Question the Cards
A set of Tarot cards is a collection of roughly 40 human experiences, 16 states of mind, and 22 aspects of personality. Each of the 78 cards presents a unique idea yet it can be understood by virtually anyone because the themes of Tarot are universal to life. Even when people are new to exploring Tarot, they will feel a sense of understanding as they look at the cards. It’s comforting to know the human condition hasn’t evolved greatly since an early form of Tarot was created in the 15th century. Generations before us felt the same grief, joy, passion, and jealousy that we feel today. All those emotions, and more, are referenced by images in the Tarot. We have lived these experiences. Therefore, there is no reason to fear receiving such cards in a reading.
Life is rife with challenges, defeats, and victory. Our cards help us talk about each of those moments. Yet people still stiffen when certain cards appear and relax when others arrive. These superficial reactions prevent a reader from truly understanding a card. Observe each card as a neutral idea. Every card is a talking point. Cards are neither good nor bad because they simply bring a thought to the forefront of one’s mind. Investigating our relation to that thought is the true value of Tarot
For example, the 3 of Cups. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the images of women celebrating a harvest and raising their wine goblets looks like a great party. I often call this the “happy hour” card. For a 30-something woman living in a trendy city, this card represents joy and community support. By contrast, to a recovering alcoholic, this image may evoke a different association. Rather than celebration, it could represent struggle.
Another classic example is the infamous Death card. Historically, the title and imagery reference the Bubonic plague which arrived in Europe in the 1300’s. The plague reshaped the political and social structures of Europe. The change was irreversible and it affected clergy, royalty, and laymen alike. In the 1500’s, artists creating the Tarot cards needed to represent the concept of change and they reached to the macabre figure of the grim reaper for card number 13 as an allegory. The message of this card reminds us that change is inevitable. Resistance to change exacerbates discomfort. Acceptance alleviates the pain. The Death card can’t predict changes in life because we know it's an inevitability. Skip the prediction. Insteadask, “How will I handle a change in my relationship?”, “What am I ready to release?” or “How am I resisting changes that need to happen?”
Practice with me. Whether you are an experienced reader or a total novice, try seeing each of the cards below from two sides. Ask how each card can be experienced as a blessing and how its affect could be a detriment. Remember, there’s no wrong answer to a creative practice! Have fun. What are the two sides to...
The Emperor
The Chariot
3 of Pentacles
The greatest help to see olds cards from new perspectives is to integrate new Tarot decks to your collection. The Numinous Tarot transforms the Suit of Cups into the Suit of Vials. The Psychic Tarot portrays a woman in the shadow of butterfly wings to represent the theme of metamorphosis. I’ve always encouraged my Tarot students to practice with the Rider-Waite-Smith. Unfortunatly, the all white, mostly male heteronormative Italian carnival characters did not accurately reflect the persons reading with these card. The diversity of students in my classes helped me to discover a world of independently made Tarot cards. Each artist shares a piece of their truth through their thoughtful illustrations and descriptions. The evolve Tarot into our modern era. I still use my Rider-Waite-Smith deck on the regular but I intentionally integrate my modern decks into my personal practice. They help me stay flexible with interpretations and keep me learning new things about Tarot every day.
The favorite additions to my Tarot collection this year have been the LGBTQ-friendly “Numinous Tarot” by Cedar McCloud (formerly Noel Arthur Heimple). He shifted the traditional Emperor into The Founder. The new card features a woman of color sitting on a throne with her laptop. It’s a refreshing take on a card that often represents an outdated representation of patriarchy as a power structure. “The Modern Witch Tarot” by Lisa Sterle deck features women of various body shapes and skin shades from across the color spectrum. It’s a glorious experience to see women in Tarot art without idealistic hourglass-body shapes.
We will always see the cards through our personal lens. That’s why we need to stay curious about the cards. Tarot doesn’t help us predict the future, it helps us prepare for it. As a wise man once said, “Plans are useless but planning is essential.” When the Ace of Cups arrives, ask, “How are my levels of emotional fulfillment?” They can be high or low. Let’s not make an assumption just because the image of the cup is full. When the Hierophant pops up, ask, “Am I missing the presence of a mentor in my life?”, “Would I benefit from connecting to more like-minded people right now?” or “Is there an opportunity to share compassionate guidance with someone who is seeking help right now?” The answer to these questions may be “yes” or “no.”
What really matters is that we ask one more question... “Why?”
The art of Tarot is the subtle art of self-inquiry. Let each card be the launch of an inner-field trip. Happy reading and bon voyage!