Angels

Angels in the Tarot system are symbolic of divine messages. They are messengers of important information and communications and provide clarity. In a reading, their appearance indicates a message, which, may be coming in the form of inspiration, divine intervention or subtlety. Angels also symbolise higher thought and ideals. It may be a sign to take a look at how one is communicating. Angels also remind us to balance our energies.

 

Arches

Arches are symbolic of openings, passageways, thresholds, and initiations. In a reading, the arch is a symbol of new direction and to move forward for you are protected by the structure, further indicating that your world will expand.

 

Armour

Armour represents protection, strength and preparation. A few questions to ponder upon if armour is bought into your awareness: Do you need to prepare for something? Are you adequately protected? Are you wearing a suit of armour to avoid connection? Are you armoured up adequately? Are you about to enter into battle?

 

Birds

Birds symbolise higher thoughts and matters of the spirit. They represent the element of air. Being creatures of the air, they can also symbolise higher ideals. They represent freedom, inspiration, and ascension. When a bird symbol flies into your reading it is a message of rising to a higher level and that there is a need to free oneself from bondage and choose to make the heart light. Birds have long been identified with messages from spirit and those who have departed and so their presence can also be an indication that there is a loved one watching over or wanting to pass on a message.

 

Bull

The Bull is a symbol of power, royalty, stability, grounding, force, stubbornness, and potency. When Bull charges into a reading we know we are dealing with some powerful forces. Messages are being bought into one’s awareness such as o sand your ground, grounding oneself in nature and self-assertion. It is shown in the World and Wheel of Fortune card because the Bull (Taurus) is on of the fixed signs of the zodiac. The bull also carries the symbolic meaning of resistance to change, being stubborn and inflexible. The bulls rue nature is one of peace – like a peaceful giant. The message could also indicate the meeting of an amicable friend. The metaphor “a bull in a China shop” comes to mind.

 

Cities & Villages

Cities and villages are symbolic of uniting together. They can be considered centres or gathering of people, thoughts, energy and ideas, diversity, customs, law and order. They are a symbol of a group that meets for a common goal. They can represent protection, teamwork or a group effort is required.

 

Clouds

Clouds symbolise the element of air. They can make us feel dreamy, threatening, mystical or lazy. Clouds provide a good symbolic insight into the mood of the situation. Clouds speak of change as the come and go. They can move quite quickly or rather slowly. Clouds can also represent hidden things – clouded by judgement and confusion. They are also indicative of revelation. Similar to when an epiphany or a bright idea comes out of nowhere. The metaphor – Every cloud has a silver lining comes to mind indicating a need to look deeper and higher.

 

Flags

The flag is an announcement of change, something has shifted, and a flag makes the world aware of this shift. It is a bright, bold obvious sign that a new day is dawning. The flag is about “in-you-face” transformation – an event to announce to all who will hear. Take time to consider your announcements. What is it that you want to draw attention to?

 

Grapes

Grapes and grapevines typically represent abundance, prosperity, blessings, transformation, the good life and fertility.

 

Hoe

A hoe is a tool and as such its symbolism deals with work, resourcefulness, a time to harvest and accomplishment. The how is also a reminder that one can make their way easier by using the resources available. The hoe is also connected to the old adage “what we sow, so shall we reap” when the hoe pops out at us in the cards, we might consider what kind of sowing we are doing and how we are utilising our resources. A question to consider is “are we doing things the hard way, or should we recruit some help?”

 

Horn

Much like a flag, the horn is a symbol of announcement, only more forceful. Horns symbolise a joyous, boisterous, victorious and triumphant announcement. They signal that something has happened or is about to happen. Horns indicate both victory and an oncoming attack. They also indicate that we are about to “hear” something or some news of importance.

 

Horse

The horse symbolises dealing with strength, motion, action, instinct, speed and vitality. Horse is also a strong spiritual symbol and an emblem of incorporating all the elements to maintain an equal and powerful balance – a force of nature; harnessed, reined in and brought under control. Horse values freedom and travel and is predisposed to a charging nature and reminds us to pause to consider where we are charging to and why.

