THE FOOL
THE FOOL
Basic TaroBasic Tarot Symbolt Symbolss
The fool in colorful motley clothes, pack
The fool in colorful motley clothes, pack tied to a staff, a small dog, a cliff.tied to a staff, a small dog, a cliff. See examples of different Fool cards here.
See examples of different Fool cards here.
Basic Taro
Basic Tarot Stt Storyory
With all his worldly possessi
With all his worldly possessions in one small pack, thons in one small pack, the Fool travels he knows not whee Fool travels he knows not where. Sore. So filled with visions and daydreams is he, that he
filled with visions and daydreams is he, that he doesn't see the cliff he is likely to fall over. Adoesn't see the cliff he is likely to fall over. At hist his heel, a small dog harries him or tries to warn him
heel, a small dog harries him or tries to warn him of a possi!le mis"step#.of a possi!le mis"step#. Basic Taro
Basic Tarot Meant Meaninging At $%, the Fool is the
At $%, the Fool is the card of infinite possi!ilities. The !ag on the staff indicates that he has all hecard of infinite possi!ilities. The !ag on the staff indicates that he has all he needs to do or !e anything he wants, he has only to stop and unpack. &e is on his way to a !rand needs to do or !e anything he wants, he has only to stop and unpack. &e is on his way to a !rand new !eginning. ut the card
new !eginning. ut the card carries a little !ark of warning as well. Stop daydreaming carries a little !ark of warning as well. Stop daydreaming andand fantasi(ing and watch your step, lest you fall and end up looking the fool.
fantasi(ing and watch your step, lest you fall and end up looking the fool. Thirteen's Observations
Thirteen's Observations )n the Ta
)n the Tarot, cards like The *agician or The &ermit can often stand rot, cards like The *agician or The &ermit can often stand for the +uerent or forfor the +uerent or for someone in the +uerent's life. The Fool, however, almost always stands for the +uerent alone, someone in the +uerent's life. The Fool, however, almost always stands for the +uerent alone, nono one else. )n standing for the +uerent,
one else. )n standing for the +uerent, the Fool represents a time of newness, a the Fool represents a time of newness, a time when life hastime when life has !een re"started as it were. The person feels that t
!een re"started as it were. The person feels that they are !ack at (ero, whether that !e inhey are !ack at (ero, whether that !e in romantic affairs, or career, at their -o! or
romantic affairs, or career, at their -o! or intellectual pursuits. Far from !eing intellectual pursuits. Far from !eing sad or frustrating,sad or frustrating, the +uerent feels remarka!ly free, light hearted and
the +uerent feels remarka!ly free, light hearted and refreshed, as if !eing given a refreshed, as if !eing given a secondsecond chance. They feel young and energi(ed.
chance. They feel young and energi(ed.
)n addition, they likely have no idea where they're going or what they're going to do. ut that )n addition, they likely have no idea where they're going or what they're going to do. ut that doesn't matter. For the Fool, the most important thing is to -ust go out and
doesn't matter. For the Fool, the most important thing is to -ust go out and en-oy the world. Toen-oy the world. To see what there is to see and
see what there is to see and delight in all of it.delight in all of it.
/nfortunately, in this childlike state the person is likely
/nfortunately, in this childlike state the person is likely to !e overly to !e overly optimistic or naive. A Fooloptimistic or naive. A Fool can !e a Fool. This is the
can !e a Fool. This is the card likely to turn up when card likely to turn up when a +uerent is thinking of investing hisa +uerent is thinking of investing his money in a new, sure fire !usiness. 0r when the +uerent is sure that it's love this time1 2ike money in a new, sure fire !usiness. 0r when the +uerent is sure that it's love this time1 2ike the Fool, they're so !usy daydreaming of what might !e that they're ignoring what is. They're the Fool, they're so !usy daydreaming of what might !e that they're ignoring what is. They're a!out to fall right off a cliff. )t's time for them to listen to that watchful little dog, which might !e a!out to fall right off a cliff. )t's time for them to listen to that watchful little dog, which might !e a concerned friend, a wise tarot reader, or -ust their instincts.
a concerned friend, a wise tarot reader, or -ust their instincts. As a card, the Fool ultimately stands for a
As a card, the Fool ultimately stands for a new start. When it turns up the +uerent might !e new start. When it turns up the +uerent might !e a!outa!out to make a move, not -ust to a new home, !ut new -o!, new life. There's more than -ust change, to make a move, not -ust to a new home, !ut new -o!, new life. There's more than -ust change,
renewal, and a !rand new !eginning in the Fool, there's also movement, a fresh, exciting new renewal, and a !rand new !eginning in the Fool, there's also movement, a fresh, exciting new time.
time.
REVERSALS: The Fool Reverse REVERSALS: The Fool Reverse
This is part of a
This is part of an on"going study n on"going study of reversed tarot cards. A reversed !asics.of reversed tarot cards. A reversed !asics. The Fool3
The Fool3
4enerally speaking the upright meaning of the Fool is that of !irth, new !eginnings, fresh starts, 4enerally speaking the upright meaning of the Fool is that of !irth, new !eginnings, fresh starts, -ourneys and exploration. )t can also mean not looking where you're going, !eing naive, foolish, -ourneys and exploration. )t can also mean not looking where you're going, !eing naive, foolish, potential disaster if you don't wake up from staring at the star
potential disaster if you don't wake up from staring at the stars and take a good look at what'ss and take a good look at what's directly ahead of you.
directly ahead of you. )f we were to go for a
)f we were to go for a simple, opposite meaning, the card might well mean simple, opposite meaning, the card might well mean an ending and5oran ending and5or wisdom. This is why opposite meanings don't really work for me.
wisdom. This is why opposite meanings don't really work for me. *ore apt is the !locked interpetation. )f the
*ore apt is the !locked interpetation. )f the energy of the Fool is all a!out starting somethingenergy of the Fool is all a!out starting something new, going somewhere new,
new, going somewhere new, then !locking that energy means that the then !locking that energy means that the 6uerent is having difficulty6uerent is having difficulty starting anew, moving, seeing the world with
starting anew, moving, seeing the world with fresh eyes.fresh eyes.
There is an implication of !eing stuck, uninspired. The Fool, if you will, is sitting at the side of There is an implication of !eing stuck, uninspired. The Fool, if you will, is sitting at the side of the road with !listers on his feet and rocks
the road with !listers on his feet and rocks in his shoes, una!le to go oin his shoes, una!le to go on his way.n his way. What if we turn
What if we turn the image upsidedown7 the image upsidedown7 )'ll use classic 8ider"Wa)'ll use classic 8ider"Waite here""!ut in reversing ite here""!ut in reversing image,image, interpeation, of course, will depend on the deck.
interpeation, of course, will depend on the deck. The cliff edge is hanging over the F
The cliff edge is hanging over the Fool and his feet have nool and his feet have no real purchase. We mio real purchase. We might say that he'sght say that he's falling, dropping off from under the rock to free fall through
falling, dropping off from under the rock to free fall through the yellow sky. 9verything, thethe yellow sky. 9verything, the sack, the dog, tum!le with him.
sack, the dog, tum!le with him. We m
We might well interpet this as ight well interpet this as the Fool in the Fool in 8ider represented !y Air#, getting completely lost 8ider represented !y Air#, getting completely lost inin his head, in hopes and
his head, in hopes and imagination, in talk of what he's going imagination, in talk of what he's going to do, completely surrendering toto do, completely surrendering to the sky, with no way to
the sky, with no way to actually walk toward actually walk toward anything, even disaster. This, we might say, is theanything, even disaster. This, we might say, is the Fool doomed to Foolishness that makes sense on
Fool doomed to Foolishness that makes sense only to him. &e is not in the ly to him. &e is not in the real world andreal world and whatever he proposes cannot !e made real.
whatever he proposes cannot !e made real. The R
The Reversed Feversed Fool is no lonool is no longer spontanger spontaneous and careous and carefree. He can’t efree. He can’t easily go foreasily go forwardward in what he wants to do. He is having trouble being impulsive, joyful and in what he wants to do. He is having trouble being impulsive, joyful and happy-go-lucy. He may be undependable and running away from responsibility....the dog lucy. He may be undependable and running away from responsibility....the dog indicates someone in the Fool’s life who is trying to caution him from maing the indicates someone in the Fool’s life who is trying to caution him from maing the wrong choice ! doing the wrong thing"but in the Reversed Fool, the person
wrong choice ! doing the wrong thing"but in the Reversed Fool, the person probably has got fed up trying to warn the Fool
probably has got fed up trying to warn the Fool
#$%&'&$( #$%&'&$(
renewal, and a !rand new !eginning in the Fool, there's also movement, a fresh, exciting new renewal, and a !rand new !eginning in the Fool, there's also movement, a fresh, exciting new time.
time.
