Tuesday, June 24, 2008

How to Use Tarot Cards: Tarot Card Meanings - Justice

How to Use Tarot Cards
Justice is something that our world can use a lot more of. Seems to me that the lack of it is causing more problems than I care to discuss here. But that isn't the topic of this article. This article is about Justice and how it applies to the Tarot. As the twelfth card of the Major Arcana (card number 11) Justice is one of those misunderstood cards when new readers are performing a reading. This article will explain to you the meanings of the card and how to interpret it when it comes up in a spread. After reading this, you should have a very good idea of what this card is all about.

In its normal key, Justice stands for a decision that the subject has made that he feels in his heart is fair and honest. Now, naturally everybody's idea of what's fair and honest is going to be different. But for the most part, this card is pretty accurate when it comes up in its normal, or non reversed orientation.

Justice does have other meanings though. In certain places in a spread, the card indicates that the subject should stick to his guns and not be persuaded by others. If he firmly believes that he is taking the right course of action or choosing the right path, he should continue on that path. This doesn't necessarily mean that the results will be good, but it does mean that he is doing the right thing. Sometimes the right thing means bad things happen as a result. So while the card may be positive, the results don't have to be.

In reverse, Justice means that injustice has been done and there is a possibility of loss as a result. This card can also mean that somebody has taken advantage of you. Sometimes, however, this is a matter of perception, especially when the card comes up in the eighth position in a Celtic Cross spread. This card also can mean that the subject has done everything possible and there is no sense worrying about the situation any longer.

In most cases, this card indicates a karmic lesson that the subject needed to learn. Hopefully, he will have learned from it so that it won't happen again.

Justice is one of the few cards in the Major Arcana that is truly either good or bad depending on whether it falls in its normal or reverse key.

To YOUR Divination Success,

Steven Wagenheim
Please visit my Squidoo Lens on the World Of The Occult located at http://www.squidoo.com/the-world-of-the-occult/ where you can learn a little bit about me and pick up some tips on just about every form of divination that there is.

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How to Use Tarot Cards: Speculative History of Tarot Cards

How to Use Tarot Cards
The Tarot may be one of the most versatile, portable, and illuminating tools available to the inquiring mind. Its history and its depth are rich and abundant. Being skilled in the use of these cards is a gift worth pursuing, and will give you a lifetime of wisdom, insight, and guidance.

History

As with so much of occult wisdom and techniques, the history is clouded by hearsay, protection, and misinformation. Because for so many centuries it was dangerous to practice such arts, those who were in the know maintained strict secrecy. Meanwhile, those who persecuted such activities were active in misleading citizens about these traditional ways.

Therefore, there are many stories surrounding the history of the Tarot. One that makes sense to me is that the Major Arcana derived from ritual and wisdom traditions from the Egyptian high priests and priestesses. When members of those tribes were exiled from Egypt, their knowledge was passed on only through oral traditions. Only later were they marked on cards. As the Egyptians moved westward into Europe, they were referred to as "gypsies", a derivative word of "Egyptian".

We know there was a large population of Moors in Spain. It may be that they were then introduced to the Spanish card deck, which we know now as a Pinochle or Poker deck. It is true that a great number of present day gypsies only read the playing cards, rather than the Tarot cards.

At any rate, it is the Spanish deck that is the basis for the present day Minor Arcana of the Tarot deck. While the Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards, having 4 face cards in each of four suits, the Poker deck has 52 cards, with 3 face cards in each of four suits. By studying the cards, you will begin to witness other comparisons between the suits of each of the decks.

For Good or For Evil?

A frequent question is whether the cards are on the side of good or evil. We could ask the same question of a knife. Is a knife good or evil?

A knife can be used to cut wood for a fire, cut meat for your dinner, or help a doctor perform surgery. On the other hand, a knife can be used to commit crimes and cause grief and pain. So is it good or evil?

The answer lies in the hands of the person holding it. It is the same with the Tarot cards. Whether a person holds a stick, a knife, a contract, or cards, the value, purpose, and intent are all determined by the person wielding them.

Using the Cards

Having used the Tarot cards for over 30 years (should I really be admitting that?), I have found them to be a tool beyond conceivable value. The Tarot can be used to connect us to our inner wisdom and can serve as a tool to increase intuition. They provide powerful insights leading to self-discovery and transformation. What do you imagine you could discover if you were to acquire this powerful skill?

Through Awareness Engineering, you have the opportunity to learn to read Tarot cards in a rapid and grounded manner, gaining immediate recognition of the significance and meaning of each card at the end of just one day. Combining the ancient meanings with modern applications, the traditional layouts with cutting edge philosophy and counseling techniques, the Awareness Engineering approach to reading Tarot cards is unique, applicable, and accessible.

Author Mary Lee LaBay, Ph.D., has a doctorate in Behavioral Psychology, offers private hypnosis sessions, products, workshops and certification training focusing on hypnosis, self-discovery and alignment with your unique purpose and path. Visit http://awarenessengineering.com or contact her at MaryLee@MaryLeeLaBay.com

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How to Use Tarot Cards: How Do I Set Up Tarot Cards?

