Tarot And The Elements

Photo credit: Viva Luna Studios

The origin of Tarot cards is uncertain. They were first used in Italy in the 15th century, but they became a mystical tool only in the late 18th century. There are many theories related to Tarot cards. I don’t believe they have power by themselves, but they can be used to communicate with the spiritual world. I believe that we all have spirit guides, or angels, that “walk by our side” and protect us. Before consulting the cards, you have to ask your spirit guides the question and how many cards you want to pull, and they will “talk” through the cards.

There are 78 cards in each Tarot deck. The first 22 are called “Major Arcana,” and the others are called “Minor Arcana,” which are divided into four groups of suits: Swords, Pentacles, Wands, and Cups (in some decks, Pentacles are called Coins, and Wands are called Staves). The Major Arcana symbolize the main aspects of your life journey, while the Minor Arcana go more into detail and can clarify specific points about a situation. The suits correspond to the four elements and different areas of life:

Overview of the Minor Arcana (based on the elements):

Earth

Pentacles - They symbolize money and all material things.

Water

Cups - They symbolize the heart, feelings, and emotions.

Fire

Wands - They symbolize energy, passion, and power.

Air

Swords - They symbolize the mind, intellect, and ideas.

Reading Tarot is about listening to your INTUITION.

Every card has more than one meaning. In addition, the meaning can change depending on the card that precedes or follows. The easiest reading style is three cards, which represent in order: “Past,” “Present,” and “Future.” You can also go with the flow and read them as a single message that has nothing to do with time (that’s what I do).

Shuffle the cards, ask the question (in your mind or out loud), and decide how you want to pick the cards. You can place your left hand on top of the deck and break it where you feel it’s right (that’s what I do), or you can spread the cards face down on the table, run your left hand over them, and pick the cards you feel connected to.

The way I use Tarot in my practice is different than the way this tool is commonly used. I do two Tarot readings with three cards each, and the premise is the same for all my clients. I don’t ask them what they want to know—I’m simply open to receiving wisdom from my spirit guides.

I ask the Tarot to share with me a message for the person. Then, I ask the Tarot what lessons this person needs to learn in this lifetime. As I believe our souls made spiritual contracts before coming to the Earth and decided which lessons they need to learn, I use the Tarot as a wisdom tool to connect with deeper truths about the person.