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How to Use Tarot for Guidance, by Victoria Constantino

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

When we work with tarot, we are forging a connection to a magical, spiritual tool. This connection is ever-evolving, ever-changing, ever-growing. The more we work with tarot, the more practice we gain in strengthening our connection to the meanings it holds for us and our understanding of them. In doing so, we increase the value we gain from it. Over time, we also experience the added benefit of strengthening our intuition and the connection to our higher understanding; in this way, we can better receive and interpret messages, information, wisdom, and guidance. Like a muscle we work to develop, the more we work with tarot, the more clearly we are able to intuit what counsel it may hold for us, and the greater the detail and accuracy we can obtain.

While tarot decks traditionally have 78 cards consisting of specific pip cards, court cards, and Major Arcana cards, the symbolism can vary widely from deck to deck. It is that symbolism that conveys so much meaning to us, beyond just the archetype each card represents or the symbols it may present.

For example, the Queen of Wands may represent prosperity, passion, abundance, warmth, creativity, confidence, authority, and fruitfulness in general. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, she is pictured holding a sunflower (which can indicate happiness) in her left hand, and a wand in her right. Two lions—symbolizing strength and protection, perhaps—adorn the base of her throne, one on each side; two lions are emblazoned on the high back of her throne, which ascends above her head. A black cat (a familiar? An emblem of protection?) sits at her feet. If we drew this card after having asked a question about where we stand with a potential romantic partnership, perhaps with someone we recently met, and then drew this card in response, we might interpret it to mean that the relationship has the potential to develop in a way that will bring us happiness. It could also indicate that we have protection or guidance available to us in regards to this relationship. How we interpret it is very much up to our intuition. What are we feeling about this? There may be a fated or karmic aspect, as if we are meant to be with this person. On the other hand, it could indicate we are supported by our guides or allies in the nonphysical as we navigate this new partnership.

In the The Hermetic Tarot, the Queen of Wands is pictured holding a long wand or staff with a large spherical head; her right hand rests on the head of a leopard. Written beneath her staff are the symbols for Pisces and Aries. In this deck, the Queen of Wands is called Queen of the Thrones of Flame, and fire is depicted around her; this symbolism aligns with wands as the representatives of the element of fire. The prominent staff could indicate that there is the possibility of great passion in this relationship, and that the person we identify with the female energy in the partnership is very much in their power—confident in their ability to navigate the world and the relationship in a way that lends to the success of both parties involved. The symbolism of Pisces and Aries adds another element to the interpretation. One or both of the people in the partnership may have aspects of Aries or Pisces in their birth charts that could inform the relationship; an investigation into the astrological placements could reward further inquiry (if we are so inclined).

Colors, numbers, and placement of the cards (in relationship to other cards) can add additional layers of meaning. For instance, the color red may connect us to the root chakra or to family, or, in the Chinese tradition, it can symbolize good luck, happiness, success, vitality, and beauty. The number four often indicates stability and solid foundations, so the Four of Pentacles and The Emperor (which is the number four card in the Major Arcana), share this interpretive connection. More than one instance of a number in a deck can convey additional meaning. Three fours could indicate stronger foundations in three areas of life, or a tripling of the four energy. Placement also informs the meaning of the cards. A Nine of Pentacles following the Five of Pentacles, for instance, could mean abundance and prosperity are flowing to us where there is or has been lack or blocks in those areas, or perhaps could offer guidance to save instead of spending to support our future well-being.

One of the really helpful aspects of working with tarot is that we can ask any question we like. We can also ask clarifying questions or ask for a clarifying card to divulge further information on a card we already pulled. We may choose to work within the constraints of a spread or we can simply ask a series of questions and continue drawing cards. We can draw a card a day, or several cards, asking questions like, What energies are supporting me today? Or What is my guidance for the day?

It can be beneficial when first beginning to work with the cards to gain a foundational understanding of their traditional meanings. One good way to go about this is to refer to the guidebook for the deck you use most often, or to guidebooks for several different decks, to obtain a better understanding of how various decks and authors approach the cards' meaning and symbolism. This provides us with a jumping-off point from which we can launch into a deeper and more personal understanding. It may be that you do not resonate at all with the interpretation the guidebook provides for a certain card, and that is okay.

Ultimately, it is key to trust our intuition, over and above what any guidebook may say. When we doubt our intuition, we may unintentionally set up blocks to receiving the information that is meant for us. It may be that we are getting a strong sense of what a certain card means to us, and it may not necessarily align with the guidebook or the traditional meaning. In my book, Tarot by the Moon, I discuss different approaches to interpreting a reading and also to connecting with our inner guidance to ensure we get the most out of our interactions with the cards. With practice, it becomes easier and more natural to glean information from tarot. And, over time, a well-loved deck can become like a constant companion—an old friend who always offers us just the advice we need.