 

The Infinity Symbol (also know as lemniscate)

This is a geometrical representation of the endless and eternal nature of energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed it simply continues on forever in motion. This symbol reminds us of the infinite nature of our spirit as well as our thoughts. When this symbol comes to our attention it me be a message that we should consider the consequences of o0ur thoughts and deeds – the effects of which can be infinite.

 

Lantern

The lantern carries with it all the meanings that deal with light. It is the vehicle for intelligence, truth and illumination. In Hinduism and Buddhism, a lamp is a symbol of life. Lamps also serve as a devotional symbol and embody the spirit of virtue, faith and vigilance (lighting a candle in memory, as well as lighting the way through the darkest hour). When the lantern of the Hermit shines brightly into our awareness it is a symbol of clarity coming through and life revealing precious gifts of us.

 

Lightning

Typically, the meaning of lightning deals with instant, divine and cathartic intervention. It is a major message from a higher source, a message for the observer to wake up and pay attention. Lightning was viewed as a creative spark to the Native Americans as it signified the winking Thunderbird. Linked with both fire and water, lightning is also viewed as both creator and destroyer in many cultures. Lightning can be an indication of those “out of the blue ideas – sudden inspirations and ideas. Lightning is a reminder to pay attention to what creative or destructive forces are a work in your life.

 

Lily

The lily has symbolic meanings of purity, innocence, and fertility. The lily also symbolises vulnerability and the freedom to be ourselves, as well as allowing others to be themselves. The lily is a symbolic flower of health and provision, it can be a signal of growth, development and has a quality of innocence. Lily can be indicative of new relationships and births.

 

Lion

The lion can signify one of the four fixed signs of the zodiac and symbolise dealing with strength, courage, royalty, passion, nobility, pride, and protection. Much like lightning, the lion is viewed as both saviour and destroyer in ancient cultural myth. Somewhat of a paradox, lion stands as a symbol of spiritual valour and for the beastly needs of the flesh. When the lion roars at us in the cards we are encouraged to consider the level of our courage. Are we seated in faith or flesh? Are we protecting others or ourselves? Are we being strong or stubborn?

 

Lizard

With symbolic meanings of renewal, vision, enlightenment and rebirth, the lizard makes its appearance on the male court cards in the suit of wands/rods/sticks. The lizard or salamander, suns itself on these cards to signify the importance of vision in the midst of action. In fact, in ancient times it was believed that the lizard renewed its sight by looking into the sun. A symbol of demure perspective in the face of monumental physical force, the lizard is a tiny reminder that big results come from small conscious efforts. It is said that the salamander is depicted as a lizard or a dragon and is known as the only creature to make it through the fire unscathed.

 

Lobster

Also depicted as a crab or crayfish in some decks. The lobster symbolises cycles regeneration and protection. These creatures are lunar symbols; they cast off their shells for new ones. This is where the rebirth/cycling association plays its part. The protective symbolism is evident by the hard outer shell. When the lobster in the Moon card crawls into our consciousness, we are reminded of the cyclical nature in our lives and what protection we may need for our chosen or guided path on which we journey. The Lobster can also symbolise the hidden, dark, deep parts of ourselves that needs to be addressed or that may come to the surface every now and again and so we may be asked to look deep within.

 

Pillars

Pillars are about balance. Typically, the focal point of the card is planted steadfastly between the pillars. This is a visual indication of middle ground. When the pillars come into our awareness it is time to consider matters of balance, tact, diplomacy, and strategy. It is a sign that going between may be more advantageous than taking the proverbial high road or low road. Rather than seeing things as left or right, black or white, perhaps we can consider a middle road – a third option with a new and different perspective. Pillars are also indicative of crossing a threshold – similar to that of entering a new phase or initiation into the next stage. The rite of passage so to speak.

 

Ploughed fields

“As we sow, so shall we reap” is the prime symbol meaning being the ploughed fields. When these fields come into our awareness, we need to be mindful that what we do and how we do it is pivotal to our harvest. If we are lazy and sloppy with the planting of our seeds, we will be disappointed with the results. However, if we invest the time to plant, nurture and grow our rows, we will be rewarded with abundance. Ploughed fields are also a symbol of time. It takes time to reap our rewards. We must allow for germination and patience is required as we wait for the results we are expecting from our labours. The ploughed field can also be an indication that the hard work has already been done.

