When you begin to use Tarot cards you can discover new parts of your personality. Since every tarot card has personality traits, this is something that is quite easy to do. Whether it’s looking at the card associated with your Sun sign, Moon sign, or Rising sign or just interviewing yourself through the introspective time you spend with your tarot deck, this practice allows us to dig deep and release new sides of ourselves.
When you think of a tarot card reading, you probably think of the gypsies of old with their beautiful vargos and time-honored traditions. It might surprise you to know that the tarot is as modern as it is ancient, and there are many things you can learn about your personality by studying the cards. There are three main approaches when it comes to exploring the world of tarot card reading. Looking at the cards through numerology is the first, you can figure out your life path number as well as the major arcana and minor arcana. Analyzing the suits (made up of Wands, Pentacles, Swords, and Cups) is the second approach, and the third is using the court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King). Let’s take a look at these methods in more detail.
Tarot & Numerology
Do you know your life path number? If you don’t, you can find your life path number here. If you’ve ever had a numerology reading, it’s possible to take those numbers and look at the appropriate tarot cards. The major arcana will reveal a lot about your personality. All you have to do is add up your date of birth (day + month + year) and it if is more than 21, you must reduce it.
For example, if you were born on August 11, 1958, you’d add 11 + 8 + 1 + 9 + 5 + 8, to get 24, which you treat as 2 + 4 = 6, so your guiding tarot card would be 6, the Lovers. If you were born on August 5th, 1958, you’d add 5 + 8 + 1 + 9 + 5 + 8, to get 18. Your guiding tarot card would be the Moon.
It’s possible to really run with this, to get additional information about yourself! Don’t forget the minor arcana. You can reduce your birthday, in the same way, to arrive at a number from 1 – 10. Here’s a quick way to interpret the cards in the suits of the minor arcana:
- The Aces: New beginnings, uniqueness, someone who is fresh and stands out from the crowd.
- The 2s: The peacemaker, someone who is very sensitive, and just wants everyone to get along.
- The 3s: This person is imaginative and creative, but they’re prone to self-indulgence.
- The 4s: Someone who’s balanced and steady, on whom you can depend.
- The 5s: Artists, entrepreneurs, and people who aren’t afraid to fight for what they want.
- The 6s: Caring and compassionate individuals who tend to worry too much.
- The 7s: Unique personalities who are aloof, and don’t really care much for popular opinion.
- The 8s: Hard-working, practical, and someone who will take risks to get what they want.
- The 9s: Aristocratic and sophisticated, these people are often seen as eccentric or arrogant.
- The 10s: Don’t be afraid of closing the door on something that’s finished so that something new can blossom.
Tarot Suits
Now, of course, with the minor arcana, you also have the suits.There is a different energy for each suit which will color those numbers, making each one unique. To find out how the cards are speaking to you, simply marry the number of the minor arcana with the qualities of the suit it belongs to.
- Wands: Fiery personality, gets things started, impetuous, impulsive, assertive.
- Pentacles: Down to earth and practical, gets things organized, can sometimes be a bit of a bore.
- Swords: Witty, intelligent, intellectual, pensive, and frequently blunt and abrasive.
- Cups: Sensitive, romantic, dreamy, and prone to mistaking fantasy for reality.
Court Cards
Of all the cards in the tarot, it’s the court cards that most often represent people. Like with the minor ‘pip’ cards, in order to really interpret what—or who—these cards represent, you have to take into consideration both the card and the suit. The page of cups will behave very differently than the page of swords.
- Page: This is a young person. It may be a child, an infant, or news of a pregnancy.
- Knight: A young adult, still finding out who they are, still making mistakes along the way.
- Queen: A matriarch, a mature woman, or a caring and compassionate man.
- King: A patriarch, a mature man, or a disciplined and authoritative woman.
Wands:
- The element of fire
- The Sun signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
- The major arcana card of Judgment
- This card says you can be very judgmental, which doesn’t always suit you. Remember, everyone is different, coming into this life with their own lessons to learn – and their own assets and challenges. You don’t have to pass judgment just because they’re different from you—something fire signs often have a hard time accepting!
