The loving goddess

What is tarot?

Tarot is a method of divination. It is used as a tool to project and unravel our inner self, our thoughts and feelings. Each tarot card symbolises something different. When seen together in a reading, they tell a story. This story relates to our lives and can influence the way we see our future.

How do the cards work?

There are 78 cards in a tarot deck. 56 of the cards are part of the ‘Minor Arcana’ and the other 22 are part of the ‘Major Arcana’.

Each card in the Major Arcana represents a stage in the journey from ignorance to wisdom. They represent different archetypes and which archetypes are in play for each reading. The cards are part of a progression and therefore it’s important to remember where each card comes from and where it goes.

The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana deal with specifics rather than the big picture. Once again, each card represents a point in a pathway. However, unlike the Major Arcana, the Minor Arcana is spilt into 4 suits and therefore there are 4 paths.

What are the cards of the Major Arcana?

The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, The Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement and The World.

What are the cards of the Minor Arcana?

There are four suits in the Minor Arcana. They are the Wands, the Cups, the Swords and the Pentacles. Each suit has the cards 2-10 as well as an Ace, a Page, a Knave/Knight, a Queen and a King.

What do the suits represent?

The Wands represent creativity, desire and will. Their realm is physical. Their element is fire. They are active.

The Cups deal with emotions, relationships and love. Their realm is spiritual. Their element is water. They are receptive.

The Swords represent reason, logic, action and intellectual endeavours. Their realm is spiritual. Their element is air. They are active.

The Pentacles relate to worldly things: the body, finances, sensuality. Their realm is physical. Their element is earth. They are receptive.

How do I get a tarot deck?

You can be gifted one, you can buy one or you can make one. It’s up to you.

Are tarot decks oracle decks?

No. Tarot decks and oracles decks are both methods of divination but they are not the same. Neither is better than the other; you’ll just have to see what you prefer.

How do I bond with a deck?

You can sleep with it, interview it, shuffle it or just use it.

What do I do if I have more questions?

You can google them, message me, travel half way around the world to find the answer, climb onto my window ledge at 3 am etc etc. Basically, do whatever works for you to find the answer.

What do I do if I want a version of this post but on Instagram?

Swords/Air:

“Thinking” ➡️ I Think

Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Winter

When a reading is predominantly Swords, you’re dealing with mental struggles, conflict and arguments, and decisions that must be made.

Pentacles/Earth: 

“Sensation” ➡️I Have

Virgo, Taurus, Capricorn

Fall

When a reading is predominantly Pentacles, you’re dealing with material conflicts, financial matters and concerns with career and work.

Wands/Fire: 

“Intuition” ➡️I Want

Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Spring

When a reading is predominantly Wands, you are seeking solutions to issues that are based mainly in the realm of thought, or you may be seeking greater purpose and meaning in your life.

Cups/Water: 

“Feeling” ➡️I Feel 

Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Summer

When a reading is predominantly Cups, you are seeking solutions to what are primarily emotional conflicts, personal interactions, love matters, feelings and creativity.

✨🔮✨

For the new witches, or witches seeking further education into their practice, here are some essential tools you should acquire in your home. 

The Altar 

This is a place to do magickal work on for the new or already established witch. Charms or objects that speak to you should be on your alter. A large extravagant alter is not needed. You can use a shelf or tabletop. If you are born under a fire or earth sign, you may prefer to do your alter on natural wood. If you would rather cover your altar-top with cloth, lavender or deep purple are wonderful colors to decorate with, the most positive color to attract spiritual fulfillment. Chakra balancing and healing thus creating a perfect mood for magick is also associated with the purple hues. Placing your cloth on the floor for quick ritual access can also be done if you’re traveling or more discreet about your practice. 

Leanna’s Tip: “If an item’s position on the alter is not specified in the following list, then just placed it in a spot you feel comfortable with. Except for certain items, modern Wicca is quite flexible about the arrangement of tools on the altar” (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).   

The Pentacle

This is a very essential item a witch can use when casting spells. The five-pointed star, or pentacle/pentagram, is believed to date back are than five thousand years to ancient Mesopotamia. It is a powerful and positive symbol for many religions throughout history, as well as alchemy. The symbol was worn as an amulet in pagan times for spiritual protection and to ensure a safe, happy homecoming. 

The five points of the start represent the five elements (moving in clockwise direction):

Spirit (the top most point)

Water

Fire

Earth

Air

If you turn the pentacle upside down, it assumes the shape of a goat, symbolizing the horned got of some neo-pagan faiths. Westernization has made the upside down pentacle into some sort of tan and devil worship. Sensationalized in horror movies and the adoption of the upside down pentacle in darker magick has also given it a bad name. 