REVERSALS: The Fool Reverse REVERSALS: The Fool Reverse
This is part of a
This is part of an on"going study n on"going study of reversed tarot cards. A reversed !asics.of reversed tarot cards. A reversed !asics. The Fool3
The Fool3
4enerally speaking the upright meaning of the Fool is that of !irth, new !eginnings, fresh starts, 4enerally speaking the upright meaning of the Fool is that of !irth, new !eginnings, fresh starts, -ourneys and exploration. )t can also mean not looking where you're going, !eing naive, foolish, -ourneys and exploration. )t can also mean not looking where you're going, !eing naive, foolish, potential disaster if you don't wake up from staring at the star
potential disaster if you don't wake up from staring at the stars and take a good look at what'ss and take a good look at what's directly ahead of you.
directly ahead of you. )f we were to go for a
)f we were to go for a simple, opposite meaning, the card might well mean simple, opposite meaning, the card might well mean an ending and5oran ending and5or wisdom. This is why opposite meanings don't really work for me.
wisdom. This is why opposite meanings don't really work for me. *ore apt is the !locked interpetation. )f the
*ore apt is the !locked interpetation. )f the energy of the Fool is all a!out starting somethingenergy of the Fool is all a!out starting something new, going somewhere new,
new, going somewhere new, then !locking that energy means that the then !locking that energy means that the 6uerent is having difficulty6uerent is having difficulty starting anew, moving, seeing the world with
starting anew, moving, seeing the world with fresh eyes.fresh eyes.
There is an implication of !eing stuck, uninspired. The Fool, if you will, is sitting at the side of There is an implication of !eing stuck, uninspired. The Fool, if you will, is sitting at the side of the road with !listers on his feet and rocks
the road with !listers on his feet and rocks in his shoes, una!le to go oin his shoes, una!le to go on his way.n his way. What if we turn
What if we turn the image upsidedown7 the image upsidedown7 )'ll use classic 8ider"Wa)'ll use classic 8ider"Waite here""!ut in reversing ite here""!ut in reversing image,image, interpeation, of course, will depend on the deck.
interpeation, of course, will depend on the deck. The cliff edge is hanging over the F
The cliff edge is hanging over the Fool and his feet have nool and his feet have no real purchase. We mio real purchase. We might say that he'sght say that he's falling, dropping off from under the rock to free fall through
falling, dropping off from under the rock to free fall through the yellow sky. 9verything, thethe yellow sky. 9verything, the sack, the dog, tum!le with him.
sack, the dog, tum!le with him. We m
We might well interpet this as ight well interpet this as the Fool in the Fool in 8ider represented !y Air#, getting completely lost 8ider represented !y Air#, getting completely lost inin his head, in hopes and
his head, in hopes and imagination, in talk of what he's going imagination, in talk of what he's going to do, completely surrendering toto do, completely surrendering to the sky, with no way to
the sky, with no way to actually walk toward actually walk toward anything, even disaster. This, we might say, is theanything, even disaster. This, we might say, is the Fool doomed to Foolishness that makes sense on
Fool doomed to Foolishness that makes sense only to him. &e is not in the ly to him. &e is not in the real world andreal world and whatever he proposes cannot !e made real.
whatever he proposes cannot !e made real. The R
The Reversed Feversed Fool is no lonool is no longer spontanger spontaneous and careous and carefree. He can’t efree. He can’t easily go foreasily go forwardward in what he wants to do. He is having trouble being impulsive, joyful and in what he wants to do. He is having trouble being impulsive, joyful and happy-go-lucy. He may be undependable and running away from responsibility....the dog lucy. He may be undependable and running away from responsibility....the dog indicates someone in the Fool’s life who is trying to caution him from maing the indicates someone in the Fool’s life who is trying to caution him from maing the wrong choice ! doing the wrong thing"but in the Reversed Fool, the person
wrong choice ! doing the wrong thing"but in the Reversed Fool, the person probably has got fed up trying to warn the Fool
probably has got fed up trying to warn the Fool
#$%&'&$( #$%&'&$(
Basic !ar Symbols Basic !ar Symbols
8ed : White coloring, the lemniscate infinity sym!ol#, a small wand, a ta!le
8ed : White coloring, the lemniscate infinity sym!ol#, a small wand, a ta!le displaying adisplaying a chalice, a pentacle, a
chalice, a pentacle, a staff wand# and a sword.staff wand# and a sword. See examples of different *agician cards here.
See examples of different *agician cards here.
Basic Taro
Basic Tarot Stt Storyory
Traveling on his way, the Fool first encounters a
Traveling on his way, the Fool first encounters a *agician. Skillful, self"confident, a powerful*agician. Skillful, self"confident, a powerful magus with the infinite as a halo floating a!o
magus with the infinite as a halo floating a!ove his head, the *agician ve his head, the *agician mesmeri(es the Fool.mesmeri(es the Fool. When asked, the Fool gives over his !undled pack and stick to the *agician. 8aising his wand to When asked, the Fool gives over his !undled pack and stick to the *agician. 8aising his wand to heaven, pointing his finger to 9arth, the
heaven, pointing his finger to 9arth, the *agician calls on all powers; magically, the cloth of the*agician calls on all powers; magically, the cloth of the pack unfolds upon the ta!le, revealing its contents. And t
pack unfolds upon the ta!le, revealing its contents. And to the Fool's eyes it is as if the *agiciano the Fool's eyes it is as if the *agician has created the future with a word. All the possi!ilities are laid out, all the directions he can has created the future with a word. All the possi!ilities are laid out, all the directions he can take.take. The cool, airy Sword of intellect and
The cool, airy Sword of intellect and communication, the fiery Wacommunication, the fiery Wand of spirituality and am!ition,nd of spirituality and am!ition, the overflowing <halice of 2ove and
the overflowing <halice of 2ove and emotions, the solid =entacle of work, possessions and !odemotions, the solid =entacle of work, possessions and !od y.y. With these tools, the Fool can create anything, make an
With these tools, the Fool can create anything, make an ything of his life. ut here's the 6uestion,ything of his life. ut here's the 6uestion, did the *agician create the tools, or were they already in the pack7 0nly the *agician knows " did the *agician create the tools, or were they already in the pack7 0nly the *agician knows " and on this mystery, our elo6uent mage refuses to say a word.
