“Tarot Study Guide” a comprehensive framework for interpreting and studying Tarot to create your personal definitions of cards. An Infamous Arts Production Introduction / table of contents. The traditional tarot card definitions are composed of the confluence of various structural systems symbolized within the tarot deck itself. This guide offers a brief comprehensive look at these systems and allows the Reader to then work with her/his deck(which is usually accompanied with its own book of definitions) and create personalized meanings for the cards/read deeper information than just the provided definitions and Traditional “meanings” of the Cards. This guide is in no way meant to replace traditional meanings, nor specific-deck meanings. Rather, this is an amplification tool so added dimensions of meaning (personal, energetic, spiritual, etc) can be added to the readings. The concepts are introduced in no specific hierarchical order; all are interdependent on themselves to create the power and magic behind the tarot. This guide will provide a brief look into Astrology, Numerology, Elemental Correspondences and Kabbalah, Table of Contents: Preface - General Considerations Part 1: Alchemical Magic/Numerology Part 2: Astrological Associations Part 3. The Titles of The Cards Part 4. The Major Arcana Part 5. Qabalah and Tree of Life Part 6. The Court Cards General Considerations for Reading Cards Quantum Physics Principles Projection: This is the Inner world reflecting outer. Or “As above, so below.” All energy is a reflection of our Inner Energy (like a mirror) aka what we observe for is what we find. This is how Tarot cards access the subconscious energy of the Questioner and reflect Inner energy Outer, and Vice-Verse. Entrainment: Energy entrains with certain energies it holds within its field. Sometimes because they are similar, and sometimes because they are opposite ( aka something we “hate” ). This allows Tarot cards to reflect people, situations, memories, and ideas / wavelengths that the Questioner is involved with. Wavelength States: Every particle is both a particle and a wave. So everything solid can be thought of as wavelength states. Also, subjective experiences i.e. feelings can also be interpreted as wavelength states. Just like any waves, in Tarot when different wavelength energies meet, they can either enhance or diminish each other. Asking a Question When consulting the Tarot, avoid questions that remove responsibility from the Questioner. Avoid: Yes/No, “Should I..?”, “When/How Long...?”, one-solution questions Re-Phrase: More Insight into...What is the meaning of...What is best for... Reversals Not all Readers choose to use reversals. If reversals aren’t considered, use Ill-Dignities (covered later): Acronym for Reversals: TRIP – B T. Timing: Delayed/Coming up, or Completed/Moving away R. Repressed: In the subconscious, unaware of, Denial I. Imbalance: Excessive/too much of, or Lacking/not enough of P. Personal: Inner (vs. outer-observable), Subtle, Secret, Individual Self B. Blocked: Energy Not Flowing correctly, refusing Visual Imagery – 3 Layers of Meaning 1. Practical (What's Happening) 2. Moral/Allegorical (Story/Lesson) 3. Spiritual (Deeper Meaning of the Card's Energy) How to read a Tarot card Using this Guide In order to read a Tarot card, the Questioner must consider: 1. The Element and it's Dignitaries 2. The Zodiac Sign and Astrological Influence (planet) 3. The quality of the sign (using decants) 4. The Number 5. The Qabalist associations to the Tree of Life 6. Picture/Visual Imagery 7. Reversals (if applied) 8. Traditional Tarot Meanings of the Cards (not covered in this guide as there is extensive information available on-line, in bookstores, etc) Part 1: Alchemical Magic in Tarot The four Elements and the Suits in Tarot: Each suit corresponds with one of the four elements of alchemical magic: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. These Elements (also called Intelligences as they are considered intelligent consciousnesses) are not the 4 manifestations we see on earth physically, but actually the 4 conditions in which Energy can exist. Elemental Fire is like an over-state of matter, the spiritual electricity which starts particles to form relationships. Element of Air is the capacity to achieve these relationships, Elemental Water the flowing protoplasm in which these relationships manifest, and Element of Earth is the inorganic matter which spirit animates. Fire – Hot and Dry Air – Hot and Moist Earth-Cold and Dry Water – Cold and Moist Fire/Wands: Will /Rule, desire, growth, inspiration, purpose behind action, meaning is in experience (not form), self-growth, creativity, expanded awareness, enthusiasm. Fire is Warm and Dry, it expresses action of the Will. It is hot, explosive, and