Tag Archives: VII-The Chariot

Daily Tarot Card Draw: VII-Chariot, XVI-Tower, X-Wheel of Fortune and XIII-Death

I’m sure I’ve mentioned in some post or another that the best way to learn how to read tarot cards (or any card system, for that matter) is simply to do just that — read tarot cards! On a daily basis!

If you’re remotely serious about improving your ability to read tarot cards, you must commit to the practice of casting daily tarot card draws and recording them and jotting down your impressions in a notebook or journal dedicated specifically to card reading. Later, you can review your notes and observe where, why and how you got it “right” or “wrong.”

Just like learning a language, over time, you will learn how your cards speak to you. As you gain “fluency,” your ability to correctly ascertain the cards’ messages in any given daily draw will increase.

That said, remember:

“No matter how talented a reader you may become, you won’t always ‘get it right’.”

 

Three Reasons Why You May Not ‘Get It Right’

 

  1. Taking the information too personally, especially when your draw contains tarot cards that scare you. Your mind might automatically race to worst case scenarios, which, in addition to being a lousy way to start your day, typically don’t manifest in real life.
  2. Forgetting that some daily card draws are fairly mundane. The cards could be showing you something as simple as a weather report (literal or emotional). Perhaps they are describing a local or global event that comes to your attention later in the day or week.
  3. Failing to take “the prevailing winds” into account. Sometimes the energies surrounding a “prediction” shift enough to cancel manifestation at a later time. In those instances you may have correctly interpreted the cards but you probably won’t know it because of lack of feedback.

A Daily Tarot Card Draw with Scary Cards

 

Early last week I pulled some cards in my daily draw that illustrate points #1 and #2 above. I decided to share the reading with you because I think it’s something that card readers experience more often than they care to admit. We get so used to asking for (and expecting!) relevant, personal information that we tend to forget sometimes the cards just want to give a heads-up on a freak thunderstorm or, as you’ll see below, a fatal accident that comes to your attention.

At the time of the draw, having no particular question in mind, I decided to ask one of my go-to generic questions: “Heads up/ need to know/ will happen.” I pulled the following cards:

Q: Heads Up/ Need to Know/ Will Happen:

 

Morgan-Greer Tarot Daily Card Draw: VII-The Chariot - XVI-The Tower - X-Wheel of Fortune http://livingwithcards.com
Morgan-Greer Tarot Daily Card Draw: VII-The Chariot – XVI-The Tower – X-Wheel of Fortune

Morgan Greer Tarot Deck

It took me about a nanosecond to realize that Chariot + Tower is a classic combination for an automobile accident. Having the Wheel of Fortune in the spread (literally, “wheels”) only seemed to solidify the interpretation.

Unsettling at best.

Of course, I took the “prediction” personally. My mind went directly to myself and my family, including a loved one who would be embarking on a road trip later in the week.

As my anxiety levels multiplied, I found myself grabbing another card to represent the Probable Outcome.

I pulled Death, making me wish I’d never done the darn daily draw in the first place…

Morgan-Greer Tarot VIII-Death http://livingwithcards.com
Morgan-Greer Tarot XIII-Death

 

I then proceeded to worry myself half to death (pun intended) for at least two minutes. After getting a grip on myself, I re-boxed the cards and returned them to some storage container or another, amidst the firm resolution of getting on with my day. (I definitely do not recommend fixating on dire predictions!)

I actually succeeded in not giving the reading a second thought until a news story on the next day’s 6 o’clock news came to my attention: a fatal car crash in a neighboring town. Why the previous day’s tarot card draw had pointed that out to me is unknowable. As the Death card indicated, there was absolutely nothing I could have done to prevent the tragedy.

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Could the cards have manifested in some way other than a tragedy? Of course. To a large degree, it would depend on the question. For example, if you pulled these four cards as an answer to a question concerning taking a new job in another city, the cards could be suggesting that this course of action (Chariot) might be interrupted (Tower), thrown off-course (Wheel) and come to naught (Death). The Death card in this example could also suggest you don’t get the job offer in the first place. Regardless of the question, the fact that all four cards in this particular draw are Major Arcana suggests the outcome is out of your control.

