CONTENTS

Are you interested in Tarot and would like to make a start in understanding it both from a personal exploration point of view and perhaps to give readings for others? Or have you already studied it to some extent and become totally confused by contradictory information in the books you have read? This volume may be exactly what you need. Written in an easy to understand way and dispelling many of the false myths, it covers the subject from a basic description of the cards to fully detailed spreads and readings.

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1 Introduction The format of the cards. The various types of deck. Which deck to choose. What is an Arcana? Major and Minor. The Meanings of the Cards

2 Basics of Tarot decks

The 4 Suits of the Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana numbers and the Court Cards. The Major Arcana numbers and Attributes

3 The Major Arcana

An examination of every card of the Major Arcana and an explanation of their meanings.

4 The Minor Arcana

A examination of every card of the Minor Arcana and an explanation of their meanings.

Correspondences with the 4 elements. The significance of the card numbers.

5 Spreads and Readings What is a spread? Three examples. How to read the cards for yourself and others.

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TAROT - THE REALITY

INTRODUCTION After being interested in and exploring the many and varied aspects of the symbolism of tarot cards on the human psyche for over 25 years I just had to write this book. Why? Mainly because I was becoming more and more incensed by the extent of the confusing and often conflicting information on the subject and by the frequently unrealistic claims on the abilities of readers of the cards, and of the cards themselves, which are now rife, particularly on internet sites. Even some apparently straightforward discussion groups on the subject are so tightly controlled that if one attempts to express an opinion which varies from the groups leaders beliefs then either the comment simply never appears in the correspondence or you may even be asked to leave. A lot of such groups are in effect merely a convenient way for tarot readers to try and sell their questionable skills to anyone who happens to find them. Many such tarot readers claim to have the ability to foretell the future of, or give meaningful readings to, people they have never met physically even for a few moments nor conducted any meaningful correspondence with, apart of course from asking for their name and the fee. What is more, there appears to be no end of people taken in by these practices and persuaded to pay for such doubtful skills. If you question any of this just go onto the internet and type the word tarot in your browser. You will immediately be offered readings from literally thousands of such people. Many will offer to do it free but I suggest you be very wary of these; more often than not the word free is simply the hook to get you snared into paying cash for extended or subsequent readings. The number of people offering genuinely free readings without expecting a further commitment are very few indeed. So what exactly is Tarot? What is possible with the cards and what is not? What is sensible and what is really no more than gullibility, self deception or mere wishful thinking? Let us begin to explore the subject.

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What exactly are Tarot Cards? The answer is that they are simply pieces of card, usually of a convenient size to hold, which have pictures or symbols on them. Basically, that is all they are. There are many hundreds, probably thousands, of different decks. Some have excellent and meaningful illustrations, and others can be described as of little use for serious contemplation by the average person, although they may well have been designed in a way very meaningful to the author. Some decks have even been produced as a joke or just for fun. Incidentally, it is now quite possible to study tarot in depth and have meaningful experiences with it by simply observing the cards as computer images. Some enthusiasts who have designed their own decks offer them free on the internet and these tend to be people who are enthusiastic about the subject for its own sake and not merely for the commercial aspects. Despite the availability of this type of computer image however there is, for me at least, nothing so satisfying as to work with real cards. Whether they are real cards or computer images of them it is worth repeating once more that a tarot deck is simply a collection of pictures or symbols. No matter how much you handle them, extremely carefully or carelessly, you will not release any evil spirits, malevolent entities, demons, imps or angels. They are all perfectly safe to use. They do have a considerable power but it is a power derived solely from the way each person relates to them with their own individual consciousness and most certainly not from any inherent quality in the cards or images themselves. When you begin to delve into the subject you are sure to find instructions which state that tarot cards should be kept in special containers, or wrapped in velvet or silk, kept away from daylight, never touched by anyone other than the owner, and many other such things; you may even find suggestions you should speak to them. All of these instructions imply that the cards have self-contained powers which will be destroyed or nullified if they are not handled in a certain way and cosseted correctly. It is all sheer nonsense. Tarot cards will work perfectly well if simply thrown onto a table or into a drawer after every use.

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Having said that, I might add that I do have great respect for those people who handle and treat them with care. I believe this is the way they should be treated but not because of any inherent power they possess. Instead it is simply because it is the way a treasured possession is normally treated. I do not propose to go into the history of Tarot in this book, but simply to refer to the situation with the cards as it now stands in the 21st century. If you would like to explore their history there are a great number of books available on the subject, although they are largely mere conjecture. No one really knows their true history, which is why I have decided not to include any discussion on their origins in this book, which above all is intended to be a practical manual for the use of the cards. The format of the cards Most tarot decks, though by no means all, consist of 78 cards; 22 of which are known as the Major Arcana and 56 as the Minor Arcana. This is the traditional format but many decks, particularly modern ones, diverge from it. They may in fact have any number of cards, although usually fewer than the standard 78, and many have the equivalent of a Major Arcana only. It is worth mentioning that, even when they have a full classical pack, there are many people who prefer to work only with the Major Arcana and ignore the Minor. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with such an approach if you know what you are doing but if you are a newcomer you are well advised to always begin with a full 78 card standard pack. You will then be able to relate to all the cards in a more complete way during your learning process. Later, when you have a firmer grasp of the subject will be the time to explore further and perhaps change your way of working. What exactly is an Arcana. The word is associated with the term arcane and implies something which is hidden and mysterious, secret, something not easily comprehensible or accessible to only a few. Judging from the great number of books on the subject and the countless internet sites Tarot seems the worst kept secret or mystery ever. Yet the word Arcana is exactly right, provided you go beyond the meanings generally described in books and learn to relate to the cards on a personal basis with your own conscious and subconscious minds rather than simply accepting the interpretations of others.

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There is much more on this subject later but for now you should understand that, once you have become familiar with the basic principals of your deck, whichever way your instincts tell you to work with it is fine. There is no right way or wrong way; it is purely personal choice. Which deck should I chose? I am often asked this question by beginners and there can be no definitive answer, simply because an image which may be very meaningful indeed to one person may be of little interest to another. If you take a walk around any art gallery you will doubtless find some of the exhibits fascinating and perhaps be reluctant to leave them, while others will merit no more than a passing glance from you. Another visitor will have totally different choices. Neither of you are right and neither of you are wrong, it is purely a matter of subjective opinion. Exactly the same situation applies with tarot decks. However I do strongly recommend that you choose as your first deck one which incorporates the more traditional images and meanings, and in which the Minor Arcana is fully illustrated. There are quite a number of decks where the Minor Arcana consists only of a representation of the number and suit of the card; for example the seven of coins will show the only number 7 plus seven coins, the ten of cups will have the number 10 plus ten cups etc. These are of little, if any, help to a beginner. In other decks the Minor Arcana are illustrated in very much the same way as the Major Arcana. This is the type of deck you should seek out. Look at several decks if possible and then select the one which most appeals to you personally. If you start in this way, you will then be able to develop a solid foundation of knowledge on the subject and later go on to explore any number of other decks which may catch your interest. If on the other hand you select as your first deck one which is obscure and difficult it could very well discourage you or even put you off the whole fascinating subject forever. When pressed for a specific recommendation my first is undoubtedly the Rider-Waite deck. It is probably the most used Tarot in the world and can hardly be bettered for either beginner or serious usage. Other decks which have readily accessible imagery for the beginner include:

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The Cagliostro Tarot The Barbara Walker Tarot The Mythic Tarot and The Egyptian Tarot You will not go far wrong if you select one of these but they are by no means the only ones suitable for beginners. Do however be sure to buy a fully illustrated 78 card set and do not be tempted to begin with something outside this standard format. This will enable you to build up a solid foundation of knowledge on the Tarot and perhaps go on to enjoy a lifetime of interest in the subject. The size of the deck is not important so long as you feel comfortable handling it. The Meanings of the Cards Note firstly that I say meanings and not meaning. Every card in a good tarot deck has multiple meanings. In fact when you select one it can be very much like meeting a friend or a friendly stranger in that when you meet you will have no idea what they might say to you today. So it is with tarot cards. When you interact with them you can experience a wealth of fascinating mental communication and open up totally new ideas in your mind. Later, when you bring more than one card into use at the same time or in tarot terms create a spread these will invariably add to the ideas and also often launch them in totally new directions. To begin with however, take the little booklet that usually comes with the deck you have bought and read through it carefully while studying the card you are reading about. This is your first introduction to it and may very well be the basis of your communication, not only with that particular card but also with similar cards in any future decks you may buy. If this seems somewhat confusing, bear with me, all will become clear. Whatever you do, however, do not make the mistake of thinking that the information in the booklet is the sum total of what those particular cards are about. Nothing could be further from the truth.

