Wands | Cups

THE MAJOR ARCANA

Swords | Pentacles

 

The cards shown below are from the traditional Rider Waite deck. It is the most commonly used deck for beginner tarot lessons and books. Pollyanna decided to use it here because it would be very easy for interested tarot enthusiasts to find both texts and teachers with information that is pertinent to these cards. Enjoy!

 

 

Card

Traditional Definition Traditional Reversed Meaning What would Pollyanna suggest this card was saying...  What would Pollyanna suggest to turn the reversed card back?

The Fool

This is the card of the initiate when it is placed at the beginning of the deck... and the master when it's at the end. It suggests: Let go and let God! It is also the card of the beginning and the end of a spiritual journey. Think before you leap. And if you brag about being a master, you probably have a bit more to learn yet... Let go... let God... and take action!

You have the authority to claim your own mastery.

See the divinity in everyone else and, since they are mirrors of your true self, let them show you your own divinity, too.

The Magician

True magic is about flowing with the Divine. True power is about command, not control or force. Also, a very good indicator that it's time to take action. Dark magic is about manipulating energy. Control, manipulation and force don't work and are signs of weakness.  You are a powerful manifestor... Use your talents to help heal the world! (Or at least your part of it!) Turn to the flow of divinity available to all and High Magic transforms you world!

The High Priestess

The High Priestess is a woman of mystery and acute intuitive ability. Her counsel is wise, insightful and will always be kept in the strictest confidence. Her alignment with the Goddess is exquisite. This card will often appear reversed when one is stuck in ego and superficiality... Save your secrets to share with one who can be trusted better. Your feminine power is strong... receiving, allowing and loving are easy talents... but you keep them private. Good job... Be sacred, be wise, see the sacred in all others, see the wisdom available through all others. Do not gossip. Listen without judgment.

The Empress

This is the card of the consummate mother... the Goddess... the mother figure. It can also suggest pregnancy and fertility. There needs to be more 'mother' energy active within the home. Who is suffering as a result of a missing or working mother figure? Oh, Mother of Us All! Thank you for your love and care! Are there ways for someone to be home more? Either Mom or Mr. Mom would be very helpful here.

The Emperor

The strong father figure, the boss, the father God energy. Also discipline and structure. Self-leadership, self-discipline and self-starting are lacking... Father, please watch over and protect me. Show me the way when I am lost... Help me when I am scared and alone... So... develop leadership, self-discipline, a can do attitude!

The Hierophant

This is the card of the teacher and also your guides. The Hierophant tends to love ceremony and is often a bit of a conformist. Is someone too controlling? Unconventional? Superstitious? If you are a new ager and love sacred ceremony, you may need to lighten up. If your are traditional, also lighten up. If you play through ceremony... maybe it's time to get more serious and add respect to your process. Turn the reversed card by lightening up a bit! Let go and let God... Remember, some rules are actually valuable!

The Lovers

Pure love, unconditional love, partnership Poor communication in a relationship, quarrels, infidelity. My love does not complete me, we are two completes joining in unconditional love. We choose each other freely each day, and when we are done, we move on in joy, peace, respect and love. Time to focus on good communication, listening to the needs of both partners and, if fidelity is lacking... that, too.

The Chariot

This is the card of the Spiritual Warrior. It also denotes triumph over all difficulties, successful efforts. Many of today's Lightworkers are Spiritual Warriors... Poor efforts make poor results. This card reversed can also suggest health problems. Spiritual Warriors are wondrous beings... we thank you all for the fearless work you do! These wondrous beings fill the darkness with light and bless us all with their selfless battle for Universal Peace. Improve your efforts... contemplate on what improvements would help. Find ways to optimize your health.

Strength

Strength to endure despite obstacles, triumph of love over hate, virtue triumphs, be steadfast and true to self. Loss of opportunity, lack of courage, don't lose your nerve or surrender. You can do it! Realign your energies and tune in to your natural magic and inner guidance. You can persevere.

The Hermit

Wisdom offered, Ask and it shall be given, discretion, withdrawal, think it through. Refusal to use inner wisdom or resources, refusal to ask. Wisdom goes unheeded. There is wisdom in listening to those who know. There is also wisdom in cultivating your connection to your own  inner guidance. Let someone help! You don't have to do it all alone...