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Notes

 

The cards pulled in this daily tarot card draw predicted a fatal motor vehicle accident. While my interpretation was technically correct, I took the information too personally, causing myself unnecessary angst. It didn’t occur to me at the time of the reading that maybe the cards were foreshadowing a story I’d see later on the 6 o’clock news. Should I pull another set of equally dire cards anytime soon, I’m fairly confident I’ll be able to keep this error in mind.

Because this particular reading left an impression, I probably would have been able to bring those four cards to mind once I saw the news story whether I’d recorded the draw or not. But I’m glad I did. You might think you’ll remember your tarot card readings, but unless you have a photographic memory, you won’t. It’s crazy how easily tarot readings slip your mind when you don’t record and notate your readings.

Don’t let your fear or apprehension of “bad Tarot cards” keep you from performing daily card draws and recording them in a notebook or journal. Keep the three points I made above in mind (Three Reasons Why You May Not ‘Get It Right’) and always remember that there isn’t a card in the deck that does not provide useful information, even if it’s something you don’t particularly want to hear or address.

Blessings,

Mary Hawkins

 

Tarot Clarification Cards Address Relationship Issue

You can almost always glean additional and helpful information from a Tarot spread by pulling clarification cards. While there are many ways to select clarification cards, below I will outline my preferred method.

First, let’s take a look at a simple 7 card Overview Spread* that reads fairly straightforwardly. Later, we’ll add the clarification cards.

 

Tarot spread, overview spread, card positions, livingwithcards.com
The Overview Spread – card positions

Card 1: Significator or Theme Card (Represents the Querent or describes an important aspect about the topic under consideration)

Cards 2 & 6: The Recent Past / Current Influences

Card 3: What is Above You (Describes what’s weighing on the Querent’s mind at the time of the reading)

Cards 4 & 7: Near Future/ What Happens Next

Card 5: What is Below You (Describes what the Querent dreads, doesn’t want to think about or wants to avoid)

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The template above shows how to lay out the spread once you’re done shuffling the cards in your usual manner while thinking about the topic you’d like the cards to discuss. You can preselect Card 1 if you like (for example, choose the King or Queen who normally represents you, or choose VI-The Lovers for a relationship overview), or let the deck choose for you. I usually let the deck pick the Significator or Theme Card, but please do whatever feels comfortable to you. You’ll still get a valid reading.

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In the following example, the Querent (person asking the question) was a single female who found herself unexpectedly pregnant. She wanted to know if marriage (which she and the man had discussed as an option) was a good idea. I drew the following cards:

Overview tarot spread Universal Waite tarot deck
Overview Spread – Universal Waite Tarot Deck

Universal Waite Tarot Deck

Card 1 – Significator or Theme Card: III-The Empress

Cards 2 & 6 – The Recent Past / Current Influences: 10 of Wands + 2 of Wands

Card 3 – What is Above You (What’s Weighing on Your Mind at the Time of the Reading): 8 of Swords

Cards 4 & 7 – Near Future/ What Happens Next: 3 of Pentacles + 4 of Swords

Card 5: What is Below You (What You Are Avoiding, Dreading or Don’t Want to Think About): 7 of Wands

 

Since the Querent was indeed pregnant, III-Empress as the Significator or Theme Card was certainly appropriate. I quickly noted, however, a lack of cards in the spread suggesting marriage and/or happiness.

10 of Wands and 2 of Wands in the Recent Past position (Cards 2 + 6) suggested feelings of overwhelm and off-centeredness. 8 of Swords in the Above position (Card 3) suggested a sense of entrapment, awkwardly countered by the independent, go-it-alone vibe presented by 7 of Wands in the Below “Don’t Want to Think About It” position (Card 5).

I noted that the Wands cards, which in general can indicate hope and inspiration, were in the Recent Past and Below positions (Cards 2, 6 and 5) while cards from the suit of Swords (indicating fear and worry) showed up in the Above position (Card 3) and as the last card of the Near Future (Card 7).

