The Magician

Rider-Waite Tarot

Numerology: The number one refers to a new cycle in one’s life.

Elemental: The Magician carries the element of air, which represents solutions and thoughts.

Symbolism: The Magician card holds many symbolic elements.

A representation of each element lies upon the table: cup, sword, wand, and pentacle. The young man possesses the tools he needs.

The figure eight hovers above his head. This represents eternal life.

A snake wraps itself around the magician’s belly, devouring itself. This represents eternity.

Roses and lilies grow around the young man representing beauty and discovery.

The young man stands with one arm raised to the sky, while the other points to the ground. The saying, “What goes up, must come down,” comes to mind.

The Magician has studied his trade and is now ready to start his future. Some look upon the Magician as a young man just completing his training. Armed with his tools, he is ready to set about achieving his goals. His success is very likely.

When this card shows up in a reading, it tends to urge you to begin a project. Everything is in place, the knowledge and the tools, to achieve your goal. Learning is a never-ending quest. More knowledge can be possessed along your path.

It is a good time to start a new business, begin a new project, or a new job.

The Magician card can also represent a person. The person would be someone of knowledge and skill, perhaps already a success in his chosen field.

Tarot Plain and Simple by Anthony Louis

Tarot Plain and Simple

Tarot Plain and Simple by Anthony Louis is one of the best guides to have as you begin your tarot journey. It is clearly written and easy to follow.

Anthony Louis puts a variety of possible meanings for each card right at your fingertips. In the end, you will develop your own interpretations of each card, but with this book you will find guidance and suggestions to help you along the way.

Images from the Robin Wood Tarot are provided for each card. This deck is based on the Rider Waite deck and rich with Pagan symbolism. The images are bright and attractive. (Warning-graphic nudity)

An overview of the different divisions of the cards are provided; Major, Minor, and Court. There is also an overview of each suit. The meanings of the cards are broke down into sections of overall view, keywords and phrases, situation and advice, and people. The same is provided for the reverse position of each card.

Along with suggested card meanings, you will also find an overview of the tarot, a chapter on how to do a spread and interpreting the cards, and a chapter to help you bring it all together. The Celtic Cross Spread, one of the most popular spread for most tarot readers, is described in great detail, and three example readings are provided for guidance.

You will also find sections on Astrology and the Tarot and Numerology and the Tarot. In the section on numerology you will also find the formula to find your Life Path number and your personal year number.

Tarot Symbolism

Rider-Waite Tarot

There are many aspects that contribute to the tarot card meanings. In the last two articles, the numerology values and the elemental aspects of the cards were discussed. Symbolism of the cards is another factor that plays in the interpretation of the tarot card.

Each card will develop its own meaning for each person, but by seeing the hidden messages through symbolism, one will have a clearer understanding of the card.

Card images vary between different tarot decks, but you will notice that the decks based on the Rider Waite deck carry many similarities.

There are too many points to cover in one article.

Focusing on one card, 14, The Temperance, you can get an idea of how much symbolism can help during your interpretation of a reading.

The angel symbolizes a person’s interaction with the spirit world. It is said we have at least one guardian angel watching over us, guiding us along our path in the physical world.

Cups are associated with one’s emotions. It is important to notice the surround elements and the positions of the cups in the card. In the Temperance, the cups are neither full nor empty. One flows into the other, creating a balancing of emotions.

Irises are a sign of peace and protection.

A path represents one’s progress into spirituality, a journey toward discovery and awareness of one’s self.

Water represents one’s subconscious mind and his/her emotional state. As a source of life, it symbolizes living energy and a spiritual source of truth and healing. Note the condition of the water on the card, which will give clues to one’s state of mind. If the waters are turbulent, one may be experiencing emotional problems at that point. If the waters are calm, as is the case in the Temperance, one is most likely in a peaceful state of mind.

Your study could go even deeper into the card. Stones, grass, and the symbol on the angel’s clothing are among a few. Notice the circle on the angel’s forehead. The important thing when looking at the symbolism of the cards is to pay attention to what draws your attention. In a reading, a symbol appearing in multiple cards is a good sign that its quality may be important to the overall reading.