and on this mystery, our elo6uent mage refuses to say a word. Basic Taro
Basic Tarot Meant Meaninging
At $>, the *agician is the male
At $>, the *agician is the male power of creation, creation !y willpower and power of creation, creation !y willpower and desire. )n thatdesire. )n that ancient sense, it is the a!ility to make
ancient sense, it is the a!ility to make things -ust"so !y speaking them aloud And 4od said things -ust"so !y speaking them aloud And 4od said '2et'2et there !e 2ight1' and there was
there !e 2ight1' and there was 2ight#. 8eflecting this is the fact that the *agician is represented2ight#. 8eflecting this is the fact that the *agician is represented !y *ercury. &e r
!y *ercury. &e represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, epresents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Ala salesman. Also clever with theso clever with the sleight of hand *ercury was the god
sleight of hand *ercury was the god of thieves1# and a medicine man of thieves1# and a medicine man " either a real doctor or" either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake o
someone trying to sell you snake oil. The ? suits laid out !efore him remind us of the il. The ? suits laid out !efore him remind us of the ? aces,? aces, which in the Tarot sym!oli(e the raw, undeveloped, undirected power of each suit. When the which in the Tarot sym!oli(e the raw, undeveloped, undirected power of each suit. When the *agician appears, he reveals these to
*agician appears, he reveals these to you. The reader might well interpret this card as telling theyou. The reader might well interpret this card as telling the 6uerent that they will !e given
6uerent that they will !e given a vision, an idea, a a vision, an idea, a magical, mental image of whatever it is theymagical, mental image of whatever it is they most want3 the solution to a pro!lem, an
most want3 the solution to a pro!lem, an am!itious career, a love life, a -o!.am!itious career, a love life, a -o!. Thirteen's Observations
Thirteen's Observations )f any card
)f any card in the Tarot is the Tain the Tarot is the Tarot, it is the *agician. rot, it is the *agician. &e's one of &e's one of the most recogni(a!le the most recogni(a!le cards,cards, always a favorite. &e's also the only card
always a favorite. &e's also the only card in the ma-or arcana that refers to the in the ma-or arcana that refers to the minors with theminors with the trumps displayed upon his ta!le. )f the reader
trumps displayed upon his ta!le. )f the reader !elieves the *agician stands for the +uerent,!elieves the *agician stands for the +uerent, then the +uerent either is, or is currently finding himself elo6uent
oth ver!ally and in writing, he is clev
oth ver!ally and in writing, he is clever, wittyer, witty, inventive and persuasive. =eople listen and agree, inventive and persuasive. =eople listen and agree with him. &e also has an interest in science.
with him. &e also has an interest in science. &e might !e, in fact, a &e might !e, in fact, a doctor or scientist or inventor.doctor or scientist or inventor. Standing for someone other than the
Standing for someone other than the 6uerent, the *agician could !e 6uerent, the *agician could !e a skillful doctor, scientista skillful doctor, scientist,, inventor lecturer, salesman, or con"man. )t's important to remem!er that the *agician can as inventor lecturer, salesman, or con"man. )t's important to remem!er that the *agician can as easily !e clever as skilful, a trickster as well as a magician. This is someone with a magnetic easily !e clever as skilful, a trickster as well as a magician. This is someone with a magnetic personality,
personality, someone who can convince people of almost anything. For !etter or worse, hissomeone who can convince people of almost anything. For !etter or worse, his words are magic.
words are magic. *ost importantly,
*ost importantly, the *agician card stands for the reveal the *agician card stands for the reveal " as in a magic trick. The" as in a magic trick. The
handkerchief is draped over an empty !ox, the *agician waves his wand, presto1""now there is handkerchief is draped over an empty !ox, the *agician waves his wand, presto1""now there is a dove in the !
a dove in the !ox. The *agician card does the saox. The *agician card does the same for the +uerent""only what it reveals is notme for the +uerent""only what it reveals is not !irds or ra!!its !ut @9W i
!irds or ra!!its !ut @9W ideas. 9mphasis on @9W. deas. 9mphasis on @9W. When the *agician card appears, theWhen the *agician card appears, the +uerent is likely to say3 @ow there's an idea1 Why didn't
+uerent is likely to say3 @ow there's an idea1 Why didn't ) think of that !efore7 Truth is, the) think of that !efore7 Truth is, the +uerent had that idea in h
+uerent had that idea in his head all along. The *agician merely revealed is head all along. The *agician merely revealed it to him. ut whatit to him. ut what will the +uerent do with this idea7 That's a 6uestion for
will the +uerent do with this idea7 That's a 6uestion for the next card....the next card.... REVERSALS: The Magican Reverse
REVERSALS: The Magican Reverse
/pright, the *agican can stand for
/pright, the *agican can stand for either a person or possi!lities. As a person, he's usually seeneither a person or possi!lities. As a person, he's usually seen as someone with a great deal
as someone with a great deal of charisma, a pu!lic speaker, may!e a doctor or heaof charisma, a pu!lic speaker, may!e a doctor or healer.ler. )f not a person, the *agician is a
)f not a person, the *agician is a card of possi!lities. 0f having the tools avali!le those spreadcard of possi!lities. 0f having the tools avali!le those spread out on his ta!le# to make something that you want or need. The *agician speaks of magical out on his ta!le# to make something that you want or need. The *agician speaks of magical possi!ilities""he creates the im
possi!ilities""he creates the image for the 6uerent, what could !e, and presents the tools that canage for the 6uerent, what could !e, and presents the tools that can !e used to make that image a reality.
!e used to make that image a reality.
=utting it another way, the *agican card offers the 6uerent the vision of a new
=utting it another way, the *agican card offers the 6uerent the vision of a new home and thehome and the tools to make that home a
tools to make that home a reality.reality...if they're willing to put the work into it...if they're willing to put the work into it. So what does this card say reversed7
So what does this card say reversed7
># 0pposities3 There are negative aspects to the *agician card
># 0pposities3 There are negative aspects to the *agician card and a reader using reversal mightand a reader using reversal might simply save them for reversed cards. @egatives in this case are
simply save them for reversed cards. @egatives in this case are seeing the *agician as a snakeseeing the *agician as a snake oil man rather than a true d
oil man rather than a true doctor5healer, as a trickster rather than a shaman, as a con"artist ratheroctor5healer, as a trickster rather than a shaman, as a con"artist rather than a charismatic speake
than a charismatic speaker.r.
=ossi!lities !ecome -okes, empty promises rather than true visions of what could !e.
=ossi!lities !ecome -okes, empty promises rather than true visions of what could !e. This is theThis is the music man running off with the money rather than really teaching !oys how to use those music man running off with the money rather than really teaching !oys how to use those instruments and create a !and.
instruments and create a !and. # locked3 locked undou!tedly
# locked3 locked undou!tedly seems evident here. The charismatic speaker finds he can'tseems evident here. The charismatic speaker finds he can't move his audience, can't find
And there seem to !e neither possi!lities for the future, nor a way to to achieve such possi!lities. And there seem to !e neither possi!lities for the future, nor a way to to achieve such possi!lities. There seems to !e no way to make or get what is needed. The lum!er to !uild the house is there, There seems to !e no way to make or get what is needed. The lum!er to !uild the house is there, !ut the !lueprints and tools are missing.
!ut the !lueprints and tools are missing. B# /psidedown3 )f we imagine the 8ider"Wa
B# /psidedown3 )f we imagine the 8ider"Waite *agican reversed, we can see ite *agican reversed, we can see those tools fallingthose tools falling off the ta!le. 2ikewise, the *agician in that card
off the ta!le. 2ikewise, the *agician in that card points his wand to the sky and points his wand to the sky and finger to thefinger to the 9arth""drawing inspiration down from the heavens, as it were to
9arth""drawing inspiration down from the heavens, as it were to make it possi!le in the mundanemake it possi!le in the mundane world. /psidedown, earth at *agician's head, heaven
world. /psidedown, earth at *agician's head, heaven at his feet# we have the at his feet# we have the opposite. Whatopposite. What was possi!le !ecome impossi!le, a dream only seen a!ove not !elow.
was possi!le !ecome impossi!le, a dream only seen a!ove not !elow.
2ikewise, the lemniscate infinity sign# is now !eing crushed. )t no longer floats and offers 2ikewise, the lemniscate infinity sign# is now !eing crushed. )t no longer floats and offers infinate possi!lities. )t is underfoot as
infinate possi!lities. )t is underfoot as it were.it were.
