Taurus in the Minor Arcana

taurus in the Minor Arcana
Astrologize your tarot readings!

Moving on from the Aries cards, let’s take a look at Taurus in the Minor Arcana and how this zodiac sign can be interpreted in a reading.

While Taurus is linked to the Hierophant in the Major Arcana, it is also associated with the King of Pentacles and the following pip cards:

Five of Pentacles – Mercury in Taurus

Six of Pentacles – Moon in Taurus

Seven of Pentacles – Saturn in Taurus

As you can see, each pip card has a planet and zodiac sign assigned to it, but what does it all mean?

Let’s take one step at a time.

Taurus Characteristics

Taurus is an earth sign associated with stability, steadfastness and a practical, down-to-earth attitude.

Taurus people are reliable and loyal. They favour tradition and security over change and uncertainty, which can make them inflexible and stubborn at times.

Now we can link these traits to the individual pip cards:

five of pentaclesFive of Pentacles – Mercury in Taurus

This card is associated with hardship, poverty and insecurity.

Influenced by Mercury, the planet of communication and travel, self-reliant Taurus may need to overcome reluctancy to ask for help.

The mercurial energies of change and flux are a disruptive force for Taurus, who has to learn to do things differently in order to overcome this difficult situation.

Mercury and Taurus represent opposing energies, which are reflected in the stark image.

However, Mercury is primarily linked to the Magician, so it can also be a force for good. Taurus needs to tap into the Magician’s power to get back on track.

And while the Magician is focused on power, potential and purpose, the Five of Pentacles may also indicate (temporary) loss of these qualities.

six of pentacles aquatic tarotSix of Pentacles – Moon in Taurus

The Moon represents the divine feminine (linked to the High Priestess), intuition and our feelings and emotions.

Combined with Taurus, the energy of the Six of Pentacles is benevolence and charity.

Keywords and meanings that come to mind with this astrological combination are humility, gratitude, generosity, benefactor, favours, kindness.

Here, Taurus gets in touch with feelings, acting on emotions and intuitive guidance.

seven of pentacles aquatic tarotSeven of Pentacles – Saturn in Taurus

Saturn is linked to the World in the Major Arcana, which suggests a sense of completion in the Seven of Pentacles.

While the World is focused more on being established and content with where you are, the Seven of Pentacles indicates the growing urge to break out of the status quo and do something new.

But Saturn is also ruler of Capricorn – the Devil – and combined with Taurus can create inertia or complacency.  New ideas may never be turned into reality as that would involve leaving the familiar behind.

Taurus loves being in a comfortable position, and in the Seven of Pentacles we may also detect a hint of laziness and perhaps even unproductiveness. Lots of work to do, but another tea break, please! ?

If you would like to learn how to combine Tarot with Astrology in your readings, check out my course.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Aries in the Minor Arcana

tarot astrology aries in the minor arcanaWelcome to the official launch of my Tarot Astrology Online course!

To mark the occasion, I’d like to share with you a little snippet of what you’ll be learning on this course.

My focus today is on astrological correspondences of the pip cards (numbered cards 2 – 10 in the Minor Arcana), specifically Aries in the Minor Arcana.

Each pip card is linked to an astrological correspondence:

Two of Wands – Mars in Aries

Three of Wands – Sun in Aries

Four of Wands – Venus in Aries

We can see that a planet and a zodiac sign are connected to each card.

I won’t be explaining today why and how these attributions have come about (but it’s explained in the course).

Instead, I will show you how you can make sense of these attributions in a reading and apply them in a practical way.

First of all, you will have noticed that the above pip cards are assigned to the zodiac sign Aries.

Some characteristics of Aries are: pioneering, visionary, initiating and pro-active.

Aries people are enthusiastic about starting new projects and find it easy to take the lead. But they also need to keep focused on their vision in order to reach their goals.

Sometimes they find it hard to sustain the initial enthusiasm, but their ambitions and drive may help them along towards what they want to achieve.

Aries is also linked to the Emperor and the Queen of Wands.

(Note how you can make additional connections with corresponding Major Arcana and Court cards.)

Two of Wands – Mars in Aries

Aries is combined with the aggressive energies of Mars. The planet Mars is associated with both positive and negative aggression – competition, ambition, drive as well as anger, ruthlessness and violence.

