De-Coding the
By Lianne Noble
De-coding the Tarot By Lianne Noble
Contents Introduction....................................... 1 Symbolism The Minor Arcana..................................... 4 Suits......................................................... 6 Court Cards............................................. 12 Numbers.................................................. 18 Symbols................................................... 30 The Major Arcana.................................... 56
Placement Meanings The Celtic Spread................................... 80
Introduction to Tarot This is not a typical tarot book. Through the course of this book I am going to “de-code” everything about the tarot. Unlike typical tarot teaching books, this one is to inform anyone who is interested in the history and symbolism behind the cards. The focus is on the ‘Waite Deck’, which is the most common deck in existence today. The typical Tarot deck consists of 78 cards. The first 22 are known as the Major Arcana and the other 56 cards are known as the Minor Arcana. Arcana, means mysteries or secrets. The deck is split into these two Arcanas because they hold different meanings and hierarchy.
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Symbolism in Tarot Many believe that the Minor Arcana cards were added to the deck in the fourteenth or fifteenth century. It is believed that these cards were first used for fortune-telling. This part of the deck consists of four suits with 14 cards in each suit. Wands, Pentacles, Swords and Cups. Each of these contains four court cards – King, Queen, Knight and Page, and ten numbered cards from Ace-Ten. It can be compared to the four suits in a standard playing card deck. The Minor Arcana can be accurate in answering the problems in everyday life and human experience. More here and now, rather than around you like the Major
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Introduction to The Minor Arcana Many believe that the Minor Arcana cards were added to the deck in the fourteenth or fifteenth century. It is believed that these cards were first used for fortune-telling. The Minor Arcana can be accurate in answering the problems in everyday life and human experience. More here and now, rather than around you like the Major cards. They represent everyday challenges, concerns, accomplishments and problems. They can advise more clearly than the Majors. The majority of the cards that appear in readings are those of the Minor Arcana due to the amount of them.
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The Suits The four suits are essential elements in any tarot deck. They correspond to the four elements, which are seen as the building blocks of life. The elements – Earth, Air, Fire and Water – are always a part of everyday life. They are the basis of the Minor Arcana but have roles in the Major cards too. Each suit contains numbered cards 1-10 and a King, Queen, Knight and Page (Court Cards) Each suit relates to a different area of life too. The next 4 pages give a brief description of what these mean.
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Wands Element: Fire Suggests: Growth, expansion and personal power. Colour: Red
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Swords Element: Air Suggests: Overworking the mind or the need to think more rationally. Colour: Yellow 8
Cups Element: Water Suggests: Connected with emotions, creativity and intuition. Colour: Blue 9
Pentacles Element: Earth Suggests: Security and stability in practical matters. Colour: Green 10
Court Cards In the Minor Arcana each suit normally contains four Court Cards. The King, Queen, Knight and Page. They generally look the same on each suit; the only way to tell them apart is to look at the suit they are holding or is around them. The Court Cards represent people that are/influence the client life rather than the client themselves. In addition to representing actual people in your life, Court Cards can symbolize influences in your environment. As well as situations, conditions or characteristics.
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King A king is a powerful ruler who has complete authority over his territory. He is the ultimate ruler and cannot gain any more power than he already possesses. This means that when the king of any suit appears it represents a completion. A cycle that began with an Ace has now finished, the opportunity where authority has been established or it’s a time to begin a new cycle to a more fulfilling life.
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Queen The queen is a mature woman who is also a ruler in her own right; she is not just on the arm of a king. She represents a woman who embraces the feminine leadership qualities. With the queen you achieve a level of maturity and self-confidence, know when to comprise and when to stand up for your own. She is seen as a mother image. If not a woman it can refer to a man with the ability to embrace his feminine nature, such as an artist or musician. 14
Knight A knight is some one who has been chosen and honoured for having performed a valuable service. At the level of a knight you are fully aware of your path, you know your aims and just want to get on with it. You are dedicated at the task in hand and don’t waste any time doing it. He is often considered a messenger of agent of movement. The knight doesn’t have to be male. 15
Page The Page is personal attendant to the royal family, often an errand boy or girl. Their job is to serve in advance. The Page represents preparing yourself to succeed at something. You have to be willing to take on the role. Challenge yourself and follow through to omplement the reward will be worthwhile. Sometimes considerd as the messenger. 16
Numbers In the Minor Arcana each suit normally contains four Court Cards. The King, Queen, Knight and Page. They generally look the same on each suit; the only way to tell them apart is to look at the suit they are holding or is around them. The Court Cards represent people that are/influence the client life rather than the client themselves. In addition to representing actual people in your life, Court Cards can symbolize influences in your environment. As well as situations, conditions or characteristics.