Thus, everything the magician had to !e a *agician is lost to him. Thus, everything the magician had to !e a *agician is lost to him. 0riginally =osted !y
0riginally =osted !y "o"o"o "o"o"o
The magician reversed to me has always been the
The magician reversed to me has always been the mis-use of powermis-use of power. That the magician knows. That the magician knows full well that they are put
full well that they are putting their 'skills' to an imprting their 'skills' to an improper use but at the time the magicianoper use but at the time the magician appears reversed the subject is unable to see the error of their ways - it is not time yet to turn appears reversed the subject is unable to see the error of their ways - it is not time yet to turn the card upright....
the card upright....
) think <atch *e is also an
) think <atch *e is also an excellent example. And it points out something that, )*&0, isexcellent example. And it points out something that, )*&0, is important when dealing with the *agician. /pright or
important when dealing with the *agician. /pright or reversed, ) don't know that the *agicianreversed, ) don't know that the *agician is ever strongly moved !y morality or causes. &e's
is ever strongly moved !y morality or causes. &e's not the &ierophant. 8ight and wrong not the &ierophant. 8ight and wrong is veryis very fluid to him.
fluid to him.
2ikewise in <atch *e our con man doesn't turn around !ecause conning people hurts them and 2ikewise in <atch *e our con man doesn't turn around !ecause conning people hurts them and is morally wrong""he does it !ecause he finds app
is morally wrong""he does it !ecause he finds approval and applause and friendship in roval and applause and friendship in using hisusing his talents for the right reasons rather than wrong reasons.
talents for the right reasons rather than wrong reasons. The *agician likes approval and
The *agician likes approval and applause. )'m not trying to say he's callous or applause. )'m not trying to say he's callous or heartless orheartless or indifferent, -ust that he needs an audience and
indifferent, -ust that he needs an audience and his motivation for doing what he does is thehis motivation for doing what he does is the energy he gets from the people he
energy he gets from the people he either uses5helps. )f you want to turn him around, either uses5helps. )f you want to turn him around, show him heshow him he can get more energy from helping people, then using them.
can get more energy from helping people, then using them.
TH) H&%H *R&)+T TH) H&%H *R&)+T)++)++
Basic !ar Symbols Basic !ar Symbols
lue, white and !lack colors, po
lue, white and !lack colors, pomegranates, the moon crown of )sis, veil, solar cross, crescentmegranates, the moon crown of )sis, veil, solar cross, crescent moon. lack : white lotus, pillars stands for oa(,
meaning !eginning#. Scroll with the word Tora on it either the Cewish Torah or an anagram of Tarot, where the final letter is left unseen#.
See examples of different &igh =riestess cards here. Basic Tarot Story
<ontinuing his -ourney, the Fool comes upon a !eautiful and mysterious veiled lad y enthroned !etween two pillars and illuminated !y the moon. She is the opposite of the *agician, 6uiet
where he was lo6uacious, still where he was in motion, sitting while he stood, shrouded in the night where he was out in the !right of day. She is the &igh =riestess and she astonishes the Fool !y knowing everything a!out him. Since you know me so well, perhaps you can help me, says the Fool, laying out his sword, chalice, staff and pentacle. The *agician showed me these tools, !ut now )'m in a 6uandary. There's so many things ) could do with them. ) can't decide. )n
answer, the &igh =riestess hands over to him a pair of ancient scrolls. These will teach you how to decide. Seating himself at her feet, the Fool reads !y the light of her crescent moon. Finally, the Fool knows enough that he can now decide what he wants, where he will go, and what he will do. Though he suspects that the &igh =riestess has even more secrets she could teach him"" like what lies !ehind the pomegranate curtain""he is focused and ready to !e on his way.
Thanking the &igh =riestess, he heads off. ut as h e leaves he hears her whisper, 6uiet as the waters which !u!!le up from !eneath her throne, We'll meet again...when you're ready to travel the most secret path of all.
Basic Tarot Meaning
The &igh =riestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reve al to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent !y her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know in order to make a decision a!out a pro!lem or a -o!, an investment, love, career, family, etc.
And, finally, there is, !ehind her throne, the curtain that leads to the d eepest, most esoteric and secret knowledge; the pomegranates that decorate it remind us of =ersephone, who was taken down into the land of the dead, ate its fruit, and !ecame the only goddess allowed to travel to and from that strange land. This indicates that when you get the &igh =riestess, you're going to !e learning some very odd things. Dery odd.
)f there is a card that sym!oli(es the tarot reader it is the &igh =riestess. A woman or man1# of psychic powers, intuition and secret knowledge. Where the *agician is a!out revealing, the &igh
=riestess is a!out keeping things hidden !ehind the curtain. Things you know, !ut don't tell. )f the reader feels the &igh =riestess stands for the +uerent, then this is a time of solitary investigation and the passing on of secret knowledge. The +uerent might find themselves spending time in old li!raries, reading through dusty do cuments and letters, or studying old religious texts. Things kept secret will !e revealed to them. 2ikewise, these secrets might co me to them psychically !y way of visions or powerful instincts. )nsights may !e found in crystal !alls, tea leaves, dreams or conversations with spirits.
Standing for someone other than the +uerent, the &igh =riestess is usually read as a spiritual woman, a nun or astrologer, a teacher of archaic knowledge, or -ust a reclusive relative who knows many family secrets. She is a repository of o!scure knowledge, a walking li!rary with uncanny instincts and insights. She may, as well, come across as cold, unpredicta!le, even scary. As a card, the &igh =riestess is a!out knowledge. )'ve a new idea, says the 6uerent""thanks to the *agician. *ay!e they've reali(ed they want to !e an painter or run for office or open their own !usiness. ut how do they decide what they want to paint7 &ow do they decide which pu!lic office to run for7 &ow do they find out where to start their new !usiness7 Enowledge "
insider knowledge from some old expert !eing the !est. The more secrets the 6uerent knows, the easier it is to know what to do with the idea. This is the -o! of the &igh =riestess, to offer secret knowledge, like the moon on a dark night, so that the 6uerent can find their path. She sits
!etween the pillars of dark and light, existance and negation, wax and wane. All secret knowledge is hers.
REVERSALS: The H#S Reverse
/pright, the &igh =riestess is a mysterious card, !oth frightening and wond erful. Where the *agician is the charismatic show man with an audience, the &=S is the solitary lady guarding an ancient li!rary. Where the *agician is all a!out possi!lities, she is a!out impossi!lities. Secret knowledge, instincts, magic even. &er's is a card a!out personal and individual -ourneys across dark deserts to enlightenment.
She is also a!out that moment when opposites !oth exist !ut don't cancel each other out. When we stand !etween the pillars of light and dark, day and night...and need that secret knowledge or instincts or psychic power in order to know how to !est develop what we have 9xample3
5Wands""it isn't a choice !etween a wand and a pentacle, it's two wands. 8ather like &arry =ottery, the 6uerent needs a wand to do the -o!, !ut which wand will !est do the -o!7 And how do you start using it7""another example might !e a tarot reader deciding on that first deck...and first !ook to read#.
># 0pposite3 0nce again, there are negatives in the card that a reader might save for reversals. )n this case, secrets are kept, not revealed, the answer is searched for !ut not found, instincts are wrong. )n a more presonal sense, there is a cold streak to the &=S. She refuses to open the door, withholds her secrets except when they're hurtful. She's that nasty maiden aunt who lives alone and knows the dirt on everyone and uses it -ust to watch them s6uirm.
She can also !e that unpredicta!le teacher or woman""!rilliant !ut her mood changes are
downright scary. ou don't know if she's going to coldly answer your 6uestion""or !ite your head off.