The combined energies of Mars and Aries in the Two of Wands suggest someone, who is inspired to turn ideas into action, and has that inner urge and drive to succeed.

Both Mars and Aries indicate restlessness and inner energy that needs to be released in a creative and constructive way.

The figure in the image is holding the world in his hand, perhaps thinking of a global conquest, which would be a very Martian thing to do 🙂

Mars is also linked to the Tower, and is the ruling planet of Aries (the Emperor).

Three of Wands – Sun in Aries

Here, Aries is combined with the Sun, which is associated with life force, the ego and the need for self-expression.

This combination suggests powerful energies initiating the move from a planning stage to action – new beginnings, the actual start of a journey.

The sun in Aries combination indicates specifically individuality, leadership, confidence and self-assertion.

It can also indicate a tendency to be self-centred or an abundance of energy that could lead to burnout.

Selfishness at this stage doesn’t need to be a negative trait but could be a necessity to disregard naysayers and discouragement.

The sun is the ruling planet of Leo (Strength), and is also associated with the Sun card.

Four of Wands – Venus in Aries

Venus is a grounding force in this combination. It is associated with the Empress, but also with the Hierophant and Justice as Venus is ruler of both Taurus and Libra.

Venus relates to love, beauty and indulgence. Together with Aries, there is certainly a party atmosphere, a reason to celebrate and take it easy for a change.

Good times may be connected to business progress, success but also to a house move or family occasion.

The Venus aspect may also indicate an engagement/wedding, or the couple have set up home together.

Because Venus can succumb to prolonged self-indulgence at times, there is a danger of stagnation and complacency, which needs to be overcome by the driving force of Aries.

Once you get more familiar with the planetary and zodiacal traits and characteristics, your interpretation of individual cards will evolve to a new level.

Sign up to my Tarot Astrology course and make it happen.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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The Hierophant in the Tarot of Quotes

hierophant tarot of quotesThe Hierophant in the Tarot is one of those cards I have “issues” with 😉

More specifically, it’s the image in the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) deck depicting a pope-like figure, which reminds me of the Catholic Church, making it difficult for me to connect with this card and “warm” to it.

For me organised religion represents dogma, tradition and rules you have to comply with.

If you don’t, then you will be in trouble.

Thankfully, nowadays you no longer will be burned at the stake, if you disagree and try to bring about changes and reform.

My Hierophant (Stonehenge) captures a more tolerant, open-minded interpretation.

For me this card symbolises guidance, education, ethics, philosophy, tradition, conformity and organised religion, but all these aspects of the Hierophant need to flow, move and change over time according to the needs of people.

Flexibility is a necessity to avoid being stuck in the past and fall into decay with a false sense of security. Nothing lasts forever.

Currently, organised religion is only reacting to change. It would be refreshing to see religious institutions take the lead in the process of change and come up with new and innovative, progressive ideas.

Astrologically, the Hierophant is connected to Taurus.

Whilst Taurus displays positive traits such as stability, determination and dependability, its vices include stubbornness, complacency and inertia – quite fitting for the Hierophant.

When the Hierophant comes up in a reading, this card may ask you to add something new to an established area in your life – home life, relationship, job/career – or make some adjustment to avoid staleness and feeling stifled.

Consider re-writing some rules, start a debate or gain new knowledge to broaden your horizon.

You can live according to rules and within boundaries set by society, but ensure this is in accordance with your individuality and integrity.

2012 is also the Year of the Hierophant. Read more about how to make use of the Hierophant’s energies this year HERE.

If you’d like to learn more about the Hierophant and all the other cards in the Tarot, please check out my ebook The Cosmic Faery Tarot Guidebook.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Tarot & Astrology: Zodiac

Tarot Astrology ZodiacMost people identify astrology with the wheel of the zodiac and its twelve signs. Even those totally ignorant of astrology know their sun sign.

The term zodiac is derived from the Greek zodiacus, which means ‘little creatures’.

The zodiac is a small band of the sky, about eight degrees on either side of the ecliptic, which contains the motions of most of the planets. This band is divided into twelve 30-degree sections called signs.

