Metaphysics and Tarot:

An Overview of Tarot and the

Metaphysics in Readings
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Preface

This mini e-book is actually a paper I completed to receive a Master in Metaphysical

Science degree, titled “Metaphysics and Tarot: An Overview of Tarot and the Metaphysics in

Readings.” As I wrote this paper for a Metaphysical Science degree, there is an assumption of

Metaphysical knowledge. I would recommend some research on this topic to supplement the

material presented in this paper. Particularly, the ideas of “like attracts like,” and the One

Mind/Source/Collective Unconsciousness will be helpful.

I wanted to share this material with those who were interested in Tarot, and like reading

material delivered in an academic context. I would have enjoyed reading something similar,

although recognizing I am biased, believed there would be others who would enjoy this format. I

want to thank you for taking the time out to read this material, and sincerely hope you enjoy it.

Blessed Be!
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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my family for always loving, supporting and encouraging me to do

my best: D.B., I.S., T.S. and R.S. I have also been blessed to have the most wonderful friends:

D.C., W.T., C.W., and others not listed out of respect for their religious practices. I am also very

thankful for the University of Metaphysics, the Staff, and Dr. Paul Leon Masters for starting and

continuing the world’s premier Metaphysical University system.

I was inspired to pursue these alternative studies by watching Youtube.com videos from

Dolores Chapman, better known as “TipToeChick.” She sparked my interest, and taught me the

beginnings of what would later become my practicing of Paganism and pursuance of Tarot. She

made these videos for the explicit purpose to teach those interested in Wicca and other related

topics, and charged no one for this generosity of her time and knowledge. I would also like to

thank Youtube.com personality Intuitive Astrology/Tarot/Numerology/ASMR Expert Gregory

Scott. He was a similar influence in learning Tarot, and makes free videos involving all of the

aforementioned subjects. In honor of both of them, this mini e-book is free of charge.

Lastly, this work is dedicated to all those wishing to learn Tarot. Whether you are a

newbie, seasoned professional or just plain curious, I hope you find some enjoyment from this

work. Now, on to the show!

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Introduction

The modern Tarot deck currently used for divination has had a long, storied past. While

its exact beginnings are unknown, what is known shows multiple incarnations in addition to

surprising usages. Initially, the Tarot cards were used as a playing card deck, not a divination

tool. The Tarot also has had significant changes to the artwork portrayed on the cards

throughout the years. There have been movements and organizations throughout history that

have contributed to these changes and Tarot’s growth in popularity.

In its modern incarnation, the Tarot card deck possesses a total of 78 cards. It includes

the Major and Minor Arcanas, which detail major life experiences and day-to-day experiences,

respectively. In a reading, these cards can also represent stronger or supplemental energies. The

Tarot deck contains four suits which correspond with the four elements: earth, air, fire and water.

The present author uses the Victorian Fairy Tarot deck as an example for this study; this deck

corresponds to the famous Rider-Waite tarot deck (the present author also refers to this deck as

the “modern” tarot deck interchangeably throughout this paper).

Tarot readings are also excellent examples of Metaphysical principles in action. The

cards that appear in a reading are operating on the law of attraction and are reacting to the

vibrations of the individual receiving the reading. They can assist in identifying energies the

individual receiving the reading is encountering, and ultimately how to maneuver through those

energies.

In order to highlight these Metaphysical principles in a more practical sense, the present

author has included details of personal readings completed over the span of a week. These show

the energies the present author was dealing with, in addition to insight as to how these

energies/specific cards were attracted. Some details of personal situations, feelings, etc. are

given for further illumination.

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Tarot cards can be very beneficial as a tool to decipher incoming energies. This can

allow the individual receiving the reading to feel prepared and “ready for anything.” The

message delivered by the cards can ultimately be trusted due to the law of attraction; the cards

pulled in a reading are meant to be there and are responding to an individual’s specific

vibrations. The Tarot can be a trusted tool for divination.

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Review of Literature

There were several sources that were of great importance to the research presented in this

paper. The first was Helen Farley’s e-book, A Cultural History of Tarot: from Entertainment to

Esotericism. This text delivers an in-depth look at the history of Tarot: its origination and

growth into popularity as a divination tool. Also helpful in establishing historical fact in was

Rachel Pollack’s text, Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot. This text is

considered a classic Tarot text, and is oft-recommended to those wishing to learn more of Tarot

reading. It contains significant historical data, in addition to card meanings, reading information,

etc. In addition, GoldenDawnPedia.com, an online resource for those interested in the Golden

Dawn organization, was instrumental in providing information on Arthur Edward Waite. Waite

is the originator of the famous Rider-Waite Tarot deck.