consuming. Water/Cups: Emotion / Love, receive and respond to impulse, imagination, relationship, inner connectiveness, Water is Cool and Moist, it expresses action of the emotions. It is flowing, fluid, takes shape, reflects. Air/Swords: Thought / Challenge, beliefs, memories, organization, judgments, logic, rationality, communication. Air is Warm and Moist, and expresses action of articulate thought, quick, inconstant, motion. Earth/Pentacles: Sensation/Toil, fruits of labor, ground for ideas to grow, appreciation of form/body aka valuing the physical experience, mastering our Matter, celebrating the energy behind/underneath the matter. Earth is Cool and Dry, it expresses action of the body, solid, physical, resistant to change, sensation-based. Elemental Dignitaries: When examining Tarot cards together, it is necessary to consider what is called their Elemental Dignities. First, if an element is upright it is considered Dignified. If it reversed, that element is considered ill-dignified (weakened) Elements that are dignified either amplify or diminish each other. Fire and Water diminish each other (clash), as do Earth and Air. Fire and Air amplify each other, as do Water and Earth. Fire and Earth are Neutral with each other, as are Water and Air. So an example of how this might work: 3 cards are drawn: A reversed Cups next to an Upright Fire and Upright Earth. As the cups is reversed, it is Ill-dignified, so the upright fire energy will predominate without much clash. Mixed with earth, both are Neutral for each other and Dignified, so there is no real effect. Order of Minor Arcana - Numerology Why to understand the numerology? In Tarot, while reading cards that show up in a spread, it is important to mentally place and understand where in the Sequence of that Suit the number lies, especially the card preceding and and immediately following. For instance if you Drew a 5 of Wands, it puts the Situation into context (something stable – the 4 – has become unbalanced and is causing conflicts – the 5 – but will lead to a harmonious victory – the 6) Aces: Aces are considered the Root Power of the Element (it's suit). Aces are the unformed beginning of the energy (before it starts to manifest on the 3d Plane). Aces represent New Beginnings, New Energy, unity, wholeness, intent, willpower, manifestation, and infinite potential. They mark the beginning of the Minor Arcana Cycle. Twos: Twos represent Duality, opposites, Yin and Yang energy. Twos also represent choices, balance, partnerships, mirror-image, separation, decision. Threes: Threes represent Creation, mastery, advancement, and integration . Solid Manifestation that leads out of the Two. Something new is coming out of the Two. Fours: fours represent Stability, achievement, foundation. After the creation of the 3, it is stabilized by the 4. Fives: Fives represent Change, Chaos, Disorder in the 3d plane – the 4 becomes destabilized and goes of balance into the 5. they also represent passion, adventure, travel, and new possibilities. Sixes: Sixes represent Harmony, growth and Interconnection. After the change of the 5, they are a re- stabilization of energy, and usually involve an equal give/take relationship. Sevens: In numerology, sevens represent the dream side of the six. The element which was balanced in the 6 becomes off-centered in the 7, and tends to dominate. Sevens represent spirituality, mysticism, and healing Eight: Eights impose order on the off-balancing of the 7. Eights are a call to action: the unformed energy of the 7 now becomes manifest in the Eight. Eights bring good luck, new opportunity, abundance, revitalization, and progress towards completion. Nines: Nines are the Completion of the Cycle of Elements. They are the Attainment and Final Expression of the Elemental Situation occurring. Tens are Zeros. Tens are the transition between the 9 and the 1; the completion of one cycle and the prelude (setting up of energy patterns) to begin another cycle. While tens appear fixed, they always represent a change coming up as the Loop begins to Run again. Part 2. Horoscopes and Astrology Much of the Tarot Meanings are drawn from the representation and interaction of astrological forces within the cards. Planetary Influences: Just like in a Horoscope Chart, each planet Exudes an influence over the Minor (and Major) Cards it is associated with. The Planets effects on the cards are: Sun: Brightness, Clarity, Divine Influence, Moon: Subconscious, Secret, Emotional, Psychic, Saturn: Delay of Rewards until Earned, Gain Strength through Trial and Difficulty, Self-Control and Limitation, Patience, Stability, Realism, Courage, Integrity, Loneliness/Depression Mercury: Intelligence, Speed, Agility, Mental Activities, communication, Movement, Travel, Sensory Input (taking