Want to know more? Check out Tarot by the Moon: Spreads and Spells for Every Month of the Year. You can also follow me on Instagram at @victoria.constantino.author and @tarot_by_the_moon and on Facebook at @VictoriaConstantinoAuthor.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2021. All rights reserved.

My husband is a Leo. Before we met, he had a dream in which his deceased wife appeared at the foot of his bed. She showed him a picture of me, and said, This is your future wife - meet her. When we met, his face turned white, and I said hello twice before he acknowledged me. Later, he told me about his dream, and I told him that I believed she truly appeared to him. The thing he thought was so amazing is that the picture she showed him was exactly like me. We met on a blind date, and had never seen one another before. Do spirits guide us to new love this way? If so, are they interfering with destiny or changing destiny somehow, or helping destiny to unfold? I also had a similar experience with my fiance, who died. We had met through very unusual circumstances. Thanks a lot for helping answer my question!

- Monique

Dreamchaser:

Monique, I do believe that people on the Otherside can give us very accurate messages. Why would his wife NOT be able to do that whole matchmaking thing from the Otherside? When we pass over, all our human emotions fall away, and the only thing left is LOVE. His wife loved him and she wants him to be happy. She knew that you would be the woman he could share the rest of his life with and she wanted to let him know it was okay.

Leo males are very territorial. Picture the male lion with the female lions in his pride in your head. See how ALL the women belong to him, and he looks out for them all? Every Leo man I know keeps his old girlfriends as friends. (If they are still speaking to him, that is!)

So your husband was holding on to his wife, even though she had passed over. She wanted to let him know it was okay for him to let her go and move on. She also knows how hard it is for him to make a decision sometimes, so she threw him a bone, so to speak. She showed him the picture and said, Just so there will be no mistaking it, this is the one for you. That is quite funny if you think about it. Instead of answering Honey, where did I put my keys? Honey, where did I put my socks? she was continuing to help him as best she could. This wife was a very cool woman!

If we are listening, spirits will guide us to what we need. Most people are not open to actually listening. When that is the case, spirits have no choice but to come to us in our dreams, when our conscious mind is shut off and can't interfere. The spirits are in no way interfering. If we are receiving a message from them, you can bet that they are there not only with permission, but also with guidance from the source of all knowledge.

Spirits can't change our destinies. If it looks like spirits made something happen or not happen, it is because that was the plan all along. For example, you hear of people being saved in car accidents by people who just disappear afterwards; that happens so that our destiny of continuing to live is fulfilled. They aren't changing our destiny.

That being said, we do have the free will to choose our own path. There are a few things that are pre-destined and cannot be altered, such as our births. When it comes to whether we are going to become involved in a relationship with someone or not, that is up to us. While you were destined to meet, your husband CHOSE to allow you into his life. He chose to go on that blind date that night. He chose to remember your face and what his wife had said to him and thus fulfill a higher destiny in love.

*****

Astrea:

For as long as history has been recorded, people have sought counsel from their ancestors. It's common for someone who has Crossed Over to give a person advice on romance or any other subject. Deceased spouses wouldn't be an exception to that rule.

In Japan, a tradition in the Shinto religion is to seek counsel and blessings from loved ones in Spirit and from ancestors from many generations back. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is a celebration of ancestors. They are made a lavish meal and fed the best treats in hopes that this inspires them to smile upon their kinfolk and bless them throughout the coming year. Modern society doesn't openly accept that kind of thing, but I can tell you that at Kajama, I get a number of people every day who have sought guidance from a grandmother, aunt, brother, mother or father in Spirit on many issues, and who received detailed answers in dreams.

You know, of course, that the dream really happened. Your husband really saw her, and she made CERTAIN that she made enough of an impression on him that he would remember. She must have been quite a card. This is your future wife, MEET HER! All she forgot to add was, That's an order, Buddy!

I think when our Loved Ones come to us from Beyond the Veil, they do it with love, caring and a positive intention. I doubt that it changes our destiny, but then, I'm one of those people who believes that we make our own Destiny. We have choices. There are mistakes and consequences. If we choose to react in a positive way to the signs we are given, we align with a higher Destiny. If we choose to ignore those signs, we head in a different direction. Free Will is certainly a key factor that comes into play even when a destined plan is trying to get our attention.

I feel you and your husband are really lucky to have the blessing of someone in heaven who is taking time out from her fun and relaxation to try to help you find one another. She must care about both of you very much. He probably had that dream many times, but only remembered it once, perhaps that last time. Once she knew he had the message, she could stop trying so hard. The picture she showed him looked just like you because it was you! She worked hard on her plan so that she would make a lasting impression on his brain.

If you like, she'll come to you, too. Ask her to visit you in your dreams before you go to sleep at night. I'm sure your former fiance is looking after you as well. It's wonderful to keep those we love so close, even if it's only in spirit!

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.