Divination: Tarot & Oracle

Tarot and oracle divination is really one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself. It is for guidance, insight, inspiration, healing, prediction, clarity and confirmation. I find both Tarot and Oracle to be ways to tap in with your own energy as well as the energy around you. Tarot tells you a story about your current energy and surrounding energy and gives you insight and perspective on how to live life more fully and freely.

 Tarot was created by painters commissioned in northern Italy, going back as far as 1415. In the early twentieth century, A.E. Waite, created the most influential deck to date, the Rider Waite. It is also known as the Rider Waite Smite, referring to Pamela Colman Smith who illustrated. 

The Tarot deck includes seventy eight cards, divided into two groups, referred to as  “Arcana”, which came from the Latin root word “arcanus,” meaning “secret”. The Major Arcana has twenty two cards, also known as trumps or keys and the Minor Arcana, known as the suits, are separated into 4 suits, similar to playing cards. 

Major Arcana

The major Arcana represent key turning points and decisions in life. The keys are a complete cycle, starting with “0 The Fool” and ending with “XXI The World”. The cards form a circle, also called “the Fool’s journey”, in which the Fool is reborn and travels through life physically, mentally and spiritually. The majors cards can give you an accurate pinpoint of what major phase you are in your life right now.

0 The Fool

• Keywords: new beginnings, new opportunities innocence, new challenges, risk
• Reversed: foolishness, not being open to new opportunities, idealistic  thinking, 
• The Fool signifies the beginning of the major arcana cycle and also represents a major new life chapter. This is a call to action to adventure, a new journey into unknown territory, however it’s not without risk. The mountains represent challenges ahead; the cliffs represent dangers; and the dog barking is a reminder to look before you leap. Be open to embracing adventure and new opportunities heading your way, but be wary of the risks and challenges that are ahead.

I The Magician

• Keywords: action, success, willpower, co creation, 
• Reversed: being mislead/deception, miscommunication, delays to plans
• The Magician is the ultimate co creator, he has all the tools and resources for him to act on new projects, opportunities or travels. The sword symbolizing intelligence and reason, cup for heart/emotions, pentacle signifying security and finances and finally the wand for drive and passion. This card is calling you to take a chance on yourself by focusing on what it is you want to accomplish and put the action required behind it. Create and in turn co-create the life you want!

II The High Priestess

• Keywords: wisdom, the ethereal/spiritual world, intuition, sacred space
• Reversed: using secret knowledge for personal gain, following a wrong path 
• The High Priestess is the clairvoyant communicator between the spiritual and earthly planes. This card signifies the importance of inner guidance, intuition, the need for privacy and keeping secrets.  The High Priestess is the wisdom keeper for learning and mentoring, as well as the guide who connects you when the time is right. Value your privacy and spiritual practice.

III The Empress

• Keywords: creativity/creation, abundance, generosity
• Reversed: financial/fertility issues, creative blocks, or relationships out of balance
• The Empress brings the energy of abundance, giving finances, relationships and creative projects a thriving umph. This is also an indication that harmony and balance will be beneficial to you. The Empress, known as the earth goddess, is generous, able to give and receive love and support. She also connects us with the cycles of family, fertility and nature. 

IV The Emperor

• Keywords: traditional “father” figure, authority, order, security, drive/ambition
• Reversed: feeling restricted by traditional beliefs & values or indicating a overbearing father figure
• The Emperor signifies the father figure, aka the traditional male figure of authority and is an indication that you are now in control of your current situation. You have now taken the reigns and are being given confirmation to continue on your current path with due diligence and determination. Spirit is calling you to get organized and set your priorities straight. Making a plan and stick to it, as due process is going to benefit you the most in this situation. He represents authority, reminding you that as you take on more blessings and abundance, your responsibilities will grow as well.

