Reading Tarot

The Visconti-Sforza Tarot

The Visconti-Sforza tarot deck is the oldest surviving deck of tarot cards in the world. Most scholars agree that it dates from the mid-to-late fifteenth century and was commissioned by Filippo Maria Visconti, the duke of Milan. The courtly game of Tarocchi was very popular during that time in Italy, having most likely been introduced to Europe during the Moorish invasion of Spain several centuries earlier. During the Medieval period, Tarocchi was played as a game of trumps, in which each player attempted to win hands by beating the other cards in a given suit. Most historians believe that tarot was not widely used as a divination tool until it was popularized in Britain and America at the close of the nineteenth century.

Only 67 cards from the original deck survive today, and these are housed in the Yale University Library. Artist Luigi Scapini was commissioned to recreate the missing cards in the deck, based on the imagery contained in the surviving cards. This deck is available for purchase through U.S. Games Inc.

Golden Tarot

Not to be confused with the golden Dawn tarot deck, the Golden Tarot is based on medieval and particularly renaissance works of art. Original paintings and imagery are combined in the form of a collage, giving the cards an abstract and yet classical appearance. Even the decorative border of the cards is taken from a 1435 painting by Swiss artist Conrad Witz. Because of the popularity of religious iconography during the period of art used, many Christian images such as the Madonna and other saints populate the cards. Australian artist Kat Black used scenes and characters depicted in lesser-known paintings from the early renaissance to create each card. Unlike other medieval tarot decks, however, the Golden Tarot closely follows the symbolic system of the Rider-Waite deck. As a result, the Golden Tarot is more suitable for beginners who may already be familiar with the symbolic imagery used in Rider-Waite.

Scapini Tarot

Another deck by Luigi Scapini, the Scapini tarot uses medieval imagery but was created entirely from the imagination of the artist. As a result, Scapini’s symbolism does not correspond to more modern, traditional card systems like the Rider-Waite. There is a logical consistency to his symbolic system, however, and this is explained in a companion book that can be purchased alongside the deck of cards. The clothing, backgrounds, and characters depicted in these ornate paintings are all taken from medieval or renaissance period artwork. In fact many cards, such as the Magician pictured at left, are directly inspired by the earlier Visconti-Sforza images. The Scapini deck is less ornate and features more vibrant colors than the historical reprint, however. The shape of the Scapini tarot cards is also different from modern decks; each one is long and narrow in keeping with the style of actual medieval tarot cards.

I have decided to buy a bunch of different tarot decks and offer review of them for readers of this blog. The Black Tarot is a deck that caught my eye because of its incredibly creative imagery and dark visual style. I found the cards online, since they are fairly rare and can be hard to locate in local shops. Fantasy imagery abounds, with depictions of hunky men with swords and semi-naked women posing next to impressive ruins. The artist has clearly gone for a dark gothic theme with these cards, and he warns readers in the included instruction booklet that one should not use these cards “if you only want to know about good things.” But if you want to know about naked women, this is definitely the deck for you!

The black Tarot springs from the imagination of fantasy artist Luis Royo, an illustrator from Spain whose work has appeared in comic books like Heavy Metal magazine. Admittedly, this is not the kind of art style that I usually go for, but his exaggerated designs work surprisingly well in the context of a tarot deck. The meanings that he assigns to each card are a little bit off-base, and I think that the artist had only a passing interest in serious tarot reading and history when he made these drawings.

The Black Tarot deck comes in a box with 78 fully illustrated cards featuring German, French, English and Spanish names. The size of each card is 2 3/8 X 4 ¼ inches. The edges of each card are rounded and the deck has a very nice feel to it when handled.

This deck can certainly be used for readings, but may not be ideal for beginners, since some of the definitions and images differ widely from established tarot meanings. Also, the numbered minor arcana cards provide symbols only and are not fully illustrated like the major arcana cards. If you grew up with or appreciate comic books, fantasy novels, or Dungeons and Dragons, the Black Tarot is definitely a deck that you need in your collection.

Buy This Deck Online Now

(more…)

One of the most common reasons people choose to consult the tarot is for guidance in their romantic relationships. Everyone wants to know whether destiny has a passionate romance in store for them, or whether that person they have a crush on thinks about them too. You would be surprised how many tarot readings I have been asked to perform that center around the question of love and relationships. But how accurate are the cards in predicting our romantic futures? In my experience, the usefulness of tarot cards is not in predicting exactly when a ‘tall mysterious stranger’ will appear to sweep us off our feet. Rather, we can use the cards to think deeply about what it is that we want and need in a potential relationship. Armed with this knowledge, any future romance has a better chance of being successful.

Read more about three cards that are essential to understanding our romantic predicaments and guiding ourselves toward happiness and fulfillment in love.

(more…)

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?”

Click for larger version:

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.

(more…)

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.

For those of you who like a more modern look to your tarot cards, as well as for those who work in technology, we’ve found the perfect deck for you. The Silicon Valley Tarot replaces all of the major and minor arcana from the traditional 78-card deck with fabulous hand-drawn (but undoubtedly computer-assisted) artwork. This deck is published by Steve Jackson Games and has been out for a while, but I just came across it recently and simply had to share it with all of you.

New cards in the major arcana include “The Firewall” and “The Flame War”. The hacker (featured below) and picture of exploding server is particularly amusing. The minor arcana suits of Swords, Pentacles, Wands and Cups are replaced by some new technology-influenced suits: Networks, Cubicles, Disks and Hosts! To get an idea of what the deck is like, check out some sample images below:

The hand of Venture Capital emerges from the clouds and bestows its blessings. Money falls like rain, refreshing the denizens of the under-funded startup. Are there invisible threads attached? Who can tell. Aid, assistance, nourishment, help. In the reversed position: meddling, micro-management, unwelcome partnership, aversion to risk, cowardice.

(more…)

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.