How to Use Tarot Cards
One question which many people often ask is "How do I set up tarot cards for a reading?" If you find yourself asking the same question, then you need to find a good book on tarot cards for sure, but in the mean time, you can do some of these simple tarot card layouts, or spreads, to interpret some facets of your life.

Before attempting to do a reading, it is important that the stage is set. It is necessary to first do an adequate count of your deck in order to make sure that all of the cards are there, and then shuffle them thoroughly. If you have a particular ritual to perform before reading the cards, then do this now.

The oldest, and one of the easiest ways to set up tarot cards is to use a 3-card spread. If you're asking "how do I set up tarot cards?" then this is probably the best reading. In the 3-card tarot set up, the first card represents the past, the second represents the present, and the third represents the future of what is to come. Some people who believe that the future is never set tend to believe that the final card represents what will happen if the situation is not remedied.

The interaction of the past, present, and future is always apparent after the fact -- if you fail to go to the store today, you won't have any food for tomorrow. This reading relies on the cause and effect relationship among all aspects of our life to give an accurate account of events to come based on what we are doing now and what we have done in the past.

This is a very simple way to set up tarot cards for an all-purpose reading. If a more detailed book which has specific purpose readings is not available, this is a decent way to tell a fortune. If you are asking yourself "how do I set up tarot cards?" then this is a perfect option.

Katherine Heiden is a professional tarot card reader and clairvoyant. Her new guide Learn Tarot Cards is a great resource for beginners and experts alike, and includes many bonus guides showing you how to take your hobby of doing tarot card readings and turn it into a career.

How to Use Tarot Cards: Tarot Card Meanings - The Star

How to Use Tarot Cards
Oh how I hate those Tarot Cards that can be so wonderful or so gosh darn awful. The Star is one of those cards. If you're uncertain about the many meanings associated with this card, it is my hopes that this article will clear things up for you. This mystical Tarot Card is one of those all or nothing deals that makes me long for the days of a long shot. At least then, if things didn't work out, I wasn't too disappointed.

Okay, so what's my beef with The Star? Well, if you look at its normal meaning, it's pretty much utopia. The bottom line to this card is that it is a symbol indicating future accomplishment of goals that are presently under development. In other words, just keep doing what you're doing and stay on your current path and everything will turn out just fine. You will get a lot of spiritual help in your endeavors. And let's face it, we can all use as much of that as we can get.

This card also points to many things in your life improving, especially your health. Many times when I do a reading and the person is asking about their health, if this card comes up in its normal position, I breathe a sigh of relief as I know that things are going to be much better, especially if this card comes up in the sixth or tenth position.

But then there is the reverse key. That is where things are not so wonderful. I call this key Murphy's Law of The Tarot...If it can go wrong...it will. The most common thing that goes wrong, unfortunately, is through the subject's own lack of judgment. More times than not, it is the subject who has caused his own problems by doing so pretty stupid things. Hey, it's the only way to describe it. Some people don't think before they act.

In other instances, it's a pessimistic attitude that causes the problem. So many people I know live their life by Murphy's Law. They expect things to go wrong and therefore, they do. It's kind of like the law of attraction. If you dwell on the negative, that's what you're going to get. Usually this attitude destroys any relationships that these people have because nobody wants to be around them.

And then of course there is the possible indication of illness, which I never like seeing. However, in many readings, again where people are asking about their health, this card, in its reversed key, indicates that there is or could be a health issue that will need to be dealt with.

Yes, this is one of those all or nothing deals that I just assume not have to deal with, personally. But I've never tried doing a Tarot reading with just 77 cards.

I don't think I'm going to try now.

To YOUR Divination Success,

Steven Wagenheim

Ready to discover the most fascinating form or divination to come about in hundreds of years? Visit my site at http://www.diceology.com/report.html to get your FREE report that explains the origins of this science called Diceology and see the hottest thing since Nostradamus.

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How to Use Tarot Cards: Tarot Card Meanings - The Chariot

How to Use Tarot Cards
In my opinion, The Chariot is one of the most majestic cards in the set of 22 Major Arcana. But what does The Chariot mean? What does it stand for? Is it good? Is it bad? Does it mean what it appears to mean on the surface? This article is going to give you an in depth look at The Chariot. By the time you are done reading this, you'll know exactly what this card means and how to interpret it in a reading.

Like many of the Major Arcana, The Chariot is not what it appears to be on the surface. The key meaning of this card is the need to exercise discipline. This card is more about inner strength than it is about riding majestically through the town on your horse of gold. This card is a testament to the ability to focus on your goal and work towards it with a continued effort in order to achieve what you desire.

This card also stands for the purpose of removing obstacles in your way. It is important to have a clear path to your goals. Obstacles need to be dealt with and swiftly.

Other meanings for this card, though to a lesser degree, are honor, award or recognition for something that you've done or are about to do, depending on whether the card turns up in the fourth, fifth, sixth or tenth positions.

This card also tells of the importance to harness your energy and use it wisely. Wasted energy is wasted effort.