V The Hierophant/Guru

• Keywords: education, unity, consciousness, spiritual direction, balance in power
• Reversed Keywords: abuse of power, bias criticism, unwilling to learn & accept new responsibility
• The Hierophant symbolizes unity, however it also represents education, traditional beliefs, society/collective consciousness, and commitment. He comes to you in a spread when you’re about to level up, he reminds you to honor your growth and journey by setting yourself up for success. This card shows balance within one’s connection to self. He can show up in love readings as a sign of marriage or career wise, a community role or reaching new levels with a creative or entrepreneurial venture. Commit to your investment by being open to learning.

VI The Lovers

• Keywords: Balance in love and relationships, harmony, maturity, important decisions
• Reversed Keywords: being disappointed in a relationship, taking the easy way out
• The Lovers represent love and relationships, as well as harmony between the divine masculine and feminine. This card indicates that an important decision is to be made and for you to choose the path that supports your future self. It reminds you to look beyond short-term gratification and look towards what will bring you long-term fulfillment. Traditionally, this card is associated with making a choice in love, such as deciding between being in a committed relationship or being single; choosing between long-term love or lust (love triangles/polygamy associates with this card as well); or choosing between potential suitors.

VII The Chariot

• Keywords: A journey, perseverance, victory, determination
• Reversed Keywords: Egotistic, arrogance, overlooking, delays
• The Chariot shows that you are moving victoriously on your journey. The light and dark symbolizes the ebb and flow of the Universe. Keep in mind that as your blessings grow, your challenges will meet right up to them. Spirit is calling you to take responsibility for your life and to honor your growth and progress. This card can foretell significant phases in your journey, a new job, a new house and vehicle. It can also indicate a commitment to self or partnership/relationship. The charioteer guides his chariot with his will, symbolizing that consistent determination moves him forward. The sphinxes symbolize light and dark in the charioteer and the stars are divine protection from the Universe, reminding you that your determination will bring you continued success.

VIII Strength

• Keywords: Inner strength, patience, tension, courage
• Reversed Keywords: avoiding confrontation, low energy, self doubt, 
• The Strength card reminds us of our limitless higher self that is always within and with us. The young woman symbolizes our higher self, the lion symbolizes our core instances. She reminds us to stand our ground, to embody peace and patience in our minds and hearts. The strength shows up in a reading when we need to call on our inner strength, to stand our ground and confront a challenge with confidence.

IX The Hermit

• Keywords: isolation, healing, solitude, reflection
• Reversed Keywords: involuntary isolation, feeling unsupported, rejection
• The Hermit reflects on his past experiences, only guided by the light in his lamp, alone in darkness. This card symbolizes a period of reflection and solitude by choice to heal by meditating, studying, writing, or just time to rest. You may be feeling called to contemplate on recent events and accept responsibility for your well being and roles within everything. It’s time to look within yourself for the answers that you are seeking externally.

X The Wheel of Fortune

• Keywords: competition, fate, improvement, hope, intuition
• Reversed Keywords: changes are on the horizon, a new phase is coming
• The Wheel of Fortune brings you the gift of luck, hope and optimism. Good fortune is just around the corner. All your worries will be taken care of, so focus on your best possible future. This card can also indicate a connection with other realms as it is linked with fate. Appearing with the High Priestess indicates psychic ability, especially that you are going to be stepping more into your abilities.

XI Justice

• Keywords: balance, objectivity, perception, resolution
• Reversed Keywords: unfairness, discrimination, prejudice
• The Justice indicates judgment of you by others, rather than yourself. It reassures you that if you have recently been wronged, mistreated or brought to judgement that the situation will be resolved in your best & highest good. Continue to speak the truth and as long as you are deserving, justice will be served. In a reading, this card generally indicates legal proceedings and matters. Past mistakes will turn out to have served you for your best and highest good.

XII The Hanged Man

• Keywords: patience, enlightenment, sacrifice, suspended in time
• Reversed Keywords: being naive, not seeing the bigger picture,
• The Hanged Man indicates a period of calm before the storm. He is hanging in limbo and is calm as he knows that it is temporary and allows himself to be enlightened by his past experience and prepares himself for what’s to come. There’s a higher purpose and further insights that awaits for your awareness and discovery. Spirit is calling you to look at our situation from a new perspective, it’s all happening FOR you, not to you.

