether
they appear upright or reversed. A reversed card is often interpreted
to mean the opposite of its upright meaning. For instance, the
Sun card upright may be associated with satisfaction, gratitude,
health, happiness, strength, inspiration, and liberation; while
in reverse, it may be interpreted to mean a lack of confidence
and mild unhappiness. However, not all methods of card reading
prescribe an opposite meaning to reversed cards. Some card readers
will interpret a reversed card as either a more intense variation
of the upright card, an undeveloped trait or an issue that requires
greater attention.
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