However, many witches that want to practice purely white magick will use the pentacle in its upright position to where the star’s image itself represents a person; head, two arms, two legs. It is normally worn on a necklace in this day and age. 

When casting spells, have the pentacle on yourself or your altar. You can also draw the pentagram symbol. But whatever you choose, place the pentacle in the center of your altar and arrange the other items around it. The size of your pentacle does not matter. 

Steps to take for your pentacle:

Charge it either by cleanse and blessing or leave it outside during a full moon.   Place your charged pentacle in the center of the altar to ward off negativity and protect 

(Robbins & Greenaway, 2014)

Candles

The representative of elements fire and air, most spells will include one candle or many candles. Always have a selection of colors at hand. The traditional candle to have is one white one on the altar to neutralize the energies. The best place to put this candle is near the back of the altar. No need to inscribe or anoint this candle, but bless it with water is advised. 

To bless with water, dip your fingers in some bottled water and run them over the candle while saying “this candle is now cleansed and blessed.” Dry it with paper towels.

(Robbins & Greenaway, 2014). 

Incense

When a spell is in progress, one must always burn incense! The magickal properties help create an atmosphere that is perfect and spell potency-boosting. There are many varieties of incense to choose from, but here are a few with their benefits and properties:

Basil: A very aromatic smell used for attracting wealth and prosperity and in fertility rituals. 

Eucalyptus: This will center and balance emotions. It is also an excellent in helping you make decisions. 

Frankincense: A spiritual disinfectant that is wonderful if anyone in the family has a cold, as well as any health spells. 

Opium: Sleep-induction and invigoration of psychic senses. Light about an hour before bed to sleep deeply. 

Sage: Used as a smudging stick or can be burned as incense. To cleanse the space in prep for a spell, burn sage. It is an automatic negative energy dispeller and gets the bad vibes out. 

Sandalwood: Warm, gentle and woody that relaxes and eases distress. 

Ylang-ylang: Enhances any love spell and attracts new love, harmonizing marriages and healing impotency problems. 

(Robbins & Greenaway, 2014). 

Soil and Water

For natural earth elemental symbols upon your alter, one should have these substances to bring balance and harmony to the work space. A small bowl or eggcup of garden soil should sit on one side of the pentagram. The water can be in a similar container sitting on the other side of the pentagram (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014). 

Salt

Salt is a wonderful source of protection and can be used in a lot of banishment spells of anything evil. Sprinkle a little sea salt over the altar cloth or put some on the altar in a small bowl (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014). 

Optional Tools 

Chalice

Symbolizes fertility, once represented the womb of the Goddess. The base of the vessel signified our world as we know it and the stem suggests rapport between humans and spirits. Filling it with magickal water and keeping it on the altar can be helpful. 

Cauldron

Used for making infusions and potions. If your spell calls for burning herbs, the cauldron can be a useful object since it is usually fashioned from copper or cast iron. 

Bell

Banishment spells call for bell-use the most. However, you can use a bell to indicate that a spell is about to begin, or to get rid of any unwanted vibrations. It can help settle the atmosphere for calm feelings again. 

Athame

This is also known as a ceremonial knife. Black handled, with a double-edged blade, it is an ancient tool that isn’t used on many altars today. Some witches will use an athame to inscribe their candles or cast a magickal circle around the altar before spell commencing. 

“To cast a magickal circle, hold the knife in your right hand and draw a circle clockwise over the altar, a few inches above the items on it. The athame works by conducting your powers through it, and it is to be used only for magikal purposes” (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014). 

Wand

Traditionally, these are crafted from wood of the willow, elder, apple, or cherry tree. You can buy wands many places, but it is recommended that you make yours yourself sincerely the magick is channeled into it by its maker. If you decide to make a wand yourself, you can use any tree branch you feel an affinity for. Always thank the tree for sharing its wood with you after. 

The length of the wand should measure from your elbow to the top of your index finger. Designs on the wood are welcome as well as painting it; decorate your wand however you like. You can charge your wand the same way you would a pentagram. 

For casting a spell, the wand is used as  summoning tool and also to bless and charge certain objects. Before your ritual begins, touch each object on your altar with the end of your wand to transfer the natural earth energy to the items, adding a little extra magick. 

“Some witches like to “draw down the moon” prior to casting a spell. This is a very old tradition that involves standing outside during a full moon phase and pointing the wand at the moon. It is thought that the moon’s power charges the wand, making its magick more powerful” (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014). 

