Expanded Card Associations
The Tarot is a method of divination – an Oracle which has historically evolved within the influence of multiple traditional and non traditional spiritual currents and from which you can obtain insight, advice and guidance on the concerns, questions and problems of everyday life. When using the expanded card associations in a divination it is useful to mentally preface the words or clauses in either the Upright or Reversed positions with the sentence: “The energy of this card invokes an atmosphere that can be associated with……….” Through using this approach the meaning which is applicable within the specific context of the question that invoked the reading will made clearer.
The Fool
“Choice"
U: Making the right choice; exploring new possibilities, opportunities and ideas; pursuing a new beginning that awaits you; utilizing caution and good judgment; having self confidence; taking a necessary risk; following your heart; having the courage to believe in yourself
R: Making the wrong choice; yielding to reckless or impulsive action; exercising faulty judgment; making a rash decision; not pausing to evaluate ones position; not taking the time to look before you leap
The Magician
“Mental Development"
U: The realization of your innate faculties; an application of your talents and abilities towards constructive and meaningful ends; success through the actualization of your creative powers; making your dreams come true; strength of will; self confidence; a strong mental focus; the acquisition of broader knowledge; achieving ones fullest creative potential
R: Weakness of will, the pursuit of wasteful and ineffectual schemes; squandering ones human potential; mental laziness; a lack of imagination; the avoidance of knowledge; neglecting ones talents; wasting ones abilities; using ones creativity to further evil ends
The High Priestess
U: Secret forces at work; concealed truths; hidden influences; unsolved mysteries; intuitive insight being needed; listening to your inner voice; paying attention to your dreams;
R: Self delusion; acting on the basis of superficial knowledge; self conceit; a lack of insight; excessive pleasure seeking; a flight from reality; ignoring the truth because can’t face it
The Empress
“Fertility”
U: Emotional well being; material security; happiness; fertility; growth; development; pleasure; satisfaction; fulfillment; a stable union; fidelity; responsible motherhood
R: A loss of material security; poverty; misfortune due to self indulgence; problems due to sexual irresponsibility; emotional manipulation; frustration; fertility problems; instability ; infidelity; unhappiness; unhappy motherhood
The Emperor
“Will”
U: Strength of will; discipline; courage; self control; rational thought; the acceptance of responsibility; controlled and focused ambition
R: Weakness of will, vulnerability, immaturity, a lack of self-control, pride, arrogance; tyranny; an avoidance of responsibility; a lack of self discipline
The Hierophant
"Sacred Tradition"
U: Traditional values; the conventional religious path; security, stability, certainty; reliability; conformity; the orthodox faith; social acceptance and approval
R: Independence; individuality; non conformity; the pursuit of new ideas; the unconventional path; the unorthodox viewpoint; listening to ones inner voice; embracing non traditional values; manifesting the inner light
The Lovers
"Union"
U: An authentic attraction, finding the right balance, romantic success; a loving relationship; mutual harmony; authentic communication; inspiration; achieving clarity; making the correct choice in love
R:Quarrels; conflicts; confusion; disruptions; a lack of communication; frustration; doubts; outside interference; deception; confusion; making an incorrect choice in love;
The Chariot
U: Victory, success through effort; dedication; self confidence; strength of will; perseverance; self control; determination; decisiveness; personal fulfillment; triumph attained through hard work;
R: A lack of self control; wasting energy; squandering resources; a need for more self discipline; a loss of balance; the desire to cave in under pressure; yielding to defeat
Strength
"Inner Strength"
U: Inner strength; courage; self confidence; self discipline; moral fortitude; spiritual growth; self control; the triumph of love
R: Fear; inner weakness; self-indulgence; self doubt; selfishness; egotism; a lack of self-discipline; the rejection of love
"Wisdom”
U: Contemplation; inner awareness; courage; maturity; wisdom; doing what is right; discretion; foresight; planning
R: Foolish vices; a refusal to learn; baseness; stupidity; immaturity; a refusal to grow up
The Wheel of Fortune
"Fate"