Pentacles:
- The element of earth
- The Sun signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn
- The major arcana card of The World
- The World card reminds you that everything comes to an end. You are great at seeing a project through to its finish, of picking up the pieces that others left behind, of wrapping up events and
organizing your lives. Just don’t get so bogged down in what you’re doing that you forget to take other people’s feelings and ideas into consideration.
Swords:
- The element of air
- The Sun signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
- The major arcana card of The Fool
- The Fool has no number in the tarot because he’s impetuous and playful, the trickster who is likely to appear at any moment. Like him, you’re capable of coming up with new ideas, changing your mind in a heartbeat, and throwing a sabot in the works just to see how the pieces fall.
Cups:
- The element of water
- The Sun signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces
- The major arcana card of The Hanged Man
- The Hanged Man is a symbol of sacrifice, and there are times you feel you’re doing that, over and over again. No one seems to understand the depth of your feelings. You often long for things to be different, but don’t know what to do—or aren’t bold enough—to change them.
- You may have a reputation for being cheerful and helpful, but there’s also a superficiality around you that you need to work on.
By looking at the suits (above) and then delving into the individual court cards, you get a good idea of someone’s personality. When the court cards come up in a reading, they might not represent a particular person in your life, but they’ll always represent that archetype. The king of cups is a kind and compassionate man, while the queen of swords is an intelligent and assertive woman.
Related Article: 5 Tarot Card Spreads You Need to Try
Astrology
It’s possible to find out a lot more about your personality (or someone else’s) in the tarot by looking at the card that is associated with the Sun sign. Every sign is represented in the cards at least once. By understanding more about the tarot, you invariably learn more about yourself. Introspection is your friend, as well as being prepared to surrender what you’re outgrowing so that more appropriate situations and people can find you.
Aries: The Emperor
You’re very decisive and ambitious and not afraid to rock the boat. You use your authority and prowess to achieve your goals.
Taurus: The Hierophant
You learn from your history, and have a pretty traditional approach to life. You don’t have time for fake people or superficiality.
Gemini: The Lovers
You need a twin in your life! Lover, life mate, soul mate – it doesn’t matter as long as you’re not alone.
Cancer: The Chariot
You’re moving forward, even though you like to cling to your traditions. You’re very intuitive, and that guides you in the right direction.
Leo: Strength
You’ve got the dominating personality to get what you want, and the charisma to entice people to help you towards your goals. Your strength is your charm.
Virgo: The Hermit
You analyze everything down to the last detail, seeking answers to your never-ending questions. You’re curious about everything, although you’re cautious with new information.
Libra: Justice
You know what’s fair and what’s not, and that’s that. However, you’ve got such a hard time making decisions! You’re a natural peacekeeper and hate discord.
Scorpio: Death
Don’t freak out, you’re not the grim reaper! You are intense, very passionate, and your life is full of endings and beginnings, of transitions and change.
Sagittarius: Temperance
You’re able to find something to talk about with anyone and everyone. You’re usually optimistic and you love to learn and to expand your knowledge.
Capricorn: The Devil
No, you’re not the spawn of Satan. The actual meaning of this card has to do with attachments, and we know how stubborn you Cappies can be! Swap your reservation for confidence!
Aquarius: The Star
You often feel that you shine alone, yet you still have hope that humanity will wake up and smell the coffee. You know you can achieve your goals, and you want to help others do so as well.
Pisces: The Moon
Mysterious and nebulous, full of shadows, secrets and romance—that’s you! You’re emotive and intuitive, and live life by how you feel, rather than what’s necessarily logical.
In addition to your actual Sun sign, you can look at your element, too.
Conclusion
There are many ways to get to know yourself—and other people—through the tarot. The tarot cards can connect to numerology and astrology to reveal a lot of information. The wonderful thing about these ancient arts is that they’re so interconnected, so intertwined, that as they link together, more and more information can be gleaned.
I think my favorite combination is the tarot and numerology because I like to use numerology to calculate strength cards and challenge cards. Although the tarot combined with astrology is definitely a very close second! Do you have a favorite combination, and why do you feel it works so effectively?
Check out our daily and 3-card tarot readings for more guidance from this fascinating divination tool.
Related Article: Beneficial Thought: Want to Have an Amazing Day? Let the Tarot Guide You