Broomstick

The round-bottom of the broomstick, or besom, is most commonly associated with fertility, long used by female witches in fertility rituals and to sweep away negativity. The sweep, or brush part, is associated with female genetalia, and the staff is associated with the male phallus. Therefore, the broomstick is a symbol of the male and female combined. Besoms were often propped near the hearth of a witch’s home to keep evil energy from entering through the chimney (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014). 

Crystals & Gemstones

These beautiful rocks possess a pure, natural magick. Keeping some on your altar for their specific magickal purposes is recommended. Charge your gems and crystals in the full moon regularly (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).  

Feathers

Most spells invoke angelic energy, therefore use of feathers is common and called for. Place a selection of feathers on your altar to entice the angels to visit. Color coordination is okay in the practice with the candles you’re using. You can also use white for purity and peace (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014). 

The Book of Shadows

The Book of Shadows is a journal/diary for witches to keep close-by for jotting things down or spells down. Any type of notebook can be used, but because this is very private it is recommended to get something fancy or something that locks. When you cast a spell, write down the details of the ritual such as the date, the ingredients used, and the phase of the moon. Leave a place to record the results underneath somewhere. This is a wonderful way to pass down spells to your family (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014). 

References

1. The most important clues may be in the background! 

In the Rider Waite Smith deck, many cards show a figure with a number of significant items behind his or her back. What happens behind one’s back is, for oneself, something unseen, shadowy, something to which one has no conscious access. This could point to the idea that the figure in the foreground is unaware of the nature or scope of their issues. You can’t grasp what you cannot see, and that can reveal a lot about the nature of the card’s meaning.

2. The color of the sky reveals a lot!

Again referencing the Rider Waite Smith deck, the color of the sky on a given card often leads to a simple but important clue for its interpretation.

3. Pay close attention to proportions!

In the image of the Four of Wands, the figures are depicted much smaller than is the case in other images; they fall short. Or perhaps they are of normal height and are painted so small in order to emphasize the comparatively huge size of the wands. This sort of thing can be found in many other cards. 

4. Court cards represent developed personalities or facets of oneself!

The Queen: impulsive, an initiator, an investigator (water type)

The King: thorough, intensive, consolidating (fire type)

The Knight: magnifying, expanding, a drawer of consequences (air type)

The Page: makes something tangible out of or with the element in question (earth type)

4. Pay attention to numbers!

Numerology can play a big role in your interpretations of the cards, especially in the Minor Arcana:

Ones (Aces): Something new with vast potential is indicated when you have many aces in your readings. They are pure energy without form - and it depends on you to shape it and bring the opportunities that they represent into fruition. Because they are raw, they are also unstable, and can very quickly overwhelm if not taking care.

Twos: Coming together in pairs is the theme of the twos, and all the complexities that this union represents. We leave the individuality of the ones, and the twos are a taste of union. 

Threes: Group dynamics rule the threes in the tarot, and they depict different outcomes that can occur when a group comes together - whether they are groups of individuals, or groups of ideas. Because it is also symbolically thought of as completion (the first polygon, the holy trinity, etc) it also indicates an initial completion of a first phase of some sort.

Fours: The fours usually indicate that some foundation has been created and is ready to grow and evolve. To grow and evolve is the key here, because though the foundation is created, there is some disappointment indicated sometimes because things may not have progressed entirely as hoped for - thus, the fours are also the universe’s way of pushing us to grow and move forward.

Fives: Change, fluctuations and conflict are represented by the fives. After the fours, the fives are amplifications of that same energy. When that energy explodes, the fives ask us to look within ourselves for a deeper reason of why to progress. To move forward and beyond these instabilities, we have to push forward.

Sixes: While the fives represent conflict, the sixes represent the movement away from that conflict into a solution, whether they are internal or external, whether that means reconciliation or letting go. They are the cards of overcoming suffering, light after the dark.

Sevens: When seeing many sevens in a reading it usually indicates that it is a time to step back and introspect. The sevens ask us to assess, and reevaluate whether the path that you are taking is what is best for you. Sometimes this is a lonely pursuit, but this period is needed to go forward with your authentic desires.

Eights: A completion of a second phase is indicated with the eights, and usually corresponds to some sort of achievement, whether in the worldly sense, or in an emotional sense. Growth either way is indicated here, and sometimes it can take place in a form where we least expected it.

Nines: Nearing completion is indicated by the nines, and this can take the form of entering a plateau of some sort. What looks like the finish line, may actually be just a transitory stage. While the feeling of completion is here, it is usually just a pause before the final part of the cycle comes.