Tarot

Tarot is a method of introspection based on the interpretation of several cards placed in any number of positions and orders. While Tarot is used by many practicing Wiccans, it is not inherently Wiccan. It has also been used by psychologists and teachers of many and varied religions. It is used by enough magickal people to warrant a discussion of it here.

Tarot is used several different ways based on several different decks, but the spread I've given here is how I was taught to read tarot. I haven't detailed the lesser Arcana because interpretations of the lesser Arcana are vastly different from deck to deck and person to person. The lesser Arcana are the most subjective part of a very subjective introspection tool. I wouldn't presume for a moment to be able to give an inclusive list of symbols for two reasons, first, this isn't supposed to be a book about how to read Tarot just like Kat, and second, because the way I define the lesser Arcana is part of my personal belief system, something my teachers told me to go figure out for myself.

*The MacMorgan Spread uses thirteen cards, in the following order:

1. This card is the Self or the Significator. This represents the total person, the combination of environment, attitude and everything that combines to form a being.

2.This represents the Will, which is the force or energy of a person, that which fuels the desires and needs a person has.

3, 4. Four is covered by three without turning it over until after three is described. Three represents that which seems ideal to you at this time. Four is the Hidden Ideal, that which your Will hides from you.

5,6 .Six is covered as four, above. Five is your Force, your Strength, the skills you have which you may perceive. Six is the Hidden Strength.

7. This is your present environment, the forces at work right now in your Universe.

8. This is the approaching environment, the forces beginning to show themselves.

9. This is one of two forces developing in the future, usually a force which underlies the other, the force causing the next to come into play.

10. This is the other of these forces, and potentially a problem caused by the first.

11. This is a hazard, from the past, present or immediate future that will prevent you from achieving your goal.

12. This is the outcome of your attempt if the current situations remain unchanged.

13. This is the outcome if you make a situational change.
Optional: Progression spread: after reading, take 12 and 13 and reshuffle. Lay 

12 to the left and draw five cards, laying them, slightly overlapping, left to right. End with card 13. The cards between represent the steps from 12 to 13.

ALL CARDS ARE PLACED UPRIGHT THERE IS NO "REVERSED"
If possible, leave a blank card in the deck. This means "no data available at this time"

Notes:
THE SELF AND THE WILL:
-Trumps (cards 0-21) in the self (1) position: This represents an intense emotional attachment to the goal in question, or intense feelings.
-When the Self and Will positions both have Trumps, it represents strong internal forces. -When only the Self bears a Trump it indicates a mind/Will ruled by the Physical needs of the body.
-When only the Will bears a trump it represents a body ruled by wants and non-physical needs.
-Wands in one, Cups in the other or Swords in one, Pentacles in the other: The Will and the Self are diametrically opposed and the energy expended (and hazards expressed at this time) should be channeled towards harmony.
-Magician or High Priestess in one, Ace in the other: An element runs the risk of disturbing your harmony.
-Magician and High Priestess Together: Major mystical events coming into play, or ruling one's life.
-Above, Fool in card 13 or twelve: This is the spread of Ascensions, greater and lesser.
-King or Queen in Will, lesser of same suit in Self: The Self is ruled by the Will, this is preferable to the opposite, which indicates a damaged Will
-King or Queen in Will, different suit, not trump in Self: You are not serving yourself.
-Two Kings or two Queens: You are serving two outside interests, instead of aiding yourself.
-King and Queen, different suits: above, but with the potential for compromise.

Meaning of Trump Cards:
0: The Fool: An androgynous figure is so besotted with the universe he does not notice he is about to step off of a cliff. At his feet, a dog tries to get his attention. The Fool represents blissful ignorance and "stumbling" into drastic change. It is impulse, the id. When it appears as a strength or ideal, it represents the ability to hand over the Self to Faith, Will or another greater power, sort of like those cartoon characters. The fool, having never studied Law is unaffected by the Law of gravity. As a hazard or difficulty, the fool represents an over-dependence on faith and the tendency to focus too intensely on one thing, forgetting about the importance of Life.


1. The Magician: Within a garden of red and white flowers: (Purity and Sacrifice) the Mage is master of his environment and his Will. His implements of mastery are laid before him. This card represents Logical strength, a conquest over the mathematic and predictable, although the Mage finds predictability in what others call "Chaos" It is the force within the mirror, fully capable of being released, but at what price? It is force, the Ego. As a strength or ideal, the Mage is a card of control of the Self, an ability to end physical pain in oneself or others, diplomacy and the ability to compromise between work and faith or differing faiths. The Mage is unlimited in the tools he uses. As a hazard or difficulty the Mage represents a force difficult to overcome without becoming a reflection of what he is. He represents an alignment of numerous forces against you.


