Reading The Tarot: Tarot For Witches, #1

By Raven Willow

In Reading the Tarot, author Raven Willow provides clear and concise meanings for all upright and reversed Tarot Cards. Additionally, each card includes a meditation to help you connect with the energy of the card and use it as a tool for personal growth.

 

Whether you're a Tarot beginner or an experienced reader, this guide will help you deepen your understanding of the Tarot and its power to illuminate your life journey.

 

From understanding the meanings of Tarot Cards, to learning the different card positions, to working with spreads and developing your own readings, Reading The Tarot covers it all.

 

Designed for Witches, Wiccans, and anybody interested in learning more about Tarot, this guide will help you deepen your understanding of the Tarot and its power to illuminate your life journey. Reading the Tarot is a must-have guide for anyone interested in this ancient art.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raven Willow
• Release date: Feb 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223882152

Raven Willow

Raven Willow is an English solitary witch, and has been practising witchcraft for over 10 years. She has studied Wicca, but prefers to define herself as an 'eclectic pagan witch.' She loves outdoor rituals, but living in Manchester both green space and decent weather are hard to come by.

Book preview

Introduction

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The first thing you need to know about reading the Tarot is that it's not some dark, mysterious art reserved for witches and warlocks. In fact, anyone can learn to read the Tarot if they're willing to put in the time and practice.

So, what is Tarot reading? Simply put, it's a way of gaining insight into your life and the decisions you need to make. The Tarot can help you understand the present, past, and future, as well as provide guidance on matters such as love, career, and health.

You can read the cards for a variety of purposes, such as gaining clarity about a situation, making decisions about a course of action, or understanding oneself better. You can also do readings for other people, such as family or friends.

Learning the Tarot can also be beneficial from a personal growth perspective. Studying Tarot can help you develop your intuition and psychic abilities. It can also introduce you to new concepts and ways of thinking that you may have never considered before. If you're open-minded and willing to step outside of your comfort zone, learning Tarot can be a truly enriching experience.

One of the best things about Tarot reading is that it's a lifelong practice. The more you read the cards, the more you'll learn about yourself and the world around you. So don't be afraid to start learning today - the reward will be well worth it!

The best way to learn Tarot is to get a set of cards and start reading. There are many Tarot decks available, so take your time in choosing one that you feel comfortable with. Once you have your deck, familiarise yourself with the meanings of the Tarot cards. Use the meditations in this book to help you gain a deeper understanding of the cards.

This book contains both upright and reversed meanings for all 78 cards in a traditional Tarot deck. The meanings provided here are meanings that have held true for me in over two decades of card readings, and they are generally accepted meanings for the cards. However, Tarot is an interpretive art, so feel free to adjust the meanings to fit your own understanding of the cards.

Tarot readings are personal. What one person sees in a reading may not be what another person sees. With that in mind, it's important to trust your intuition when interpreting the cards.

Finally, always approach a Tarot reading with an open mind. Be willing to accept whatever the cards have to say, no matter how difficult it may be.

General Reading Tips

It can seem daunting at first to learn the Tarot. However, the unique symbology and general patterns of the Tarot can help you. You don't necessarily have to learn all the individual meanings in this book by heart to complete an accurate reading. In fact, I'd recommend that you don't try to do that.

You may be wondering, if I don't recommend you learn the meanings in this book by heart, then why did I write it?

This book is a guide, not a rulebook. Yes, the meanings captured here are generally widely accepted and have held true for me during my practice. It will be your own experiences with the Tarot that will determine what each card means for you.

However, to start reading the tarot, a little guidance in the right direction based on centuries of practice and knowledge can really help.

Create a Calm, Peaceful Environment

When you are comfortable in calm, peaceful surroundings, you’re more likely to achieve a deeper and more intuitive connection with your cards.

Some simple tips and techniques to enhance your reading environment:

Choose the Right Location: Find a spot in your home that feels naturally calm and inviting. It could be a cosy corner of your living room, a dedicated room, or even a quiet space in your garden. The key is to choose a place where you feel safe and undistracted.

Incorporate Nature: Bringing elements of nature into your space can ground your energy. Think about adding potted plants, crystals, or a small water fountain. The natural vibrations can provide a gentle boost to your intuitive capabilities.

Use Comfortable Seating: Whether it's a cushioned chair, a plush pillow on the floor, or a soft blanket, make sure you're comfortable. Physical comfort can help you to let the energy flow.

Keep the Space Clean: A clutter-free area is conducive to clarity of thought. Regularly cleanse the space, physically and energetically.

Establish a Routine: Before starting a reading, you may want to develop a ritual to signal to your subconscious that it's time to tune in. This could be as simple as taking a few deep breaths, ringing a bell, or saying a short prayer or affirmation.

Limit Technology: Try to keep electronic devices, like phones and computers, away from your reading space.

By investing time and intention into creating a peaceful environment for your Tarot readings, you not only show respect to the art and practice of Tarot but also to yourself. Over time, this dedicated space will become charged with positive energies, making each reading experience even more profound. Remember, the goal is to cultivate an environment where you can truly listen – to the cards, to the universe, and most importantly, to yourself.

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Pose Clear Questions

The way you frame your question makes a world of difference to the reading. If your questions are too general, the answers might be just as elusive. Think of it this way: if you ask something very broad, how can you expect a precise answer?