The zodiac can be seen as a 12-stage life cycle:

Aries—emergence, birth of the individual

Taurus—physical security in order to grow

Gemini—urge to interact with our immediate surroundings

Cancer—sense of belonging to our immediate family

Leo—ability to express ourselves

Virgo—learning practical skills

Libra—learning about relationships and balancing our needs with others

Scorpio—our longing to share intense encounters, leading to transformation

Sagittarius—gaining a broader perspective of life

Capricorn—establishing our public image

Aquarius—group solidarity

Pisces—identification with the whole, dissolving all to allow for new birth

The zodiac signs represent specific human qualities that colour the way in which we respond to the basic urges (the planets) within us.

The twelve signs of the zodiac are each associated with a trump card of the Major Arcana and a Court Card. By getting to know each of the individual sun signs, the connection with the assigned trump and court cards will become apparent – and debatable!

Fire Signs

Aries

(March 21st – April 20th)

Characteristics: enthusiastic, dynamic, impulsive; impatient, domineering, sometimes reckless.

Tarot Cards: The Emperor, Queen of Wands

Leo

(July 23rd – August 22nd)

Characteristics: generous, self-assured, optimistic; intolerant, arrogant, autocratic.

Tarot Cards: Strength, King of Wands

Sagittarius

(November 24th – December 21st)

Characteristics: adventurous, confident, expansive, optimistic; restless, unreliable, moralistic, insensitive.

Tarot Cards: Temperance, Knight of Wands

Water Signs

Cancer

(June 22nd – July 22nd)

Characteristics: sensitive, protective, tenacious, intuitive, shrewd; fearful, touchy, clinging, manipulative.

Tarot Cards: The Chariot, Queen of Cups

Scorpio

(October 24th – November 23rd)

Characteristics: imaginative, deep, healing, compassionate, fearless; self-destructive, vindictive, jealous, secretive.

Tarot Cards: Death, King of Cups

Pisces

(February 20th – March 20th)

Characteristics: sensitive, compassionate, impressionable, receptive; confused, overemotional, escapist

Tarot Cards: The Moon, Knight of Cups

Air Signs

Gemini

(May 22nd – June 21st)

Characteristics: versatile, chatty, curious; flippant, shallow, restless.

Tarot Cards: The Lovers, Knight of Swords

Libra

(September 22nd – October 23rd)

Characteristics: fair-minded, diplomatic, perfectionist, cooperative; insincere, indecisive, frivolous.

Tarot Cards: Justice, Queen of Swords

Aquarius

(January 21st – February 19th)

Characteristics: independent, progressive, rational, original; impractical, erratic, cranky, detached

Tarot Cards: The Star, King of Swords

Earth Signs

Taurus

(April 21st – May 21st)

Characteristics: stable, methodical, affectionate, restrained; stubborn, passive, possessive.

Tarot Card: The Hierophant, King of Pentacles

Virgo

(August 23rd – September 21st)

Characteristics: efficient, dependable, practical, observant, modest; fussy, critical, narrow-minded.

Tarot Cards: The Hermit, Knight of Pentacles

Capricorn

(December 22nd – January 20th)

Characteristics: organised, industrious, conventional, persevering; calculating, dictatorial, manipulative, pessimistic.

Tarot Cards: The Devil, Queen of Pentacles

Zodiac Body Parts Ruled

Back to Introduction to Tarot Astrology

Would you like to learn more about Tarot Astrology? Check out the Starlight Tarot Astrology course.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Introduction to Tarot Astrology

Tarot AstrologyAstrology is one of the oldest, most popular and well-known divinatory systems.

Most people know their sun sign, and horoscopes are printed in thousands of newspapers and magazines around the world.

Over the years people have tried to combine tarot with astrology, and today we seem to have a system that works well.

The advantage of assigning astrological meanings to tarot cards is a more detailed understanding of both tarot and astrology.

With astrological attributions for the cards it is even possible to determine the timing of a specific event.

The most common system used today is that of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

However, this system has recently been updated to take into account the discovery of three new planets (the members of the Golden Dawn only new the seven planets of the ancients—the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn).

Now the connection of the ten planets and twelve zodiac signs with the 22 cards of the Major Arcana works out perfectly.

Astrological attributes are also assigned to the Minor Arcana cards.

For more information and how you can make use of astrology in your tarot readings, click on the following links:

Planets * Zodiac

Would you like to learn more about Tarot Astrology?

tarot astrology course workbook
Learn to combine Tarot with Astrology

 

Colour Symbolism

colour symbolismWhen I researched colour symbolism in the Tarot, I came across information about how colour is perceived in different cultures.

