The Chariot (Card VII) - Basic Meanings

General:

The Chariot, numbered VII (which is seven in Roman Numerals), is a card about doing the work of personal triumph. The timeless story of discovering yourself, and what you are made of. The story of gathering your resources, deep inside, your shadow and your light aligned, to move forward in a positive direction. Passion, drive, and preparedness for the task at hand. You got this. 

Obstacle:

If the Chariot is in the obstacle position, you've dug in your heels or you're stuck in the mud spinning your wheels but unable to get enough traction to get out the mess you're in. Or, you are in perpetual crunch time, oppressive overwork, glorifying the grit, sleeplessness in the name of productivity. Personal triumph at the expense of running others down. No human or animal can run, or fly, forever.

Solution:

When this card is in the solution position it typically a reminder that you are capable of doing what you need to do, and learning and learning anything you need to long along the way. You are the driver of your chariot. You choose how fast to go, when to go, and when to pause. You know what resources you need to gather for whatever it is you got going on. Harmonize your light and shadow, and GO. 

NOTE:

Using NO pictures is on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS).  

The Lovers (Card VI) - Basic Meanings

General:

The Lovers, numbered VI (this is six in Roman Numerals),  is about commitment, romantic and otherwise. This card is about choosing who is family, and choosing where, what, and with whom to commit your time, your life, your soul. Love of friends, love of hobbies, love of community, love of work, love of nature, of self, etc.  Partnership. Union. 

Obstacle:

When the Lovers is the the obstacle position it typically speaks to counterfeit love. Either you being manipulated or someone else is manipulating you. Sometimes it's simply you trying too hard. Whatever the case, something, a belief, a person, an anxiety, is getting in the way of you experiencing the real deal kind of love, romantic or otherwise. Remove the block so you can love more clearly. 

Solution:

When the Lovers is in the solution position it typically speaks to doing what you love, and being with whom you love. Return to whatever it is that creates real connection and joy, be that with a person, nature, a pet, a hobby, etc. You gotta go back to the courtship aspect to get back into right relationship with the real deal love. Of course, this applies to all forms of authentic love; platonic or otherwise. 

NOTE:

Using NO pictures is on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS). 

The Hierophant (Card V) - Basic Meanings

 

General:

The Hierophant*, numbered V (this is five in Roman Numerals), is the card of translating the Word of God into daily living, the outward expression of faith, hope, and trust, with a little bit of pixie dust. The teacher, the elder, the guru, the reverend, the seer. This is the card of honesty and integrity, ethics and love eternal; learning and studying spiritual truths to live life with more grace and ease, with more compassion and understanding. 

Obstacle:

If the Hierophant is in the obstacle position of a spread then it indicates that you are giving away all your power to a "higher authority" which robs you of being able to be the Hierophant of your own life; doubting yourself to the point where you are gaslighting yourself, shutting yourself off from your own way of expressing heavenly compassionate living.  It's a terrible way to live.

Solution:

If the Hierophant is in the solution position then it likely indicates a need to seek out a trusted spiritual advisor and/or sacred text. It's also a call to trust yourself to know who that person is, and when to let go of continuing to trust someone/something in authority that makes you uncomfortable. Do what works for you with honor and fairness. Personal sacred ritual is needed here. 

*The Hierophant is pronounced high-roh-fant (like ant and hieroglyphics)

NOTE:

Using NO pictures is on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS). 

The Emperor (Card IV) - Basic Meanings

General:

The Emperor, numbered IV (which is four in Roman Numerals), is all about structure. This is like rocks and mountains, and the work that goes on behind the scenes. It's indirect the part of service and care that's the initial leg work so you know WHAT kind of service and care is needed, and then HOW you are going to organize it all so it can actually get done; preferably at the most optimal time. 

Obstacle: 

If the Emperor is in the obstacle position then it's quite likely that you are being so structured that you are nitpicking yourself or others to death. Micromanaging, requiring a level of exactitude that is stifling and beyond reason. You are too far removed from why you are doing what you are doing. You've lost sight of the joy of appropriate creative free flow and collaboration. It's okay to take time to make it beautiful. 

Solution:

In the solution position the Emperor is reminding you that you need to do first things first, that there is an order and structure to getting things done. Get all your ducks in a row, all the paperwork and requirements squared away, all before you go out to do anything. Every house needs a foundation (even prefabs), before building the frame, before building the rest, etc; THEN you can have fun decorating.