Resources into the actual practice of tarot reading were extremely helpful as well.

Gregory Scott’s Intuitive Tarot Expert Course was foundational to the present author’s Tarot

practice. Gregory Scott is a Youtube.com personality and expert in Astrology, Tarot,

Numerology, and ASMR. The present author received an amazingly accurate reading from Mr.

Scott, which prompted further interest in Tarot studies. This course teaches card meanings,

pneumatic devices to remember those meanings, etc. It is quite informative and provides a basis

for a new Tarot reader to build upon.

The newfound interest brought about the discovery of Steve Murray’s Tarot Certification

Program, which is comprised of four DVD’s: Rider-Waite: Learning to Read the Symbolism of

the Tarot, Rider-Waite: Learning to Read the Tarot Intuitively, Reiki Psychic Attunement: Open

and Expand Your Psychic Abilities and Increase you Psychic Abilities with Contemporary

Technology. This program was also foundational to Tarot practice, and assisted in greater
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understanding of the cards, the importance of background images of the cards, and in facilitating

achieving an intuitive state primed for Tarot reading.

Dr. Paul Leon Master’s Bachelors Curriculum was pertinent to illuminating the

Metaphysical principles that are manifested through Tarot. A Tarot reading is the manifestation

of like attracting like, and the accessing of One Mind/Source/Collective Unconscious knowledge

by the Tarot reader themselves. Even the Tarot cards themselves, the way they are designed, are

Metaphysical manifestations.

Lastly, the Victorian Fairy Tarot deck, written by Lunaea Weatherstone with art by Gary

Lippincott, was used in this study. Meanings for the individual Tarot cards have some variance

among readers. The present author referred mostly to the Victorian Fairy Tarot text to establish

meanings for the cards. It is a belief held by the present author that each Tarot deck has unique

meanings attracted by the creator/artist of the cards, and that attraction is shared by the Tarot

readers that choose to use their decks.

Upon review of the origins of tarot, the present author discovered information relating to

the possibility of the “Forefather” of Tarot cards potentially being created in China, Egypt, or

even India. However, further research showed this is a much-debated issue of which a resolution

could not be found. A substantiated history of Tarot card creation, particularly related to its

modern rendition, was favored in this study.

There is a similar elusiveness in locating conclusive material on the beginnings of Tarot

cards being used as tools for divination. Likewise, the origins of this practice were of debate,

and outside the scope of this paper. As before, the present author favored substantiated history in

this study.
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Discussion

I. The History of Tarot Cards

The Tarot cards currently used for divination did not begin as fortune-telling tools.

Initially, the tarot cards were used as playing cards. The prelude to the modern tarot deck –

which in this study will be an interchangeable term for the Rider-Waite Tarot deck; the Rider-

Waite Tarot deck will be discussed in more detail later – was created in the fifteenth century. An

artist named Bonifacio Bembo was commissioned by the Visconti family of Milan to paint a set

of “Tarocchi” cards for them; this was an Italian game with cards containing “four suits of

fourteen cards each, plus twenty-two cards showing different scenes and later called ‘trionfi’ – in

English, ‘triumphs’, or ‘trumps’” (Pollack 3).

The “Tarocchi” cards were a later incarnation of regular playing cards which were

already in use; as card games using decks became increasingly popular, they were spread

throughout Europe. Each country that adopted these cards changed the suit signs to the tastes of

the people of the region; below you can see the correlation with the “Tarrochi” cards, regular

cards, and the changes by individual countries (Farley, 7).

Cups Batons Coins Swords

Italian Coppe Bastoni Denari Spade

English Hearts Clubs Diamonds Spades

French Coeur Tréfle Carreau Picque

Spanish Copas (Cups) Bastos (Batons) Oros (Gold) Espados

German Herzen (Hearts) Eicheln (Acorns) Schellen (Bells) Laube or Grüne (Leaves)

Switzerland Rosen (Roses) Eicheln Schellen Schilten (Shields)

Figure A (Farley 7)
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While sharing notable similarities with regular playing cards, Tarot cards exhibit several

distinct differences. For instance, the triumph cards mentioned earlier are unique to tarot with no

equivalent in the regular playing card deck. The original triumph cards, although unlabelled,

were:

The Fool, “the Magician, the Popess, the Empress, the Emperor, the Pope, the

Lovers, the Chariot, Strength, the Hermit, the Wheel of Fortune, Justice, the

Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, the Devil, the Tower, the Star, the Moon, the

Sun, Judgment, and the World” (Farley 7).

These triumphs are also used in the modern Tarot decks, with a slight change in names: the

Popess and the Pope are replaced by the High Priestess and the Hierophant. As far as their

meanings, this will be discussed further – in their modern context – in the following chapter.

