Request interpretation

[Autumn Clair]

I'm new to tarot reading. Never had a course on it. Just bought a Rider Waite Deck and it had a little book with it.

I asked a question today and my answer was an upside down The Empress. I used the whole deck but only one card for the reading.

My question was: How will the rest of this year go for me, will my path be difficult or easilier. When asking the question I was thinking in terms of my life and everything going on in it.

Could someone explain to me just what the upside down The Empress could mean for me?

[Vivienne]

I'll take a stab at it, but not sure if I have enough information. Was this a one-card reading? If so, I'd say that the rest of the year may prove challenging to you, because you may not have been entirely realistic in your expectations and planning. You may perhaps experience feelings of failure or frustration, which can cause problems at home and work. I'm thinking that it's time to go to someone you trust for advice...someone experienced who can guide you through the next part of the year.

Looks like finances are a big issue with you, and they'll continue to be so. You may feel depressed, hopeless and want to give up, but that is when you need to find that inner strength, and maybe rework the ways in which you have been doing things. Hone your skills and come at it wiser and with more organized energy.

From what I can see, the responsibility is yours. No outside forces are causing your hardship, which makes it a bit easier because in knowing that you hold the reins, you can make the choice to change direction.

Always remember that nothing is written in stone. These cards are merely a tool to bring your awareness deeper into the nuances of your situation. You have the ability to change the direction of your readings by heeding thier counsel. It's all about empowerment, Autumn, so take the opportunity to work it, girl!

Namaste,
Vivienne

[Autumn Clair]

Now see I didn't get that at all.

Reversed: Light, truth, the unravelling of involved matters, public rejoicings,vacillation. Is what the book says.

My interpetation: Light, truth the unravelling of involved matters. I took all this to be good signs.
Light meaning insight a better tomorrow, a light at the end of darkness. Truth, the unravelling of involved matters. I took this to mean something that has been difficult will be getting easy with the means of truth, whats right. Things that have been difficult unravelling to a more calmer state more workable.

[Vivienne]

Usually the little books that come with the deck are not exactly definitive.

That said, I would say go with your gut. Reading the cards has a little to do with book knowledge, and a lot to do with intuition. Although I will say this: It's difficult to get an accurate reading when reading for yourself, particularly when you are inexperienced with it. It's hard to be objective, and you may want to color it in a way that's more comfortable for you. Regardless, you alone must find your own truth.

Oh! And if you want to learn more about Tarot reading, Amethyst is offering a class, and the sign ups are going on right now. This is perfect timing for you! :)

Good luck on your journey!

Namaste,
Vivienne

[Vivienne]

Also, make sure you're reading the reversed meaning. It's usually quite a bit different than upright.

Vivienne

[Autumn Clair]

Yes that was the reversed.

This is the upright view they give:which fits more your thinking. Fruitful, action, initiative, length in days, the unknown, clandestine also difficulty dought and ignorance.

Thanks for the tarot class up date. I was just looking at that this morning thinking I might give it a go. I have been told by some of the member I interpret well with out the book, they said throw it away. But I got the same feel when I just looked at the card I thought it was strange getting a good feeling with it up side down but I've had some bad cards thown at me before so I don't let my wants or needs get in the way of interpreting. Though I do see your point.:uhhuhuh:

Thank you so much, it might even depend on the deck being used.

[Vivienne]

Okay, you didn't say the deck was used. Did you do a cleansing on it before you tried to read? Always, always do that. There are actually some schools of thought that say never use a used deck. Try doing the cleansing, and if that doesn't work, get a new deck. Energies get imbedded in the cards and some may be difficult to get out.

This is why when you first purchase a deck, you should cleanse it, then shuffle it every moment that you can...while watching TV for instance, and even sleep with it under your pillow. That way it becomes attuned to your energy.

From what I've learned in my studies, and I've studied for 24 years, The Empress card in it's upright position denotes fertility, prosperity, growth, the fulfillment of needs. Also that past seeds were well planted and the resulting gains are much better than anticipated -- which is not at all what I interpreted for you.

Anyway, I'd like to suggest that you study up a bit before you try any serious readings for yourself. Study the cards and what they represent. There are really good books out there that teach you how to read the symbolism in each card. It's amazing the more you learn about them, the more sense the pictures on the cards make. Eileen Connolly's book Tarot: A New Handbook for the Apprentice is a good one for someone who's starting out with Tarot. It gives you a good starting point, and some exercises and meditations to do as you are learning.

Amethyst's class will be great for you as well! :)

Namaste,
Vivienne

[LisaT4P]

Okay, you didn't say the deck was used. Did you do a cleansing on it before you tried to read? Always, always do that. There are actually some schools of thought that say never use a used deck. Try doing the cleansing, and if that doesn't work, get a new deck. Energies get imbedded in the cards and some may be difficult to get out.

This is why when you first purchase a deck, you should cleanse it, then shuffle it every moment that you can...while watching TV for instance, and even sleep with it under your pillow. That way it becomes attuned to your energy.Just have to chime (respectfully) with a differing view point.

I never cleanse my decks. I don't sleep with them under my pillow. I use many used decks. I let other people handle them during readings or just to see what the cards look like. I keep them in whatever container they came in, although I do have some nice bags too. Sometimes I go for months or a year without shuffling one of my decks, and even then they work just fine for me. I don't burn incense, I don't cast a circle, I don't contact any God/dess or spirit, angel or friendly being of light of any kind.

So, while I respect the opinion, I don't think that all of that is really necessary. Certainly give it a try and see if it works for you. But it isn't a hard and fast rule of tarot.

While I do believe that many superstitions have a kernel of fact hidden somewhere in them, many of them are not relevant for today's society.

As for books, some of the LWB (little white books) that come with tarot decks are so watered down as to be fairly useless, I agree. But it will always be beneficial to have a good solid tarot book on hand. I always recommend Mary K. Greer's The Complete Guide to Tarot Reversals (it has upright meanings too ;) ) or Rachel Pollack's 78 Degrees of Wisdom. You can't go wrong with either of those.


I asked a question today and my answer was an upside down The Empress. I used the whole deck but only one card for the reading.

My question was: How will the rest of this year go for me, will my path be difficult or easilier. When asking the question I was thinking in terms of my life and everything going on in it.

Could someone explain to me just what the upside down The Empress could mean for me?My first thought was take a look at your creative side. Are you using your creativity in order to find ways to make things work for you? You might be blocking some of your creative ideas. Thinking in a straight line instead of "outside the box". There are always many options open to us even if we don't see them right away. If you come to a moment this year where you feel stuck, take a moment to check and see if you are aware of all the possibilities. You might be surprised at what you find when you think creatively. Make the best of what you have all around you, you already have everything you need.

[Old Witch]

Now see I didn't get that at all.

Reversed: Light, truth, the unravelling of involved matters, public rejoicings,vacillation. Is what the book says.

My interpetation: Light, truth the unravelling of involved matters. I took all this to be good signs.
Light meaning insight a better tomorrow, a light at the end of darkness. Truth, the unravelling of involved matters. I took this to mean something that has been difficult will be getting easy with the means of truth, whats right. Things that have been difficult unravelling to a more calmer state more workable.

Hmm...I don't get that meaning at all, but I don't use Rider Waite at all any more, I use the Goddess Tarot almost exclusively now, so I got my book out that goes with RW..So I'll practically quote the book...Reversed the Empress reflects loss of personal power thru giving to much to anothers emotional or material needs.It suggests indeciseveness concerning others... The book goes on, but nowhere is it as positive as your take on it...What is the name of the book you are using?