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If you read a few general books on tarot you are almost certain to find they all give you different interpretations of the images; some wildly different. What the little book that came with the deck will tell you is simply what the designer was attempting to depict. That is all. They are his, or her, ideas and thoughts about the images and will not necessarily be the same as yours. Every persons relationship to a deck of tarot cards is unique to that person. Each card will speak to you, or more accurately it will cause thoughts and ideas to form in your conscious and subconscious minds. These may be completely different to what the images create in another persons mind. You should understand clearly from the beginning that there is no right or wrong way to interpret what any particular tarot image signifies. Its correct meaning for you is the thoughts and feelings it generates in your mind. Use the space below to make notes of any questions or ideas which came into you mind while reading this chapter: Notes

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The Major Arcana. In this section I will not as a rule concentrate in any great detail on the pictures on any particular deck because there are so many different decks available and doing so may cause some doubt and confusion if the one you have varies from the one described. However it is necessary to use one deck as a basis and this will be the Rider-Waite because, as mentioned earlier, it is the best known and probably most widely used deck in the world. Many experienced Tarot readers with a wide variety of decks will admit they regularly revert to the Rider-Waite. As we consider each card I will explain the human conditions or other situations relevant to the illustration. Provided you have any full deck of the standard type described earlier you should have little difficulty in relating it to what will be explained. Before going any further be sure to have your deck in front of you and refer to the appropriate card as you read. I strongly advise that you do not hurry through this section. Try to make sure you understand each card reasonably well before you move onto the next one. Your patience in this will be well rewarded. Card Number 0 or 22. The Fool Before we begin to explore the meaning of this card some explanation of why it is sometimes numbered as 0, the first card in the Major Arcana and sometimes as 22 the last card, is required. In fact it is rather like trying to decide which came first, the chicken or the egg. To put it another way. Is this card the start of something new, a beginning or is it an end to what was being done previously? That is quite simply the reason for the controversy about whether The Fool should be the first card or the last one in the deck. The card epitomises a very major change in conditions or circumstances, often an irreversible one or at least one from which it will be most difficult to recover. Personally I prefer it at the beginning and numbered as 0 because in effect it is a representation of a state of limbo; or of nothingness if you prefer. No action has yet been taken by the enquirer except to put a hold on previous conditions and place himself or herself at the point of a leap into a future as yet unknown.

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Study your card. At first glance it probably appears to depict exactly what its name implies, i.e. a grotesque figure about to do something idiotic. But now begin to consider it more deeply. Even with the little knowledge you so far have, you may already be beginning to see the possibility of greater meanings. Depending on which deck you have chosen it may depict a person on the edge of a cliff or chasm or ocean, or perhaps a new born baby. All of these indicate that stage of limbo mentioned earlier, i.e. the condition of being right on the verge of something new. Most decks also indicate possible dangers ahead; a crocodile or other ferocious creature waiting below perhaps. They may also show a creature, usually a dog, snapping at the heels of The Fool. What is that creature doing? Is it trying to warn The Fool of the dangers ahead and trying to get him to turn back? Or is it snapping at him to urge him on to make the leap? This is where your personal interaction with the Tarot, both conscious and subconscious, begins. What is the image saying to you? Let us examine it in a little more detail. Invariably the figure will carry a bag or something similar over it's shoulder. What it the significance of this? The answer is that when you reach one of those points of no return in your life it is important you give serious thought to what you will take with you from your old life. The size of the bag indicates that you may not take very much and yet you do not want to leave everything behind. Something must be carried into the future, even if only the experiences you have had and the things you have learned. The figure in many decks also carries a symbol of hope and peace. In the Ryder Waite deck this is a white rose. Whenever we set out on a new venture we all do so with the intention of making improvements or bringing greater satisfaction into our lives. We are hopefully putting behind us all the bad times, indicated by the icy glaciers shown in the background of some cards. But today the sun is shining and one more step is all it will take for our new adventure to begin. Will that step be into a bright new future or into an irrecoverable disaster? That is what must be considered very carefully when you consult this card. When studying The Fool, or indeed any other Tarot card, it is important to understand that the symbolism can apply equally well to the spiritual side of life; the spiritual plane, as to the mundane physical one.

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Indeed The Fool can imply a stepping off from an entirely materialistic way of life into the beginning of a more spiritual one. Think about these things for a while with the card in front of you. Do not hurry. What else it the card saying to you? What other thoughts does the image conjure up in your own consciousness? Let your ideas take you where they will. If you wish, write down your thoughts before you move onto..... Card Number 1. The Magician. The Fool has taken that vital step, the first one on his new path in life. You could say he has now become The Magician. The decision to begin a new life has been taken and the deed is done. There is now no turning back, he is now at the beginning of his venture; whether a mundane or spiritual one, for better or for worse. On a table in front of him, or surrounding him in various ways depending on the chosen deck, are the symbols of the whole of the Minor Arcana. In the Ryder-Waite deck they are named Cups (Water), Pentacles (Earth), Swords (Air) and Wands (Fire). In other standard type decks you should easily be able to identify the symbols although the names and illustrations may be somewhat different. In all cases the symbols are a representation of the elements and the potential of all life. Note that the while all the symbols are available to The Magician he is not yet touching any of them. Instead, in his raised right hand he holds a dual pointed sign with one arrow pointing up to heaven and one down to earth; a very clear illustration of the old occult truism As above so below. This is another way of saying we cannot really do anything on the earth plane which does not have a counterpart or repercussion in our spiritual or mental life. Or conversely, as we think in a spiritual sense so we will behave in our earthly life. As if to doubly emphasize this point The Magicians left hand is pointing firmly down to the ground while his right is raised upward. The message could not have been made more clear. Above the head of The Magician is the symbol of infinity, a never-ending loop which has no beginning and no end. It can also describe eternity. It is a statement not only of the fact that the maxim As above so below is eternal but also a warning that what the seeker now does, what he decides to pick up from the table and in which order, will have meaningful long- term consequences or may even be irrevocable.

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This same message is repeated by the belt around The Magicians waist which depicts a snake eating its own head; another symbol of infinity. The truth depicted by these symbols is a clear one, i.e. the fact that while we are all constantly moving on through infinity and the appearance of things may change, time itself can never be turned back. Our seeker is now at the start of his new life and the steps to be taken must be considered carefully. Provided those steps are the right ones, and the result of much careful thought, the outlook is very good indeed, a fact indicated by the roses and flowers both above and below The Magician, but not yet within his reach. Note the colours of the robes of the figure; white for goodness, success and purity, but also red for fire, dangers and calamity. All are equally within reach. The card is indicating as clearly as is possible that great care must be taken at this very early planning stage of the journey ahead. Let the message of this card be your guide whenever you or, a person you are reading Tarot for, are beginning a new venture. Card Number 2. The High Priestess Our adventurer, The Magician, has made his first decisions and has now moved into his new life. In a new situation the first steps should always be very cautious ones so his first point of call is to The High Priestess. With her he will ask and receive advice on the spiritual and intuitive aspects of his future, and consider them deeply. The High Priestess is shown sitting between two pillars, a black one sometimes marked 'B' or Boaz and a white marked 'J' or Jachin. These are the mystic pillars of the Temple of Solomon and have a vital message. The black pillar represents the possible evils, troubles, sadness, darkness and mistakes which may lay in the future path of the seeker while the white one represents light, success, goodness, happiness and the purity of the mission. The High Priestess sits between these pillars for a reason. She is telling us that all progress, all life, is a compromise between these two aspects. If there was no light we would not truly understand darkness. If there was no evil we would not understand goodness. On our path we must always tread a centre line between extremes.