2. The High Priestess: A woman sits on a throne, her robes the water of the universe. Behind her we see a garden of feminine flowers in the color of sacredness (saffron) and sacrifice (red) She is surrounded by the symbols of many of man's religions, a priestess who outranks all of the clergy of man. This card represents Mysteries kept that way on purpose, wisdom, science and the religions of humankind. As an ideal or strength, she is control of the Will, of the superego, the ability to end emotional/spiritual pain and moral dilemma. She represents the ability to tie all religion and ethic into Universal Truths. As a hazard or difficulty, the High Priestess represents an ideal your enemy or negative environment will uphold you to, she represents a universal disapproval of an action or event you are responsible for.


3.The Empress: Feminine and maternal, the empress, ripe with child, (although not always portrayed that way) sits comfortably in a field of ripe wheat, the river of life behind her. Her lap beckons one like a child, she will love regardless of what you have done. This is the card of maternity, of matriarchy and female power. As an ideal or strength, she is the ability to cope with pain, as in childbirth, but she also is the giver of comfort and warmth. A celestial "Mommy," she represents fruition but also the fear of inevitable. As a hazard, she is overprotectiveness, fear, unwanted truth.


4. The Emperor: Seated on a throne of cold stone, the emperor rules over rough lands where strength is the key to victory. The emperor represents a sacred father figure, the giver of punishments and rewards. He is the man who sets you on quests, and rewards you for their completion, but he also punishes you for failure. As an ideal or strength, he is high values and the ability to uphold them, but also judgment. As a hazard or difficulty, the emperor is action before study and sharp, quick judgment.


5. The Hierophant: Emperor and archpriest, the Hierophant is truly the master of both domains, but his servants, purity and sacrifice, are also guardians, waiting for the moment he slips so he can be overthrown. The Hierophant is the card of Clerical duties, of service to duty beyond self. As an ideal or strength he is ascendancy to a seat of power, but also represents marriage, memorial and other "clerical duties." It may also indicate a ruling that needs to be made. As a hazard or difficulty he is societal judgment, kindness with hidden motives and loathing of position.


6. The Lovers: A man and a woman stand in paradise, receiving the blessing of an angel. This card represents new beginnings and purity of values. As an ideal or strength The Lovers represent harmony, an end to suffering and a control, through partnership(s) of one's domain As a hazard or difficulty, the Lovers represent temptation and fall from grace.


7.The Chariot: A man, possibly Apollo, is lifted from the City of The Gods on a Chariot pulled by two sphinxes, one black, one white, the river of life flows beneath him, but he is untouched by it. The Chariot is a card of male youth, of vigor, stamina and sexual prowess, but also of slavery (note the Sphinxes) and war. As an ideal or strength, The Chariot represents vigor and luck, physical prowess and an extreme force of Will. A Will that can be abused. As a hazard or difficulty, The Chariot represents a nearly unbeatable adversary, which may be one's one self.


8:Strength: A female figure of power and purity tames a lion. Strength is a card of power over adversity, of courage and hidden strength. It is often the strength of Faith and the soul. As an ideal or strength, Strength represents courage and immediacy, the ability to act at once. It represents power and the effective channeling of anger. As a hazard or Difficulty, Strength represents the ability of the foe, but also abuse of energy, fear, weakness or strife.


9: The Hermit: Rather than growing fruitful as the Emperor, The Hermit represents the Mage grown old and bitter in his power. This card, although male, is the Card of Hecate, the crone of Triformis. It represents wasted youth, bitterness, cruelty and a general withdrawal from society. As a strength or ideal this card represents caution, introspection and the ability to withdraw from one's surroundings, but warns of the result of too much internalization. As a hazard or difficulty, The Hermit represents a lack of interpersonal skills, sterility, treason on the part of a close friend or ally (especially embezzlement.) This card is also Le Mizer, so watch your purse strings. The Hermit is the card of bureaucracy, so beware paperwork.


10: The Wheel of Fortune: A mystical seal, surrounded by animals of theology and Mythology. The Wheel of Fortune represents the turning of the year, the inevitable and the force of karma. As a strength or ideal, this represents good luck, the ability to come 'round right after any trial, and success, despite problems, of an endeavor. As a hazard or difficulty it represents a swing of the pendulum described in Hermetic Philosophy a swing that is impossible or near impossible to duck. It is truly a card of forces aligning against you.


11: Justice: A androgynous figure in red robes (sacrifice) carries the tools of Themis. This is the card of justice and law, of bias and rules and of hierarchy. As a strength or ideal, Justice represents duty, honor and law. It is the card of politics and the courtroom, of success in legal endeavors and things that are right and fair. As a hazard or difficulty, Justice represents a pending lawsuit, abuse of the law or the inevitable result of breaking it.