XIII Death

• Keywords: ending a cycle, transformation, releasing the past
• Reversed Keywords: resistance to change or moving forward, holding on to the past
• The Death card isn’t speaking about physical death, but an end to old cycles in a process of changes in life. This card comes up when you are ending a cycle, reminding you to release anything that no longer serves your best and highest good. It’s time for you to let go of any blockages or old limitations, fears, doubts, that may be holding in the past and make room for all that is already on its way to you. This is a transformation and rebirth for you, focus on your healing and feel to heal.

XIV Temperance

• Keywords: balance, healing, divine/angelic guidance, reconciliation
• Reversed Keywords: being a martyr, overwhelmed, overspending, debt
• The Temperance angle has ever-flowing water filling both cups in two directions, symbolizing that we are witnessing a miracle! It’s time to readjust in your best interest and like water, flow with the pressure and demands of life. You deserve emotional balance, your emotions are your energy in motion; maintaining balance and focus will ensure that your energy is used for what you want. The angel also symbolizes that you have help, just ask for it; your spirit team and angels specifically are waiting to assist you in whatever way you need them to. Utilize their support, love and guidance to help you make decisions in your best interest.

XV The Devil

• Keywords: outside influence, root of your beliefs/values, temptations, contracts, agreements, enslavement
• Reversed Keywords: the “devil” in your life might be you and your mindset, you are able to bring the ties that are holding you back
• The Devil card symbolizes the awareness of how other’s fear, opinions, limitations and doubts that may have been absorbed by you and limiting you from being all that you can be. It represents temptations, agreements and contracts between you and others. The chains symbolize enslavement due to limitations and sometimes physical limitations. You are always the only thinker in your mind; no person, place or thing has any control over you and what you choose to think. This card often comes up as a wakeup call to do your shadow work and deal with your emotions in a more positive and effective manner.

XVI The Tower

• Keywords: sudden shifts, “rug pulled from under your feet” energy, destruction, enlightenment
• Reversed Keywords: moving through changes and conflict with ease, making positive strides under pressure,
• The Tower card comes during times of transformation and rebirth, complete with sudden changes and most of all alignment. Tower moments remind us that when our foundations aren’t built strong, we need to reevaluate and start over anew. We are given a new chance each day, each moment, each breath to live the life we want and deserve. It may feel like the world is falling apart, but the Universe is rearranging in your favor. Reflect on your lessons and experiences and let go of what no longer benefits you.

XVII The Star

• Keywords: hope, inspiration, divine purpose, balance with self love & care, creativity
• Reversed Keywords: need for self investment, tapping in with self, perseverance/purpose
• The Star reminds us that there is always hope. You are constantly being give signs, divine guidance pushing us towards our purpose. You operate best when you are balanced and your cup is filled. This card is calling you to tap into your inner guidance and wisdom to empower yourself and give yourself the hope you’re looking for. The best investment you can make is in yourself. The biggest star symbolize your inner light and the other 7 stars represent the chakras all in balance. You have a greater purpose and that is to be yourself because only you can be the best you!

XVIII The Moon

• Keywords: lack of following intuition, illusions, dreams, crisis/challenges, fear, anxiety, avoiding the issue
• Reversed Keywords: inner confusion, repressed emotions, call to attention to lunar cycles/magick
• The Moon is a symbol of the subconscious, intuition and dreams. The dog and wolf symbolize the tamed aspects within your unconscious mind. The Moon often times show up when you are projecting fear and the past into the present and future. You need to feel through your emotions and allow them to be there and pass without you reacting to it. This is a call to be more self aware of your triggers. You are in need of healing, tap into the different tools available to you such as therapy, hypnosis, energy healing to help support your healing process.

