January 26, 2013
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Interpreting the minor arcana of the Tarot
Interpreting the minor arcana of the Tarot
Tarot
It is helpful to have a way to understand where we are in life when we face issues. The Tarot is more than a divination system, it is a philosophy about life and archetypical patterns in life. The lessons of the Tarot can enrich our thinking irrespective of whether we use it as a divination system or not. You will benefit from pondering the philosophy underlying the Tarot even if you are not interested in the Tarot itself.
I have read many Tarot books and have 21 books in my personal library on the Tarot. Explaining the minor arcana to a friend of mine I was reminded of one of the best depictions that elucidate the minor arcana. This interpretation method is based on a archetypical journey with which many of us can associate. This journey acknowledges the cyclical nature of progression.
Source: 21 ways to read the Tarot by Mary K Greer’s
In short the description for each phase associated with the corresponding four cards are:
1) Realization that the journey is needed but not you are not yet sure where to go.
2) Deciding where to go and packing. A decision must be made and a direction in the road chosen. The path is plotted onto a map.
3) The call to action. You must take a step to start the journey at the foot of the mountain see how things get together. You must create the momentum to overcome inertia.
4) Achieving some progress and finding a plateau to evaluate and can look back with satisfaction at progress made. You can still turn around if you want to. Often a time to rest and taking some refreshments before continuing the journey.
5) The challenging and most risky part of the journey is against the steepest part of the mountain. It requires focus to overcome obstacles and yet we can no longer turn back.
6) Achievement…the goal of the journey had been achieved. You are on the top of the mountain and see the big picture with the moment The path is making sense. The journey however is not completed.
7) The journey is not completed the mountain must still be descended. The result of the journey must still be integrated. Happy to have achieved, but the situation is still precarious. Completing this phase give is the true victory!
8) The results of the journey is now visible, the risk has been circumvented and the final stretch cleared. Last minute adjustments can still be made that effect how the journey will end but little can be done in terms of creativity. The going gets easier down the slope of the mountain.
9) The journey is completed and loose ends must be tied up. Finalize the journey. The gear for the journey packed away.
10) The journey is part of your personal history and you can share it as a story with others from beginning to the end. It is time to start wondering about a new journey. You experience the longer term outcome that results from the journey as its impact becomes part of the momentum that sets the course of your life.
Comments (6)
I have used the tarot at first for curiousity then as I would have questions, I’d put out a spread and start to see the patterns in my life as the card would offer thought. From there it was a relief at times to have the cards to help me organize my thoughts about my own self growth. This journey of life is a daily experience as the diagram depicts. It’s up to us to get on our own path. (pats heart, and points to you)
@Jaynebug - The Tarot can certainly help to organise thoughts and it adds a random element that can assist you in considering things you would not have considered before. Thank you for sharing your insight.
Surely we do not need to know the art of how to read Tarot cards to achieve the goals and ambitions of our life?
Interesting post.
interesting indeed.
i have always been interested in the Tarot, and have tried reading it but to no avail – either that, or I am not good at it. Though, after every reading, I did have dreams that were very accurate…weird?
@ZSA_MD - I agree with you. There are many people that achieve success without ever having read a tarot card and all Tarot car readers are not successful either. I do think however for those who understand the Tarot can use the Tarot in a beneficial manner.
@persephone_winter - Maybe your conscious mind is overriding the subconscious but when you are asleep your subconscious can surface.
I found this very interesting, I had a tarot reading years ago. I think its time for another he,he
Thank you for sharing. It has opened my awareness to understanding the cycle of life through Tarot