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In fact the only way past the High Priestess is this middle path. She is your conscience. Why should we avoid becoming too close to the white pillar, to all that is pure and good? you might ask. Think about this: every time we eat we are ending the life of some creation, be it a plant or an animal. Every time we give something to someone we are preventing another person from using that object. In truth it is impossible to live our lives without doing things which could be interpreted in some way or other as not good. The High Priestess is our conscience or the still small inner voice which will always guide us in the right directions if only we will listen. We neglect it at our peril. The robe of the figure is usually blue, which is a representation of heaven and of calm and peace. On her chest is a cross which has a great deal of significance. Although the cross is usually considered a Christian symbol it has a much deeper meaning. It signifies the coming together of opposites, i.e. the horizontal and the vertical or any other diametrically opposed force. The centre of the cross in arcane terms is the holy of holies where the two forces unite and become one. In some decks there is a rose at this point to signify the blossoming of a wholly new concept derived from the meeting of opposing forces. Wherever a cross appears in Tarot the emergence of new factors due to a unity should be taken into consideration. The large crescent moon at the feet of the figure emphasizes the point that a new venture is beginning and it requires special consideration from a spiritual aspect. On the lap of The High Priestess is a partly concealed scroll bearing the name TORA which signifies a spiritual law, part of which is best left unknown to the enquirer at this stage. In some decks her right hand is hidden too, further emphasizing that much has yet to be revealed. On her head, she has a horned moon, another symbol of great wisdom. When we consider what The High Priestess is trying to teach us we must not consider her message too abstract, too insubstantial, for everyday life.

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Far from it. If we heed her message, follow our conscience and tread a sensible and central path through life, many truths will be revealed and become apparent. A curtain shown on this card in many decks is printed with palm trees and pomegranates. The palm epitomizes strength, stability and reliability. No matter how hard the storms rage or the wind blows, the palm will take it in its stride, bending and shaking perhaps, but when the storm is over quickly returning to its former stability. The pomegranate offers further rewards for a persons care and integrity in life, i.e. fruitfulness and abundance. Listen to your subconscious, take heed of the wisdom of The High Priestess and your successes will be as rich and as many as the seeds inside the fruit. Card Number 3. The Empress The Empress represents the feminine side of things in the physical world as opposed to the spiritual and mystical aspects of The High Priestess. Take note however that while The Empress is luxuriously dressed it is in a pattern which has strong similarities to that on the curtain behind the figure on the previous card. Again pomegranates, those symbols of abundance and fruitfulness, are there in great numbers. To give greater emphasis to this abundance, in some decks The Empress is also clearly shown to be pregnant. The person seeking a new life has hopefully taken the wisdom of the previous card to heart and is seeking the next step to success in the new venture. While the High Priestess teaches the spiritual, instinctive and mystical aspects of life, The Empress is the card we must consult if we are seeking success in our more practical earthly endeavors. Everywhere in this card there is evidence of abundance; the luxury of the figure's dress, her cushions and seating, and the lucky seven pearls around her neck which tell us that success is possible every day of the week. Twelve stars in her crown tell us that such success is available to those born under any of the twelve signs of the zodiac or in any of the twelve months of the year.

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Everything around the Empress confirms luxury too, from the bright sunlit sky to the lush vegetation, the ripe ears of corn and the constantly flowing river. The sceptre held in her hand shows her possession and domination over the things most people yearn for in the earthly world, e.g. abundance, control and power. So is this card speaking of only of good things without any negative aspects? It is a great mistake to consider it in this way because, as the old saying goes, Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. When consulting Tarot for yourself or someone else, perhaps at the start of a new venture, it would be wise to think about the Empress only in conjunction with the High Priestess rather than alone. Together these two cards form a balance; that of the spiritual aspects of life together with the practical. Money or material riches alone rarely bring real happiness. Witness the often reported traumatic lives of those who have a great deal of wealth. For example, while I was in the process of writing this book the death of one of the richest men in Britain occurred. This man's wealth at the time of death was reported as 650,000,000, yes six hundred and fifty million pounds sterling. Yet, rather like the American, Howard Hughes, this man spent the last fifteen years of his life as a virtual recluse; getting out of bed only to wash and change etc. and rarely interested enough in the world to even open his curtains. This was not due to any physical disability but simply because of lethargy and disinterest. What good was that massive wealth to this sad elderly gentleman? Would he not have been far better off if he had needed to go to work to pay his bills? Or if he had allowed the spiritual part of himself to surface and thus been motivated to go out into the world and bring comfort to others. What enormous comfort, help and relief he could have brought to so many of the worlds unfortunates with just a fraction of that money! Remember then that only when material success is aligned with a clear spiritual conscience is true happiness possible. This need for a balanced duality of mind and body in order to achieve true and lasting success and contentment applies to all aspects of the mundane world and it also includes our relationships with others, both platonic and sexual. To help make sure we do not forget this fact, the symbol of Venus is very clearly displayed inside a heart on the right hand side of the seat of The Empress.

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Card Number 4. The Emperor While The Empress represents the feminine, nurturing aspects of the mundane world The Emperor controls the masculine, aggressive and dominant aspects. He too is seated on a throne but whilst hers is colourful and soft his is austere, hard and grey. He symbolizes the ultimate male ego. Dominance and strength are more important to him than comfort; he wishes only to be master of all he surveys. However, much like the Empress, this is an over-simplistic interpretation of the ego; this time the male one. Craggy mountains are evident in the background and the richly flowing river of his female counterpart is reduced to little more than a stagnant stream. The danger of his apparent total sense of control and power is, like the rich opulence of his female counterpart, that it allows no mercy, no variability in desire or temperament, other than those which agree with his ideas. In everyday life this card symbolizes the father figure, the boss, and the urge to control. Like most other things in life it is something which has both good and bad aspects. Keeping your life under firm control on a material and financial basis is obviously a good thing and should be aimed for by everyone. Studying this card should caution you however that there is a danger that things can sometimes be too firmly controlled. Look again at the card. Although the figure is obviously master of all he surveys, the ultimate authority, he is an austere figure. His throne is hard, grey and unyielding and looks most uncomfortable. High authority is not always an area of comfort nor even a desirable situation. In his right hand the figure holds an Ankh cross, the symbol of life, and in his left hand the sun. Once again the message is straightforward; that although he holds the life or fate of his subjects in his hands he is not necessarily comfortable with the situation. Everything about the illustration is unyielding. There is no evidence of tolerance or compromise. Even his heavily armoured legs signify firmness and control and conform perfectly with his cloak of red for fire and anger.

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Similarly his crown is encircled with red and white jewels, i.e., it goes from extreme to the other. There is no compromise, no half measures, no consideration of alternatives. This message is further reinforced by the heads of rams at each side of his throne, symbols of masculinity and of stubbornness. When consulting this card or reading it for others all of these aspects should be allows to filter through your consciousness and deliver their message to you. Card Number 5. The Hierophant The word hierophant literally means a person who does holy things. In many decks the name of the card has been simplified to The Pope. Regardless of the name however their message remains the same. Just as the Emperor is the male counterpart of the Empress so the Hierophant is the male counterpart of the High Priestess. There is an important difference here however. While the High Priestess is concerned only with the higher spiritual paths at a cosmic level The Hierophant is concerned with humanity on earth in their present form and incarnation, and in trying to ensure they do not stray too far from their spiritual roots. Again, in most decks, the figure sits on a throne between two columns but this time both columns are grey and undifferentiated. The decision on which path to take to a higher spiritual cosmic level has by now been largely decided by our traveler, but it is still necessary to decide on the earthly aspects of the spirituality, i.e. the religious, moral and mundane practices . On the head of The Hierophant is a triple crown, signifying the trinity; the Father, Son and Holy Ghost of Christian beliefs. The keys to Heaven are at his feet. The Hierophant can represent any religion which has a figurehead who restrains and gives guidance away from earthly temptations and malpractices. The cross is very prevalent on this card; all the way down the figures vestments and on each of his feet. The colours red and white are once again very evident too. The right hand of The Hierophant is raised in the traditional papal position of blessing.

