The Language of Tarot

Tarot is a language. It is language that helps your intuition more easily communicate with you and others.

Many people start Tarot like they have to memorize the exact meaning of each card. To me that is just silly. There is so much complex symbolism within each card it is very difficult to memorize every bit of it. All of the symbols on each card may not apply to every read. Like with other languages when cards are strung together in a spread their relation to each other can change the meanings.

It is better and easier to start looking for patterns in the cards and their relationships to each other.

Go through the your deck and start picking out a couple of your favorite cards. Really look at the cards you pulled. Pull out your Tarot journal and note what about each of them make them your favorite? Do that have any themes the run through them? What symbols to they share?

Now do the same thing with a few cards that make you feel uneasy. What about each one make you feel uneasy? Do they have any theme running through them? What symbols do they share?

As you become familiar with the language of Tarot you will begin to realize that they tell a story. In the Major Arcana it is the Fool’s Journey. There are also journeys through each of the Suits as well. (We will dive into these deeper in a later week)

Start learning the language. Lay all the cards out and start looking at the similarities and differences. Pick a card and then look at all the other card with the same number on them. What do they have in common? What do each of them have to do with. How do they relate to the Major Arcana cards that contain that number. Continue to do this with each of the numbers?

Take time to go through your deck and look at each card. Spend time with each one. Look closely at it. Make notes on it. What do you think is going on in the scene? How does this card make me feel? What theme is there? What symbols are on it? What elements are represented? Are there any predominant colors? Who are the characters in the scene? Can you relate to the theme of this card? Can you think of a time in your life that related or you could have applied the guidance of this card?

One great way to get familiar with the language of your cards it to do a daily card drawing and then meditate on that card. Again make notes in your Tarot Journal on any insight your meditation inspired. Did you notice anything of the themes of that card throughout your day? How did it make you feel? What did it make you aware of?

Then start doing readings for yourself and your friends or anyone that will give you honest feedback. Make notes on your readings. Especially the ones you do for yourself. Look back at your notes a couple days later or a couple weeks later and make note of if and how the reading played out in your life. What advice do you put in to action?