Tarot Sense
It is my opinion that once you have learned the symbolism in tarot, you can pick up and read almost any deck. No matter what the deck is that you pick up, there are certain basic symbols that will remain the same. Each symbol will be discussed in depth separately to allow for through understanding.
Since most of what I am drawing from for these articles comes from years of research and ultimately my own book of shadows, it is a good idea to print out what you find useful and add it into your own.
The most basic of all symbolism is color. For our purposes, color is at its basis a universal code establishing mood and intention. Just this evening I was privy to a discussion on the many ways that color effects learning and creativity. As an artist, I use color on a continual basis to effect mood and energy in my work and in my own environment.
Think about the last time you wanted someone to pay attention to you? What color did you put on? I will bet that it was red or black. Either color denotes sexual intention and evokes mystery. Why? Why does color change us so? Each color in the spectrum resonates to its own vibration. It is this vibrational energy that works with our psyche to affect our mood and since we are all different people with different perceptions, some colors will affect us more strongly than others.
White is the absence of color. In this absence lies cleanliness, purity and our connection to The Divine Source. It is the balancing color of our crowning chakra and provides a light to us even in darkness. When white is the predominant color in a card or a vision for that matter, it is letting you know that the questioners guides are on the scene. Help is on the way. The 6 of swords comes to mind in reference to this. In this card we usually see a lone figure being carried in a boat that is rowed by either no visible being or a cloaked figure. The gray, tumultuous waters give way to calmer, blue waters. The sky is usually mostly white. The white sky is the symbol showing that The Divine is rowing the boat, granting safe passage to the questioner.
Black is, of course, the opposite of white. Where as white was the absence of color, black is the presence of all color. In the hodge-podge of it all, we find protection, safety in a dark blanket held firmly in place by The Divine Source. But, in the darkness lies things that we can not see, things that are hidden from our vision, or things that we may hope to remain hidden from others. In the darkness, we may find safety but we may also find treachery. Since black is all color, it can be trained to do any work. The Death card is filled with darkness. In this we see the thralls of addiction, self hatred, victimization, cruelty and strangely, we see the Divine Order of things. That for every yin, there is a yang, for every light deed, there can be one of darkness beyond reproach.
Red is our connection to our base. It rules the seed chakra and therefore rules our wealth and carnal sexuality. Red can also house our connection to the Divine Mother and to our earthly mother. It is an explosion of energy and creation. It is seen best in the very blood that gives us life. In this state, it is void of oxygen, working with all the energy around it to return to the space of providing us soundness in life. It yearns to nurture us, but if allowed to remain in the state of searching, it can destroy us. The Lovers Card shows us this choice as it represents the choice that we must make between the spiritual path and the carnal path.
Orange is creativity, energy given forth for growth and development. It governs the sacral chakra and represents procreative sexuality. It does also stimulate hunger and in tarot, represents the yearning for knowledge and growth. The Strength Card is a good split between yellow and orange so it will be visited again. In most decks, we see a young maiden conquering a lion. The lion represents our carnal nature. It embodies her energetic victory over carnality in preservation for a more spiritually driven union.
Yellow is the color of strength, or weakness, depending on its surrounding energy. It is our connection to our instincts. Our most basic flight or fight instinct is seen in yellow. Back to the strength card, the young maiden is surrounded by a sky that yellows in its height and often in the yellow tones of the sands that surround her. She has chosen to stand firmly against the urges of carnality in favor of her own spirituality and of course, to literally stand and fight. This card positively aspected lets you know that your questioner has what it takes to stand for the fight ahead and survive.
Green is the lush growth of summer, the energy of the grass under our bare feet as we prepare for summer workings. Green is our connection to Mother Earth and the bounty of harvest that she willingly provides. Abundant growth, prosperity, fertility are all governed by green. The Empress is seated on a lush thrown, fat with child and feasting on the fruits of summer, she is safe to grow and enjoy life.
It is by no accident that so many communications companies choose to add blue to their logo since blue is the color of communication. Governing the throat chakra, it is the manner in which we represent ourselves to the world. I favor using blue as a color of protection since here in lies the truth and few energies can disguise themselves falsely when enveloped in a cool blue field. The World Card is almost always earth in a sea of blue, her oceans vibrant and clear. The World brings us information that will guide us to our true life purpose. Blue has a second job in tarot. Blue carries the energy of psychic connection. All of the cups are represented by blue waters and in this watery energy is show psychic ability or manipulation.
Purple by any name would still mean the same. It is the director of our third eye. This is our connection to the astral plane as well as the psychic web that connects us all. But interestingly enough, purple in tarot is not representative of psychic ability. It shows the energy of royalty, regal knowledge that is saved only for The High Priestess.
For those of you who are studying tarot, I am going to give you a little homework. Take the time to go through your deck, without the little booklet. Notice the dominate color in each card and asses how it effects your perception of the meaning of the card. Jot down your thoughts and then compare them to the generic meaning given in the booklet that came with your deck.