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Ace (one) The Ace card represents new beginnings. Something has already been planted in your life. But it’s up to you to make it happen.
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Two Two represents duality. Some form of union or partnership with someone, something or even two parts of yourself.
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Three Represents the mind, body and spirit. Taking a look at the whole picture. Movement, action, growth, development.
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Four Represents foundations. There are 4 elements, 4 directions and 4 seasons. It shows stability and security. You may be at a crossroads in life, just be sure to take the right direction. 22
Five Represents freedom, instability and change. There is excitement ahead, embrace the change.
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Six Represents service and social responsibility Caring, compassion and community involvement. If you are too busy stop, take a break and relax. Make time for your self.
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Seven Represents your inner life, solitude and soulsearching. Wisdom and spirituality. It can be seen as a connection to the 7 heavens, 7 days of the week. Or even the 7 colours of the rainbow.
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Eight Represents abundance, material prosperity, worldly power and influence. It promotes Leadership and authority. Turned on side = infinity symbol.
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Nine Represents umanitarianism. Universal compassion and tolerance.
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Ten Represents an ending and a beginning, the point of transition from the completed cycle to the new cycle, which has not yet manifested.
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Symbols Symbolism that runs through Tarot generally stays the same on all decks, as are the meanings of the card positions. Upright or Reversed they hold different outcomes when it comes to results. Tarot cards are usually heavily illustrated with lots of things going on it each image. In this section I have taken some of the objects/ symbols that run through the cards and written their meanings below them. This should give an introduction into the complexity behind the cards.
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Square Stability, equality, structure
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Circle Wholeness, unity, protection and continuity
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Triangle Trinity, 3D existence, movement
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Downward Triangle Divine Feminism. Earth & Water Elements
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Upward Triangle Divine Masculinity. Fire & Earth Elements
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Star Hope & Promise
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Five-Pointed Star Human Body, Protection, Physical Incarnation
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Six-Pointed Star Union of male/female or Earth/sky & Integration
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Vertical Line Movement, heaven, sky, masculine energy
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Horizontal Line Stability, feminine energy, earth
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Cross Union of male/female or earth/sky, integration
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Spiral Life energy, renewal, movement towards center
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Sun Clarity, vitality, optimism, contentment
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Moon Secrets, intuition, emotions, feminine energy
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Rose Love
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Mountains Challenge, vision, achievement
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Ocean/Water Emotions, unknown depth of the psyche
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Snake Transformation, hidden knowledge
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Egg Birth, fertility
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Infinity Continual knowledge, power, things. Power to last for infinity
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Book Knowledge
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Lantern Guidance, clarity, hope
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Bridge Connection, harmony, overcoming difficulty
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Tree Knowledge, growth, protection, strength
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The Major Arcana The 22 Major Arcana cards are the most complex of the deck and are harder to understand and interpret. They are sometimes known as ‘trumps.’ What makes the messages on the cards so difficult to understand are the very detailed illustrations and scenarios. Everything on the card has a meaning from picture to placement. Each card has a title and a number leaving interpretations open to the reader. It seems as if the numbers represent the order of personal and spiritual growth from ‘The Fool’ to the end ‘The World.’ By understanding the symbols it will allow you to read and interpret the cards as you see fit.
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The Fool The Fool is an ambiguous figure that is often seen as a wild card unaware of the danger ahead. His dog represents natural instincts.