The child itself did not seem to factor in (no Pages), and once again I’ll mention the lack of cards indicating love, marriage, cooperation and/or happiness.

The Overview Spread confirmed the Querent’s sense of feeling conflicted. With 3 of Pentacles and 4 of Swords in the Near Future position (Cards 4 + 7), it seemed likely that any potential growth of the relationship between her and the baby’s father would come to a halt. Perhaps they would agree to take a break from each other. This interpretation seemed to be supported by 7 of Wands in the “Don’t Want to Think About It” Below position (Card 5) which speaks to what one is avoiding, dreading or not wanting to consider. I got the sense the querent didn’t want to admit to herself (let alone the baby’s father) that she would prefer to remain independent.

Before I went any further, I wanted to see the clarification cards, knowing they would either support or refute my intuitions.

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How I Use Numerology to Calculate Tarot Clarification Cards

Each Major Arcana card has its own value, 0 – 22.

Each Minor Arcana card 1 – 10 has its own value.

In my system, Kings = 11, Queens = 12, Knights =13 and Pages = 14. Some readers do the reverse. Either way it’s up to you, just be consistent.

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In this reading there were no court cards so the math was easy enough. I added up the numerical values of the cards in the layout and reduced the total to a number equaling 22 or below. Here, the cards added up to 37, which equals 3 + 7 = 10 = X-Wheel of Fortune.

The next step was to find X-Wheel of Fortune in the remaining deck and pull it out, along with the card before and the card after, giving me a three-card clarification:

Tarot clarification cards VII-Chariot, X-Wheel of Fortune, 5 of Pentacles
Tarot Clarification Cards

 

VII-The Chariot continued with the theme of independence and wanting to do one’s own thing while 5 of Pentacles suggested hardship and more restriction. X-Wheel of Fortune in the middle suggested to me the course had not yet been set. While I felt the fate of this relationship was in the querent’s hands (Chariot), that didn’t guarantee the change would be positive (especially with 5 of Pentacles following the Wheel). “Sleeping on it” (4 of Swords) was not bad advice. She owed it to herself to carefully consider her options and desires in light of what would ultimately prove best for all parties.

Blessings,

Mary Hawkins

*I learned the Overview Spread from The Art of Cartomancy website by Kapherus, which is now back online, I’m happy to say 🙂

Lenormand and Tarot Combo Reading: Employment Advice

Male X is a 29 year old husband and father who’s been working as a maintenance man at a property management company for the past two years. When he became frustrated and disillusioned with his job, he applied for, and was offered, a similar position at better pay, with a competitor. When he told his company he was leaving, they counter-offered, matching the competitor’s pay. After going back and forth, unable to come to a decision, his worried wife contacted me for a reading. She wanted to know which job was the better choice, for both her husband and their family.

I decided to consult the Lenormand and the Tarot to see what advice and insights they could supply concerning the two jobs.

First, let’s see what the Lenormand cards had to say:

Job #1 (current job)

Blaue Eule Lenormand 9 Bouquet - 35 Anchor - 28 Gentleman
9 Bouquet – 35 Anchor – 28 Gentleman

 

Job #2 (potential new job)

Blaue Eule Lenormand 30 Lilies - 20 Garden - 6 Clouds
30 Lilies – 20 Garden – 6 Clouds

Blaue Eule (Blue Owl) Lenormand (c) 2008 Konigsfurt-Urania

 

Lenormand was quite direct about Job #1, showing Male X’s professional skills (Bouquet) as a maintenance man (Anchor + Gent). The cards also reflected that the company appreciated his skills (Bouquet) and that there was likely longevity (Anchor) for him at their company. The overall impression I got about Job #1 was that of stability (Anchor) and appreciation for his services (Bouquet).

Lenormand was equally descriptive regarding Job #2. While the company seemed to have pure motives (Lilies) in presenting itself as a pleasant and enjoyable workplace (Lilies + Park), such a presentation was deceptive or not what it seemed to be (Clouds). I got the impression things might change here (and not for the better), and a future with this company was unpredictable at this time (Clouds).

