Reading Tarot

The Hermit card has a number of meanings in a tarot spread, depending on the position in which it appears and the context of the reading. A solitary figure stands at the top of a steep mountain peak, holding a staff in one hand and a lantern in another. Inside the lantern, a star illuminates the gloomy evening sky. The hermit is resolved and intently focused, as if consumed by his own thoughts. While this is a lonely setting, loneliness is not the only meaning associated with the Hermit tarot card. In old Italian tarot decks, the Hermit card was actually named “Time” after the Greek word Cronos, suggesting the long slow march of solitude leading to enlightenment.

In a spread, when the hermit card turns up in a position that describes the querent, it usually indicates that he or she has lived through a period of solitude. It could mean that the querent is an introspective person, slow to share her feelings with others, or someone who prefers to spend time by themselves rather than in the company of others. Spending time alone is not necessarily a bad thing. Many of the great works of art and scientific discoveries have been made by people who shunned a social existence for the comfort of intellectual pursuits. Standing on the top of the mountain, the hermit has a commanding view of what surrounds him. His light can be seen as a beacon, meant to guide and inspire others.

Depending on the context of the reading, however, the hermit can also signify negative aspects like loneliness, stoicism, and self-denial. In the blocking position, for example, we might ask the querent, “why are you pushing others away, why are you afraid of social encounters?” The hermit can also be telling us something – perhaps we need to take a break from all of the socializing and spend some time thinking about what we really want. What is it that I am searching for in life? What are the things that are really important to me?

In the reverse position

In the reversed (upside-down) position, the Hermit loses his lantern, and therefore also loses sight of what is before him. It can signify a lack of wisdom, logic, or intelligence. Maybe the querent is simply wrong about something that they deeply believe in? Maybe we actually need the guidance, wisdom and advice of others more than we thought?

Just for fun I decided to do a tarot reading to bring some clarity to the madness surrounding the current presidential election. While most polls are currently calling it an easy victory for Barack Obama on November 4th, the McCain campaign has shown signs of a late-stage comeback. And besides, many people predicted that John Kerry would win back in 2004, and we all know how that turned out. While few people today use tarot cards for divination of major future events, this practice was actually quite popular in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. As I said, this is all in good fun, and can be taken however you wish. Now, let’s see what the cards say to the question “What will be the outcome of the 2008 Presidential election?”

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Wow. I was actually laughing as I laid the cards out on the table, because of how uncanny the significance of each card was to the question at hand. I would say that this spread heavily suggests a McCain victory, wouldn’t you? For those of you who aren’t familiar wit the meaning of tarot cards, continue reading as I walk through the significance of each one for this reading.

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The four of cups in tarot is a somewhat negative card, which signifies either obsession with one’s self, or an inward-looking disposition. Of course, being self-obsessed is not always bad; in some contexts a bit of self-reflection can actually be a good thing. In the classic Rider-waite deck, the card depicts a young man sitting beneath a tree, staring toward three cups in front of him. A fourth cup is offered by a god-like hand, but he isn’t interested, signifying his disconnection from the world and his lack of awareness about what is actually going on around him. On the other hand, the figure is surrounded by verdant greenery and an abundance of cups, meaning that things aren’t going all that badly for him. The broad meanings most often associated with this card are rejection, ignorance, self-absorbtion, boredom, selfishness, and an unwillingness to play well with others. This card is also closely related to the Hermit in the major arcana, which similarly focuses on solitude and withdrawal.

The significance of the four of cups can vary wildly depending on where it shows up in a spread. In a common celtic cross layout, the presence of this card in position 1 can literally mean that the querent is self absorbed and stuck in a rut. The way forward is clear – you must reevaluate our stance on life, and open yourself to new ideas and possibilities. This may simply mean that you need to get out more! Additionally, this card can remind us that we should be thankful for what we’ve been offered in life.

In position 6, what lies ahead, the card can have a different meaning. It is likely that the querent will soon be faced with a challenge that requires deep self-reflection and evaluation. Slowing down and taking the time to reflect may not be a bad thing – in fact it may be required to get through a future struggle. The four of cups here can also mean that new things (such as personal contacts) are going to open up for the querent, and he or she needs to pay attention so as not to let these opportunities pass by.