XIX The Sun

• Keywords: new life, success, protection, happiness, health, joy, positivity, warmth
• Reversed Keywords: inner child needing attention, not recognizing self worth, rushing your journey and soul’s purpose, there’s no specific negative meanings other than being cautious of how your mindset can alter your perceptions.
• The Sun shines its light into your life reminding you of the power of positivity and optimism. A big sun in the sky, representing the source of all life on Earth. The four sunflowers grow tall above a brick wall representing the four elements and suits of the Minor Arcana. The child represents your connection to your inner child and his nakedness is symbolic of the innocence and purity of childhood. The Sun card often times come up to remind us that things will get better and your happiest moments haven’t even happened yet! Everything is working out in your favor! The Sun connects you with your Solar Plexus, your center of your willpower, sense of self and identity. It reminds you that you are always connected to the abundant, inner energy that’s radiating from you RIGHT NOW!

XX Judgement

• Keywords: judgement, forgiveness, awakening, assessment, optimism, rebirth, acknowledgment of personal growth, absolution, inner calling
• Reversed Keywords: judging yourself too harshly, living in the past, holding yourself back by reliving past experiences, not being in the present, relentless inner critic, self doubt, ignoring the call
• The Judgement depicts naked men, women, and children rising from their graves, arms open and looking up at the sky, where Archangel Gabriel blows his trumpet. The people answer his call, ready to be judged. This card is calling you to raise your consciousness for the best and highest good of all. You are experiencing an enlightening experience and it’s time for you to realize that you are leveling up! You hear the call and are ready to follow through! Let go of old beliefs and limitations, embrace and embody all that you are. In a reading, the judgement shows up when you are reaching a significant phase in your journey. You have learned from your past experiences, shifted out of victim mentality and you are about to have full circle moments real soon.

XXI The World

• Keywords: Completion, reward, blessings, bliss, joy, happiness, success, fulfillment, travel, integration, accomplishment
• Reversed Keywords: no negative means other than possible delays, remember that time is not a factor, it will happen for you when it needs to, needing to seek personal closure so you can move on
• The World card represents the calm after the storm before the rainbow. It symbolizes that you are glowing with a new sense of fulfillment and wholeness that you’re about to reach a new level of completion and achievement. The World card invites you to reflect on your journey, celebrate your accomplishments and tap into your spiritual lessons and blessings. Celebrate that you’ve made it this far and that you’ve accomplished soul much of what you’ve wanted to be able to. Everything you have experienced has brought you to this moment and you now have a greater insight, sense of awareness and experience to continue to grow and enjoy further success.

Minor Arcana

The minor Arcana’s four suits correlate with one of the five elements.

• Cups representing water,  representing emotions, imagination, sensitivity, love and relationships.
• Pentacles/Coins representing earth. Earth is tied to the physical reality, the material world, the physical body, home, work, security and money.
• Wands representing air/wind, dealing with the aspects of the mind, analysis, thought, decision, and can show ego and opposition around, as well as fear and worry.
• Swords representing fire, representing passion, drive, creativity, desires, action, and communication.

  The court cards of each suit are the Page, Knight, Queen and King, respectively. These can be interpreted as people or situations. 

• Pages represent young people and situations, such as a new idea or starting a chapter in your life. 
• Knights represent action, Fire and Air (Knight of Wands & Swords) move hot & fast, which Earth (Knight of Pentacles) is slower and Water (Knight of Cups) is less forceful, think of going with the flow. 
• Queens and Kings represent achievement, a King of Pentacles is one who has reached the physical abundance and stability that they want, while King of Cups is one who has reached the ability to control one’s emotions and is now co creating the reality they want. 

Numerology in Tarot

• Ace: 1; beginnings, new situations, new people, the “spark”
• Two: 2; partnerships, decisions, the “choosing go with the spark”
• Three: 3; Acknowledgment, activity, the “setting out”
• Four: 4; Stability, support, the “oh this is nice”
• Five: 5; Instability, conflict, the “shake up”
• Six: 6; Harmony, improvement, the “adjustment”
• Seven: 7; Potential, ambition, the “seeing the vision”
• Eight: 8; Change, gateways/portals, the “break through”
• Nine: 9; Intensity, Ending of cycles, the “final push”
• Ten: 10; Completion, achievement, the “wrapping it up”