Yesterday, I purchased a book called "Tarot for Life," by a man named Paul Quinn, whose website can be found at http://www.thespiritedlife.com. On page 4 of the introduction, the author suggests that the reader perform a simple Tarot reading, randomly pulling one card from a shuffled deck of just the Major Arcana. I followed the instructions and asked the provided question, basically trying to figure out what I might expect to learn more about through use of the book (aside from the obvious "reading Tarot cards" angle).
What I neglected to do on the first go, though, was to focus only on the "dignified" or upright aspect of the card, for--as I've learned--if a card is upside down or "reversed," it can have a rather significant impact on its meaning and interpretation. Appropriately enough, and with a last-second feeling that I was going to do so, I turned over an upside down card: The Fool, or number 0 of the Major Arcana. A good friend with some knowledge of the relevant details tells me this is fitting.
The Universal Waite Deck's "The Fool" as I pulled it |
Being somewhat nonplussed, I decided to conduct the exercise again, but with the caveat that this would be for other aspects I might expect to learn about, and specifically intended that only the upright position would be considered. The second pull produced Major Arcana card 1, The Magician. I have been told this makes sense, too, but beyond an initial impression I am unclear on possible significances this card may have.
The Second Card I Pulled |
Taken together, I have yet to assign any major meanings to the sequence, the numbers, the cards, or their names. As explained above, I have only yesterday purchased a guide to the Tarot and only received my deck early Sunday morning.
I look forward to meditating on the meaning these two cards may have in store for me in the days and weeks to come.