Also see: Numerology, Elemental Aspects

Tarot Elements

There are many aspects that contribute to the tarot card meanings. In the last article, the numerological values were discussed. The elemental aspects of the cards are another factor that plays in the tarot card meanings.

There are four basic elements; fire, air, water, and earth.

Fire is considered a life force; change and action. It is considered an active element. In astrology, fire associates with the signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. In the tarot, fire associates with the suit of Wands.

Air is intellectual, dealing with communications and dilemmas. It is considered an active element. In astrology, air associates with the signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. In the tarot, air associates with the suit of Swords.

Water represents emotions; love, hate, and despair. It is considered a passive element. In astrology, water associates with the signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. In tarot, water associates with the suit of cups.

Earth represents the stabilities of our lives; jobs, careers, and ambitions. It is considered a passive element. In astrology, earth associates with the signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. In the tarot, earth associates with the suit of pentacles.

When the elements combine, there are reactions. The results range from complimenting to intensifying. Most of the time, the elements respond in a logical manner.

For instance, when you combine the elements of air and fire, naturally the air intensifies the fire. There is another result that should be examined. If the air is strong enough, and the fire is small, the air can overcome the fire and blow it out. When studying the elemental effect of the tarot, consider all possibilities. Here’s an overview of the elements and their reactions to one another.

Fire/air – strengthen
Fire/water – weaken
Fire/earth – compliment
Air/water – strengthen
Air/earth – weaken
Water/earth – compliment

When an element is combined with itself, the effect is doubled.

You will find that others will analyze these elements and their effects in many different ways. What has been discussed here seems to be the most common practice.

Below is a list of the card’s elemental values.

Fool-0 Air
Magician-1 Air
Priestess-2 Water
Empress-3 Earth
Emperor-4 Fire
Hierophant-5 Earth
Lovers-6 Air
Chariot-7 Water
Strength-8 Fire
Hermit-9 Earth
Wheel-10 Fire
Justice-11 Air
Hanged Man-12 Water
Death-13 Water
Temperance-14 Fire
Devil-15 Earth
Tower-16 Fire
Star-17 Air
Moon-18 Water
Sun-19 Fire
Judgement-20 Fire
World-21 Earth

Wands Fire
Sword Air
Cups Water
Pentacles Earth

Also see: Numerology, Symbolism

Tarot Numerology

Intuition has a lot to do with your decision on what the cards mean, but there are other aspects that contribute to their overall meanings. These aspects will help guide you to their deeper meaning. You should consider their numerology, elemental, and symbolic elements along with your instinct.

You may find it useful as you begin your tarot journey to create a one page key chart for the meanings. If you have trouble remembering the meanings of the cards, a quick glance is much more helpful than a search through your companion book.

As you move along your journey, your understanding of the cards will shift and expand. You will also notice that once you begin reading, the cards will change their meanings according to the reading. More about that later, let’s look at the numerology aspect of the cards.

When applying numerology to the tarot card meanings, one looks to the meaning of the primary numbers. These are the one digit numbers. When you move up to compound numbers, two digits, the numerology meaning becomes more enhanced.

Here’s a quick example. The number eighteen will take on the meaning of its sum, one plus eight, of nine. But it will also pull aspects from the numbers one and eight. At the end of this article you will find more on the meaning of eighteen.

As with everything, you will find many opinions on the meanings within numerology. You can do your own research and come up with your own opinions. For now, here is a quick chart of meanings for the primary numbers.

0 – Transformation
1 – The beginning of a cycle
2 – Balance
3 – Expansion
4 – Foundation
5 – Communication
6 – Harmony
7 – Intuition
8 – Structure
9 – Completion

Now, when you look at the number eighteen, you will find that its meaning will be a combination of its components’ meanings.

9 – Completion, 1 – The beginning of a cycle, 8 – Structure

Your attention should focus mostly on the nine, while the one and eight adds new dimensions to its meaning. Here, your intuition will come into play. You will also find sources that will give you a set meaning for the number eighteen as opposed to combining the meanings of its components. The direction you chose is entirely up to you.

18 – Completing a task that will provide a sturdy structure for the next cycle.

Elemental aspects will be discussed in the next article.

Also see: Elemental Aspects, Symbolism

Free Tarot Reading - Winner!