# locked3 The !locking here really focuses on the instinctual or psychic energy. There is -ust nothing coming through. 0nce of those days when you do a tarot reading and the cards are -ust cards. They don't speak to you, you see nothing in them. 2ikewise, making a decision a!out anything seems impossi!le. The two wands look the same and you cannot tell the difference !etween them.
B# /psidedown3 There would seem to !e little difference if we turn the card upsidedown, !ut like the su!tle meaning of the &=S, the difference is similarly su!tle. Taking the 8ider"Waite image, she has the crescent moon at her foot and a well"spring of water !egins there that runs through other cards.
Turn her upsidedown and the water falls and runs dr y. The moon hangs a!ove rather than at her command. The curtain of pomegranates, shrouding the mysteries falls open and all that people should not see""that might !e damaging to see, they see. The =illars are on their crowns not on the !ase and cannot support themselves.
There is, in short, a loss of control. And the &=S, who holds opposites in delicate !alance, needs that control. )f all this is lost, then there is a kind of madness. <haos, indecision, a loss of secrets and knowledge.
TH) )#*R)++ Basic Tarot Symbols
A gown decorated with pomegranates, a crown of stars, a rod, a heart"shaped shield with the sym!ol for Denus, a field of ripe wheat.
See examples of different 9mpress cards here. Basic Tarot Story
&aving decided what shape his future will take, the Fool strides forward. ut he is impatient to make his future a full"grown reality. This is when he comes upon the 9mpress. &er hair gold as
wheat, wearing a crown of stars, and a white gown dotted with pomegranates. She rests !ack on her throne surrounded !y an a!undance of grain and a lush garden. )t is possi!le that she is pregnant.
Eneeling, the Fool relates to her his story. And she, in turn, smiles a motherly smile and gently gives him this advice3 2ike newly planted grain or a child in the wom!, a new life, a new love, a new creation is fragile. )t re6uires fertile soil, patience and nurturing, it need s love and attention. 0nly this will !ring it to fruition. /nderstanding at last that his future will take time to !uild and create, the Fool thanks the 9mpress and continues on his way.
=regnant. Well, not in the 8ider"Waite deck she isn't. ut she is in early decks, and it is an apt sym!ol for this card.
Basic Tarot Meaning
The 9mpress is a creator, !e it creation of life, of romance, of art or !usiness. While the
*agician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the &igh =riestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the 9mpress is the wom! where it gestates and grows till it is ready to !e !orn. This is why her sym!ol is Denus, goddess of !eautiful things as well as love. 9ven so, the 9mpress is more Gemeter, goddess of a!undance, then sensual Denus. She is the giver of 9arthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Gemeter did when her daughter, =ersephone, was kidnapped. )n fury and grief, she kept the 9arth !arren till her child was returned to her.
Thirteen's Observations
The 9mpress card is one of the easier trumps to read. She's *other. 4enerally, *other in a good sense, patient, loving, giving, generous. )f defining her as the +uerent, you can say that they are currently feeling like a mother hen, worried a!ou t their children, new !usiness, new creation, or new romance. *ale or female, they want to dote and hover and fret over every little snee(e and pro!lem. )f defining the 9mpress as someone related to the +uerent, well, it might well !e the
+uerent's *om, or a woman who's very motherly toward them.
0f course, the 9mpress can also !e the worst aspects of an attentive *om; she can smother, not know when to let go, !e possessive and -ealous of those who would take away her !a!y. )t is important for the +uerent to reali(e that plants can die from over"watering as easily as neglect. This card tells the +uerent that if they want their new romance, new career, new !usiness, new creation to grow into all it can !e they have to pay attention to it, !a!y it and !e willing to let it take those first steps when it is ready. *ost of all, like any pregnant mother or good gardener, they have to !e patient. All things need time to gestate and sprout.
The 9mpress is all a!out creation. )t's a!out planting the seed, nuturing it, growing it. )t's a!out patience and motherhood in all it's facets, with the 9mpress as the ultimate mother""!oth the
caring motherly kind, and the more distant, elegant kind, !ut in either case, the hen watching over her !rood. @ote that there is always a danger of the 9mpress over"watering the plants or having trou!le, as moms do, letting their children go when the time comes.
># 0pposite3 /sing negatives of the card reversed, we get neglect instead of attention. The woman who doesn't water her plants""or doesn't pa y attention ot her children. There is a danger in the upright 9mpress of smothering the child. )n the reversed 9mpress, the danger is that she won't nuture the child enough. @o affection, no protection, no care to make sure the child grows right.
&ere is the woman who take a child to a restaurant, and then ignores the kid as he goes racing up and down, playing under ta!les, interfering with the staff, getting into trou!le.
This can go for anything, not -ust children. @eglecting a !usiness or pro-ect that 0/4&T to !e dear to one's heart, ought to !e one's !a!y !ut you -ust Gon't have the patience for it. # locked3 This goes one step further, ) think, then the opposite. )n this case, the 9mpress' nurturing, growing energy is !locked. )t is almost as if the child were not merely neglected, !ut a!andoned. There is no desire to help anything grow. The watering can is left to rust.
All the instincts of the 9mpress""knowing when to transplant that tree to a new pot so it can spread its roots, knowing when to prune it, fertili(e it, are !locked. )n this instance, the 6uerent doesn't know how to help their !usiness, children, or pro-ect grow and deve lop. They may !e clueless, have no such intincts and need outside help""or they may need to find a way to re" discover their mothering intincts.
B# /psidedown3 Turn the 8ider"Waite image upsidedown and we not only unseat the 9mpress, we uproot all her trees and scatter all her grain. &er crown of stars falls off her head, and the stream the one that starts in the &=S card#, drains awa y. &er feet are no long planted on the 9arth.
)f we turn this card upsidedown we go farther than -ust not !eing a!le to grow""we tear out what is already growing and living and kill it. We uproot everything, including the 9mpress. Diewing this card upsidedown gives us perhaps the most terri!le interpetation of it, the wonton
destruction of all that's growing and thriving and !eau tiful. This is the card that might come up when discussing the cutting down of rainforests or desecration of natural landscapes""or anything !eautiful. The destruction of works or art, of someone !usiness or home or family.
The nurturing isn't merely !locked""it's actively, wontonly destroyed. This is a!use, violence may!e. 4rowth isn't merely neglected or stopped, it is actively, vindictively prevented.
TH) )#*)RR Basic Tarot Symbols
Throne, ram's heads, or! and sceptre. Sometimes an eagle. See examples of different 9mperor cards here.
Basic Tarot Story
The Fool was given options !y the *agician, and decided on one with help from the &igh
=riestess. &e learned how to develop it, thanks to the 9mpress. @ow he must manage it. &ow to do this7 &e approaches a great 9mperor seated on a stone throne. The Fool is ama(ed !y the way the 9mperor is instantly, eagerly o!eyed in every particular, at how well his 9mpire is run.
8espectfully, he asks the 9mperor how it is he does this. And the 9mperor answers3 Strong will and a solid foundation. )t's all very well, he explains to the Fool, to !e dreamy, creative,
instinctual, patient; !ut to control one must !e alert, !rave and aggressive.
8eady now to lead rather than !e led, the Fool heads out with new purpose and direction. Basic Tarot Meaning
As Aries, the 8am, the 9mperor naturally follows the pregnant 9mpress. Aries is the infant, the first sign of the Hodiac. 2ike an infant, he is filled with enthusiasm, energy, aggression. &e is direct, guileless and all too often irresisti!le. /nfortunately, like a !a!y he can also !e a tyrant and !e impatient, demanding, controlling. )n the !est of circumstances, he signifies the leader that everyone wants to follow, sitting on a throne that indicates the solid foundation of an 9mpire he created, loves and rules with intelligence and enthusiasm. ut that throne can also !e a trap, a responsi!ility that has the 9mperor feeling restless, !ored and discontent.