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The Hierophant is the one who prepares the enquirer for the spiritual adventure of life It is the time when an individual begins to construct or to reconsider his or her own earthy identity. The figure represents the accumulated knowledge of centuries and can provide the enquirer with a firm foundation on how next to proceed. When studying this card, or reading it for another, ask yourself if it is advising that you stick with the established methods of doing things or warning against it and suggesting moving away from blind conformity with tradition in order to open the mind to new visions and experiences. Does the enquirer invariably act out of habit and do things the way they have always done them, without thinking about the consequences in depth? Or is it time for an entirely new approach?

The Hierophant offers the accumulated and traditional wisdom of a societys spiritual behavior but it is up to each of us within that society to decide if the information is still relevant and meaningful in todays world. The fact that we can read this card, like all the others in a Tarot deck, either as advice to proceed in a certain way or as a warning against doing so, raises the question of how we should recognise which way we should interpret it. How do we know what advice is right for us or for the person for whom we are doing a reading? There is one very simple way to decide this and it is used by a great number of readers. It is simply to shuffle the cards face down and in a way which allows them to fall in an either upright or reversed direction. Then, depending on which way the cards are seen when they are turned over, to interpret them as positive advice if they are the right way around and as a warning if they are reversed. Personally, I think this is taking a very easy way out. It is a simple 50/50 chance and is one of the reasons why Tarot card readers who work with people who are unknown to them, either on the internet or in any other non face-to-face situation can frequently give very unreliable readings. Personally I prefer to ignore the reversed card aspect entirely and instead to read the cards only in a face-to-face situation with the enquirer. By doing it this way our minds are able to interact in a truly meaningful way and so allow much more accurate interpretation. Under these conditions the messages of the cards can become very obvious and, if necessary, questions can be asked.

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Card Number 6. The Lovers Just as the love between two people is often a very complex relationship, so this card has very complex implications. Two nude figures, a male and a female, stand with arms outstretched, feet apart and palms open to indicate they have no secrets; nothing to hide from each other. It can be interpreted as the original Adam and Eve scenario of the Christian religion and some decks do include both the apple tree of knowledge the serpent of temptation. The tree closest to the male on the card has, in many decks, leaves of flame to emphasis arousal and passion. At the top of the card in the Rider-Waite deck the sun is bright and dominant, clearly illustrating both the warmth of affection and the heat of sexual desire. On a cloud in the sky is angel, its wings reddened by the heat of the sun to further indicate heat and passion, standing guard over the figures. Its arms are open in the attitude of blessing for their emotions of love and desire. Note that the colours of the angel become cooler as they descent towards earth. Love, either in a sexual or simply a platonic context, is the greatest of human emotions and originates in heaven. Eros, Cupid and other such personifications of the emotion emphasise this fact. However, as it descends from its original heat, so too can love become cooler and less passionate The Lovers is the second card in the Major Arcana which indicates a new start, not on the cosmic, total being, level as was The Fool but this time at an earthly, educational, and emotional level. It is wrong to think about this card merely as a portrayal of physical love. Although its appearance in any spread immediately raises the question of physical emotions and relationships the card is also about peace of mind, balance and the give and take of human interaction. Note that the two figures in most decks are the same size; an indication of an equal relationship. There is a necessary balance and equilibrium between them. One does not dominate or overshadow the other. At this early stage of their relationship The Lovers are on the brink of involvement but not yet fully committed.

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They are unaware of evil, but eventually must leave the garden of innocence and go out into the real world. They must commit. Once they have done so they will never be able to return. This teaches us the important fact that once something has been learned it can never be unlearned. An innocence destroyed can never be made whole again. Between the two figures on the card is a high peak, indicating both the extent to which passion and unity can rise when love is true and uncontaminated, but also the height from which they can fall if the relationship is subsequently not properly nurtured; if one does not give full consideration to the other. When studying this card it should be remembered that our human impulses and urges can be very volatile things. The feelings of sexuality and passion can be very quickly raised but they may also just as quickly be destroyed. Study of the figures on this card should remind us that we need to consider any new involvement calmly and carefully before committing ourselves to another person in an emotional way. It is also worth giving some thought to how the figures depicted arrived in the garden. How they get to this wonderful but very temporary state of euphoria? Did they arrive here from a troubled past or was it a reward for previous good deeds? Card Number 7. The Chariot All the preparation is over. For the first time in the deck the illustration does not indicate any situation of learning or of meditation about a future path. On the contrary the choices have now made and the charioteer is pressing forward without restraint into his new life, ignoring anything in his path. The two beasts which pull The Chariot, whatever form they might take in the various decks, are invariably coloured black and white to indicate the possible extremes of action, of the choice between good and evil. The charioteer is shown behind and between them because he believes he has now chosen the correct path and is confident he can drive on to success and can handle anything which fate may throw in his way. But is he over-confident?

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Some decks clearly indicate this is so by showing reined animals pulling in opposite directions or turning their heads. The Rider-Waite deck is unusual in that the beasts (two sphinx) appear to be resting and have no connection to The Chariot at all. The charioteers control over them is purely by mind power and by the cosmic wand in his right hand. The yellow sky and the general brightness of the scene make it clear that it is daytime and the sun is shining. The blue of the cover of The Chariot confirms this and yet it is sprinkled with five-pointed stars. This is an indication that the charioteer is not only sure his actions are the right ones but that they are ordained from above. This fact is again confirmed by the moons on his shoulders, each of which has a face which looks up towards heaven. At the same time, the bottom half of the card leaves us in no doubt that the charioteer is very much connected to earth too. The conquered town behind him, the vegetation, the river of time and the enormous wheels of The Chariot to drive him forward, all speak of his conviction that he can conquer the earth plane and his determination to do so. He has no doubts, no hesitations. He is supremely confident and anyone or anything in his path should beware; he has no intention of being diverted from his quest. Often on this card (in Rider-Waite deck it is on the forehead of the figure) is another star, this time an eight pointed one, which signifies the energy of the heavens being brought down to the earth. To further emphasise this concept there is often a belt with the signs of the zodiac around the waist of the figure and the lower garment may also covered in similar images. Note that on the breastplate of the figures armour in the Rider-Waite is a white square of completion, yet another indication of the firm belief by the figure that what he is doing is right. It is also another sign that he has no intention of being diverted from his path. On the front of the chariot is a winged circle and beneath that a symbol showing a rod penetrating through the centre of another circle. This is a symbol of the union of two principles and can refer to either to unity on a cosmic level or a human physical one. The Chariot as a whole may be interpreted as a journey through the mysteries of the cosmos or through the stages of an earthly endeavour, or as a combination of the two. It is always a concept filled with confidence and enthusiasm, though this may be misplaced.

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Over-confidence is something which must always be considered when reading this card. You must always ask if you, or the person for whom you are doing the reading, has given sufficient thought to the next steps of the journey along lifes highway. Or is the behaviour much like the charioteer, rushing on regardless of the consequences without stopping to think or to pay any attention to the possible problems ahead. Card Number 8. Strength In contrast to the complexities of the previous card, this one appears at first glance to have a relatively simple and straightforward message; i.e. that a relatively weak person can overcome something that is strong, or that good can overcome evil; that right can always triumph over wrong. In many decks Strength is depicted as a human figure defeating a lion or other powerful beast. In the Rider-Waite deck it is a woman clad in white who is apparently overpowering a red lion and holding closed its jaws. The colour red indicates heat, power and anger. Is that all the card is telling us? To the casual observer it does appear to be simply an indication that the weak can overcome the strong. But look more closely at the illustration and in particular at the tongue of the lion. That tongue holds the secret to the meaning of the whole card. It is protruding from the lions mouth and trying to lap at its conqueror; indicating not only that it has submitted to defeat but is grateful for the experience. The conqueror in this illustration is not a figure of might or power but a gentle person dressed in the white of purity and garlanded with flowers both around the robe and on the crown of the head. She is a figure of obvious gentleness. Above her head is the double looped symbol of infinity, signifying endless repetition, in this case that the rule of good will always eventually overcome evil and is a prime principle of human existence. It does not, however signify that physical strength is always a necessity. Look again at the card. Is the beast being dominated by sheer Strength or by more subtle forces, i.e. consideration and understanding? In other words which of these figures is depicting true Strength? Is it the physical, muscular strength of the lion, the king of beasts.