And the winner of the free tarot reading by email is, drum roll, Lynnette Labelle Congratulations Lynnette. Send your question to cher438lynn@hotmail.com. I will get your reading back to you asap.

Learning the tarot card meanings

The first step toward becoming a tarot reader is to grasp an understanding of your tarot cards. To do this, you need to learn the tarot card meanings.

Rider-Waite Tarot

Follow these steps to learn the tarot card meanings. First, you need a deck of tarot cards. Rider-Waite tarot is a good beginner’s deck, for the pictures relate directly to the card meanings. The choice, however, is entirely yours. Most decks come with a companion book. If yours does not, Tarot Plain and Simple by Anthony Louis is a great beginner’s guide.

You will also need a spiral notebook for the next few steps. This can also be used for practicing your readings in the future. It is a good idea to keep a record of your readings to help you grow as a reader.

Find a comfortable spot and begin.

Flip over the top card from your tarot deck. On your notebook, write down the name of the tarot card and the first thing that comes to mind. Example: 14-Temperance - This card in most decks show a person emptying one cup of fluid into another. You may write down balance or moderation. Or you may see something entirely different. Write it down and move on to the next card. Continue this until you have reviewed all the cards.

Arrange the cards back in a stack, and flip over the first card. Look the card up in the companion book. Write down any keywords that connect with the card for you. Continue until you reach the last card.

Put the companion book away and stack your cards once more. Flip to a fresh page in your notebook. Turn your first card over and write down the first two thoughts that come to you. The goal is to acquire two key words for each card. If nothing comes to you, place the card to the side. Continue until you reach the last card.

Return to the cards you set aside and look back at your notes for each. On your list, pick out two keywords for these cards.

Use your list as a guide if needed, but do your best to have the keywords to each card in your mind. A repeat of the third step will help you to remember the keywords.

Free Tarot Reading

Here's your chance. One question, three cards. Free Tarot Reading by Email.

To qualify for a free reading leave a comment to this post on Thursday, January 21. The winner will be drawn randomly and posted on Friday.

A free drawing will appear on the blog regularly. Be sure to follow for your chance at a free tarot reading by email.

Sample Tarot Reading

Deck- Mystic Dreamer Tarot
Client - Fictional Character - Melanie (I’m using the main character from my novel in progress)
Birth date - December 19, 1980
Question - What do I need to know about the secrets of my father?
Spread - 3 Card
Positions - Center card - focus, cards falling on each side - underlying elements

Mystic Dreamer Tarot

Focus Card - Five of Cups - The woman here is determined to be on her way. Nothing is going to make her turn around. She is very independent and has taken all she can take. What she doesn't see is the love positioned to the left of her.

Underlying Element - 4 of Wands - The couple on this card is happy and secure in their relationship. Above them lurks a black crow, representing the secrets. As you can see more are coming to roost.

Underlying Element - 2 of Cups - The couple here has a strong bond, one that is unbreakable.

What do I need to know about the secrets of my father?

You and your father have a very strong relationship. The secrets he keeps may have put a wedge in your relationship, but this bond is unbreakable. Your father loves you very much, and whatever he is keeping from you is his way of protecting you. Be patient and when the time's right, he'll unveil these secrets willingly.

Welcome to Tarot Guidance

My goal for this blog is to help you better understand the Tarot and the messages available through the cards. I entered the Tarot world many years ago, but my learning is never ending. With new decks and new aspects arriving in the market continuously, the teachings of the Tarot continue to evolve.

While Tarot is my main tool, I’ll be sharing information on the Lenormand, Oracle Decks, and much, much more. As a fiction author, I will also be sharing part of that world here too, but I do plan to give you mostly Divination Topics.

Tarot cards can serve many purposes, such as reflection, problem solving, self-understanding, spiritual growth, and even brainstorming. They can also be used, as a guide, to predict what might happen in the future or in certain situations.

To learn to use the tarot cards, you need a deck and lots of practice.

I prefer the Rider-Waite system, but there are other systems out there. The Rider-Waite original deck is the best starting point, but there are many decks based on this system. The important thing is to grab a deck and stick with it throughout the basic learning process. As you evolve in your knowledge you may want to seek out more decks, but my advice is to wait a little while. Practice with your deck, learn the system and meaning, and then explore further.

Enjoy the Journey!