NOTE:

Using NO pictures is on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS). 

The Empress (Card III) - Basic Meanings

General:

The Empress, card III (this is three in Roman Numerals) is about going out and taking care of things,. Community service that is directly with the people, the community; including plants and animals - the whole ecosystem. The Empress is the big nurturing doer. Warmth, care, trust, and relief are in this card. A bit of both sunshine and shade; whichever is most needful.  

Obstacle:

When in the obstacle position of a spread, The Empress may indicate a need to nourish yourself, a time out for attending the community, nearing burn out. Sometimes you have to go out and do things for YOU. It's can also indicate a call to check your motivations. Are you really being altruistic or are you being self-serving; using the concepts of community and care to manipulate others into doing what you want? 

Solution:

When in the solution position of a spread, The Empress may indicate a need to use your creative compassionate energy to focus on serving others. There are many ways to be of service, to have a direct impact on others and the ecosystem. Do the service thing that you enjoy!  Show warmth and care in your interactions with others, doing so is like offering sweet water to parched lips. 

NOTE:

Using NO pictures is on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS). 

The High Priestess (Card II) - Basic Meanings

General:

The High Priestess, numbered II (this is two in Roman Numerals), is about an inner knowing that makes you smile. A whispered wisdom like the susurrus sound of wind in the trees, beckoning you to return to the land in which you belong, to come home to your heaven on earth, home to your inner peace, to do the work to get there. The pause of self-reflection before you go out again to do the thing. Wisdom is knowing what to say, when to say it, how to say it, and when to say nothing.

Obstacle:

If the High Priestess is in the obstacle position in a spread then it likely means you are being too cagey,  trying too hard to be the wiser bigger person, to the point where you are betraying your own self. There is sacred silence which is good from time to time.  Then there is being silenced and staying silent which is an act of violence.  Speak up. And keep speaking up until you are heard. 

Solution:

If the High Priestess is in the solution position in a spread then it likely means that now is a time to engage in sacred silence, to check in with yourself, perhaps even to invite someone else to check in with themselves. Meditation, prayer, and reflection are needed here. Lead by example. Wait to speak up. It's okay to say, I need think about this first.

NOTE:

Using NO pictures is on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS). 

The Magician (Card I) - Basic Meanings

General:

The Magician, numbered I (that's one in Roman Numerals) , has all of the elements at their disposal; fire, water, earth, air, spirit. The Magician brings forth the magic and wonders of Heaven, and the  magic and wonders of living in grounded reality on Earth. You have all the tools you need to know what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and when to do nothing. 

Obstacle: 

If the Magician is in the obstacle position in a spread then it likely means that you are missing some vital piece of information. A disconnection from either Heaven or Earth, or seeing your tools as insufficient for the work at hand, not knowing how to use what you have. If you have a hammer but don't know how to hit the nail without hitting your yourself along with, then a little bit of step back is needed.

Solution: 

If the Magician is in the solution position in a spread then it's time to bust out all you got to hit that nail on the head. Knowing your own power, showing up with a little flair. Courage in showing people what you can do, taking charge of your own show. Following through with knowing how and when to use all the tools in your tool belt. Maintaining your connection to Heaven and Earth. 

NOTE:

Using NO pictures is on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS).  

The Fool (Card 0 or 22) - Basic Meanings

General:

The Fool is about choosing to move forward, about childlike wonder, and unabashed joy in living. New beginnings, new ventures, and wholesome fun. Sometimes this is seen as being foolhardy, or unwise, yet sometimes what seems too risky isn't so risky at all, or it's worth risk because The Fool is witty and clever. 

Obstacle: 

If The Fool is in the obstacle position in a spread then it likely indicates that you actually are being foolhardy, and rejecting tried and true conventional wisdom, being too risky, or trying so hard not to act the fool, trying so hard to "be mature" that it hurts.

Solution: 

If The Fool is in the solution position in a spread then it likely indicates it's time for a leap of faith, but it's a fun one, and it's safe to make the leap. Remember childlike wonder, and fun, and go for taking the risk.  Go for it, embark on the new thing. Wisdom is knowing when it's Time To Play and when it's time to Do The Thing.

NOTE: Using NO pictures is on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using in the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS).