There is no question that Astrology and Tarot are deeply connected. Both are concerned with understanding the universal energies that influence our lives.
Natal astrology offers insight into our innate personality and unique strengths, while transit charts describes the ebbs and flows that we are currently experiencing. In this way Astrology offers a big picture look at the energies that are influencing our lives. Tarot on the other hand can be used to understand specific situations and things that are of interest to us, providing detail to the big picture provided by Astrology. Furthermore, Tarot aims at helping us access our intuition to help us understand how to respond to situations. While Astrology gives us big picture information about the energy influencing us, Tarot helps us understand what we can do in order to use that energy to our advantage.
Recognising this intrinsic like, the occultists the redesigned the traditional Tarot deck at the start of the 20th century embedded astrological themes in the decks, having the Tarot reflect Astrological energies.
Tarot Astrology – The Zodiac
Each of the signs of the Zodiac is linked with a Tarot card from the Major Arcana. It is thought that understanding a sign’s associated Tarot card enhances understanding of that sign’s innate traits. If a client’s zodiac appears during their reading, it can be a sign that it is their innate traits, strengths or weaknesses that are playing a role in the current situation.
Aries (March 21-April 19) – The Emperor
The Emperor represents discipline and temperance in life. The masculine principle, he is also a patriarch that represents power and authority, as well as protection.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) – The Hierophant
The Hierophant is the interpreter of mysteries, pursuer of knowledge and generous teacher. The Hierophant values truth and honesty and can be trusted to be truthful.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) – The Lovers
The Lovers represents duality and changeability, as well as the quest for self-love and self-respect. The Lovers also represents communication and the ability to make connections.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) – The Chariot
The Chariot represents struggle, both in terms of internal and worldly challenges, but also the ability to meet those challenges through discipline and perseverance.
Leo (July 23-August 22) – Strength
The Strength card depicts a maiden riding a lion and represents both the power to protect and the desire to help others. However, the lion doesn’t always realise that its strength can hurt others.
Virgo (August 23-September 22) – The Hermit
The Hermit represents an inward focus and isolation, and often a drive to find inner happiness rather than worldly success.
Libra (September 23-October 22) – Justice
The Justice card suggests an ability to cut to the truth of things, as well as honesty and the ability to take responsibility for actions and live with the consequences.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21) – Death
The Death card represents the end of a cycle and the start of something new, it is a symbol of transformation. It can also represent holding onto the past in a way that holds a person back, and the type of fear that can be paralyzing.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) – Temperance
Temperance is a symbol of balance, moderation and patience. Temperance represents the ability to walk the fine line which is often required in difficult situations.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19) – The Devil
The Devil can represent the limits that we place on ourselves as a result of earthly expectations. The Devil shows a tendency to focus on the material, and a tendency to jump in feet first and learn lessons the hard way.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18) – The Star
The Star represents healing, and the release of anger and negativity. The Star can pierce the darkness, and bring light into the worlds of others.
Pisces (February 19-March 20) – The Moon
The Moon represents emotions and intuition and is a symbol of empathy. It also represents the cyclical nature of reality.
Astrology and Tarot – The Planets
Each of the plants also has a corresponding card in the Major Arcana, with the energy of the individual planet reflected in the card’s symbolism. The appearance of a planet card during a reading can indicate that the energy of that planet is having a significant influence.
Uranus – The Fool
Uranus is associated with the ideas of originality and eccentricity, as well as sudden change. The Fool I the card of new beginnings, opportunity and potential.
Mercury – The Magician
Mercury is considered the planet of intelligence and communication. The Magician is the master of creation and brings the tools, resources and energy needed to make dreams reality.
Moon – The High Priestess
The Moon represents the unconscious mind and our deepest personal needs. The High Priestess is the guardian of the unconscious mind and teaches secret knowledge.
Venus – The Empress
Venus represents romance and lust and represents partnerships, beauty and desire. A symbol of femininity, The Empress represents elegance, sensuality, fertility, creativity and nurturing.
Jupiter – The Wheel of Fortune
Jupiter is associated with luck and good fortune. The Wheel of Fortune is a reminder that the wheel is always turning, and sometimes you are at the bottom, but you always return to the top.
Neptune – The Hanged Man
Neptune is associated with dreams and illusions as well as psychic abilities. The Hanged Man calls for the release of old ways of thinking that no longer serve and taking a new perspective.
Mars – The Tower
Mars rules work and enthusiasm and represents aggression and impatience. The Tower is a symbol of change and upheaval, and usually indicates a catastrophe that will require rebuilding.
Sun – The Sun
The Sun represents the conscious mind and rules over the self. The Sun card represents inner strength and the ability to always see the positive.
Pluto – Judgement
Pluto relates to things unseen and is linked with powerful things that are below the surface. Judgement is a symbol of spiritual awakening and the need to make difficult decisions in order to move forward.
Saturn – The World
Saturn’s force can make one melancholy and it rules over Karma. The World represents wholeness and completion and reflecting on a journey that has come to an end.
Tarot and Astrology – The Minor Arcana
Each of the Minor Arcana also has an astrological correspondence, of a planetary influence within a zodiac sign. For example, the Five of Pentacles represents Mercury in Taurus, the Nine of Swords Mars in Gemini, the Four of Wands Venus in Aries and the Seven of Cups Venus in Scorpio.
The forces represented by the Tarot card correspond with the astrological energy of this celestial alignment. For example, the Three of Swords is a sign in Tarot of abandonment or betrayal. The card is linked with the astrological element of Saturn in Libra, suggesting fear (Saturn) in connection with a relationship (Libra).
Article by guest contributer – Christine Hirlehey from Numerology Sign