Another way “tarot distinguishes itself from the regular playing card deck by possessing

four court cards instead of three” (Farley 7). For example, the court cards in the regular playing

card deck are the King, Queen, and Jack. However in the Tarot card deck, the court cards

include a King, a Queen, a Knight, and a Page; the Page would be the equivalent to a Jack in the

regular card deck, and is of lower status than a Knight. However, this is a comparison of tarot

card court cards and those of the French and English decks, of which there is a familiarity to the

present author due to modern American decks being based upon the English model; in other

countries, the court cards were exclusively male (Farley 7).

There is a documented occurrence of tarot being used for divination in around 1750 per a

sheet of paper giving meaning to thirty five of the cards in the “Tarocco Bolognese” deck; this

sheet was discovered in the Library of the University of Bologna (Farley 95). In the latter half of

the eighteenth century, the individual Tarot cards began to take on symbolic meanings in France.
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This was evident due to a book titled Etteilla, ou manière de se récréer avec un jeu de cartes or

Etteilla, or a Way to Entertain Oneself with a Pack of Cards, “published in 1770 and

subsequently reprinted in 1773 an 1783;” the two divination styles bore no resemblance to each

other (Farley 95).

In subsequent decades, fascination with the occult swept across Europe. Interest in man’s

relationship with nature, alchemy, Ancient Egyptian culture, astrology, divination, the

mysterious “Hindoos” of India, Kabbalah from the Jewish people, Celtic history, etc. found their

way into European curiosities (Farley 97-121). There were several movements and notable

individuals who contributed to the occult movement, however in relation to the modern Tarot

deck, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was of particular importance.

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a small group, having less than 300

members, which officially began on March 20, 1888 in England (Farley 129). Although being

small in size, the group had a profound impact on the society of the day; the group “arose…as a

reaction against the strict scientific rationalism and the shortcomings of conventional religion of

the period” (Farley 129). The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn members held interest in a

diverse set of topics: “Egyptian mythology, kabbalah, tarot, Enochian magic, alchemy,

Rosicrucianism and astrology;” everyday happenings and the magical were not separated into

distinct categories, but were in fact intertwined – all “could be reinterpreted in esoteric terms”

(Farley 129).

Arthur Edward Waite was a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn – to be

referred to as simply the Golden Dawn hereafter – and also had a profound impact on the

practice of Tarot. Waite was an American, born on October 2, 1857 in Brooklyn, New York.

After moving to England at a young age, he was introduced to Catholicism, which was the
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foundation for his “love for ceremony and ritual” (GoldenDawnPedia). When he was twenty-one

years of age, while studying esoteric texts in the British Museum, he met Macgregor Mathor;

Mathor would introduce Waite and his wife Ada Lakeman to the Golden Dawn

(GoldenDawnPedia). Waite and his wife left the Golden Dawn in 1892 (he would later rejoin);

Waite originated, joined, and left – whether by choice or the eventual end of the organization

itself – other alternative organizations throughout his lifetime (GoldenDawnPedia).

While Waite was a member of various occult organizations, the Golden Dawn was his

first formal venture into alternative studies/practice, and the organization itself held tarot in high

regard. Waite created his now-famous tarot deck with the aid of Pamela Colman Smith, whose

artwork is portrayed on the cards; it was published in 1910 by English publishing company

Rider, hence the name “Rider-Waite” (Pollack 7). Smith was also a Golden Dawn member

(GoldenDawnPedia).

Between Bembo’s Tarocchi deck to the Rider-Waite deck, there were several changes

introduced that made the latter deck unique from its predecessors. Waite referred to his deck as

the “rectified tarot” – that his Tarot cards were closer to original meanings pre-dating Bembo’s

deck (Pollack 8). There is some evidence to support this view, though it may appear haughty

upon first glance. Waite did hold his own ideas above others, however “he was a mystic,

occultist and a student of magic and esoteric practices. He based his Tarot on deep personal

experience of enlightenment” (Pollack 7-8). For example, the Sun card from the Rider-Waite

deck depicts a child riding a horse out of a garden, while Bembo’s deck shows “two children

holding hands in a garden;” the former depiction is actually closer to pre-Bembo decks (Pollack

7).
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The most obvious change in the Rider-Waite deck versus those predating it is that the

“pip” cards included scenes in addition to the trump cards, e.g. the Ten of Swords now had a

scene of a man lying down with ten swords in his back versus ten swords alone like a Ten of

Spades in a playing card deck (Pollack 7). It is the not known how much license Smith was

given to create these scenes – Waite did in fact conceive the scenes of the trump cards – but

either way, the tarot deck they created had a profound impact on tarot practice and future decks

(Pollack 7).