I realised that my perception of colours are based on the Western culture I have grown up in, whereas people from different backgrounds will link colours with different meanings.

For example, in western culture the colour ‘white’ is associated with weddings, purity and innocence, but in Eastern cultures such as India and Japan it is linked with funerals and death.

Therefore, in the following table I have included not only my personal ‘western’ perception (including the correspondences of the Golden Dawn), but also the meanings of colours in different cultures.

However, when interpreting the cards, you need to establish your own view on colours, the thoughts and feelings they evoke in you, so you may disagree with some of the meanings suggested below.

But that’s fine, because remember that there is no right or wrong; it’s all about your intuition.

When you look at a card in more detail and study its colours, you may find that some colours stand out at different times.

That’s when you can pay attention to your understanding of the colour’s meaning and perhaps hidden message.

Watch out for shades and hues; lighter colours may be associated with the conscious mind, darker colours with the unconscious.

Opposite colours indicate contrast. Complimentary colours in juxtaposition may suggest balance.

Colour Western Tradition Other Traditions
Black the unknown, mystery, hidden things, darkness, fear, death, funerals, emptiness, lack of insight China: Colour for young boys
Blue Spirituality, healing, depression, sadness, cold; colour of the fifth (throat) chakra; water; sky.Ruling planet: Moon. The suit of Cups. Iran: Colour of heaven and spirituality
Indigo (Blue-Violet) Intuition, creative insight, clairvoyance, psychic sensitivity, mystery, dream work; colour of the sixth (brow) chakra. Ruling Planet: Saturn
Gold Masculine energy, luxury, success, material value, the sun, illumination
Green Growth, vitality, nature, harmony, healing, Spring; colour of the fourth (heart) chakra, which can also be pink. Ruling Planet: Venus. The suit of Pentacles. China: Green hats indicate a man’s wife is cheating on him; exorcism

India: Islam

Ireland: Symbol of the entire country

Grey Sadness, dreariness, cold, gloom; neutrality, integration, balance of opposites (a mix of black & white)
Orange Energy, zest, vitality, fire, warmth, confidence, creativity; colour of the second (sacral) chakra. Planet: Sun. Ireland: Religious (Protestants)
Pink Love, friendship, femininity; colour of the fourth (heart) chakra, which can also be green
Purple Wisdom, spirituality, power, healing, Royalty; colour of the seventh (crown) chakra.Ruling planet: Jupiter Thailand: Colour of mourning (widows)
Red Passion, courage, life, excitement, danger, blood; willpower; colour of the root chakraRuling planet: Mars. The suit of Wands. China: Good luck, celebration, summoning

India: Purity

South Africa: Colour of mourning

Eastern: Worn by brides

Silver Feminine energy, the moon, spirituality
White Purity, innocence, peace (white dove); truth, light Japan: White carnation symbolizes death

Eastern: Funerals

Yellow Joy, vitality, health, rejuvenation, hope, summer, warmth; colour of the third (solar plexus) chakra. Ruling Planet: Mercury. The suit of Swords. China: Nourishing

Egypt: Colour of mourning

Japan: Courage

India: Merchants

The Major Arcana cards are also associated with specific colours according to their ruling planet or zodiac sign:

Colour Planet Trump
Red Mars Tower
Orange Sun Sun
Yellow Mercury Magician
Green Venus Empress
Blue Moon High Priestess
Indigo Saturn World
Violet Jupiter Wheel of Fortune
Colour Zodiac Trump
Red Aries Emperor
Coral Taurus Hierophant
Orange Gemini Lovers
Gold Cancer Chariot
Yellow Leo Strength
Olive Virgo Hermit
Green Libra Justice
Turquoise Scorpio Death
Blue Sagittarius Temperance
Indigo Capricorn Devil
Violet Aquarius Star
Magenta Pisces Moon

These are all Golden Dawn correspondences; useful if you work with the RWS (Rider Waite Smith), Crowley’s Thoth or the B.O.T.A. deck.

Further Reading:

Angela Wright: The Beginner’s Guide to Colour Psychology

Sandra  A. Thomson : Pictures from the Heart – A Tarot Dictionary

Israel Regardie, Robert Wang: Golden Dawn Tarot Deck [Cards]

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