In the reversed position:

In the upside down (reversed) position, the four of cups can signify a failure to reflect on one’s position, a complete lack of awareness/thankfulness, or missed opportunity. An upside down four of cups can indicate that there is an opportunity staring the querent right in the face, if only they would have the intuition and foresight to take hold of it!

The three of cups in tarot can be both a positive and negative card, symbolizing celebration, gratitude for life’s gifts and a carefree, hedonistic attitude. In the card, three young women frolic in a garden filled with flowers (symbolizing abundance and mirth) while they hold up three chalices filled with wine. The girls are voluptuous and sensual, signifying sexual energy and pleasure. The three of cups is closely linked to Bacchus, the god of wine in roman legend. The equivalent of this card in the regular deck of cards is the three of hearts.

When it appears in position 1 in a Celtic cross reading (the position which describes “you”), the three of cups means that you are surrounded by friends with whom you share a close bond, and who want to celebrate with you. The key here is that you should allow yourself to take part in the celebrations and “loosen up” if you are not already in the festive mood. Doing this will enable you to meet new people (possibly lovers) and open up your social life a little bit more.

The card also has a negative side, however, so it is important to know your limits and exercise moderation if loosening up is not usually a problem for you. Like Bacchus, being a party person has its pleasures and its pitfalls. If the three of cups appears in the blocking position, it can mean either that the querent is suffering from a lack of self-control, or alternatively that he or she has trouble loosening up and enjoying themselves in new social situations. The reader must carefully weigh the context of both the question and the personality of the querent when interpreting this card.

In the reversed position:

In the upside-down position, the three of cups can signify an attitude of arrogance or a self-centered comportment on the part of the querent. Rather than celebrating and sharing life’s triumphs with others, the querent may be overly closed in on themselves, paranoid, fearful, or isolated. It can also indicate a sexual problem, such as an inability to experience orgasm or a more general difficulty entering into sensual, intimate relationships with others.

The two of cups in tarot is a positive card that is connected to romance, love and relationships. Overall, the card portends a pairing between two individuals, along with all of the emotions, compromise and happiness that such connection can bring.

In the card, two figures stand face to face, each holding a cup. The female figure wears a crown of grape leaves, a symbol of virginity and virtue. The male figure wears a crown of red flowers, a symbol of lust. As with the Ace of Cups, the two chalices here symbolize inner emotions (all Cups cards are about emotions). Rising from the two cups is an image of a lion’s head, supported by two intertwined snakes, one standing for good and the other for evil. The lion’s face signifies strength, passion, and even lust, while its wings give it a sublime, almost angelic quality. This imagery depicts all of the positive — and negative — consequences of entering into a partnership with another person.

Like The Lovers card, the two of cups is primarily about human relationships. Its appearance in a spread can be a surprise, particularly when the question is not about love. Often, the two of cups can alert the reader to a potential romantic relationship or love interest, even when they did not know such an interest existed. It can also tell the querent about inner qualities that he or she may have, such as the ability to attract others, or a supportive role played towards another. In other contexts, the card can also signify the beginning of a fruitful friendship, business partnership or other kind of pairing between two individuals. When the card appears in the blocking position, for example in the celtic cross, it can suggest that romantic difficulties are at the heart of the problem for the querent.

In the reversed position:

In the upside-down position, the two of cups can signify hurt or disappointment arising from a failed relationship, or from the failure to open oneself up to new partnerships. It can symbolize misunderstandings, both temporary and longer term inability to see eye to eye. A querent who draws the two of cups may feel emotionally withdrawn, and may find it difficult to enter into a new romantic relationship, perhaps because of a previous betrayal.

In the traditional 52-card deck, this card is the equivalent of the ace of hearts. Unsurprisingly, the meaning of the ace of cups in tarot revolves around emotional and spiritual reflection — in short, thinking with the heart rather than the head.

In the illustration, an outstreched hand emerges from a white cloud and grasps a single chalice. Spilling from the cup, five streams of water pour into a body of water covered in lily pads. Nearly all interpretations of this card feature some combination of clouds, dove, water, and five objects (such as blooming flowers). Clearly, the position of the cup in the clouds symbolizes the heavenly realm. The water that flows forth from the cup nourishes the lilies growing in the water below, which symbolize the earthly realm. The movement of the water from heaven to earth is suggestive of the process of spiritual enlightenment, or the development of strong emotions that can sometimes feel divinely inspired. Love, wonderment, joy and beauty are the keywords associated with the ace of cups.