II. Modern Tarot: An Overview of the Cards

There exists no standard meaning for each of the Tarot cards. Among the majority of

Tarot, there are many similarities, as they are generally based upon the Rider-Waite model.

However, there are some differences in meaning among different decks. There also exists

variation from reader to reader, as many incorporate their own personal experiences with cards in

their readings. For example, in Steve Murray’s Rider-Waite: Learning to Read the Symbolism of

the Tarot video (part of his Tarot Certification course), Ms. Morgan Ki’ilehua states the

Temperance card is the card of Alcoholics. However, in Gregory Scott’s Intuitive Tarot Expert

Course, there is no such discussion of alcoholism with this card.

Also, in Steve Murray’s Rider-Waite: Learning to Read the Tarot Intuitively video (also

part of his Tarot Certification course), Ms. Morgan Ki’ilehua gives extensive meaning to

background items on each of the cards; the meanings span from sources such as Ancient

Egyptian Mythology, Alchemy, Astrology, and the Bible. For example, Ms. Ki’ilehua says that

on the Fool Card, the white rose he is holding is indicative of purity, the feather on his cap is an

allusion to Maat, the Egyptian goddess of Truth, the twelve knots of his belt are representative of

the twelve signs of the zodiac/twelve personality types, the white dog by his side represents a
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guide and purity, to name a few. While this information is quite interesting and provides an

additional layer of understanding of the Rider-Waite deck, it is vast and outside of the scope of

this paper. However, if one pursues Tarot reading, the present author recommends researching

this further, as this information can be helpful in readings.

As Gregory Scott states in his Tarot course, the cards contain additional meanings, and

one should discover their own personal meanings. These meanings will ultimately be given to

you via Source, or the Collective Unconscious. Meditation can be used to illuminate these hidden

meanings.

The Tarot deck and accompanying text used for the descriptions by the current author is

the Victorian Fairy Tarot deck, written by Lunaea Weatherstone with art by Gary Lippincott.

While there are variations in artwork and the addition of fairy-related meanings of the cards, they

are based on the Rider-Waite deck and are fundamentally the same. There is no wide variance in

meaning, and the added fairy-related material supports many of the original Rider-Waite

meanings. The accompanying is especially helpful as the creators/artists of the individual decks

have created their Tarot cards from the law of attraction; meanings and images that they were

attracted to (and ultimately the user of the cards, as the law of attraction would occur here as

well) will be presented in their particular cards. Also, while this section will serve as an

overview of the cards, mainly from the Victorian Fairy Tarot card deck, but there will be some

interjection from other sources as well.

Tarot card decks are made up of 78 cards which can be split up into two major groups:

the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). The Major Arcana are

representative of major life events, starting from card zero, the Fool, through card 22, the World.

The Minor Arcana are representative of minor life events, the more mundane. These cards are
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split between the four elements – earth, air, water, and fire – which are symbolized by the four

suits: pentacles (sometimes referred to as coins), swords, cups, and wands, respectively. In the

Victorian Fairy Tarot deck, the four suits are referred to as the Autumn court (pentacles), the

Winter Court (swords), the Summer court (cups), and the Spring court (wands) (9).

First to be discussed is the Major Arcana, which brings us along the Fool’s journey – the

growth and development of the Fool into a fully integrated and self-actualized Spiritual Being.

These cards also have a slight change in name in relation to the original Rider-Waite deck; if

there is a difference; the Rider-Waite name will be listed in parentheses.

The cards making up the Major Arcana - per the Victorian Fairy Tarot deck – are: the

Fool, the Conjuror (the Magician), the Seeress, (the High Priestess), the Empress, the Emperor,

the Vicar (the Hierophant), the Fairy Bride (the Lovers), the Chariot, Fortitude (Strength), the

Hermit, the Wheel of Time (the Wheel of Fortune), the Magistrate (Justice), the Hanging Fairy

(the Hanged Man), Death, Temperance, the Goblin Market (the Devil), the Burning Oak (the

Tower), the Stars (the Star), the Moon, the Sun, Awakening (Judgement), the Worlds (the

World) (8).

As mentioned previously, the Minor Arcana is split up among four suits; each suit has ten

numbered cards and four court cards: the Herald (Page), the Knight, the Queen, and the King in

this deck. Also mentioned previously is that each suit corresponds to a particular element. Per

Gregory Scott’s tarot course, earth deals with structure, air with thought, water with emotion and

fire with passion. Scott describes the court cards as archetypal energies: the Herald as youthful

energy, the Knight as young adult energies, and the Queen and King being feminine and

masculine adult energies. Of course, there is deeper meaning attributed to each of these cards,

and deeper research – particularly with the tools used by the present author – is suggested.
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In the end, research of the tarot cards is helpful, but one must search for the meanings

that feel correct to them individually. The goal is to become a unique and Spiritual Tarot reader;

no one can deliver the message that you can. Being who you are as an individual will come

across in your readings, and those with the same vibrations as you will be attracted to your

services.