Wheel of Fortune

Unexpected luck, change in situation for the better, initiation, positive karma, problem solved! Bad luck, bad karma, turn for the worse. Change is happening and cannot be stopped... luckily you have paved the way for only positive change! Good job! Change is happening and cannot be stopped... unfortunately you have paved the way for only negative change! But it is never too late to work on it! 

Justice

Good decision in your favor, judgment, truth will be revealed, exercise fairness. Injustice, possible loss, lack of perspective, bias. Truth will always out... and here it comes. Fairness is a human concept. The Divine is neutral. If an injustice is happening, study what you can do to move forward positively anyway.

The Hanged Man

Self-surrender to higher wisdom, spiritual growth, renunciation, sacrifice, change your position. Contentment with the status quo, preoccupation with material matters, arrogance, selfishness, ego. You are in the world but not of it. Understand what that means and you will ascend. Why are you hanging around doing nothing to improve things? There's a lot that can be done if you just get your ego out of the way!

Death

New beginnings, death of the old... birth of the new... change, transformation, old makes way for new. Stuck in present situation, no change, fate takes over, inertia, faulty planning. This is one of the most positive cards in the deck! It doesn't foretell physical death... it is about life, new beginnings, change and rebirth! No change is like death sometimes. Learn to love change and invite it in... the results can be delightful!

Temperance

Adaptation, self-control, coordination, good management, negotiation, share thoughts and feelings with your partner. Bad management, lack of good judgment, competition, quarrels, impatience. You are in command... keep up the good work! Control never works for long. Lighten you hold and develop more patience, tolerance, leadership and clear thought.

The Devil

Too involved in materiality, downfall, insecurity, examine motives. Overcoming negative influences, spiritual understanding, fears are unfounded. Material obsession is structural obsession. Structure is a part of duality. Release these obsessions and nurture love, light, compassion and gratitude... unity will be next. When fear dissolves, enlightenment evolves.

The Tower

Change, sudden change, unstoppable change, end of selfish ambition, disruption, truth surfaces, breakdown around you. Change has begun... don't fight it! False accusations, expect change, trapped in problems. Love change and life will be much more interesting and fun! This change is good and actually the answer to your prayers. Might as well go along for the ride!

The Star

Hope, inspiration, health, meditation, inspiration, talents, widening horizons. Doubt, pessimism, poor concentration & health, lack of focus. Hope, inspiration, health, meditation, inspiration, talents, widening horizons.  When you are lost in doubt,  stop... meditate... pray... seek inner (and outer) guidance. Help will come if you but listen and allow...

The Moon

Intuition, dreams, card of the psychic.

Insincerity, peril, hidden dangers.

Don't take risks now, wait before making changes, deception is recognized, don't exploit others. You are very intuitive, your dreams are very revealing. Trust them...

Watch for dangers sneaking up on you from many directions.

Patience is a good idea for now... Go slow, hang low.

The Sun

Attainment, liberation, good marriage, joy and happiness in the future, achievements, satisfaction, marriage, contentment. Stop day-dreaming and work for your goals! Broken promises, loss of job, success eludes you. Success... sweet success! Ask yourself: What am I supposed to learn from these problems?

Judgement

Spiritual awakening, renewed energy, better health, quicker health, renewal, rebirth of plans, forgiveness, improvement. Judgment is said to be the last thing to go before enlightenment. Not interested in spiritual growth, be careful of health, delay, refusal to release, stagnation. This card represents mankind's movement into unity... ascension... It truly represents the end of The Shift and movement into what comes next. Spiritual growth is inevitable... if not in this life, then probably the next... or the one after. Delay is futile but free will protects your right to do so.

The World

Total success, cosmic awareness, the path of liberation, completion, recognition, rewards, dreams come true.

Ascension, Unity, Enlightenment, Bliss

Lack of vision, fear of change, success waiting, partial victory, incomplete, finish what you start. Ascension, Unity, Enlightenment, Bliss Wake up and smell the roses! Your bliss is within reach... why delay any longer?

 

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