Thirteen's Observations
The 9mperor card is the Who's the !oss7 card. )t is an important 6uestion. The meaning of the card includes !eing in control over your environment, your !ody, your temper, your instincts, your love life. This is not the time to give into the unconscious, not the time to let yourself !e controlled !y the wants and needs of others. )t is a card that gives the +uerent permission to !e aggressive, !rave, !old and in command. The 9mperor could !e a father or father figure, leader or employer, either a demanding tyrant or a charismatic king. )f the card stands for the +uerent, he5she should think a!out whether their 9mpire has !ecome an unwelcome chore and if it has,
are they now a !ad leader, demanding, unreasona!le, unhappy. )t might !e time to a!dicate the throne.
REVERSALS: The Em$eror Reverse
The 9mperor is a card a!out control, a!out authority, command, organi(ation and foundations. &e follows all those other cards where the 6uerent decides what he wants, and nurtures it into fruition""now what the 6uerent has must !e managed, guided. &ence, the 9mperor. ut what a!out reversed7
># 0pposite3 )f the 9mperor is the father, the adult parent, then the opp osite is the !a!y. The negatives or opposites of the 9mperor card is that of childishness3 the leader is tyranical, the worst sort of @ero"like dictator; he uses his aggression, temper and even his charm for his own selfish wants rather than to help his kingdom.
)n the opposite camp, this is a card a!out inconsistency and unpredicta!lity. There is no control, only implusive demands.
# locked3 )n this case, something is stopping the energy that gives a person authority, or the energy that !rings things under control. As the 9mperor is a man of aggression, charisma and energy, a reversed card could indicate that these elements are !eing cut off. The person in authority finds themselves una!le to motivate or control others""rather like a mother who finds she cannot control her children; they ignore and disrepect her rather than o!eying her. As a conse6uence, the entire house kingdom# is a mess.
B# /psidedown3 The essence of the 9mperor is his throne. &e is solidly seated on that chair, in command. Turn him upsidedown and several things happen. First, the crown falls off his head, the septer and sphere from his hands. &e himself falls out of the chair, and the chair also falls. This is a trio of damages. The ruler loses all em!lems of co mmand, and the kingdom loses not only the commander !ut the seat of power. All that's left are the !are rocks.
0nce again, the upsidedown interpetation goes one step further. )t predicts not merely a loss of authority and control on the part of the emperor, !ut a loss of !oth ruler and foundation for the kingdom. )n this instance, the manager running a certain !ranch of a company is let go or leaves, and his -o! vanishes with him. @o one takes his place, his employees are left at loose ends, and the whole !ranch collapses. There is no chance for organi(ation, no chance for further growth or development. @o one is in charge and no one can !e in charge. The throne and all trappings of rulership crown, scepter, etc.# are gone.
0riginally =osted !y Elven
So the reversal can reflect the 'face' of the company/establishment as well, the ways its running, internal conflicts and true aims and purposes, its integrity and position.
) think that's an excellent thought. 8eversed 9mperor could certainly indicate corruption in some !ranch of authority that should !e maintaining order and keeping things safe, !ut which, instead,
is undermining its city5people. 2ike gov. officials who give contracts to their relatives, or allow unchecked growth5weaken enviornmental laws !ecause !usinesses who want that have paid them under the ta!le.
TH) H&)R*H$(T Basic !ar Symbols
Twin pillars, staff, throne, hand raised in !lessing, two acolytes. See examples of different &ierophant cards here.
Basic Tarot Story
&aving created a solid foundation on which to !uild his future, the Fool is struck with a sudden fear. What if everything he's worked for is taken away7 )s stolen, or lost, or destroyed or
vanishes7 0r what if it is -ust not good enough7 )n a panic, he heads into a holy place where he finds the &ierophant, a wise teacher and holy man. Acolytes kneel !efore the man, ready to hear and pass on his teachings. The Fool tells the &ierophant his fears, and asks how he can !e free of them.
There are only two ways, says the &ierophant sagely, 9ither give up that which you fear to lose so it no longer holds any power over you, or consider what you will still have if your fear comes to pass. After all, the &ierophant continues, if you did lose all you'd !uilt, you would still keep the experience and knowledge that you've gained up to this point, wouldn't you7 This surprisingly pragmatic advice releases the Fool from his fear, and he is a!le exit ou t of the sanctuary and face the world's challenges once again.
Basic Tarot Meaning
Taurus the 9arthly !ull may seem an odd sign for a holy man, !ut it makes sense if you
understand that the &ierophant's purpose is to !ring the spiritual down to 9arth. Where the &igh =riestess !etween her two pillars deals with realms !eyond this 9arth, the &ierophant or &igh =riest# deals with worldly pro!lems. &e is well suited to do this !ecause, like all Taureans, he strives to create harmony and peace in the midst of a crisis. The &ierophant's only pro!lem is that, like the ull, he can !e stu!!orn and hide!ound. At his !est, he is wise and soothing, at his worst, he is an un!ending traditionalist.
The &ierophant card has so many =opish trappings that it is sometimes hard for readers to like him, or interpret him as positive rather than seeing his potential for !eing unreasona!le, hide" !ound, literal and stodgy. ) like to point out the decks where the &ierophant is the 0racle at
Gelphi or some other less loaded image.
When the &ierophant appears as a person, he's likely an old, favored teacher, therapist,
counsellor, advisor, or sponsor. That young =riest with progressive ideas, or the old 8a!!i who was always so down to earth and fun, or may!e an uncle who always offered such common sense advice. /nfortunately, he can also represent that nasty teacher the +uerent is dealing with, the one who refuses to deviate from the text !ook, or a sour"faced elder who wants to keep the church old fashioned and in the dark ages.
Standing for the +uerent himself, the &ierophant might well warn against !eing too stu!!orn, especially in matters of theology or ethics. &e can remind the +uerent what it means to !e a good and !eloved teacher. )n this, the &ierophant can !e very positive. When things are going very wrong in the world, the &ierophant is the one who wades in, 6uiets the panic, and offers good, practical advice. &e sym!oli(es a connection to the divine, which answers with a very human voice, never o!li6ue or mysterious. ou know how to solve your pro!lem, this card says; it is not easy, not a 6uick fix, !ut it is do"a!le. The solution is there, you've only to !ring it down to 9arth.
REVERSALS: The Hiero$hant Reverse
The &ierophant is the moral and social conscience of the deck. &e offers spiritual guidance and when upright and positive, he can stand for that favored spiritual leader who guides us all
through trou!led times and ethical delemmas. At his !est, he is a!out humility and teaching, a!out getting people through deeply frightening and difficult situations. &e also respresents the wider rules of society, what we teach each other in order to get along and fit in, everything from common courtesy and social graces to laws and rules. When reversed, however...
># 0pposite3 if we assume that the negative or worst 6ualities of the card are it's opposite 6ualities, then the reversed &ierophant is the hide!ound prude. &ere is the man pounding on the holy !ook, insisting that every commandment must !e followed to the letter. &e refuses to listen to alternate interpetations of what is written, refuses to !end or flex. &e teaches !y rote, and had no mercy for those who disagree.
)n a general sense, he represents the most unforgiving aspect of society; the one that stones and !urns those who do not conform. )t can !e telling the 6uerent that they are either in danger for
trying to !e different, speak up or !low the whistle""or it can tell them that they, themselves, are !eing far too inflexa!le in their point of view. Too harsh in their -udgement of another's failings,
weaknesses or individuality.
energies. The &ierophant gets spiritual inspiration from a!ove and makes it real on 9arth. )n psychological terms, he is the superego communicating and guiding the ego. )f this is !locked,
then the ego is without guidance. )t has only the rules it wrote down to follow, with no knowledge of W& such rules should !e followed.