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Or is it the human understanding of the powers which can be gained by love and compassion? The lion is licking the womans hand because it understands the answer to this question. When considering this card in connection with any venture it should be a reminder that it could be a serious mistake to be stubborn or dogmatic. Brute force or being aggressive in a situation may well result only in more aggression, whereas the application of more gentle and considerate principals could well overcome the problem. In almost all circumstances, strength which is tempered by understanding will produce more positive and easier results than strength alone. As with other Tarot cards, Strength can be a guide to spiritual exploration as well as earthly endeavours. When we are venturing along spiritual pathways it tells us we should never try to force our own pre-conceptions on others and that the desired results can often only be acquired by much thought and understanding. Card Number 9. The Hermit Our traveller has come a long way since he began his journey as The Fool. He has learned heavenly wisdom from the High Priestess and the Hierophant, the way of earthly wisdom and control from the Emperor and Empress, the secrets of love and care for others from The Lovers, he has made conquests in the Chariot and has learned the Strength which is possible from all that knowledge. Before he continues on his journey it is now time to withdraw for a while from the world and be alone to think deeply about what he has learned. To contemplate where he should go from here. He has become The Hermit. The person on this card is usually depicted as an aged man standing with bowed head on a mountain top. His age tells us it can take a very long time to acquire necessary knowledge and at the same time his location indicates that in order to consider our new condition in detail it may be necessary to withdrawn from the mundane world for a time. Some other decks illustrate the same principal by showing the character cocooned and isolated in a cave. Apart from the old man there are often three other items shown in this illustration, i.e. a hooded robe, a lantern and a staff; all of which have an important message for us.

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The all-encompassing hooded robe is a garment which emphasises the mans wish to be isolated from all others but also to be protected from the elements. This is because his situation is not one of despondency or despair but simply one where he wants to be left strictly alone for however much time it takes to contemplate his learning and his future. The staff is an indication of his acknowledged frailty when contemplating the awesome powers of the cosmos which he now wishes to understand more deeply and also an acceptance that he will need their help to make further progress on his journey. It is the staff of life. In some decks the situation is given added emphasis by showing the man as a bent figure leaning heavily on the staff, an indication of the weight of knowledge he needs to absorb The lantern is always lit, even on cards where it is clearly indicated it is daytime. The light of knowledge is always present but its implications need to be sought out and understood if they are to be of any value. Such light may illuminate in a new way things which the seeker had previously thought he understood. The whole card tells us clearly, through The Hermit, that true deep knowledge, understanding and attunement to the cosmic powers can only be obtained after considerable time. It is not for the young and inexperienced but is a reward for maturity. When we consult this card or use it in divination it has many messages, and a few warnings, for us. A withdrawal from our everyday world for a while, to contemplate our own situation and understand our lives would probably be useful for most people. Just how do we relate to our loved ones, to our friends and acquaintances as well as to deity, we should ask ourselves? Is it possible that we be seen as a kind of hermit be others; as a remote, inconsiderate, unfeeling personality who is too involved in our own affairs or assumed self-importance to really care about anyone else? It deserves some serious thought. Are we, in truth, in isolation because of our lack of the light of inner knowledge? Looking at our situation from a different aspect, is there a danger that we may become like The Hermit when our world seems too difficult or our problems too great to be faced. Do we withdraw rather than face and overcome them?

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Many people retreat in this way and can even become virtual prisoners in their own home because of fears of what the next day or the future may bring. There is also the opposite situation where we can feel so safe, relaxed and comfortable in our own little world that we loose all interest in anything or anyone else. This too is an attitude The Hermit is warning us about. It is potentially dangerous because when it happens all interest in true life can cease. In order to make progress, The Hermit must abandon any self-imposed isolation after a period of contemplation and resume his journey. So must we. Card Number 10. The Wheel of Fortune or simply The Wheel If only! If only I hadnt done that! If only I hadnt taken the car this morning. If only I hadnt taken that extra drink. If only I hadnt forced my child to go to school today when she didnt want to go. If only . If only. The Wheel of Fortune, properly understood, is an object lesson to all of us in the repercussions of our acts, whether they be practical or spiritual ones. It could just as well have been called the Wheel of Time because, like time, it never stops; not for an instant. Whatever we do and in whatever circumstances, the ceaseless turning of The Wheel will affect our future. Of all the cards in the various Tarot decks this is invariably the one which shows least variation. It is usually simply a wheel, though decorated and surrounded in various ways. In the corners of the Rider-Waite card are a man, bird, a bull and a lion, all of them winged to make it clear that this cosmic principle applies to every form of life, both on earth and in heaven. Each of these figures holds an open book which indicates it is all an ongoing process, that it is still in progress and in fact will never be concluded. The message is re-enforced by a snake, a sphinx and an Egyptian Anubis type figure on The Wheel itself.

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The snake is falling off as the wheel turns and the Anubis figure appears to by clinging onto it backwards in an awkward way. As our individual wheels of life turn, there will be times when we ride high and confident and times when we fall from success or health and are in real danger or desperation. The fact that the sphinx, a symbol of wisdom, is on the top in the Rider-Waite deck tells us a great deal. It is there to inform us that those who remain closest to cosmic law and consider carefully what they do are the ones who will remain most constantly in the position of safety and success. Which brings us back to the if only comments at the beginning of this chapter. Note that in the outer circle of The Wheel in the Rider-Waite deck is the word TAROT, the glyph between each letter being the Hebrew equivalent letter. On the four central spokes which point North, South, East and West are the symbols of the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Four other spokes are shown, bringing the total to eight, the number of completion and which in numerology tells us we must pay constant attention to, and make fine adjustments to, our situation in order to maintain it and ensure it remains stable. The Wheel of Fortune also emphasises the fact that material wealth should never be taken for granted nor considered an end in itself. The wheel will turn and any wealth may be lost but that which was used for the greater good will rise to the top in other ways. In the centre of the card a circle of unity draws all the elements together into a hub, indicating that none of our acts can be considered in isolation. When the outcome of the turning is decided; it is our whole personality which is involved. The word TAROT is on the card for a good reason. In a sense this one particular card sums up what the whole of the Tarot, both the Major and Minor Arcana. is all about. While we have no control over the way time goes by or the speed at which The Wheel turns, it is clear that by our actions today we will affect what happens in future. Always remember that every move we make, every action we take, almost every word we utter, will produce a result; whether it is one want or not.

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At this moment you are a marginally different person to the one you were when you began to read this book. You are even a different person than when you began this page. In that short period The Wheel of Fortune has turned and you have changed in both a physical and mental way; a very small change it is true, but it has happened. There is no way The Wheel (or time) can be stopped. While we have no control over the turning of the wheel, or the passage of time, we can to a surprising degree, control what happens to us. There is an old adage which states enlightened can people make their own future. It can not be done in entirety perhaps but can be done to a surprisingly considerable extent if we heed the wisdom of the Tarot. The whole of a good Tarot deck is telling us this, and this particular card gives the message maximum emphasis. Even a carelessly uttered word can make an enormous difference, for good or otherwise, to our or to another persons future. Everyone can probably remember something being said to them, perhaps only in casual conversation, which they have never forgotten and which has had an enormous impact on their life or behaviour. Pay heed to the wisdom of the Tarot and it will ensure your time on earth, on the wheel of life, will be made as smooth and pleasant as possible. Card Number 11. Justice The illustration on the Justice card is a simple one. A crowned and robed figure of authority sits on a throne. In one hand she holds a sword and the other a set of scales. The golden crown on her head indicates the perfection of truth. On the crown and also on the clasp of the robe are squares symbolising completion. The red of both the robe and the background to the figure informs us that Justice can be harsh and severe if such is justified. At first glance it appears to be a very uncompromising picture but look again at the symbols on the crown and on the clasp of the robe. Both are squares, which indicate completion, but the top one is blue; an assurance that the decision will be one made in a calm and cool manner. The square on the clasp is white with a red centre, again indicating that Justice will be dispensed with purity. This is a logical follow-on to the previous card; The Wheel.