Like the ace of wands, this card is often associated with upcoming change, although this change is usually motivated by emotional energy. In a spread, the ace of cups can symbolize a new beginning motivated by feelings and emotion rather than logic. An obvious significance for this card can be the beginning of a new love affair, but there is a broad array of situations in which the card can appear. Some of the emotions that this card can convey include fulfillment, happiness, spiritual contentment, and caring for others. The ace of cups portends all of those intangible things that money can’t buy, and that so easily elude us.

In the reverse position:

In the reversed position, the Ace of Cups can suggest either a lack of feeling, a contradictory (or false) emotion, or a disappointment resulting from . In a relationship, this could signify falling out of love with someone or being deceived. In the context of a career-related question, it could symbolize stagnation or a lack of passion.

The illustration depicts a young, carefree wanderer illuminated by the sun and carrying all of his worldly possessions over his shoulder. While the word “fool” in the English language possesses negative connotations, this card is a positive one, overall. In the medieval context that tarot imagery was developed, the fool was a sophisticated courtly entertainer, who adopted the persona of an ingénue in order to win over crowds. The fool is also the origin of the modern Joker card in a regular deck.

The general meaning of the card in a tarot reading is one of naïve innocence, a characteristic that can be both negative and positive. For example, this card can suggest both limitless opportunity and irresponsibility. Foolishly optimistic people often succeed without realizing the potential for failure that lurked all along. In its most positive sense, the fool can be a call to embrace one’s own intuition and follow one’s heart.

Sometimes the fool can signify the need to take a chance and break from the mundane, structured reality of daily life. It can be a reminder that we can seek help from others or approach situations from the perspective of an uninitiated learner. The fool can also be a potent reminder that we should not take ourselves too seriously.

An overabundance of foolish naiveté can, of course, be a problem. This is often signified by the appearance of the fool in position 2. Sometimes we must be careful about where we place our childlike trust, lest we be disappointed. The appearance of the fool in position 10 can signify that the querent desires a freer, more adventurous course of action, but is held back by fear of doing something irrational.

In the reverse position:

In the upside-down orientation, the fool can symbolize a lack of initiative or sense of adventure on the part of the querent. Often, this apathy can derive from a powerful, even subconscious sense of fear. After all, trying new things and severing old obligations can be a scary proposition. This is a powerful sign that a change is needed and that fears must be overcome.

What better card to begin this blog project than with the ace of wands? In the illustration, a hand firmly grasps a wooden staff, from which new buds sprout and old leaves are shed. When reading tarot, this card generally signifies change, opportunity, creativity and opportunity.

The appearance of the ace of wands in a spread suggests that the querent should act with confidence, and go purposefully in the direction of his or her intuition. It is often a premonition of an upcoming opportunity that the subject of the reading would do well to recognize. This card symbolizes the presence of inner strength, creativity, courage, and a sense of adventure. The recipient of this card should seize any upcoming possibilities and embark upon new paths with confidence, but they must also be prepared to take individual responsibility for their actions.

Sometimes the ace of wands portends a new beginning or a new stage in life. Overall, this is a very positive card, however it can have different meanings depending on which position it appears in a spread. For example, when it shows up in position 2 in the Celtic Cross, the Ace of Wands can portend a surplus of exuberance or a lack of stability and direction. In position 6, it most likely signifies a new beginning, and a powerful opportunity for change.

In The Reverse Position:

The Ace of Wands in the reverse (upside-down) position can symbolize the negative potential or the downside of creative endeavors: risk, fear, setbacks and uncertainty. It can tell us that we should take caution when embarking on new projects, and that perseverance will be necessary.

My name is Zora Divine, and this is my first blog. I started this site to share my love and knowledge of Tarot with other online seekers. I hope that this site will become a useful resource for those looking for information about reading tarot cards, the different tarot layouts (spreads) and the history of this rewarding practice.

I am going to begin my blogging journey by going through the meaning of each individual card in the deck. These will be organized in a list of meanings as I write each description. Hopefully within a few months I will be able to cover the significance of each of the 78 cards in detail.

My partner and I are also working on developing some advanced tarot software, which will allow users to do their own readings and learning from home in a fun and interactive way. Check back often to find out about the progress of this program. We hope to have it ready by June of 2009.
Thank you for visiting. I welcome any and all feedback in the comments section.

Peace and love,

Zora