Many definitions/meanings of major arcana cards

[Pythia Crone]

I am flumoxed that there are so many different definitions or meanings of each of the major arcana cards; the variations are so wide between books.

What kinds of guidelines do you have for yourselves as to how many and what books you will refer to? What limits do you apply for yourselves?

One can make oneself crazy if one refers to too many. :kooky:

Thanks,
Pythia

[aranarose]

I say screw the books! To start out with, look at each individual Major Arcana and choose one or two keywords based on how that card makes you FEEL.

For example:

The Fool - You see a young man about to walk off a cliff. You might think "stupidity" or "risk-taking" both of which are meanings that other people have assigned to the card.

No meaning is more valid than any other meaning. If it makes sense to you, then it is OK. Do this with all the Majors, and then with all the Minors. Write them down in a journal, and refer to your journal instead of other books. As new meanings come to you, because they will, write them down.

[PeatBog]

the Fool is chaotic, the Magician controls, the High Priestess is mysterious, the Empress is earthy, the Emperor rules, the Hierophant is traditional, the Lovers erotic, the Chariot young and active, Justice balanced, the Hermit old and reclusive, the Wheel of Fortune always changing, Strength capacity, the Hanged Man reversed, Death endings, Temperance moderation, the Devil is horny, the Tower cataclysmic, the Star renewing, the Moon is dark, the Sun is light, Judgment elevates, and the World completion.

[Terra Mater]

The meanings vary according to the reading. Each card, major and minor, is a picture flash card designed to remind you of what you already know.

There is more to each card than just a simple keyword meaning, and you should look at the whole card. Let's go with the fool example:

(Rider-Waite deck) A jester is walking along with a stick over his shoulder from which hangs a cloth bag. This signifies the journey through life. The cliff he is nearing is the pitfalls we can find ourselves stumbling into. The jester is followed by a young dog, a friendly loyal companion who is either happy to be on the journey, or warning the jester of the cliff face before them.

Both the number 0 on the card and the images serve to remind us with surprises both good and bad. The Fool'sposture and expression indicate a general lack of concern and innocence in spite of being a step away from the edge of danger. Will he notice it in time? Anything is possible.

Now how to take all this information into a reading depends on the topic you are looking for perspective on. The card might be warning you of follishness you are unaware of, or it might be suggesting that you need to be a little more foolish and not worry quite as much.

Take some time to really look at each card and all facets of it. If you are using the Rider-Waite deck, pay special attention to the Hebraic symbols that appear on many of the cards as they give added meaning to the cards they appear on. When you are doing a reading, pay extra attention if the cards remind you of a specific person, odds are you are recalling that person to give you added insight into the situation. For example, if the Fool comes up while you are trying to figure out which job to take and you are reminded of your brother who had two job choices and made the "foolish" choice but it worked out for him, then you may need to make a similar "foolish" decision to realize your own limitless potential.

I do not recommend the "keyword" approach as it over simplifies the message you get from the cards and you miss details in your readings.

[Deb13b]

I say screw the books! To start out with, look at each individual Major Arcana and choose one or two keywords based on how that card makes you FEEL.

For example:

The Fool - You see a young man about to walk off a cliff. You might think "stupidity" or "risk-taking" both of which are meanings that other people have assigned to the card.

No meaning is more valid than any other meaning. If it makes sense to you, then it is OK. Do this with all the Majors, and then with all the Minors. Write them down in a journal, and refer to your journal instead of other books. As new meanings come to you, because they will, write them down.

Ditto ! Too many books will make it harder. Study one card at a time, go by how they make you feel.

[Zephyrstorm]

What Arana says - though Terra Mater also has it right.

In one reading the Moon will signify that the seeker is caught up in a delusion, and in the next it may be saying that the seeker needs to listen to her intuition. The cards are affected by the cards around them, the positions of the cards in the reading, your own intuition and the question.

Keeping a journal of your responses to cards will go a long way towards helping you with the variety.

[RainInanna]

I just go by the book with the deck, since it suggests what the artist was planning when he designed it.

[LisaT4P]

I would also suggest a journal with your own thoughts on the cards and their meanings, but having at least one good book is also a helpful idea. If you search through the FAQ or do a search on "Tarot Books" there should be lots of suggestions.

Mary K. Greer is one of my favorites & her "Tarot Reversals" is the book I refer to most often.

If I do use a themed deck, I will refer to the book that came with it, as RI suggested, it gives you more insight into why particular symbols were used by the author / artist.

It can seem overwhelming at first, and journaling is often the best way to get started, but as you become more familiar with the cards books can deepen your understanding of the tarot system and broaden your horizons. Just try not to overwhelm yourself right at the beginning. Tarot is not something that can be learned overnight. It is something that, if you stick with it, you'll be studying all your life. (and that's a good thing) :)

[1111]

Damn it. I was going to ask you about that book on reveresal's and just never asked. Now you post it here and I am banned from all book stores. :lol:

Off to Borders.

[Zephyrstorm]

Damn it. I was going to ask you about that book on reveresal's and just never asked. Now you post it here and I am banned from all book stores. :lol:

Off to Borders.

Take me with you! I wish. :hehehehe:

[LisaT4P]

Off to Borders.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/220/476154552_c87ccb8d80.jpg?v=0

[1111]

:falloffch:rollingla:steppy: That has to go in WATC.

[WolfPup522]

:falloffch:rollingla:steppy: That has to go in WATC.

Agreed! That is FABULOUS!!! :lol:

[PeatBog]

It may be of help to view the Majors as energies that affect the events shown in the Minors rather than being the events themselves.