Interpreting the Cards through Journaling
Many new to the Tarot make the mistake of running to a book to find out what a card means before they have had a chance to explore it on their own. The truth is that there is no definitive key to the meanings of the cards. You will discover that while most Tarot writers have similar ideas about what each card represents, they can also vary widely in their interpretations. Ultimately, you will need to decide what each card means. You will develop your own personal interpretations as you become more familiar with the images of the cards, and journaling is a great way to get started.
Pick a card from your favorite deck, and freewrite for a few minutes.
Write whatever comes to your mind. Don't censor or evaluate your thoughts—just write—and trust your intuition!
Below are some questions you might consider. I've also included a few cards you can practice with in case you don't have a deck handy.
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- What is the first detail you notice in the card? (Where does your eye first go?)
- Describe what is happening in the card.
- How does the card make you feel? Do you feel attracted to the card? Repelled by the card? Neutral?
- How do the colors contribute to the mood of the card? Is the card warm? Cold? Sterile?
- Does this card evoke personal associations? Does this card remind you of a particular person or a situation in your life?
- Does this card evoke any literary, historical or mythological associations?
- Can you think of any common metaphors, idioms, or proverbs that describe image of the card. For example, we might associate the expression—“Don’t cry over spilt milk”—with the Five of Cups. "It's water under the bridge" is another expression that comes to mind.
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Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited. The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
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