U: A new cycle beginning; the wheel of fortune turning upwards; easier progress; good fortune; a change for the better; growth; prosperity; advancement; improvement; fate bringing success; one’s goals being attained;
R: Bad luck; setbacks; a resistance to change; planting the seeds of your own downfall; the wheel of fortune turning down for you; a lack of progress; reaping what you have sown
Justice
“Justice”
U: Justice; truthfulness; balance; order; harmony; equality; fairness; honesty; impartiality; the elimination of wrong ideas; basing decisions on logic and reason
R: Falsehood; distortion; bias; dishonesty; imbalance; injustice; prejudice; inequality; one sidedness; falling prey to too much emotionalism
U: Spiritual growth; self sacrifice; adaptability; flexibility; courage; sacrifice for a higher goal; liberating the imagination; aesthetic awareness; acknowledgement of the Higher Self
R: Selfishness; egotism; arrogant rationality; pleasure seeking; materialism; maintaining the status quo; rejection of the Higher Self
Death
“Transformation”
U: Transformation; change; renewal; regeneration; evolutionary progress; new ideas and opportunities; a new phase of life that is beginning; entering a transitional period
R: Stagnation; fear of change; inertia; a need for radical transformation; being imprisoned by a false perspective; spiritual decay
Temperance
“Equilibrium”
U: Adaptability; balanced judgment; finding a middle ground; the exercise of self restraint; the use of good judgment; making gradual but constant progress; maintaining personal equilibrium; living with moderation and self-control; striving for balanced and harmonious relationships; seeking a higher level of awareness
R: Exercising poor judgment; being out of balance; pursuing ill advised actions; taking a one sided or narrow minded approach to a situation; a lack of moderation; excessive pleasure seeking; having conflicting interests; a lack of patience or common sense
“Bondage”
U: An unchecked desire for money or power; bondage; materialism; ignorance; fear; excessive pleasure seeking; the misuse use of ones position; sexual obsession
R: Self deception; selfishness; material bondage; pleasure seeking; self deception; the blind pursuit of success; the abuse of power and position; uncontrolled ambition; evil tendencies; self delusion
The Tower
“Upheaval”
U: An unforeseen upheaval; a reversal of fortune; an unexpected catastrophe; carefully crafted plans being swept away; the fruits of selfish ambition being overthrown; an existing way of life suddenly being brought to an unexpected end;
R: An unexpected change of circumstances; oppression; potential ruin; lost freedom that only being regained at a high cost; a present course that needs to be abandoned; selfish ambitions coming undone and amounting to nothing
The Star
“Hope”
U: Faith; courage; hope; inspiration; confidence; tranquility; vigor; the gifts of the Spirit; happiness; good fortune; true love; following your inner stars; dreams coming true
R: Doubt; pessimism; disappointment; loss of hope; a lack of faith; stubbornness; lost trust; false love; rigidity of mind; self deception; spiritual poverty;
The Moon
“Deception”
U: Deception; hidden perils; unrecognized enemies; viewing a situation in a false light; potential treachery; a veiled message; deceit; trickery; things not appearing as they seem; self delusion; an advice to make no important decisions at this time
R: Self-deception; clouded perception; an inability to see things as they really are; living under the influence of false beliefs; taking unnecessary risks; something potentially harmful being near you
The Sun
“Illumination”
U: Spiritual illumination; emergence from confusion; freedom; success; achievement; happiness; liberation;
R: A failure to attain ones goal; defeat; misjudgment; a possible material loss; weakness; disillusionment; a failure to find happiness; stagnation; spiritual slumber; a need for greater self development
Judgment
“Awakening”
U: Spiritual awakening; joy; freedom; accomplishment; renewed vitality; making a correct decision
R: Weakness; disillusionment; unhappiness; stagnation; spiritual slumber; a need for greater strength and self reliance; making an incorrect decision
The World
“Completion”
U: A focus on present accomplishments; the attainment of success; recognition; reward; the fulfillment of ones desires; triumph in current undertakings; liberation from a stereotyped existence; finding ones true and destined purpose in the world
R: A fear of change; success that is yet to be won; a profound lack of vision; looking for the easy way out; a rejection of responsibility; disappointment; a failure to achieve ones goals; drifting aimlessly and without purpose