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There we were instructed that our actions will create consequences for ourselves and others as The Wheel turns. Now we are faced with the results of our actions. Justice must be done. This card is giving the same message as the ancient law of Karma, i.e. that we will pay in this incarnation or in future ones for all our actions. Justice is now to be given to the enquirer for previous actions. Much has happened to since he/she set out on this phase of life and the time has come to account for them. We all make mistakes as we journey through life; and we all commit offences either against other people or against universal law and cosmic principles. This card reminds us that eventually we will have to pay the price for them. We will be called to account. In the left hand of the figure is the sword of judgement. It indicates our accountability for our actions. It is shown pointing directly to heaven which leaves us in no doubt that our punishment will be decided by cosmic principles. In the right hand of the figure is a set of perfectly balanced scales, the universal symbol of Justice and an assurance that will get exactly what we deserve, no more but no less. True Justice is never unfair. It is a necessary step in becoming a more advanced human being. When studying the card or doing a Tarot reading which includes it, the question of something being out of balance must always be considered. This could be a physical, spiritual or simply a worldly affair problem. Think carefully about this. Are the scales in your life, or that of the person you are doing the reading for, out of balance? What actions need to be taken to restore the equilibrium? Honest and careful consideration of the card may show the way to true balance and understanding in lifes difficulties. Card Number 12. The Hanged Man. To the newcomer to Tarot, the appearance of The Hanged Man immediately after Justice can raise the question of whether this is the justice which has to be meted out. Are our travellers offences so serious that only similar very severe punishment can be sufficient? In fact, this is to misread the card. If you divide the Major Arcana into two, The Hanged Man is the first card of the second section.

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This is the prime clue to its true meaning. Some occultists, those who interpret the cards as relevant only to the earth plane, have designated the cards up to this point as the period from birth to adulthood and the remainder of the deck as from adulthood to death. It is an interesting idea for an alternative exploration of meanings. On almost all decks The Hanged Man is depicted in the same way, i.e. literally hanging upside down from a tree or from gallows by one foot, while his other leg is crossed at the knee. This positioning gives extra meaning to the card. Why is he hanging by his foot and not the neck? It is because his position is not punishment in the generally accepted sense of the word, but rather it signifies a reversal from his previously accepted knowledge to a whole new outlook on life. From time to time we all look back on our lives and perhaps discover that our previous beliefs and actions have led us into a current situation we do not want; that we now need to reverse our beliefs and set off in a totally new direction in order to make the remainder of our life more fulfilling and rewarding. This can apply every bit as much to our spiritual selves as it does to our mundane earthly activities. The Hanged Man is a reminder that we are complex beings living in a complex world and that our assessment of ourselves, and of the world we have created, can often benefit from a reversal of previously accepted ideas. We create our own personal worlds by our thoughts and daily actions and interactions with those around us. We are what we think. This is a very obvious and often quoted statement yet is rarely fully appreciated. To make the point more obvious just think or read about anyone outside your own lifestyle and you can quickly understand that they perceive the world in an entirely different way than you do. When consulting this card, or conducting a reading which includes it, you must ask if the time has come for a significant change in the direction your current life practices are leading you. Sometimes it is external circumstances, totally outside their control, which can suddenly turn a person's life upside down. Perhaps the loss of a job or a cash windfall, or an accident for example.

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The fact that the figure in this card is hanged and is unable to move in any significant way, indicates the possible way of wisdom under such circumstances. It is not necessarily the right thing to do to try and pick up the pieces and continue in the same direction as before. Would it not be better to change direction entirely, to start in a new direction? When we get hung up on things it can often blind us to the sometimes very significant errors we are making. Again, this can apply as much to our spiritual selves or religious activities as it does to everyday life. Our seeker has now been forced to see a whole new perspective on life and it may result in major changes for his future. Card Number 13. Death This is almost certainly the most feared card in a Tarot deck, thanks to the work of film makers and novelists of the supernatural and macabre. In any such epic it is virtually guaranteed that if the Death card should appear someone will die. The number 13, often considered to be very unlucky, adds to the cards reputation as something to be feared. In fact, when it is properly understood the card does not signify physical death at all. To clarify the situation let us take a brief recap on how we have arrived at this card in the second half of the Major Arcana. Firstly. we looked at The Wheel from which we learned of the cycles of life and how by our actions today we can influence the way our future can be changed. We then moved onto the Hanged Man and were instructed that by looking at things from a totally different perspective we might very well change our life for the better. Now we come to Death which is simply further confirmation that our old ways may need to be consigned to history and replaced by more enlightened ones if we wish to progress. In other words, our former presumed wisdom may no longer be valid and may need to be put us if a new, wiser and more prosperous future is to lay ahead. In the Rider-Waite deck the skeletal figure of Death rides a white horse, while around it characters we have previously met in the Tarot are in positions of inertia or supplication. Note they represent all ages and all types, from innocents to wise clerics.

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No one is excluded from the possibility of the Death of all their former beliefs, from either an earthly or spiritual point of view, if they wish for a new and more enlightened life to be opened up. Note that the figure of Death carries a black banner, which is the colour of death but, taking up a big percentage of it, is a large white rose; the symbol of life and re-birth. Therefore very dominant in the grim scene is a promise for the future. Take a look at the positions of the other four figures on the deck and consider what each of them represent. The bishop is standing upright in an attitude of prayer under the only glowing item on the card. He is reminding us that God works in mysterious ways. The maiden has turned her head away in an act of denial; she does not want to face the necessary change but at the same time is in a position of acceptance. She knows it is inevitable. The child kneels at the very feet of the horse and has flowers in her hand. She is not afraid, but rather is in a position of wonder. Finally, the king, dormant on his back and with his crown fallen from his head and discarded, emphasises that Death, which is the end of previous endeavours and beliefs is no respecter of status. Note also that the background of the card is the grey of indifference and also includes a waterfall and the river on life. A very minute illustration of a ship sailing into the card, on the river, indicates the approaching new life. A very interesting fact about the Death card, and one which sometimes is a demonstration of a lack of real understanding of its message by the author, is that in some decks it is not named; apparently in the belief that even the use of the word Death should be avoided. When conducting a reading in which this card is present the following questions should be considered. Has the reader, or client, reached the end of the road in any endeavour? Is there a feeling or actual clinical manifestation of depression in the person? If so, this should be read as a card of hope rather than fear. It is informing us that the end of that phase has arrived.

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Whatever the problem might be it has reached its conclusion and will depart. If a relationship is the reason for the reading, the card may imply it could be advisable to end it. Even on a physical level it is worth remembering that nothing on earth comes to an end in the way most people think of Death. It is a scientific fact that there is not one iota more or less of matter in the cosmos than there was at the start of time. The manifestation, or format, of matter is in a constant state of change, The Wheel is always turning but nothing is ever lost. In that sense, you and I and everyone else are immortal. Card Number 14. Temperance We have now moved on from the Death of our previous beliefs and/or trials and into a new condition; and what a wonderful new situation we find ourselves in. What is the card telling us? Firstly it is important to note the position of the card in the deck. It lies between Death and The Devil. This may well be difficult to understand for those who are not aware of the true meaning of the previous card. However, a careful study of this one makes its message very clear. A red (for fire and action) winged angel in an all white (for newness and purity) gown dominates the bright scene of renewal. One of angels feet is immersed in water, indicating fluidity and motion, while the other is on dry land indicating stability. This positioning signifies the uniting and balance of the earthly world with the spiritual one, or the conscious mind with the subconscious. In each of the figures hands is a golden cup and she is pouring water from one to the other, thus further signifying balance and equilibrium. This tells us that if one side of our nature should become over-dominant we should now find it easy to restore equilibrium. The pouring of water from one vessel to the next also indicates fluidity and the fact that throughout life we can rarely experience total balance or stability for long. Our soul personality is constantly being tempered by our joys, troubles, pleasures, ills, agonies, ecstasies, thoughts and imagination, etc. It is the combination and mixture of all these factors which makes us what we are, i.e. everyone an entirely unique individual.

