The Empress

The Empress is the fourth card in the tarot deck’s Major Arcana. The number associated with her is three, as at her core level she is the point at which the sequence of the tarot begins to deal with the relationship between the spirit, mind, and body. The Empress herself can be said to represent the last of these three – the body, as well as the world of the physical at large.

As a matter of fact, we can go one step further than saying that the Empress represents the physical world. In many ways she actually is this very world and all that makes it what it is. She is wealth, sensory pleasure, and prosperity in all their many forms as well. The world she lives in is our world exactly as it was meant to be – ideal, beautiful, and bountiful. As such, she is also said to be a representation of motherhood, nature and the creation of life. She is, quite simply, abundance in all its many forms.

The figure of the Empress is traditionally portrayed as a young, beautiful woman reclining in a natural setting that is the very picture of the fruitful earth she is meant to represent. Her attire is regal in nature – very much the vestment of an Empress – and includes richly embroidered robes, a diadem, and a scepter. Next to her couch rests a shield bearing the symbol of Venus, highlighting her connection to the concepts of desire and love. Behind her, a field full of corn is ripening and becoming golden in the sun while a waterfall flows in the distance to represent fertility and life force. In some tarot representations, the Empress is also very appropriately depicted as pregnant.

The Empress is often described as someone who derives her royal status through being the daughter of Heaven and Earth and all of the symbols included in her tarot portrayal support this. She is the very heartbeat of the earth and of all life. She is the divine potential represented by the cards that came before made real and tangible.

When the Empress makes an appearance in a tarot spread, she is relatively easy to interpret. When representing someone other than the querent, she is almost always going to stand for a mother figure. If she’s not the actual mother, then she is very likely someone who plays a similar role for the querent in one way or another. If the Empress is situated in such a way that she represents the querent herself, then it should be taken to mean that she is at a point in her life when she’s feeling somewhat maternal, although this does not have to be in a traditional sense that revolves around children. She may also be feeling protective or “motherly” in regards to a new business venture or a new relationship.

When the Empress decides to make an appearance, the message she sends is to take into consideration all the lessons that she teaches. Whether the situation in question involves a new business, a life change, or an actual baby, the Empress reminds us – whether we’re male or female – that if it is to thrive, it must be cared for, tended carefully, and nurtured until it reaches that next stage. However, it’s also important to note that it’s perfectly possible to be too protective. Too much care, attention, and nurturing could smother the potential of the project in question before it ever has a chance to realize its potential.

The High Priestess

The High Priestess is the third card in the tarot deck’s Major Arcana. The number associated with her is two as she is strongly connected to the concept of balance and all that it governs. Alternatively, she can stand for the powers of feminine intuition, as well as for the ever-fluctuating energies of the moon (wax and wane).

The High Priestess can be said to serve as a moderator or buffer between the world of man and the world that lies beyond the veil, as she has much to do with the concept of duality. She can also be described as the one that keeps the peace between the conscious and the unconscious, as well as to be the key to building our own balance between the two. She is a figure of great power, infinite knowledge, and untold potential. She is also a great keeper and protector of eternal mysteries.

The figure of the High Priestess is traditionally portrayed as an appealing, but imposing figure in touch with all of the greatest mysteries and most potent powers in the universe at large. She is young, beautiful, and clothed in long, pale garments that often have a shimmery, luminescent appearance to them. She sits regally upon a throne situated between two pillars – one black and one white – that represent the ancient, mystic temple while a curtain lies behind her, symbolizing the great divide between this world and the next. She wears a horned headdress that includes the lunar orb on her head and the solar symbol across her chest to emphasize her connection to the heavens. A lunar crescent often lies at her feet and she also is usually depicted holding a scroll meant to represent the Greater Law.

The image as a whole is meant to underline all the High Priestess stands for – understanding of and mastery over the divine mysteries of the universe, as well as the profound connection to the heavens above. The lunar symbols can also be taken to suggest her connection to the unconscious.

When the High Priestess appears in a reading in representation of someone other than the querent, the person in question is going to be a female figure with qualities very similar to those of the Priestess herself. She could either be a woman who has dealings with the spiritual side of life – a theologian, an astrologer, or a psychic perhaps. She could also simply be a mysterious or unusually wise individual – someone with extensive knowledge of many things or one who always seems to have an answer for every question. Sometimes she can represent someone who comes off as mysterious and untouchable, much like the Priestess herself.

When the High Priestess appears in a tarot spread in representation of the querent, she usually signals a time of study, discovery, investigation, or contemplation ahead. The querent may be coming into a time in her life when she will be spending much time doing research or taking on previously unknown knowledge or secrets, possibly in order to prepare herself to step into the next chapter of her life. This can come about in a number of ways. She may find herself spending a significant amount of time going through old letter, documents, and texts in search of information. Alternatively, she may be about to receive insight psychically through dreams, tarot, or other avenues along those lines. (Remember the High Priest governs the unconscious.)

The surrounding cards and exact positioning of the High Priestess card will be able to help define the specifics of what her appearance is meant to mean. At that point, the querent will better be able to decipher her message and determine how best to proceed.