III. Metaphysics in Tarot

Metaphysics, similar to Tarot, has elusiveness when it comes to a universally agreed

upon meanings; it is a very difficult discipline to define. One definition of Metaphysics states

that it is “a division of philosophy that is concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and

being and that includes ontology, cosmology, and often epistemology;”a secondary definition

states that it depicts “abstract philosophical studies; a study of what is outside objective

experience” (Merriam-Webster). In researching a definition one will come across many

definitions, however a connecting thread between them seems to be an area philosophy which

seeks to understand reality through the unseen.

Metaphysical principles can be easily seen in a Tarot reading. The cards that appear in a

reading are attracted to you; you can trust the reading you receive (Scott). While this process

may seem like “magic,” it is actually the law of attraction in motion; it is a manifestation of the

popular Metaphysical phrase: “like attracts like.”

We each put out a certain vibration to the Universe; “your physical brain is merely a

vehicle that is used be your true mind, which is a field of energy” (Masters, Bachelor’s

Curriculum, 1:52). The same is also true of all physical matter, in addition to the

conditions/situations in each one our lives (Bachelor’s Curriculum, 1:52). To further this

concept, it is a tenet of Metaphysics that “the mind is considered to be magnetic, and its
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magnetism reaches into and makes contact with everything in our lives, whether people, places,

things or circumstances” (Bachelor’s Curriculum, 1:53). Because of this, the Tarot reader will

pull the cards that are attracted to and match the energies of the reading recipient.

An additional example of Metaphysical Law is that “there is but One Mind in this

universe” (Bachelor’s Curriculum, 2:35). Each one of us is part of the Collective Consciousness

– known by many names throughout various religions, i.e. Prana, the Holy Spirit,

Interconnectedness, to name a few – meaning that we all share a part of the One Mind/Source

and are unique manifestations of it. This can be likened to a machine; we are each an individual

component that, when put into place, allows the machine to work properly. Our connection to

each other is how a Tarot reader is able to receive seemingly psychic information about others.

While this concept may seem far-fetched to some, there are real-life examples of this

outside of Occult studies. For example, a mother’s intuition is something we all have heard of

and experienced to some degree, whether ourselves or from our own mother/motherly figure. In

2009, a woman named Michelle Mathis felt an overwhelming need to locate her 2-year-old,

Delia, daughter during a Mother’s Day get-together with extended family. She felt this was odd,

as her 5-year-old daughter, Shay, was playing in the pool and Delia decided not to swim and play

elsewhere. Mrs. Mathis gave into this urge, only to find Shay desperately holding on to little

Delia to stop her from sinking, but unable to keep her head above water; she immediately dove

into the pool and saved her daughter (Brasfield).

A woman named Andrea Alley received a similar insight from intuition. One day, she

was a little late picking up her son Timmy – a toddler at the time – from daycare, and felt the

urge to get there as soon as possible. When she arrived, a daycare worker was wiping blood
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from Timmy’s forehead; he had fell down and hit his head on a wooden playground apparatus

(Brasfield).

These examples may seem anecdotal, but Dr. Victor Shamas from the University of

Arizona did a study testing the validity of intuition with interesting results. Dr. Shamas is a

psychologist and a believer in the power of intuition. He conducted a study of 100 expectant

mothers, and asked them to determine the gender of their baby by their gut feeling alone. Out of

those 100, 70 of them guessed correctly (Brasfield). While there are many explanations for

phenomena such as the ones described, the present author attributes these events to an underlying

connection we all have: connection through Collective Consciousness/One Mind/Source.

Accessing the One Mind can be done through practices such as meditation, and do

require practice and study. When we do achieve this state, we have abandoned our ego and can

receive intuitive insights. This intuitive state allows for accurate Tarot reading. Per Steve

Murray’s Rider-Waite: Learning to Read the Tarot Intuitively, Ms. Ki’ilehua says Tarot reading

can be done purely “mechanically” – that is, only knowing the meaning of the cards – but this

can be troublesome, as universal meanings do not exist. Also, she states that, if reading

mechanically, you may not get any resolution to questions asked at all. One must read intuitively

in order to be effective.