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We all need Temperance in our lives to live them to the full. The current often heard statement that we should aim for moderation in all things is simply another version of the same principal. Note that, again in the Rider-Waite card, the pool in which the figure of Temperance has placed a foot includes a path leading directly to the sun in which there is a crown. This tells us that from our new position there is a direct route to success. The route may not be immediately obvious however; we must seek it out. This is indicated by the fact that the path is behind the figure and not in her immediate view. Note also the sign of the sun on the forehead of the figure, giving yet further emphasis to the fact that moderation in our actions will increase the prospect of success in both our mundane and spiritual endeavours. When we are consulting this card for ourselves or others what should we be considering? In each personality there is the potential to pursue a sensible and steady course through life, avoiding extremes which may put us in physical or spiritual danger. Is the enquirer now in a situation where there is a danger of going to extremes? Is it time to pause and take another, perhaps more calm and balanced, look at the situation. Give serious thought to all possible outcomes of the courses of action you are now considering. Is there a less risky way to proceed; one which will eliminate or at least reduce the risk of unwanted consequences? Think again, very carefully, about the one foot in the water, one foot on dry land allegory. Which position is right for you? Do your best prospects for future happiness lay in paying more attention to your materialistic, or your physical, or your spiritual attitudes? Just who are you now and who will you become after the next step? Card Number 15. The Devil The previous card taught us that life can be a very fluid and unstable thing and that it is wise to avoid extremes. This card, The Devil, retains the same principle but illustrates the extremes to which we can be led if we do not heed the advice. It is a fact that for almost all people at some time, danger is not only a threat but a potent attraction.

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Why do so many of us read horror stories, murder mysteries and erotic novels or watch films on the same subjects? The answer is that life can often appear very banal and there is a vicarious attraction in watching or reading about lawbreakers; and perhaps imagining ourselves in similar situations. In this way we can indulge in similar experiences but from a safe (and legal) distance. The Devil illustrates what might happen if we do not exercise restraint or heed the message of the Temperance card. In the Rider-Waite deck, The Devil is shown as a naked horned demon perched on a plinth and towering over male and female figures who are also naked and secured together, and to the plinth, by a heavy chain. The power and attraction of lust and evil can be an enormously strong one as the chain implies, but it can be overcome with relative ease provided one has a genuine desire to do so. This is evident by looking again at the chain which binds the two figures. Note it is secured firmly to the devils plinth, indicating that his power is a very real one, yet it is not tightly fixed around the necks of his disciples. There is no evident reason why the female or male could not with some effort lift it up and be free if they really wished to be so. In other words they are the slaves of the devil mainly because they want to be his slaves. All the other elements on the card both emphasise and elaborate on this same message. Note there is the familiar pomegranate symbol of fertility beside the female figure and that of fire beside the male. These represent the aspects of our life which most frequently lead us into the devils clutches, i.e. unbridled sexuality, anger and greed. In The Devils hand, a flaming torch is held above the flame beside the male, ready to re-ignite it if his subjects enthusiasm for wickedness should wane. The head of The Devil also deserves some close scrutiny. Note that the complete face and head form a downward facing triangle, a symbol which normally expresses descent from heaven to earth. This time however the descent of goodness is halted by a pentagram with the point downward, the traditional symbol of black magic and evil, above the head. Once we become caught up in evil or devilish practices it is not easy to escape. The lifting of the chains, though they are not genuinely binding, is not an easy task. It is quite possible we may enjoy behaving in ways which are not correct and that we enjoy it so much that even though we know it is wrong we do not wish to give it up or escape it.

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When consulting this card you should ask yourself if there is anything in your or the enquirers life which you know is wrong and yet is habitually indulged. This does not have to be anything concerned with what is traditionally thought of as wicked. The principle of hanging onto something we are comfortable with but which is not good and is holding us back can apply to many parts of life. It can even apply to illness. Several times in my work as a psychic healer I have encountered people who ask to be freed of their pain and distress but who, it soon becomes very evident, do not really want to be healed. Why? Because they enjoy the care and attention of their carers, and the general fuss their illness causes to be made about them. They actually prefer illness to independence, to having to stand on their own two feet and fend for themselves. Your own devils chain may not be as extreme as that but you should consider whether you do in fact have one. What it the chain you cannot throw off? Is it alcohol, excessive eating, lust, or even excessive worry? Look again at the chains around the necks of the figures on this card. It would not take too much effort to lift them off, would it? It would not take too much effort for anyone else to do a similar thing Card Number 16. The Tower The Tower is a structure which is normally considered as expressive of strength, stability and permanence. On the card it shown being struck down by lightning or some other natural and unforeseeable disaster. This is the kind of thing which can happen to any of us at any time. Our own personal edifice, whether it be an actual one or a character we have presented ourselves as to the world; perhaps one it has taken us a great many years to establish, is suddenly destroyed by an unforeseen and terrible catastrophe. Our life seems about to fall apart. This kind of situation can happen to us on either a physical or spiritual level. Although basically an illustration of disaster this card as often with Tarot has a message of hope and optimism too. Firstly consider the colour of the stricken tower. It, the mountain on which it stands, and the clouds behind it are all of the same bland and unexciting grey colour. The sky against which it stands is black. All of these are indications that the thing which is being destroyed is not good or is of no great consequence.

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Does it really matter that such a dull and boring structure is being destroyed? Is not the colourful lightning and the fire which is striking from above an Act of God which has been sent by Him to force the occupants to change their ways? An act which has the potential, for their own ultimate long term benefit, to transform the lives of those who are falling from the building;. Note that the figures which are falling are of high rank; an indication that a disaster like this is no respecter of persons. It can happen to anyone, a peasant or a king. The king shown on the card has lost his crown and it is now directly above the flames and about to be destroyed by fire. The queen, although she is too is falling and is upside down, still retains her crown. Her loss, because of her previous good character, will not be as great as his. When we study The Lightening Struck Tower it can sometimes make us realise that the life we have built up for ourselves is too restricted and constrained. Why is the illustration one of a tower rather than a house or a villa or a castle for example? The reason is that a tower is a traditional symbol of the status quo and of imprisonment. It could well be a big shock to be forced by circumstances outside our control to change our present complacent attitudes, to move out of our present comfortable life and be forced to go back into the big wide and unknown world once again and fend for ourselves; but it may well be necessary for our spiritual evolvement. In addition to these things The Lightening Struck Tower also includes a warning which must be heeded whenever consulting this card or when it is included in a reading for anyone else. You must ask yourself, or your client, if there is anything in the present situation which may be on the brink of going disastrously wrong. If we are forewarned we can sometimes avoid the lightening strike! This card, whenever it appears in a spread, should be considered as a warning of a potentially critical situation. More so even than the Death card. The Death card signifies a major transition from one situation into another. This card by contrast can indicate a complete collapse and destruction of your current way of life.

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If it is being considered on a spiritual or religious level it may be a harbinger of a sudden illumination or a major change in understanding or beliefs; perhaps an event which is about to completely change your understanding of the God and of the cosmic scheme of things. Card Number 17. The Star After the disaster of The Tower there is now a new future ahead. Our troubles have been overcome and we can see more clearly. Throughout our lives we will all have periods of tribulation, if not disaster, during which we can see little hope for the future. Our worst fears may even sometimes come to pass but it is a surprising fact that after the collapse of the world we were formerly afraid to leave, as symbolised by The Tower, then a whole new prospect will be opened up to us via The Star. A new future which is without the boundaries and restrictions which previously held us back. Perhaps we were not even aware of the limits of our former state when we were living through it but now we have a vision of a new and greatly expanded future, one which can be extended far beyond our earlier spiritual or earthly boundaries The Star is a card of new hope and should be studied in the first instance side by side with Temperance. Look closely at both the similarities and differences between them. Both cards show a female figure with one foot on dry land and the other in water. Both cards show water is being poured. Note however that the winged angel of Temperance has been transformed into a naked earthly figure and the golden chalices have been replaced by common earthenware jugs. The water is now being poured directly onto the earth or into a lake rather than between the receptacles. This signifies that this time it will not be possible to fully return the fluid to its original container. In other words, whatever we now decide to do is likely to be irrevocable. The message of The Star appears at first glance to be a much more earthly one than many of the other cards and yet it is dominated by seven white stars and a much larger star of gold.