Instead of questions like, Will I find love? which can be a bit up in the air, why not dig a bit deeper? A question like, What steps can I take to draw a loving relationship into my life? gives you more actionable insight and a clearer path forward.

Remember, the Tarot is there to guide you, but the clearer you are with your questions, the better the guidance you'll receive.

Be receptive to the messages, even if they aren't what you expected or hoped for. The cards reflect the energies and patterns at play in your life, and sometimes they may reveal truths that you aren't ready to accept. Embrace these moments as opportunities for growth and reflection.

On the same note, don’t ask the cards the same question, or try to read about the same issue too frequently. If you want clarification during a reading, you can draw an additional card for more insight, but don’t be tempted to keep asking the same question hoping for a different answer. What normally happens is that you begin to pull cards that make no sense for the question you have.

Reversed Cards

One aspect of Tarot reading that often raises questions is the interpretation of reversed cards—those that appear upside down in a spread. Some readers choose not to interpret reversed cards, keeping their readings 'upright.' However, I find that reversed cards can offer an additional layer of insight. They often provide the opposite meaning of the upright card, or in some instances, they may amplify the upright meaning. For example, while the upright Tower card may signify sudden change or upheaval, when reversed, it could indicate resistance to change or a personal transformation.

Connect with Your Deck

Before delving into readings, take time to connect with your Tarot deck. Sit in a quiet space, hold the cards in your hands, and infuse

them with your energy. Meditate on your intention and establish a bond with your deck. Take time to study the symbols, colours, and imagery on each card. Explore the traditional interpretations as well as your personal associations with these symbols. This connection will heighten your intuition and create a sacred space for your readings.

Practice Regularly

Like any skill, Tarot reading improves with practice. Make it a habit to read the cards regularly. Experiment with different spreads, ask varied questions, and explore various techniques. The more you immerse yourself in Tarot, the more comfortable and skilled you'll become in interpreting the cards' messages accurately.

The History of Tarot

Tarot has a long and fascinating history. Starting as a card game in Europe centuries ago, it eventually evolved into the tool for divination and self-reflection that we recognise today.

Origins and Early Usage:

Tarot has its origins in the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe, initially as a card game called tarocchi. This game had nothing to do with divination or occult practices and was a trick- taking game similar to modern-day bridge.

The earliest surviving Tarot Deck is the Visconti-Sforza Deck, which was created by Milanese Duke Francesco Sforza and his wife, Bianca Maria Visconti, in the mid-15th century. This deck contains 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The rich, ornate designs of these type of early decks reflected the artistic Renaissance spirit and often reflected Christian symbology.

Introduction to Divination:

The use of tarot cards for divination purposes started around the late 18th century. This transformation was not a sudden phenomenon. Over time, as people began to seek deeper meanings in the symbols and narratives of the cards, the tarot's role morphed from mere entertainment to a tool for introspection, guidance, and prophecy.

A prominent figure who linked the tarot to the world of the esoteric was Antoine Court de Gébelin, a French Protestant pastor and Freemason, who wrote that the tarot had ancient Egyptian origins and contained hidden esoteric wisdom. However, this theory has no historical evidence backing it.

Another important figure from this era was Jean-Baptiste Alliette, known by his pseudonym Etteilla. He was the first to design a tarot deck specifically for divinatory purposes and wrote about how to use the cards for such readings.

The Occult Revival:

During the 19th century, tarot's popularity for spiritual and divinatory purposes grew, especially during the period of the occult revival in Europe. Prominent occult societies, like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, incorporated tarot into their practices. Leaders of the Golden Dawn, such as Arthur Edward Waite, further solidified the connection between the tarot and esoteric traditions. Waite, in collaboration with artist Pamela Colman Smith, produced the Rider-Waite tarot deck, which remains one of the most widely recognised and used tarot decks in the English-speaking world.

20th Century to Present:

In the 20th century and into the 21st, tarot experienced a surge in popularity, especially within New Age movements. Countless new decks were designed, drawing on various themes, cultural motifs, and artistic styles. Additionally, tarot began to be viewed not just as a tool for divination but also as a tool for self-reflection, meditation, and personal growth.

Modern tarot reading also emphasises the psychological and therapeutic aspects, with many readers and practitioners viewing the cards as a means to tap into the subconscious mind or archetypal energies.

The popularity of the Tarot continued to grow throughout the 1700s. By the end of the century, there were many different types of Tarot decks available, each with its own unique artwork and symbolism. One of the most popular decks of this era was the Marseille Tarot, which is still used by many people.

Today, there are countless different Tarot decks available, with new ones being released all the time. While some decks adhere closely to the traditional 78-card format, others might add, rename, or reduce cards based on the theme or the philosophy behind the deck. Some might integrate additional cards as wild cards or modifiers to add extra layers to a reading.

Symbolism in Tarot

At the heart of the Tarot lies a rich tapestry of symbols, each card imbued with layers of meaning that can guide, inspire, and illuminate. Tarot's symbolism intersects with many spiritual and magical traditions. Every card, from the archetypal Fool to the transformative Death, carries symbols that resonate on multiple levels.

By understanding its links with these traditions, we can enrich our readings and deepen our connection to the cards. As you pull cards and interpret their symbols, you weave a story that is both personal and universal, tapping into the collective unconscious and the magic that binds us all. Different cards invoke different traditions and symbols, but the majority of them have some resemblance to the Rider-Waite deck.

Symbolism in the Rider-Waite deck

The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, conceived by A.E. Waite and illustrated