&ence, the community is una!le to ad-ust its laws, erase those that no longer appl y or create new ones which might !e needed. They follow law !y rote, without true spiritual guidance, ethics or morality !ehind such laws. )t is very much a matter of a parents saying to a child, Go this !ecause ) say so1 And so the child learns to do this""!ut never knows why. And so true
conscience for why this ought to !e done, or not done is never developed. Fear of punishment keeps the child from diso!eying. @ot morality or a !elief in the rightness of the law.
B# /psidedown3 /pright, the &ierophant gives his words to h is acolytes, with the keys"to"the" kingdom sic# at his feet. Turn him upsidedown and it is the acolytes who are on top, as it were, the keys in their hands. The &ierophant's head5voice superego5conscience# is !elow instead of a!ove.
Sym!olically, the &ierophant is grounded, and his words come from the earth, not from heaven. *eanwhile, his listeners are in power and control. /sing those keys with impunity to lock away secrets rather than open them up.
/psidedown, this card is very reminscent of spiritual institutions who control information,
maintain earthly power the leaders are rich and living in luxury, while their flock is poor and in need#. They offer up rules for the purpose of !eing in control, like the acolytes a!ove the
&ierophant, rather than to make help the community morally and spiritually. We see this likewise in folk who take the moral high"ground in order to get their a-endas favored, while making
opponents look immoral in order to undermine them.
This is the politician who asserts that he is a man or 4od, !ut his opponent is not. There is a strong pressure in this card to conform...or else.
0riginally =osted !y Free Flight
plagarised this idea off somewhere else but have also seen it come up with a !uerant. n the reversal can represent someone with unconventional attitudes ie the anti society person in the minor and in the e"treme someone with very unconventional se"ual persuasions
)'d go along with this, !ut add that ) think it would have to apply to someone with influence and5or power. )'m thinking of a 8asputin here.
) think this !ecause ) don't !elieve the reversed card should carry too many opposities. 9ither the conscience is completely lacking""and we end up with #ord of the $lies""no ethics in the
community at all, or we have a leader who is leading in an odd or unorthodox direction. This is not to say that the unorthodox leader may !e !ad or wrong. ) imagine a reversed
turning the church on it's head, and of hum!le servant offering insight that the lordly master refuses to see.
Which nicely points out that reversed cards aren't always !ad.
&owever, it could also indicate unorthodoxy that might wrong in its own way""cult leaders and 8asputins. Fasinating, perhaps even right...!ut not entirely trustworthy.
0riginally =osted !y michmm
%o you think that the &eversed ierophant could also indicate being e"communicated...or being e"pelled (
just a thought i had
4ood thought. es. )'d say that's entirely possi!le, especially if it's someone, again, in some position of authority""like a priest ) read a!out who was excommunicated for studying up and
supporting pagan religions.
) can see reversed &ierophant for radical teachers who get fired for !eing too out there and vocal in their views for the school !oard.
8egarding the cult leader and the sexual freedom of his group""yes, of course. That goes !ack to the 8asputin fellow.
/pright &ierophant, at his !est, may !e kind and hum!le, !ut he is never radical or strange. &e stays within convention and orthodoxy of his institution even if he's not rigid a!out it. 9xample3 St. Francis, who, however different his views from the mainstream <hurch, never outright defied it; he always su!mitted to its authority and asked for its !lessings in his en deavors. So if you came to the upright &ierophant saying you were having a pro!lem in your marriage, he'd advise working it out, staying married, etc.
ou need a reversed &ierophant to get radical advice or unorthodox advice, like ou !oth need to have sex with other people1 or something like that.
TH) )R+
Basic !ar Symbols
An angel or cupid, a man and a woman, two trees in Waite, it is Adam : 9ve with one tree having a serpent and apples# " in some decks one tree is flowering, !ut the other has fruit. Also in some decks there is a man standing !etween two women.
See examples of different 2overs cards here. Basic Tarot Story
The Fool comes to a cross"road, filled with energy, confidence and purpose, knowing exactly where he wants to go and what he wants to do. ut he comes to a dead stop. A flowering tree marks the path he wants to take, the one he's !een planning on taking. ut standing !efore a fruit tree marking the other path is a woman. &e's met and had relationships with women !efore, some far more !eautiful and alluring. ut she is different. Seeing her, he feels as though he's -ust !een shot in the heart with cupid's arrow, so shocking, so painful is his recognition of her. As
he speaks with her, the feeling intensifies; like finding a missing part of himself, a part he's !een searching for his life long. )t is clear that she feels the same a!out him. They finish each others sentences, think the same thoughts. )t is as if an Angel a!ove had introduced their souls to each other. Though it was his plan to follow the path of the flowering tree, and though it will cause some trou!le for him to !ring this woman with him, to go somewhere else entirely, the Fool knows he dare not leave her !ehind. 2ike the fruit tree, she will fulfill him. @o matter how
divergent from his original intent, she is his future. &e chooses her, and together they head down a whole new road.
Basic Tarot Meaning
0riginally, this card was called -ust 20D9. And that's actually more apt than 2overs. 2ove follows in this se6uence of growth and maturity. And, coming after the 9mperor, who is a!out control, it is a radical change in perspective. 20D9 is a force that makes you choose and decide for reasons you often can't understand; it makes you surrender control to a higher power. And that is what this card is all a!out. Finding something or someone who is so much a part of yourself, so perfectly attuned to you and you to them, that you cannot, dare not resist. )n
interpretation, the card indicates that the 6uerent has co me across, or will come across a person, career, challenge or thing that they will fall in love with. They will know instinctively that they must have this, even if it means diverging from their chosen path. @o matter the difficulties, without it they will never !e complete.
Thirteen's Observations
The 2overs is a confusing card as it is ruled not !y an emotional water sign !ut !y airy 4emini. The original trump featured a man and a woman with a cupid a!ove them a!out to shoot his dart. 2ater this !ecame three figures, the interpretation !eing a man choosing !etween two women, or a man meeting his true love with the help of a matchmaker. Still later, with Waite, we have an Angel a!ove Adam and 9ve. The Angel stands for 8aphael, who is em!lematic of *ercury and Air, planet and element of 4emini. 4emini is the communications sign. )t's all a!out messages and making contact; also, as it is the card of the twins, it's a!out finding your other self. )n this
regard, you can see that the 2overs card !egins to make sense. 9specially if you change it !ack to 20D9. &ere is a card a!out perfect communication, a!out finding something your soul
re6uires. )n this regard, its most common interpretation a!out !eing A <hoice makes sense. When this card appears, you are !eing told to trust you instincts, to choose this career, challenge, person or thing you're so strongly drawn to, no matter how scary, how difficult, irrational or
trou!lesome " without it, you will never !e wholly you. )t's sudden and unexpected, and it means a compete change in plans; !ut this is 20D9. True love. 4o for it1
REVERSALS: The Lovers Reverse
)n the upright possition, the 2overs is a!out finding that other half of ourselves. )t might !e a person, !ut it can also !e anything that completes us, that speaks to us""a career, a cause, a
religion. )t usually involves us making a choice to go for that something and so feel whole, unified. 8eversed....
># 0pposite3 The clearest opposite to coming together is !eing split apart. So one of the simplist and most o!vious messages here is a !reak up. A couple !reaks up, a family split, a fight within a company causes it to !e fragmented into two parts...neither of which is as strong as when it was unified and whole. 0ne thinks of famous comedy teams, that chemistry !etween partners, where magic happens when they're together...!ut apart, they're -ust not the same.
Also, the reversed 2overs could !e a !ad or wrong choice has !een made.
# locked3 8eading the 2overs 8eversed as !locked indicates that there is something preventing the two halves from !eing united. 2ikewise, there could !e an ina!ility to choose. The intuition needed to recogni(e the right decision, the one that will lead to unity and wholeness, is missing. The 6uerent does not know what to do.
