The sixth part of an ongoing series that gives a basic introduction to the Major Arcana. Here we look at those things that cause devastation in life and yet there is a light at the end of the tunnel. These few posts are an open invitation to learn more about Tarot reading and to give my readers a very basic introduction to the Tarot Cards themselves.
In case you missed earlier pasts are:
Part 1
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 7
Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti
THE DEVIL
A man and woman are held in chains by a devil sitting upon a dark throne. The devil holds a fiery brand in one hand.
Headline: A Slave to Myself.
Card Number: 15 (XV)
Element: Earth
Colour: Blue-Violet
Symbols - Chains & fire.
Natural Meaning
Bad outside influence of advice.
Bondage, temptation, addiction (drugs/drink/sex/money).
Enslavement, fear & doubt, feeling trapped, lies, violence.
Extreme materialism, sexual deviancy/gratification.
Self-destruction.
Subordination, subservience.
Unhealthy relationships.
Reverse Meaning
Escaping an unhealthy relationship or addiction.
Divorce.
Not giving in to temptation.
Freedom from restraint, throwing off the shackles.
Release.
THE TOWER
On a stormy night a tower is struck by lightning as the rain falls. The top of the tower is ripped free by the strike and fire spreads up the building. Two people from the tower are falling in terror, did they jump to escape the flames or were they thrown out by the blast?
Headline: And the World Turns (with a Vengeance).
Card Number: 16 (XVI)
Element: Fire
Colour: Red
Symbols - Clouds, fire, ice and lightning.
Natural Meaning
Changing of beliefs or opinions, severing of a friendship.
Complete, sudden & unexpected change, upheaval, being overthrown or ousted.
Destruction, ruin, catastrophe, an accident or damage to the home.
Redundancy or loss of work, bankruptcy or financial problems.
Renovation, the replacement of old ways or forms.
Revelation, release.
Trapped in a bad or unhappy situation.
Unexpected events.
Reverse Meaning
A disruptive person.
A volatile situation.
Fearing the worst.
Illness.
Prolonged & continued upheaval & disruption.
The calm after the storm.
Unexpected obstacles, difficulties.
THE STAR
A woman pours out two pitchers of water , one onto the land and on into a pool. Above her head is a single large star surrounded by seven lesser stars. A bird looks on from its perch atop a tree.
Headline: Great Things are Written in the Stars.
Card Number: 17 (XVII)
Element: Air
Colour: Violet
Symbols - A bird, pitchers or jugs, stars & water.
Natural Meaning
Beauty & aesthetics.
Good health, healing, alternative therapies.
Happiness.
Help in all forms.
Hope, optimism.
Opportunities, inspiration.
Renewal, the past influencing the present.
Serenity, a time of tranquillity.
Spirituality.
The heavens, astrology, astronomy, wishing on a star.
Reverse Meaning
Blocks to renewal.
Hopelessness.
Poor health, feeling unwell.
Missed opportunities, obstacles from the past.
Refusing an offer of help, refusing to help others.
IF you are interested in Tarot reading, you may find this post interesting: Your First Tarot Deck
This is a link to my beginners guide to Tarot reading: The Aincient Oracle. Available in both paperback and ebook versions, it is a book written so as to be understandable and keep the jargon and language to a minimum. It is a complete guide to starting tarot reading and intends to turn the newcomer into a competent reader at that person's own pace.