 

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are symbolic of abundance, fertility, luxury, generosity and union. They have been used in some cultures as a symbol of marriage and love. The pomegranate with its leathery outer skin and its juicy sweet interior is a symbol of encompassing bliss, reminiscent of passion and luxury. It is also a strongly feminine symbol and is associated with female sexuality. When visions of pomegranates come into awareness, it is time to consider the power of the divine feminine side. The pomegranate is also a message to tap into the luxurious side of life and to recognise the richness, abundance and wonder that surrounds us at every turn. Take the time to notice the blessings.

 

Rabbit

If rabbit hops into a reading it can by symbolic of the ability to be decisive and quick. Rabbits can be timid and are also considered a symbol of fertility -hence the saying breed like rabbits. Rabbits are also close to the ground which is a good reminder to ground oneself and to remain grounded in your endeavours.

 

Rose

A long-standing symbol of purity, promise and beauty. Love. The rose symbolises the promise of new beginnings and hope. We must also take the thorns into consideration with the promise of new hope we may have to endure a few stings.

 

Sphinx

The symbolic meaning of the sphinx deals with guardianship and protection of the secrets of life. Long considered to be a tyrant in myth, the sphinx was said to ask passers-by riddles only those who could answer correctly were allowed entrance into the gate they guard. If the sphinxes come into our awareness in a reading we are called to answer a riddle – using all of our senses and determining the secrets ha may be holding us back.

 

Snake

The symbolic meaning of the snake deals with renewal and rebirth, mostly because they shed their skin during each cycle in growth. Snake reminds us that sometimes we outgrow things. Snakes are also cold blooded which means they depend on their environment for their body temperature. This is a symbolic message that we need to be adaptive, flexible and adjust as best we can to our circumstances. Snakes represent the feminine wisdom and psychic abilities. When the snake slithers across the cards into our awareness, we may need to ask ourselves if we need to shed a prat of ourselves to allow further growth. Perhaps we need to be a little more flexible in situation. Snake can also be alerting us to our health, or the health of someone around us.

 

Stained Glass

Symbolic of perception. Our perception can change according to our experiences and beliefs. How are you currently seeing your situation? Are you seeing things clearly? Or are you looking through rose-coloured glasses? When you seem to be looking through the stained-glass window of you reading. It’s a sign to begin getting honest about your perception. Glass windows can protect us from outside sources.

 

Stars

It’s in the stars! We have been able to look up at the stars for a long time – to direct us and to guide us with awe and wonder. The symbolic meaning for stars deals with shedding light on our lives, offering us navigation when we need it, and providing consistency in our lives when we seem to be all over the place. When the stars wink at us in a reading, it is time to look to a higher source for direction. We are born blessed with beautiful light within us and sometimes the stars are a reminder to sit with our own light, so the starry light within our hearts can illuminate our way. The number of points on the star that comes into your awareness will also provide us with some deeper meaning. Sometimes the star can be quite literal – A star is born! You are a Star! Or simply a wish granted as in wish upon a star.

 

Sunflowers

A pleasant reminder to always look towards the direction of light. Sunflowers also represent hope, beauty, and joy. Its yellow petals are connected with our solar plexus chakra. They are also connected to fire, energy, and passion.

 

Snail

The snail carries his home upon his back. Homes can represent security. What do you define as your security? What are you carrying around with you? The metaphor Home is where the heart is comes to mind. Snails also represent a slow and steady pace.

 

Throne/chair/bench

Support. This is what supports us. Is the chair strong enough to support and sustain us? Thrones, chairs, and benches also refer to our status. The more decadent the more status we have achieved. Chairs also offer us a place to rest -, which then brings the question are we resting? Do we need to rest and take a load off? Do we need to take a seat or take our place? Is our seat in disrepair or is it in good order?

 

Tomb

Lying to res the thoughts and thigs that are no longer serving us, or that are outdated. The tomb in the tarot really has nothing to do with death. It’s more about freeing ourselves from our outdated beliefs and behaviours, and our small ways of thinking. Coming out of the constraints allows us to enter into a new phase as we evolve.

 

Wreath

News and announcements. Wreaths also represent protection, peace and purification. They can often mean victory as the winner in ancient times was crowned with a wreath laurel. This led to the term – resting on his laurels – meaning one was relying on his previous attributes., winnings or credentials.