Psychic Access Offers Free Tarot Card Reading

Psychic Access is offering a free 6 minute tarot card reading for all new registered users. They’ve even launched this new webmerical video to promote the offer.

To qualify for the reading, just visit the link below and sign up.

The Magician

The Magician is the second card of the tarot deck’s Major Arcana. The number associated with the figure of the Magician is one, as he stands for the power of creation — the act of taking the primordial potential represented by the Fool and transforming it into something of actual substance that is real, true, and tangible. The Magician could also rightly be represented by the concepts of divinity, magic, and power of an extremely potent variety.

On a basic level, the Magician represents many profound and monumental concepts along the lines of wisdom, power, action, and creativity. Just as the Fool is all about the initial potential of many things, the Magician is all about these same things made real and put into astonishing motion. The Magician quite literally has the power and this power has no limits or restrictions. He is the conduit for all the infinite wonders of the divine and the vessel through which this power flows into the world. He also represents the perfect union and balance of all things – positive and negative, creation and destruction, et cetera.

The Magician is traditionally depicted as a young, attractive, and robed male figure who has a definite air of confidence and “knowing” about him.  The sign of the infinite – or alternatively, the Holy Spirit – is above his head and his belt takes the shape of a serpent devouring its own tale, both emphasizing the timelessness and omnipotence of the Magician. In his right hand, he holds a wand that is pointed toward the heavens, while his left hand is pointing toward the earth itself (“as above, so below”). He is usually standing next to or behind a table that has the symbols of all four tarot suits placed upon it. A garden of roses and lilies typically grows in the foreground.

The Magician image as a whole is meant to symbolize man’s connection to the divine, as well as the earth’s connection to the heavens above. It also reminds us of the concepts of unity, eternity, aspiration, and all the ways these concepts fit into the life of man.

When you see the Magician pop up in a reading, he could stand for either the querent (if he is male) or for someone else. In the instance he stands for the querent, the Magician’s appearance could be taken to mean that said querent is going through a period during which he is feeling quite charismatic, witty, powerful, or “on point”. In addition to power and creation, the Magician can also stand for verbal eloquence and charisma, so the querent may simply be a good speaker, a convincing salesperson, or perhaps simply a person whom other people listen to, gravitate toward, or hold in high regard.

When the Magician stands for someone other than the querent himself in a reading, it is likely to be a figure with similar qualities to the ones listed above. The person in question could very well simply be a charismatic, magnetic individual, but it is important to note that he could just as easily be someone deceptive who uses his gift for persuasion to accomplish darker things. The Magician can represent people in certain professions as well – medicine, science, and invention to name just a few.

The Magician can also signal the revelation of new ideas and innovative new vistas when he shows up in a tarot spread. The querent may have recently come up with a groundbreaking new plan for a business endeavor, a possible solution to a dilemma, a fabulous new creative idea, or something else along those lines. The surrounding cards and the position in which the Magician appears in the spread will better define the exact nature of the revelation and advise the querent on how to proceed.

The Fool

The first card of the tarot deck is known as the Fool. The number attached to the concept of the Fool is zero, as he stands for the potential from which everything else in the universe and the human condition has developed. The Fool can also be likened on a philosophical level to such things as the first steps of a new journey, a seed being planted, or a birth.

At the core of its meaning, the Fool card represents new developments and new beginnings.  It can also stand for such intangibles as unpredictability, unfettered potential, and irrationality. This card deals with the world of infinite possibilities – the realm of the future in its primal, spontaneous state. Rational logic does not apply here and there is no guarantee that the possibilities foretold will be either good or bad. All the Fool can promise is that they will be utterly new and most likely unconnected to all that has gone before.

Although the image can vary from deck to deck, the Fool is traditionally portrayed as a traveler carrying a small knapsack or pack, happily ambling along on his way to the new beginning that awaits him in his future. He has no clear idea of where exactly he is headed or why, and he is blissfully unaware of the fact that there is a cliff directly ahead of him. He is also accompanied by a small dog that follows along at his heels and often appears to be barking or trying to get the traveler’s attention. Many believe that the dog is attempting to warn the traveler of the impending danger ahead.

The image as a whole not only portrays the walk into one’s own future and all the possibilities it may hold as a potentially carefree and enjoyable one, but also reminds the viewer that caution and awareness are essential in such endeavors if danger is to be avoided.

When the Fool card shows up in a tarot reading, it almost always stands for the querent himself as opposed to some other primary figure. Its appearance usually means that said querent is currently at a point in his life when new beginnings are desired, imminent, or being considered as possibilities. It can apply to a wide variety of situations – everything from a new romance, thoughts of a new career, a move, or anything else that would require a fresh start. However, no matter what the specifics, it’s likely that the querent feels that he’s at a point where the “reset button” has been pressed in regards to his life and he is now all the way back at the starting gate as a result.

It is also important to note that these are unlikely to be unwelcome situations in the eyes of the querent. In fact, he is very likely to be in the same mindset as the traveler in the Fool tarot card image. He may have little idea where he’s going, how he will get there, or what will happen next as a result, but he’s nevertheless optimistic and idealistic in regards to the idea of embarking upon this new adventure unfolding before him – perhaps too optimistic and idealistic.