In the end, “the goal of all Metaphysical Science study is to be a truly complete person,

one who is inwardly aware and outwardly successful” (Bachelor’s Curriculum, 1:19). A Tarot

reading allows the reader to identify the recipient’s blockages, positive and/or incoming energies

in order to make changes/plans that allow them to be ultimately successful. The Tarot is merely

a tool for betterment. As one can see, these examples show that Metaphysics permeates Tarot

reading.
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IV. Tarot Readings: Metaphysics in Practice

Prior to reviewing the actual readings, there are several points to be discussed to

illuminate the process of the real-life readings conducted for this study. First, the readings to be

discussed were completed over the span of a week, and were personal readings for the present

author. The Tarot deck and accompanying text used for the readings is the Victorian Fairy Tarot

deck. As mentioned earlier, there is not a wide variance in meaning from the Rider-Waite deck.

This is the Tarot deck used daily by the present author, and has repeatedly given accurate

personal readings.

Also, the current author does not use reversals of cards. Though this is a popular

technique used by many, as mentioned in a previous chapter, it is not universal or necessary. In

addition, in the text accompanying Victorian Fairy Tarot deck, author Lunaea Weatherstone

states that the Tarot deck “was intended to be read upright” and to only use reversals if you wish,

and to inform the cards you are doing so as to alleviate any second guessing on your part (11).

The present author has found readings to be accurate without the necessity of reversals.

The present author used a three card spread to establish the energies for the day. Prior to

the reading, the present author completed Steve Murray’s Reiki Psychic Attunement: Open and

Expand Your Psychic Abilities and Increase you Psychic Abilities with Contemporary

Technology (other DVD’s that are part of his tarot certification program). The first DVD uses

Reiki to open one to psychic abilities, and the second utilizes Brain Wave Entrainment

(Isochronic Tones) to facilitate one to control how and when they enter an intuitive state. The

present author found these DVD’s helpful in accessing an intuitive state, which was ultimately

helpful in delivering accurate readings.

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Also helpful was Mr. Murray’s Rider-Waite: Learning to Read the Tarot Intuitively, Ms.

Ki’ilehua shows that one can clear the energies from previous readings by placing the deck in

your left hand (receiving had), placing your right hand over it (sending hand), visualize a light

from Source, be clear with your intent and know the cards are cleared; this was the technique

used. Each of these readings was completed near awakening each day (2-3 hours after).

Reading One: December 28, 2014

The three cards of this reading are, in order of the spread: the Herald of Summer (cups),

the Two of Spring (wands), and the Five of Summer (cups). The Herald of Summer is otherwise

known as a Page in the Rider-Waite deck, and is indicative of new, youthful energy. Per the

accompanying Victorian Fairy text, the keywords for this card are “emotional sensitivity,

appreciation for beauty, wonder, a longed-for message” (Weatherstone 125). The Two of Spring

denotes “creative self-expression, renewal, anticipation” (98). Finally, the Five of Summer is

indicative of “disappointment, wasted effort, crying over spilt milk” (147). These are the

mechanical meanings.

Intuitively, the present author feels this message states that the day will begin in

excitement, creative fervor, as work on projects will be a theme for this day. It does not appear

that the projects will not be as close to completion as preferred, but it will still be a good and

productive day. The overall message is focus on the process, not completing the task, and this

day will be a happy one. This marries well with the day so far, as the present author awoke this

day with increased drive and desire to work on personal projects.

Reading Two: December 29, 2014

The cards received in this reading are The Sun, the Eight of Winter (swords), and the

Eight of Autumn (pentacles). One should always take note when a Major Arcana card appears in
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a reading, as these cards are particularly powerful. The Sun is a very positive card, and denotes

“happiness, well-being, growth, the warm glow of life” (73). Keywords for the Eight of Winter

are: “passivity, subservience, victimization, lack of direction” (227). Finally, the Eight of

Autumn portrays “mastering a craft, meticulous work, practice makes perfect” (191). The

present author has felt a little overwhelmed with projects, tasks, and life in general as of late.

The intuitive meaning received is that the perception needs to be changed in order to achieve

happiness: these are not obstacles, but blessings. This is a time of happiness, and by graciously

working on beloved projects and tasks – research, hobbies, daily life, etc. – positive feelings will

follow. It is important to note that the cards do not have to follow a linear reading each time;

learn to rely on your intuition to deliver the appropriate message.

Reading Three: December 30, 2014

The three cards received for this day’s reading are the Six of Autumn (pentacles), the

Four of Winter (swords), and finally the Knight of Spring (wands). The Six of Autumn

represents “healing, care, caritas,” – Latin for charity – and “sharing your skills with others”

(186). The Four of Winter is indicative energies pertaining to “respite, sanctuary in times of

trouble, a temporary peace” (219). Lastly, the keywords for the Knight of Spring are “boldness,

energetic action, breaking through stale routine” (86). The intuitive meaning received is that this

is an instruction of how to take care of oneself, some time alone if needed, as this action of self-

care will allow a recharging of energies in order to progress forward; this recharging will allow

for newfound ambition. As mentioned in the previous day’s reading, the present author has been

working on/preparing for numerous projects, which can be a little exhausting. Taking a step

back to recuperate/having a break, and focusing on working projects little-by-little, will

ultimately allow for greater progress.