B# /psidedown3 The 2overs card is very interesting when turned upside down. 8ight"side"up, the Angel dominates. This is important as the card 8ider"Waite style#, is dominated !y 4emini"" which is not only partnerships, !ut communication and the mind. &ence, the card is sym!olically talking a!out a spiritual or mental connection.
Turn it upsidedown, and the Angel is grounded. What ends up on"top are the gen itals of our naked man and woman""and the mountain !etween them. We get, in essence, a hint of the up" right Gevil card, with !aser, earthier desires !ehind the choice.
) would read this as saying that the choice that's !eing made is !eing made for the wrong reasons""and therefore, is pro!a!ly the wrong choice. That the 6uerent isn't using their head or intuition, that communication !etween the two halves is n ot happening except !elow the waist. =utting it another way, two things are coming together that may fit, !ut do not create that unity. )n a relationship reading, this would pro!a!ly indicate that the two were @0T soul mates""that they are together for earthly reasons a woman wanting a hus!and or father of her children#, not
!ecause they were really ment for each other. 2ikewise with other choices a person might make"" choice of career, cause, religion. They're doing it for practical, earthly reasons, not !ecause it makes them feel whole. That mountain is there !etween the two halves""they cannot !e united as they should !e. They will never form a whole.
0riginally =osted !y "o"o"o
The #overs reversed could also mean indecision and hen ce not moving forward to something that could be of great value in your life. )n important decision that ways heavy on you r heart....very much blocked and unable to make the all important choice.
Dery apt1 es, either an ina!ility or an unwillingness to decide on something that could really mean a lot.
) know that feeling1 Gon't we all. When faced with something that important, we sometimes -ust free(e up. Suddenly, the decision making isn't a!out which !rand of laundry detergent is going into your washer. This decision is going to change your life1
TH) 'H$R&T Basic !ar Symbols
Triumphal car chariot#, armored warrior, sun5moon sym!ols, lingam : yon i sym!ol the encircled rod on the winged shield#, !lack and white sphinxes5lions5horses, sometimes at rest. A canopy of stars and sometimes a throne inside the car.
See examples of different <hariot cards here. Basic Tarot Story
The Fool is close to completing what he set out to create long ago, !ack when the *agician revealed those tools to him. ut enemies are now standing in his way, devious human enemies, !ad circumstances, even confusion in his own mind. There's no more forward momentum; he
feels he is fighting -ust to stay where he is. Walking along the shore, watching the waves come in, he pu((les over how to defeat these enemies and get things moving forward once again. )t is here that he comes across a charioteer, standing in his gold and silver chariot, his !lack and white steeds at rest. ou seem a victorious warrior, the Fool remarks. Tell me, what is the !est way to defeat an enemy7 The <harioteer nods out at the ocean. &ave you ever !een swimming in the water and !een trapped in that tide which pulls you out to sea7 )f you try to swim forward, head"on, you go nowhere. ou swim forward, the tide pulls you !ack and, if you tire yourself out, you drown. The only way to win without sapping all your energy is to swim parallel to
shore, and come in slowly, diagonally. So, too, when fighting in a chariot. ou win !y coming up alongside that which you wish to defeat. The warrior nods to his !easts. our steeds keep the wheels turning, !ut it is your control and direction that !rings victory. Gark and light, they must !e made to draw in harmony, under your guidance.
The Fool is impressed and inspired. &e thinks he now knows how to win his own war. &e thanks the warrior, !ut !efore he leaves, the warrior stays the Fool, 0ne thing more, he says, no
victory can !e won unless you have unwavering confidence in your cause. And remem!er this a!ove all, victory is not the end, it is the !eginning.
Basic Tarot Meaning
The chariot is one of the most complex cards to define. 0n its most !asic level, it implies war, a struggle, and an eventual, hard"won victory; either over enemies, o!stacles, nature, the !easts inside you, or to -ust get what you want. ut there is a great deal more to it. The charioteer wears em!lems of the sun, yet the sign !ehind this card is <ancer, the moon. The chariot is all a!out motion, and yet it is often shown as stationary.
What does this all mean7 )t means a union of opposites, like the !lack and white steeds. They pull in different directions, !ut must !e and can !e1# made to go together in one direction.
<ontrol is re6uired over opposing emotions, wants, needs, p eople, or circumstances; to !ring them together and give them a single direction, your direction. <onfidence is also needed and, most especially, motivation. The card can, in fact, indicate new motivation or inspiration, which gets a stagnant situation moving again. )t can also imply, on a more pragmatic level, a trip
usually !y car#, a vehicle " in the shop for repairs if the card comes up reversed " or a message. Thirteen's Observations
The <hariot is a fascinating card, !ut also frustrating. 2ike the cra!, it is armored, !ut also cut off " a charioteer fights alone. )t moves from one plane to the next water to land and !ack again# " conscious and unconscious, 9arthly and spiritual. )t succeeds !y attacking from the side, rather than straight on.
0n the one hand, the <hariot indicates loyalty and faith and motivation; a conviction that will lead to victory no matter the odds. ut the chariot can also signal a ruthless, diehard desire to win at any cost. The +uerent should !e reminded to save his energy for what comes after. Dictory is -ust the start of things.
/pright, the <hariot is all a!out moving forward. @ot -ust a!o ut charging ahead, !ut rather seeing where you want to go, picking up the reins, taking control of inner and outer forces, and directing everything forward. &ence, it is a card of great determination and confidence,
motivation and leadership. Without these, there's no making the chariot go where you want it to go. So what a!out reversed7
># 0pposite3 image"wise, there is some confusion with the chariot. )t's a!out move ment, victory and going forward; !ut the image in 8ider"Waite at least, is of the chariot at rest. 9ither after it's victory or !efore. This makes the opposite or inverse interpetation a !it difficult, as the most o!vious one would !e a chariot at rest. @0T moving as compared to moving.
So let's simplify this opposite; we'll leave the movement interpeations for the other two and go for the victory interpetation on this one. 0!viously, the opposite would !e defeat. The ch ariot did not con6uer either the inner or outer forces; it lost the !attle to control the horses, lost the !attle against whatever it was fighting. )t might even suggest that the 6uerent gave into
cowardice. &e didn't try to show the horses who was !oss, didn't try to !arrel though his enemies""he -ust hid in his chariot hoping not to get hurt, taking no chances.
# locked3 as the upright card often focuses on controling the horses, on determination and direction, we can see that a !locking of these energies leaves the 6uerent at loose ends. 9ver driven with someone who has a!solutely @0 sense of direction7 That's what we have here. The 6uerent may know where he wants to go...!ut he doesn't have a clue how to get there. And he lacks the determination to find a way to get there.
Somehow, the energy of determination and direction must !e un!locked. 0therwise, he's going to !e driving a!out aimlessly and hopelessly. To the point where his additude is what's the use7
Another interpetation for this chariot which is !locked is that it's not moving; hence, we can predict car trou!le. The 6uerent wants to go somewhere, !ut the vehicle he would use to get there
is out of commission, either literally a car#, or figuratively a means to leave his -o!, his career, his relationship...etc#.
B# /psidedown3 Turn the chariot upsidedown and no one is g oing anywhere. The wheels are in the air, the horses on their !acks, the charioteer throw from the interior.
) know what you're thinking. And yes. *ar accident is an apt if frightening prediction for this one. At it's worst, the reversed <hariot is not merely a!out a loss of control and d irection, !ut the complete loss of any means to get where you're going. ou won't !e leading anyone to victory, there's no fighting the war, let alone winning it. Anything inside motivations, determination, energy# or outside of you is not working, not moving. The horses can't run and the wheels are spinning in the air.
ou are stuck.
0riginally =osted !y Emotive
This card came up reversed for me. +nce in the am and also in the . thought there must be something to it. #ater that night my boyfriend was late coming home and thought uhh ooo.