12: The Hanged Man: Suspended from a tree by his right ankle, a man glows with sacred energy. This is the card of self-sacrifice, self-inflicted trial and the study of any demanding art. As a strength or ideal, this card represents the ability to rely on one's intuition and power, power gained by self- sacrifice and struggle. As a hazard or difficulty this represents an upcoming test or struggle and/or a difference of opinion from the public.


13: Death: A skeleton figure rides an albino horse into combat, bearing the five petaled rose, in the distance a ferry carries people to the afterlife. He has slain the king, and now a priest, strength and a child beg for mercy. In the distance, the sun rises (or sets) behind stone gates. This is the card of change, of rebirth but also of struggle. It is card of the hidden ruling force overtaking the figurehead, of Church over state, Paganism over Christianity and science over faith. This card reminds us that death is the end result of all endeavors. As a strength or ideal this is drastic change, an altering from a political to a spiritual lifestyle or just death. As a hazard or difficulty this may actually signify death or sickness, but also inertia and stagnation if change is prevented.


14: Temperance: An angel pours water from the river of life from cup to cup, never spilling a drop. This is the card of moderation, of management and mediation. Of solution despite itself. As a strength or ideal this is a call for consideration and moderation, a plea for temperance and the knowledge that it is possible. As a hazard or difficulty, this reflects the inability to feel passion, a lack of Will and blind faith or total lack of faith.


15:The Devil: The couple from The Lovers is chained to the throne of a demonic figure based on the Judeo-Christian devil. It bears between its horns the reversed pentacle, the symbol of Male divinity. The lovers are horned now, and while chained, they could easily slip the chains, if they wished to. This card is the reverse of the Lovers, what some see the Lovers as. It represents ignorance, assumption, Witch-hunting and the persecution of people based on religion. As a strength or ideal, The Devil represents effort against incredible odds, belief in the Self despite the popular vote. As a hazard or difficulty it is persecution, pain, infliction of religion that doesn't belong to you, and negative public image.


16:The Tower: The Forces of The Gods destroy the Works of man in a Fiery display of Power. This is the one truly miserable card in the deck, there is no other with so little good to say. This is the card of Karma, the kind that bops you upside the head when you're not looking and ruins your life. As a strength or ideal: Ideal?? Strength??? This is the Tower!! Ruin, Misery. There is no ideal here beyond a chance to survive. As a hazard or difficulty: Look Out! Rough road ahead. The Tower is calamity, imprisonment and death. Can you say "L.A. when The Big One hits?"


17: The (fallen) Star: Unclothed in her sparkling garments, the Star pours water on the ground and into the river of life. This is the card of running yourself ragged, of loss and pain but also a chance to return to one's stardom. she is not clothed in the Heavens, but the Earth hasn't claimed her yet, As a strength or ideal: The Star represents a chance to regain an old "stardom," to return to an activity you were good at but have given up. As a hazard or difficulty: The Star represents a fall from grace, usurpment. It may mean someone is better than you.


18:The Moon: A female face in a moon rains light down upon creatures of the night. This is a card of Change and "Two-Facedness." This is not the Shiny-Happy Moon, this is Hecate and Diana as warrior and bitter crone. As a strength or ideal: This Card represents a lot of power, but bears the warning that some things, such as love, are more important than power. As a hazard or difficulty: This card represents Enemies hidden from view, Accident, Fate and Mental anguish and disorder.


19: The Sun: A child on a white horse before a wall topped with sunflowers clutches a red banner. Above it all, the sun looks noncommittal. This is a card of warmth (get it?,) the Sun displayed is the sun that lures you into napping on a warm day, that makes you feel that everything is all right in the Universe. The sunflower represents the solar wheel. As a strength or ideal: This card represents contentment and health, growth and good fortune. As a hazard or difficulty: We are reminded that suntanning causes skin cancer, that flying to high makes our wings melt. In these positions, we are warned merely to not "overdo it" All things in Moderation.


20:Judgement: It's the end of the world and corpses are climbing out of caskets in the River of Life to greet a trumpeter. This card represents change, an end to (Christian) Tyranny, rebirth. As a strength or ideal: This card represents an end to worldly reincarnation and a new "Oneness" with The Powers. It is a card of finality, an end to "death" stagnation, etc. As a hazard or difficulty: This card represents judgements that don't go one's way, a parting with the ways of good and the inevitable outcome of this.


21:The World: A female figure surrounded by a circle. In other decks, this is the earth surrounded by the snake that is birthing/eating itself. This is a card of worldliness, of adventure and, of course infinity. As a strength or ideal: This card represents an ability to reach deeper within oneself to grasp events outside one's self. An inner worldliness, so to speak. As a Hazard or Difficulty: This card does, however, represent a way of seeing things in large terms, not being able to see the trees for the forest for example. A person who is too in touch with the macrocosm may have a hard time with the microcosm.