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Reading Four: December 31, 2014

The three cards chosen for this day’s reading are the Six of Spring (wands), the Seeress

(the High Priestess), and the Nine of Summer (cups). The Six of Spring represents such energies

as “honoring accomplishments, admiration, accepting a position of leadership” (110). The

Seeress, a Major Arcana card, represents “spirituality, mysticism, seeing the unseen, lifting the

veil” (22). The third and final card, the Nine of Summer, portrays “optimism, a wish fulfilled,

luck in love and emotional matters” (157). The intuitive meaning received, being that this is the

end of 2014, is that the accomplishments/milestones made throughout the year will be

remembered and honored. These accomplishments/milestones will be seen anew – the lessons

learned will be illuminated – and there will be a sense of optimism about the coming year.

Reading Five: January 1, 2015

The cards received this day are the Empress, the Nine of Spring (wands), and the Herald

of Winter (swords). The keywords describing the Empress card are “generosity, fertility,

motherhood, beauty” and “feminine power” (25). The Nine of Spring is representative of

“excellence, devotion to an interest, mastery of a pursuit or passion” (118). The final card, the

Herald of Winter, exhibits energies involving “uncompromising honesty, directness, quick-

wittedness” and/or “a warning message” (200).

The present author debuted tarot reading videos on Youtube.com the previous day,

December 31, 2014. The initial video did not go as intended, and this day’s tarot video will be

changed. The video was more “artistic” in nature, and more organic readings will be completed

from today onward. The message received is to be nurturing toward the inner self, not to be

discouraged. Also, to progress with the videos, and to pursue excellence by being fully

dedicated to increasing the quality of what is produced on a continual basis. Finally, there is a
 22

need for brutal honesty – no matter how dear an idea or concept may be – and to make changes if

deemed necessary. The goal is to deliver accurate readings that will be helpful to viewers, not

personal artistic achievement.

Reading Six: January 2, 2015

The cards pulled this day are the Eight of Autumn, the Stars, and the Wheel of Time.

There are strong energies at place today, as there are two Major Arcana cards in this reading.

The Eight of Autumn portrays “mastering a craft, meticulous work” and “practice makes perfect”

(191). The Stars card is indicative of energies involving “hope, faith, destiny, cosmic

connection, eternal mysteries” (67). Lastly, the Wheel of Time card represents “change, cycles,

perspective, the passage of time” (46).

This reading revolves around the present author’s Youtube.com Tarot videos. Another

video was uploaded yesterday, and while it was a vast improvement to the previous day’s video,

it was not quite what was desired. However, this reading is a reminder that with continued

practice, there will be improvement. It is important to keep hope while in this beginning stage,

and as time moves forward and experience is gained, the videos will improve and strength as a

Tarot reader will continue to grow.

Reading Seven: January 3, 2015

The three cards the Universe has chosen for the present author today are the Ace of

Summer (cups), the Nine of Winter (swords), and finally the Burning Oak (the Tower). The Ace

of Summer is a very welcome card, as it exhibits “pleasure, beauty, a gift of love, delights of all

kinds” (137). The Nine of Winter is indicative of “fear, nightmare, helplessness, the dark night

of the soul” (229). The Burning Oak, a Major Arcana card, is representative of “destruction,

sudden change” and “the fall of established patterns” (64).

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The intuitive meaning for this reading is that there has been a fear of love; this has been a

continuous pattern as the present author ended a tumultuous relationship several months ago.

The Nine of Winter is acknowledging this fear, and the Burning Oak is calling for the walls it

has built to be torn down. The Ace of Summer if a fleeting gift of the Universe, particularly

representative of matters of the heart, and can be missed if not appreciated. This reading is states

to be open to love, to let go of fear, as this is the recipe for newfound love and happiness.

Results

These readings show how like attracts like, and how each message was what was needed

at that particular time. The present author’s vibrations were attracting the cards that matched

those energies to deliver timely messages. Each of these readings helped the present author to

make decisions, change perspective(s), etc. that allowed for smooth-flowing daily operations.
 24

Conclusion

Tarot cards are an olden-day tool that is currently used for divination. They began as a

playing card deck, and evolved into more over time. Each card holds layered meanings which

are helpful to determine energies and situations a reading recipient is dealing/will have to deal

with – depending upon the nature of the question. It is important for a tarot reader to be

receptive to these layered/additional meanings, as they can facilitate identification of further

attributes of the surrounding cards.