Also like the traveler in the card, the querent would be wise to call upon some measure of rationality in his new endeavor — whatever it may be – as a cliff could very well be yawning before him. It’s all well and good to have a chipper, welcoming attitude about big changes or to daydream about the infinite world of possibilities opening up at long last – desirable even — but caution and care are important as well if disappointment and trouble are ultimately to be avoided.

The Power of Tarot…on Music

Here’s an interesting post on the San Francisco Bay Guardian about a re-release of a 1973 double LP by Walter Wegmüller titled, “Tarot.”

I love the quote by the Guardian’s astrology columnist.

“Tarot and music are as connected as a musician with deep knowledge of the cards wants them to be. Matter is vibration solidified, and spiritual content can be translated into sounds or music as much as words or even things. Style and execution are in the hands of the artist, of course, but there is tempo in each and every of the Tarot cards, as well as pitch. The disks/pentacles are deep and rich sounds while the swords are more reedy/tinny. The wands/staves move fast, while the cups flow.”

Tarot Card Joke

“I stayed up all night playing poker with tarot cards. I got a full house, and four people died.”

-Steven Wright, comedian

Celebration’s New Major Arcana Marketing Campaign

According to this post on the Boston Phoenix, indy group Celebration (think Katrina Ford) have fashioned the marketing of their latest musical creations after the 22 cards of the Major Arcana.

Says Ford, “We had 22 new songs, which is just a magical number in itself. It started to dawn on me that there are 22 major arcana. We had a song that fit exactly with the Magician card, and there were all these other little corollaries throughout the songs.”

The new Celebration songs can be heard at celebrationelectrictarot.com.

D&G, Naomi Campbell, and Tarot Cards

Apparently, the advertising campaign for D&G’s new Anthology fragrance line includes images that are based on tarot cards. The images are of naked models, including Naomi Campbell, and were photographed by fashion photographer Mario Testino.

What tarot card do you think Naomi’s picture represents?

(Answer: The Empress)

Are You Paying Attention? If Not, Tarot Cards Can Help.

In the latest installment of Laura Rowley’s Money & Happiness column on Yahoo Finance, she discusses a new book  on the science of happiness. In the book, “Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life,” behavioral scientist writer Winifred Gallagher concludes that if you want to be happy, you need to pay attention.

 
“Pay attention to what?” you might ask.

“To whatever your brain is focusing on,” Gallagher would answer.

As she explains in her book, allowing your mind to become monopolized by negative thoughts only makes the situation worse. If you are constantly thinking about a negative situation, your conceptual reality and options are limited. You are not allowing your brain to recognize that alternatives to the current situation exist. You can even become paralyzed by the fear and anxiety that the situation causes. By trying to refocus your brain to think more positively, you broaden your conceptual horizon and are able to recognize more options. This leads to better decision-making on how to deal with the current situation.

Tarot cards can help with training your brain to refocus. The imagery on each card serves as a guide and literally gives your mind something on which to focus. The cards can help you view your circumstances in a different light.

One way to use tarot cards to broaden your conceptual horizon is through a daily reading. You can use your entire deck or just the cards of the Major Arcana. First, sit in a quiet part of your home and take a deep breath. Now spread your tarot cards, face down, in front of you and select one. Pay attention to the pictures and symbols on the card and what they mean to you. Do you identify with any of the figures on the card? What imagery on the card, if any, sends you a negative message? What imagery, if any, sends you a positive message? Now ask yourself how the situation at hand is influencing the way you view the card. Is there an alternative way to read the card?

For example, let’s say you drew The Tower for your daily reading. Initially, you may see the card’s imagery as only reinforcing how you already feel in your current situation — out of control, chaotic, upheaval. But is there another message here? Could it be that you feel overwhelmed because you are only focusing on things over which you have no control?

Instead, what if you began to focus on the parts of your situation that you can control? In doing so, you will have expanded your options and increased your ability to make a better decision. Instead of feeling helpless you can begin to pay attention to the things in your life that you can influence, however insignificant they may seem at the time.

Or what if the card is offering a suggestion on how to better handle the same situation in the future? On the card above, the tower is severely damaged by lightning, but what if the tower could be rebuilt to better withstand lightning? Notice, I’m not saying that it won’t ever be struck by lightning again. The lightning is an act of God and is not something that can be directly controlled. What I’m pointing out here is that, should lightning strike again, the tower could be better equipped to handle the blow in the future. How might you prepare yourself to deal with or avoid a similar situation in the future?

Again, the above illustration is only an example. The meanings you gather from your daily reading will depend entirely upon you and your circumstances. But it does illustrate how using tarot cards can help refocus your brain away from constant negativity and thereby help you to recognize alternatives.

The power of paying attention is nicely summarized at the end of Rowley’s article by a statement by the poet W.H. Auden: “Choice of attention — to pay attention to this and ignore that — is to the inner life what choice of action is to the outer. In both cases, a man is responsible for his choice and must accept the consequences, whatever they may be.”