The Tarot Meanings Dictionary is designed to provide definitions of Tarot terms as well as provide meanings to Tarot related subjects.
Querent: For whom a Tarot reading is given. The person who is questioning, and receiving the interpretation of the Tarot cards. If
you are giving a reading for yourself, you are both reader and querent.
Reversals: In a Tarot reading, reversals refer to cards that are up-side-down. Some Tarot readers interpret reversed cards differently
than if they were right-side-up. Some practitioners assign opposite meanings to cards when they are reversed. Others assign a meaning
of delay, or dullness (not as powerful) to a card's original meaning. Using reversed meanings in a spread is up to the discretion
of the Tarot reader
Right-hand Path: A spiritual, intellectual, philosophical path one chooses to take which will align one's thoughts
with such attributes as virtue, illumination, positive thought, love, truth, beauty, etc. Taking the Right-hand path is a devotion
and commitment to experiencing and expressing the afore mentioned attributes. Included in the Tarot Meanings Dictionary because those
who choose to know the esoteric teachings (such as Tarot) do so for the right-hand path reasons.
Rods: A suit in the Minor Arcana of
the Tarot that typically represent creative direction, social activities, action, and enterprise. Rods correspond with the element of
fire. Also referred to as Wands.
Second Sight: The ability to receive visions or impressions by means other than the five senses or reason.
Sensitive: In the
context of the Tarot Meanings Dictionary, a Sensitive is a person who possesses a heightened awareness, or is extremely sensitive
to essences or energies that are unseen. One who is able to sense things in a way that does not require reason or use of the five
senses. A Sensitive may also be called an intuitive , or psychic
Significator: Also known as a Signifier, this term refers to a chosen
Tarot card that represents the querent. Choosing a Significator is up to the Tarot readers discretion and if chosen, should be done
so before the reading.
Smudging: A ritual purification by means of smoke. A common practice performed by ancient cultures as well
as Native American Indians, and modern day practitioners of sacred practices. Included in the meanings dictionary because many Readers
use smudging to cleanse their decks after a reading. It is thought that the smoke lifts out any possible negative energy and purifies
the deck. Sage is commonly burned for smudging purposes.
Spread: Also known as a layout, this term refers to the process of laying
the cards out in a certain order so as to conduct a reading. Typically, the Tarot cards are drawn one-by-one and laid out on a table.
The Tarot reader will determine the meaning of each position where each card is set. For example, a common three card spread may indicate
past, present and future. The reader will lay the cards horizontally from left to right. The reader may determine the meaning of the
positions as such: the far left position is a card indicating the past, the middle card is the present, and the far right card position
indicates the future.
Swords: A suit in the Minor Arcana of the Tarot that typically represents thoughts, mental attitudes, sometimes
also considered to be "challenge" cards as these support cards often indicate where the querent is experiencing difficulty in life.
The suite of swords corresponds with the element of air.
Synchronicity: A term coined by Dr. Carl Jung which alludes to a belief that
there no accidents, all events are connected. Further, when one experiences synchronicity it can be likened to serendipity - events
happening at the right time and the right place. Jung proposed that synchronicity is the process of the unconscious or dreaming mind
aligning itself with the waking world. This term is included in the Tarot Meanings Dictionary because Carl Jung also proposed that
the outcomes of Tarot readings are a result of our unconscious mind impressing the cards. The synchronicity here is "what you think,
is what you get" in terms of the cards drawn in a reading.
Symbology: Simply, the study of symbols. Included in the Tarot Meanings
Dictionary because the Tarot is a system based on symbols, and one should consider making a commitment to study all manner of symbols
in order to excel as a Tarot reader. One who studies symbols is sometimes referred to as a symbologist.
Tarot: A deck of 78 cards used for divination, self-help, development of intuition as well as spiritual and psychic growth.
Third Eye:
Sixth of the main in-line chakras located at the center of the forehead slightly above the eyebrows. Often thought to be the seat
of psychic powers. Included in the Tarot Meanings Dictionary because many Tarot readers develop their third eye and use it to enhance
readings by providing more profound psychic insight to the reading.
Triumph or Trump: Terms for the Major Arcana cards in the Tarot
deck.
Wands: A suit in the Minor Arcana of the Tarot that typically represent creative direction, social activities, action, and enterprise.
Rods correspond with the element of fire. Also referred to as Rods.