In the reverse key, this card indicates the wrong use of those energies and a very unstable situation. There can be some serious repercussions from the use of these energies. If there is a court card present in the spread containing The Chariot, it could mean that there is a person in your life who has no regard for you whatsoever and my very well do you harm.

This card in reverse also means possible wastefulness and overindulgence which can lead to great harm or even your downfall. In some cases, this card in reverse can indicate an overbearing attitude on your part, which could also mean an exertion of force in a situation that simply isn't necessary.

The Chariot is a fine line between discipline properly directed energy and waste and destruction. For this reason, I become quite concerned when this card appears in a spread. It can do great good or great harm.

To YOUR Divination Success,

Steven Wagenheim

Please visit my Squidoo Lens on the World Of The Occult located at http://www.squidoo.com/the-world-of-the-occult/ where you can learn a little bit about me and pick up some tips on just about every form of divination that there is.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Wagenheim

How to Use Tarot Cards: Tarot Card Meanings - The World

How to Use Tarot Cards
In this last installment of Tarot Card meanings for the Major Arcana, we'll be going over the various meanings for the Tarot Card, The World. A lot of people wish they could have the world, and the moon and the starts and everything else. Well, be careful what you wish for because not everything is as wonderful as most people think it is. Utopia has not yet been discovered and I doubt that it ever will be. The World is no different.

Okay, so what does the card The World mean? This card, in its normal meaning, is basically a culmination of all your hard work. You've completed a job well done and can now enjoy what you've accomplished. This is especially true if the card falls in the sixth or tenth position. The World, in these positions, may be one of the most satisfying cards in all of the Tarot, though it doesn't happen often.

This card can also mean that things are clear for you to make changes at home or work that may be very beneficial to you. You can accept new challenges and feel confident that you'll meet these challenges head on and with great success. Others will also be able to count on you now as you have great insight. One thing you must never forget is where you came from.

In reverse, The World is not such a bright picture. Usually, this card means that you're stuck in a rut and unable to face new challenges. You're afraid to try new things and your fear it going to cause you to stagnate. You've experienced many lessons in your life but for some reason, you're unable to learn from them. Because of this, you resist change and cling to old ways.

This card may also show that you're trying very hard but not applying yourself in the right way. You need to take a step back, look at what you're doing and try to find another way to solve the problem. Being stubborn won't solve anything. You have to learn to accept other people's advice.

As you can see, not all is right with The World. It may sound corny, but it is also very true. Try to learn the lessons that The World has to teach. If you can do this, you'll find that you can have just about anything in the world that you want and be successful at just about anything.

To YOUR Divination Success,

Steven Wagenheim

Ready to discover the most fascinating form or divination to come about in hundreds of years? Visit my site at http://www.diceology.com/report.html to get your FREE report that explains the origins of this science called Diceology and see the hottest thing since Nostradamus.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Wagenheim

How to Use Tarot Cards: How to Perform a Celtic Cross Tarot Card Spread

How to Use Tarot Cards
Tarot card spreads, also called layouts, can range from 1 card to more than a single deck. Each different type of spread carries it own special characteristics and divination powers. While there are many standardized Tarot card spreads, it is not uncommon for readers to develop special layouts for their own use. These are adjustments that readers make to better attune themselves to their readings. We can't possibly look at all Tarot card spreads, but we can use a common one to understand layouts better. To become familiar with Tarot card spreads, we will look at the Celtic Cross.

One of the most popular Tarot card spreads, the Celtic Cross is most commonly described as having ten cards. Six form the cross, directly in front of the reader, while the remaining four are laid out vertically at the reader's right hand. Other versions use as many as thirteen, and the layout varies slightly from reader to reader. For our purposes, the most common layout will be do fine.

The first card, usually called the significator, is laid long-ways in the center of the cross, and the others progressively follow, until the divination is complete. Next comes the crossing, which is laid horizontally atop the significator; this is the conflict indicator for the reading. The third one, called the basis, is placed vertically below the cross, and is closest to the reader.

The fourth stands for the past, and is placed as the left "arm" of the cross. Centered above the cross is the fifth, which discloses the alternate possibilities of the question. Balancing the past, at the left of our cross, card number six represents the near future, and completes the right side of a plus (+) symbol, and demonstrating where this tarot card spread gets its name.

The last four in this particular Tarot card spread are laid vertically on the right of the first six, starting nearest the reader, and moving away from them. The seventh is the barrier, or obstacle, and is followed by the indicator of influence on the situation. The ninth one stands for the fears regarding the situation, and the tenth and last reveals the final outcome of the question of the reading.

The Celtic Cross is completed in this manner, which may explain why it is one of the most common Tarot card spreads. The cross, on the left, is balanced by the staff, on the right. This pattern is mainly used to answer questions. It represents the duality of life, with the staff's masculinity being balanced by the almost circular feminine aspect. A lot of power is found in this tarot card spread, and its popularity attests to its usefulness.

If you need a good guide to tarot for beginners, I would recommend this book I started off with this as a resource, and it has been indispensable to me throughout my career as a professional tarot card reader.

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