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The contrast between the upper and lower halves of the card indicate we will now have a much greater awareness of the connection between heaven and earth or the spiritual and the mundane; an understanding of the results of our actions in conjunction with universal law. It is a fact that if, in everyday life, people take the time to look into the heavens and gaze at the stars they invariably begin to contemplate and wonder about the universe, the meaning of it all and the meaning of life itself. Such study can be greatly inspiring. At the end of such a contemplation the stargazer invariably feels very calm and at one with the universe. The problems of everyday life are pushed back and seen as the insignificance things they really are. A correct contemplation of The Star tarot card should be similarly relaxing and reassuring. Our mundane worries will be eased by the knowledge that, compared to the majesty of the heavens and the night sky, they are meaningless. The Star in any spread is a good card. It offers the promise that whatever the current problems, they are only temporary. There is already light at the end of the tunnel and it is only a matter of time before it emerges and our difficulties are resolved. It is a card of hope and a promise of better things to come. If there is a situation where the enquirer has been holding back on something and waiting until the time is ripe, this card indicates that the time could well be now. The project is well aspected and the time has come to take positive action to realise your dreams. Card Number 18. The Moon Of all the cards of the Tarot, The Moon is often the most difficult to relate to and understand by the average reader. It seems an enigma because its message is one which moves beyond our mundane physical world and even beyond what the majority understand as religious or spiritual thought. It is a card of the night, the dark and the unknown. Yet it can shine brightly too and that brightness will often overcome the dark. The Moon, because it is outside our world, was chosen as the symbol to express that which is beyond our worldly experience, but which we nevertheless know is there and in our deeper moments may strive to experience and understand. It is indicative of other dimensions.

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In everyday life we are only aware of the spatial dimensions of length, breadth and height plus the fourth dimension of time. The Moon reminds us there may be other areas beyond our conscious awareness. In fact many people have experienced the vague, just out-of-reach, kind of feelings that there is a great deal more to reality than is generally supposed. The Rider-Waite deck expresses this concept by a large and multi-rayed golden moon located above the grey pillars and featureless landscape of everyday life. It is generating golden dewdrops which are falling to earth between the pillars. In the right hand side of the moon a solemn nun-like head with closed eyes gazes down in compassion on the earth as though sorrowful for our limited knowledge of the true scheme of things. At the bottom of the card a crayfish is crawling from the water onto a path that wends its way through the landscape towards The Moon or the unknown, while on the ground two animals, signifying our fear, stare and howl, their ears back in awe and terror. Many people who study the moon react to it in a very similar way to these creatures, often with a vague sense of the danger of the unknown. They may be wary and nervous but are also extremely curious and feel a yearning for more knowledge. These reactions can also apply to anything they do not understand in everyday life. Most of us are aware there are realities which exist just beyond our conscious mind. We have an instinctive knowledge of them and yet they remain tantalisingly unapproachable in any real sense. The Moon symbolism is an invitation for us to explore the unfamiliar, to approach that which may be dark and frightening, and to take heed of the strange sixth sense we possess. In other words it invites us, dares us, to explore more closely the things we usually shy away from. In a spiritual sense it invites us to delve beyond the faade of our usual beliefs to deeper levels and perhaps, ultimately, to find enlightenment. When this card is part of a reading it is necessary to enquire if there is any great fear in the persons life which is holding them back in their present endeavours. Could it be they are too nervous and apprehensive. Is fear of the unknown, fear of the future, dominating their life? As the crayfish and the pathway in the card indicate, it may be necessary to go into the unknown in order to find greater truth and clarity in our lives. We must not be afraid like the howling animals but must be brave and advance.

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The two pillars on the card have similar meanings to those which appear on other cards, i.e. they guide us towards a path of moderation between two extremes. On The Moon card they are grey because this journey is a mysterious one where the options are not evident or clearly defined. It is a journey into the unknown. For the same reason the colouration of the animals is not one of good and evil as might be expected. One is the same colour as the moon itself (and the path) while the other is an alternative but not necessarily contrasting. It all helps to emphasise the journey into the unknown. Card Number 19. The Sun A sun with ten straight rays and ten vibrating rays dominate the top of the card in the Rider-Waite deck. Ten is a very significant number and the fact that one set of rays is vibrating while the others are not is symbolic of all potential. Ten is the number of completion because if the digits are added together it reduces to one again; the number of The Magician and a new start. The Sun is shown with a large expressionless face. Immediately below it four sunflowers bloom and a naked child with a garland of sunflowers in her hair sits astride a grey horse. From her garland a large feathered plume rises into the air. Behind the horse is a stone wall which is also predominantly grey. A large unfurled red and orange banner dominates the right hand side of the card. Even from a cursory glance this is obviously a card of achievement, of success and hope for the future. Yet even the most casual consideration of the design will probably cause most newcomers to Tarot symbolism to be surprised by the large areas of bland grey colour. Surely in such glorious sunlight we would expect the colours to be bright and cheerful rather than dull and uninspiring! As always with a good Tarot deck, there is a purpose and a meaning behind any such apparent inconsistency. Further study of the card will make it evident that the whole design is in two parts, fully consistent with the message it is intended to convey. Ignore the naked child for the moment and it becomes obvious that the top part of the card imparts a message of sunlight, warmth and flourishing growth. By contrast the bottom section is a grey blandness; not featureless but in shade. The child and the enormous unfurled banner are the only connections between the two parts.

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When this card is part of a spread the person consulting it is very much like the child. Everything they want out of life; a flourishing success, warmth, love, and growth both spiritual and physical, are now available to them. The fact the child is naked indicates all this potential is there but there is little awareness of it. More time is needed to enable the enquirer to move out of their present and seemingly bland situation into the bright future that awaits them. The fact that the expression on the face of The Sun gives no indication of any emotion is further evidence that the inquirers life may not appear particularly good at the present time. The Sun is not smiling nor does it appear particularly welcoming; but if, like the openness of the child who has nothing, we ourselves will open our being to the available potential and embrace what may be in store for us, then success will be ours. This openness and receptivity is the vital message of this card. Although success is now available to the seeker it does not mean it is inevitable. In order to take full advantage of the present opportunities they must be grasped with enthusiasm. It is not a time for hesitation or for doubts if the opportunities are to be gained. Card Number 20. Judgement Following on from The Sun, which above all else symbolises potential success in our endeavours, Judgement is the awakening from our former fears, doubts and uncertainties into a new period of enlightenment. In the Rider Waite deck grey figures of all ages are standing in coffins on the sea of life and are raising their arms in welcome to the angel Gabriel who is blowing his golden horn in the sky above them. This is a card to be considered in a number of ways but above all else is one which symbolises a new awakening, free from all previous worries drawbacks and concerns. It is the light after darkness or the start of new enlightenment. It is rebirth. Probably most readers of this book will have experienced times in their life when they feel on the verge of new understanding; when they have a new realisation on either a practical or spiritual level. These can often be such an enlightenment that they find themselves wondering how they could ever have accepted their former beliefs. They cannot understand how they could have been so utterly nave. This card exemplifies such a situation.

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In a very real and individual sense there is not just one universe out there but a multitude of them. This applies in a practical and physical sense as well as a spiritual one. To the average, reasonably comfortable, law-abiding family, the world of an habitual drug addict or a violent criminal is as alien as if it were on another planet. The reverse applies too. The career criminal can often have little real conception of what life is like outside his situation. These people can all live in the same town, perhaps even in