Due to the Metaphysical principle that like attracts like, one need not worry if the

message received is appropriate for them; the energies put out by the reading recipient will

attract the correct cards. The Tarot reader tunes into these energies by accessing the One

Mind/Source/Collective Unconsciousness, which enables them to give intuitive readings. It is in

this intuitive state that the Tarot reader energetically-correct readings.

A week’s worth of actual personal readings by the present author was shared in order to

see these Metaphysical principles in action. Details on the personal practice of the present author

were shared as well. However, Tarot reading is a highly individualized practice, and one must

find the best tools for themselves that allow them to encounter an intuitive state. The tools

mentioned are in no way an exhaustive list, but mere suggestions, as the present author found

them useful. The present author recommends trying various resources in order to find what

works best for each person as an individual.

The present author also recommends further study involving different Tarot decks. As

mentioned earlier, the law of attraction causes Tarot card creators/artists to design their decks in

very particular ways – this can add even more meaning to a card, and ultimately a reading.

Bembo, Waite and Smith were instrumental in Tarot’s current form, and now that Tarot is
 25

widespread and more easily available, more individuals are attracted to Tarot are making their

own contributions. Future research into the modern growth of Tarot, in addition to new takes on

meanings, would be beneficial to the current body of knowledge.

In the case of an individual Tarot reader, increased study will be beneficial and is greatly

encouraged, as one can discover that which resonates with them individually. Tarot is a

subjective art, and people will be attracted to those Tarot readers who share the same vibrations

as them. One must be true to themselves, use the materials they enjoy (books, courses, particular

Tarot card decks, etc.), and allow their own uniqueness to shine. Taking these steps will allow

one to become a great Tarot reader.

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Works Cited

Brasfield, Morgan. "Mother's Intuition: Why We Should Follow Our 'Gut

Feelings.'” Today. NBC News, 18 Apr. 2013. Web. 15 Jan. 2015.

Farley, Helen. A Cultural History of Tarot: from Entertainment to Esotericism. London:

I. B. Tauris, 2009. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 25 Nov. 2014.

Increase Your Psychic Abilities with Contemporary Technology. Dir. Steve Murray. Perf.
Steve Murray. Body and Mind Productions, 2011. DVD.

Masters, Paul Leon. Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum. 4 vols. Burbank, Ca: Burbank
Printing, 2012. Print.

Merriam-Webster. “Metaphysics.” Merriam-Webster. N.p., 2015. 14 Jan. 2015.

Pollack, Rachel. Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot. San Francisco, Ca:
Weiser Books, 2007. Print

Reiki Psychic Attunement: Open and Expand Your Psychic Abilities. Dir. Steve Murray.
Perf. Steve Murray. Body and Mind Productions, 2004. DVD.

Rider-Waite: Learning to Read the Symbolism of Tarot. Dir. Steve Murray. Perf. Morgan
Ki’ilehua. Body and Mind Productions, 2005. DVD.

Rider-Waite: Learning to Read the Tarot Intuitively. Dir. Steve Murray. Perf. Morgan
Ki’ilehua. Body and Mind Productions, 2005. DVD.

Scott, Gregory. “The Intuitive Expert Tarot Course.” Online video clips. Youtube.
Youtube, 7 May 2014. Web. 14 Dec. 2014.

“The Golden Dawn Biographies: Arthur Edward Waite, 1857 – 1947.”

GoldenDawnPedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014.

Weatherstone, Lunaea. The Victorian Fairy Companion. Woodbury, Mn: Llewellyn

Publications, 2013. Print.
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About the Author

Dr. Kimberly S. McAfee is a freelance writer and practicing Christopagan. She possesses

Bachelor, Master and Doctorate of Metaphysical Science degrees from the University of

Metaphysics. Dr. McAfee is a Certified Professional Tarot/Divination Master by the World

Metaphysical Association, an Ordained Minister with the International Metaphysical Ministry

and the Universal Life Church, as well as a Reiki Practitioner Level I through the International

School of Reiki. She is also a Certified Fraud Examiner, with experience in non-profit

accounting, strategy, research and management. Dr. McAfee possesses extensive education in a

variety of disciplines: she has an Associates of Applied Science in Accounting from Columbus

Technical College, a Certificate of African Studies, Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Master of

Public Administration with a concentration in Justice Administration, and a Master of Business

Administration from Columbus State University, and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from

Beacon University. To learn more about her spiritual path, please visit her blog at

https://christopagankim.wordpress.com/. For business inquiries, please contact her at

christopagankim@gmail.com.