Wanting to get additional information and insight, I consulted the Tarot:

I decided to cast an Options Spread where three cards for each option are drawn. Underneath each option, I drew a card to give insight or advice on what Male X should consider before making a decision. The final card suggests the Probable Outcome.

 

Options Tarot Spread Employment Advice
Options Tarot Spread Employment Advice

Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck (c) 1985 U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

 

Job #1 is shown by VII-Chariot, XIX-Sun and Knight of Cups, while what should be considered is signified by the 4 of Swords.

All three cards describing Job #1 are positive, giving the sense of a reputable (XIX-Sun), take-charge (VI-Chariot) type of company that has Male X’s best interests at heart (Knight of Cups).

The 4 of Swords as insight or advice suggests Male X might feel stuck in neutral at Job #1. He may feel tired and discouraged and long for a change of pace.

Job #2 is shown by 2 of Cups, 10 of Swords and 7 of Swords. What should be considered is described by 4 of Pentacles.

I almost had to slap my head at how literal these cards spoke to me: “First they woo you (2 of Cups), then they stab you in the back (10 of Swords). There is deception (7 of Swords) surrounding Job #2. Beware.”

The 4 of Pentacles as insight or advice suggests Male X, despite the discouragement he feels about Job #1, may feel too scared to make a change at this time. Perhaps he will want to hold on to what he already has.

Ace of Wands as the Probable Outcome suggests that a new chapter will begin. This could be a raise or promotion (Job #1), or a new job (Job #2). You can see the Tarot did not make the decision for Male X, but rather, leaves it up to him after he considers the advice and insights in the spread.

 

What actually happened?

Before consulting with the wife, I also ran a horary astrology chart which indicated Job #1 was more stable and that Job #2 possibly might not be able to live up to its promises. The chart also suggested that Male X may have “pre-decided” on Job #2 (probably due to his frustrations with Job #1). I gave this information to the wife, along with my interpretations of the Lenormand and Tarot cards, being very careful not to paint Job #2 in a totally negative light, because I did not want to influence Male X’s decision. I did suggest, however, that perhaps Male X could talk things out with his current employer, since the cards seemed to indicate the company was reputable and had his best interests at heart.

I counseled that in the long run, bettering himself either via specialized education or moving up in the company was more important than either one of these jobs. She agreed, and the consultation ended.

I heard back from Male X’s wife a few days later. She told me not only did Male X ultimately decide to stay with Job #1, but he also wanted to pursue an educational program that would enable him to earn more money in an entirely different profession in which he had genuine interest.

As of this date, Male X has taken the first step to a new career by attending an informational workshop for the educational program he is interested in pursuing, and seems satisfied with his decision to stay with Job #1.

Blessings,

Mary Hawkins

Tarot of Pagan Cats Reading

I received the Tarot of Pagan Cats deck I ordered yesterday.

This morning I did a reading, asking the Pagan Cats if they could give me some advice on how I could best work them.

I drew the following cards:

 

10 of Pentacles - XIX-The Sun - 5 of Swords - VII-The Chariot - VI-The Lovers
10 of Pentacles – XIX-The Sun – 5 of Swords – VII-The Chariot – VI-The Lovers

 

The message: “We are rich with meaning (10 of Pentacles). For you, we are a blend of high intuition (10) and logic (swords). Don’t let us make you dizzy with our silliness (5 of Swords), we are just being playful. Bask in our wisdom (XIX-The Sun), let us take you for a ride (VII-The Chariot) and we’ll make a great team (VI-The Lovers). Don’t be overly serious. Let your intuition kick in.”

These cats are sneaky! I originally read 10 of Pentacles as 10 of Cups, which gave me the impression they were telling me to use my intuition (cups) along with logic (5 of Swords). They tricked me in a sneaky, cat-like kind of way into interpreting how they were suggesting I work with them. How crafty of them!

Blessings,

Mary Hawkins