| The Tarot is best at answering questions and giving | | | | who dwells on past disasters and is prone to repeat |
| insight into issues but readers need to find these | | | | patterns as a result. In some combinations of the |
| answers and insights amongst the images and | | | | cards and positions The Tower could represent a |
| symbols spread before them. For new readers its | | | | desire on the questioners part to wield the |
| often a case of 'too much!' and 'where do I start?' - | | | | devastating thunderbolt on someone or something |
| especially when faced with the jumble of meanings | | | | else, or in extreme cases against themselves. The |
| and associations provided by the printed booklets | | | | questions posed by the questioner will also come into |
| found in decks. This article will help you structure | | | | the equation, as will the readers additional level of |
| your reading and see meanings and messages. | | | | interpretation - the intuitive level. |
| For interpretation and meaning there are three | | | | Consider this same card drawn or cut as a single card |
| distinct parts to a reading - there are the individual | | | | to answer a specific question - for example, the |
| cards themselves, the cards together, and the | | | | question is 'Will my new job be a success?' - card |
| spread. I've written at length about individual card | | | | drawn: The Tower... It could be that a negative is |
| meanings - and how to quickly learn and memorize | | | | expected, and in which case why? Or it could be that |
| them - in my other articles, here I want to address | | | | a positive is desperately wanted and in this instance it |
| how you apply those meanings. Of crucial importance | | | | could be read as representing what needs to be |
| is the spread. Whichever spread you use, the | | | | guarded against or prepared for if success is to be |
| positions in that spread have meanings in themselves | | | | enjoyed: "Be alert, expect the unexpected, don't be |
| which will modify the meaning found in the card. | | | | complacent, don't build on sand." |
| Readers of any level will be familiar with The Tower, | | | | Some spreads have positions that carry negative |
| never a comfortable card to read, since it implies | | | | connotations - a hindrance, an obstacle, a challenge. A |
| catastrophic events and quite devastating blows. | | | | 'positive' card, such as The World, is too easily seen |
| First, appreciate that such reversals in life are | | | | as simply negating the adverse influence. A positive |
| commonplace and can occur in relatively minor ways | | | | card in such a light may be read as 'too much of a |
| as well as in major dramas. Second, consider the | | | | good thing', or the questioner may be too nice a |
| position of the card - it could be that the event is | | | | person to do what is necessary and needs a harder |
| behind or beneath the questioner - a past or passing | | | | attitude. The permutations and possibilities of cards |
| influence or factor, or a foundation issue for the | | | | and positions are endless - don't despair at the |
| reading - a reason for circumstances now endured. It | | | | multiplicity of meanings and interpretations but be |
| could also be in a position where it may relate to | | | | alert to them and you will begin to achieve a fluency |
| people other than the questioner. And how do you | | | | in readings that is akin to speaking a new language. |
| interpret it when it is in a position that relates to | | | | A final tip - spot the card that stands out in any |
| 'motivation' or 'hopes and fears'? It could indicate a | | | | reading, perhaps because its a major card in a |
| desire for revenge, or a fear of failure - an abstract, | | | | position where it jars, or something that seems dark |
| not an inevitable concrete occurrence. | | | | and awkward. Consider the position and the meanings |
| Consider also the other cards in the reading. A | | | | involved, turn things upside down and inside out - |
| positive 'potential/outcome' could see The Tower, | | | | positives can be negatives and vice versa, |
| elsewhere in the reading. As something that needs to | | | | perspective is everything. Regardless of where in the |
| be overcome in order to succeed - the presence of | | | | reading it is, it likely makes a good starting point on |
| The Hermit, for example, could indicate someone | | | | which the rest of the reading will build. |