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The Magician The Magician represents worldly wisdom – power to control unseen. He is in possession of knowledge and can use it to manipulate to create the desired circumstances. 58
The High Priestess Secret knowledge. Feminine spiritual power, goddess. She indicates something to be revealed. Welcoming people in pursuit of knowledgeThe Lunar Crown represents the three stages of womanhood. 59
The Empress The Empress represents beauty and creativity the universal mother of procreation, nurturing, security, comfort and domestic harmony. She works for harmony like a mother trying to reconcile differences. 60
The Emperor He is a symbol of supreme authority. He is the father who sets the ideals, morals and aspirations. The rams head symbol represents the raw masculinity. 61
The Hierophant Authority and power of a spiritual nature. Influence achieved through conscious intelligent choices. Suggests they have chosen a guide in life or rules. The Crossed Keys represent his knowledge, growth, protection & strength. 62
The Lovers Young couple with an angel with wings spread above them and hands out blessing them. Standing by tree of life like Adam and Eve.
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The Chariot Strong male figure. Represents emotional factors and unconscious habit that need to be changed. Before you can be at peace with the world you have to be at peace with yourself. The Sphinx heads represent knowledge, growth, protection & strength. 64
Strength This card shows a woman & lion. Representing gentleness, inner strength, self confidence, courage and willpower.
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The Hermit Guide figure. The elder shows wisdom. He is looking ahead towards the future. He is a teacher and guide.
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The Wheel of Fortune There are 8 spokes representing the 8 pagan holidays that mark the cycles of life, death and rebirth.
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Justice Female, robed, armoured and crowned. A sword upright in one hand and balanced scales in the other. Open-eyed, suggesting that divine justice rather than human laws. 68
The Hanged Man Male, hanging upside down from a tree by one leg. Represents self sacrifice, voluntary surrender to the process of achieving enlightenment. 69
Death Symbolizes transformative powers of life and death cycles. Re-birth consciously or unconsciously
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Temperance This winged angel represents material and spiritual worlds combine through feminine principles of harmony and balance shown through the impossible pouring of the cups. 71
The Devil The Devil is not as evil as thought, it represents self-imposed limitations. He is the horned god of pagan times not Satan. Connected to fertility rites banned by the church. The loose chains represent the ability to break free. 72
The Tower Stone tower being destroyed, fire/lightening. A crown is being blown off the top by the impact. Humans are falling out of windows.
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The Star Nude female kneeling by pool of water pouring jugs of water out, one on land and the other in the pool. Showing the connection between the feminine elements. 74
The Moon Unconscious and invisible world of dreams, imagination and the unknown. Link between spirit and matter.
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The Sun Blazing sun above a smiling nude child riding a while horse. Flowers grow behind against a stone wall. Represents life itself.
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Judgement Winged figure emerges from behind a cloud blowing a trumpet down towards several figures who are listening ready to be judged. Risen from coffins. Souls ready to be punished. 77
The World Young woman enclosed by a wreath. Represents balance and support by unseen forces. Symbolizes the end of the spiritual journey the began with the fool. 78
Placement Meanings ‘Spreads’ are the arrangements of cards when reading. There are a few that all give off different placement meanings. None are better than the other; some however, are more common than others. The Celtic Cross Spread This is the most popular spread when it comes to readings. It starts with a ‘Significatior.’ Which is common in most spreads also. A Significatior is a card that symbolizes the person for whom the reading is being done. This card is placed under the card 1, the rest follow in order. Using the diagram and the spread provided in this pack this is how what the placement means. 80
The Celtic Cross Spread
Card 10
Card 3
Card 5
Card 2
Card 9
Card 6
Card 8
Card 1
Card 4
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Card 7
Card 1: This is the card of you and your immediate concerns. Card 2: This card crosses you and represents the obstacles you are facing. Card 3: This crowns you and describes what is known to you objectively Card 4: This is beneath you and describes the foundation of concern or past influences affecting the situation. It can also show what is unknown about the situation. Card 5: This is behind you and describes your past influences that are now fading away. Card 6: This is before you and describes new circumstances coming into being. In the near future. Card 7: This is yourself and describes your current state of mind. Card 8: This is your house and describes the circumstances surrounding the situation. Card 9: This is what you hope or fear, maybe a combination of the two. Card 10: This is what will come and describes the likely future
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The information in this book was taken from “The Only Tarot Book You’ll Need” by Skye Alexander
This is not a typical tarot book. Through the course of this book I am going to “de-code” everything about the tarot. Unlike typical tarot teaching books, this one is to inform anyone who is interested in the history and symbolism behind the cards. The focus is on the ‘Waite Deck’, which is the most common deck in existence today.