WORKING WITH THE TAROT’S STRUCTURE

When working with the Tarot, you will note that it has a set structure that spans across all card decks. Some sets may deviate from this structure with the inclusion of some additional cards for set purposes, but the core of Tarot remains the same. Over my years of teaching my students to work with this enlightening tool, I have consistently encourage the active usage of this structure for more defined and tailored readings.

The Tarot traditionally consists of seventy-eight cards, divided into two fundamental sections referred to as arcana, a term frequently encountered in Tarot studies. These sections are known as the Major Arcana, comprising twenty-two cards, also referred to as trumps, and the Minor Arcana, consisting of the remaining fifty-six cards. These are numbered from Ace to Ten and include a section of sixteen card known as the Court Cards, commonly referred to as Page, Knight, Queen, and King, although these titles can vary across different traditions.

The Major Arcana delves into significant life lessons and experiences, with each card representing a universal aspect of genuine human nature and core human experiences. On the other hand, the Minor Arcana serves as an extension of the Major Arcana, offering insights into the four dimensions of the self: physical, mental, emotional, and energetic. It illuminates the journeys and lessons undertaken to enhance these aspects of one’s being.

Additionally, the Court Cards within the Minor Arcana provide valuable insights into personality traits and the inherent nature of various situations. When working with the cards it is highly beneficial to work with these individual sections, as oppose to working with the entire deck all the time. Some instances may call for the entire deck to be utilized, but more often than not it is most certainly worth splitting your deck up into main sections and working with what you need. I’ll elaborate on this as I explore the main sections of the Tarot below.

Exploring the Major Arcana: A Deep Dive into Tarot’s Core

The Major Arcana, often described as the heart and soul of Tarot, consists of twenty cards, spanning from zero to twenty-one in most decks. Each card within this revered section encapsulates a universal facet of genuine human nature, embodying specific archetypes represented by each card’s name. Some cards, like Justice or Judgment, signify explicit meanings, while others embody personality types such as The High Priestess or The Emperor. Certain cards, like The Hierophant or Strength, embody distinct approaches to life.

Furthermore, Major Arcana cards encompass a broad spectrum of symbolism. Some depict astronomical bodies like The Sun, The Moon, and The Star, representing ethereal forces, while others, such as Death and The Chariot, encapsulate tangible life experiences. When Major Arcana cards emerge in a reading, they illuminate an individual’s life path, carrying significant depth and meaning.

Referred to as the Soul’s/Fool’s Journey, the Major Arcana portrays real-life experiences and essential lessons that pave the way toward enlightenment. These cards serve as profound archetypes of transformation and enlightenment, guiding seekers through the complexities of life. Although different Tarot sets may offer varied names and interpretations, the underlying journey toward enlightenment remains consistent. While the path to enlightenment is undeniably challenging, working with the Tarot provides invaluable insights, serving as an insightful guide along this transformative journey.

When working with this explorative section of the Tarot, utilize it to understand the deeper aspects of yourself and your life experiences. Exploring questions that relate to purpose, your Soul journey and major life experiences can provide far deeper insights than if you had drawn from the entire set. Let us say that you wanting to explore and understand a major upheaval and perhaps what you could do to navigate this experience more efficiently, pull out your Major Arcana and draw intuitively as you normally would, but instead of trying to work with the clutter and unnecessary details that may come from the Minor Arcana or Court Cards, you would receive deeper insights more aligned to this type of query.

Drawing fewer cards also has its benefit. We often feel inclined to draw multiple cards to get the full or bigger picture, but often this works out to our detriment as we end up with an information overload that we need must unpack and interpret. Less, genuinely is more when it comes to working with the Tarot and its structure.

Navigating The Minor Arcana: Understanding Life’s Everyday Lessons

The Minor Arcana serves as an expansive counterpart to the Major Arcana, shedding light on the day-to-day intricacies of our lives. When delving into Tarot readings, it is essential to acknowledge these sub-journeys, utilizing them to gain a comprehensive understanding of any situation. Upon entering this lifetime, we are equipped with four fundamental tools necessary for fully experiencing life, aiding us in learning and progress. These tools are our physical body, our mind, energy and emotions (which also relate to our intuition)

Comprised of four suits representing the aspects of the self and the elemental forces, the Minor Arcana breaks down these tools into essential lessons. Each suit—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—reflects one of the four elements, guiding us through a journey of self-discovery and self-mastery. The core lessons within each suit remains consistent, tailored to the relevant aspect of the self. For instance, Wands and Pentacles share similar foundational lessons, but focus on the energetic or creative aspects and the material and physical aspects, respectively.

The Minor Arcana serves as a profound guide for the sub-journeys in life, leading us through the process of embracing and mastering the different facets of ourselves. By working closely with the suit corresponding to the aspect under consideration, we can navigate these lessons effectively. If you are perhaps seeking to something within the realm of mind working with Swords would highly beneficial. Much same could said for exploring anything within the physical realm, which encompasses much more than just our physical bodies. It also comprises our material possessions, careers, finances and our health.

Moreover, additional associations such as numerology, astrology, and elemental correspondences offer valuable insights when working with Minor Arcana. Delving into these associations enriches the understanding of Tarot interpretations, providing a more nuanced perspective. Conscious engagement with each suit fosters personal growth and improvement across the aspects that they correspond to. So when working with the finer details of everyday life seek to work with the suit most tailored to your needs.

Mastering the Courts: Personality and Situational Archetypes

The Court Cards offer profound insights into both individual personalities and the inherent nature of various situations or events. These cards serve as archetype personalities, embodying the diverse ways one might handle a given circumstance. It’s crucial to recognize that these cards represent not only people but also events and situations.

When working with the Court Cards, it’s common to find certain Courts with which you strongly resonate and others that might trigger certain responses. Engaging with each suit and Court individually can be an enlightening exercise, providing valuable self-reflection opportunities. This introspective approach is immensely beneficial, fostering self-improvement and balance within oneself. By integrating the balanced aspects of each Court, one can expand on their self-awareness and work toward becoming better versions of themself.

Each Court Card flows with the elemental associations carried over from the Minor Arcana and each rank possesses a unique additional element association, along with corresponding energies (masculine/feminine) and age groups. While there are no strict numerology and astrology associations for the Court Cards, the twelve zodiac signs can serve as a valuable reference when discerning different personality types and if one plays close attention to their Courts they will note distinct symbols and references to these astrological associations.

Work with your Courts to understand personality traits more intricately or to gain insights into navigating a particular situation. Take into consideration the specific associations for each suit and rank as well for a more in-depth analysis of your reading. My “Self Development with the Courts” course can provide an insightful exploration of working with the Courts for these specific purposes. Alternatively you can explore the intricacies of working with the Tarot’s structure in my “Art of Tarot” course or guidebook.

In the intricate world of Tarot, the Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, and Court Cards collectively form a rich tapestry of wisdom, guiding us through the profound journey of self-discovery. The Major Arcana unveils universal truths and life-altering experiences, serving as a roadmap for transformation and enlightenment. Meanwhile, the Minor Arcana delves into the nuances of everyday life, offering valuable lessons and insights into the core aspects of the self. The Court Cards, with their intricate blend of personalities and situational archetypes, provide a mirror to our own nature and interactions with the world.

Incorporating Tarot into our lives is not merely an act of divination but a profound practice of self-exploration and self-improvement. By understanding the core structure, elemental associations, and archetypes within the Tarot, we can utilize it for deeper, more explorative readings and as a transformative tool for self-awareness and enlightenment. Through careful introspection and the guidance of these cards and their beneficial structure, we gain deeper insights into ourselves and the world around us.

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