The Tarot is a deck of picture cards that has been used for centuries to reveal hidden truths. The standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards divided into two sections: the “major arcana” (22 cards) and the “minor arcana” (56 cards).

The 22 cards of the “major arcana” are the heart of the deck. Each of these cards symbolizes some universal aspect of human experience. They represent the archetypes. Each card in the “major arcana” has a name and a number: These cards are named after figures of the medieval world (the Emperor, the Empress), after ordinary human figures (the Fool, the Magician), after virtues (Strength, Justice, Temperance), after the great forces of life (Wheel of Fortune, Death, the Devil) or after astronomical phenomena (the Sun, the Moon, the Star).

0. Fool	8. Strength	16. Tower
1. Magician	9. Hanged Man	17. Star
2. High Priestess	10. Wheel	18. Moon
2. Empress	11. Justice	19. Sun
4. Emperor	12 Hermit	20. Judgment
5. Hierophant	13. Death	21. World
6. Lovers	14 Temperance
7. Chariot	15. Devil

While the “major arcana” expresses universal themes, the “minor arcana” brings those themes down into the practical arena. The 56 cards represent concerns, activities and emotions that make up the dramas of our everyday life. These cards are divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. These suits are structured much as our everyday playing cards with ten numbered cards (Ace to Ten) and four court cards (King, Queen, Knight and Page).

The 78 cards of the Tarot are often used to receive clarity on problems or issues (relationships, negotiations, work dynamics, family matters, spiritual well-being), also to gain insight over issues involving life changes and they are used to receive answers to certain questions. A tarot reader interprets the cards.

Everybody's personality can be described by one or two cards of the 22 cards of the “major arcana”. Based on someone's birthday you can determine a personality-card and a soul-card which represent someone's emotional, mental, physical and spiritual characteristics.


CALCULATION OF JOE'S PERSONALITY-CARD AND SOUL-CARD

Joe's date of birth is 9 December 1961.
We make a calculation: 9 (day) + 12 (month) + 1961 (year) = 1982
The number 1982 can be reduced like this: 1 + 9 + 8 + 2 = 20
In the table above we see that number 20 corresponds with “Judgement”. This means that Joe's personality-card is “Judgement”.

We can continue to reduce 20 to one number: 2 + 0 = 2
In the table above we see that number 2 corresponds with the “High Priestess”. This means that Joe's soul-card is the “High Priestess”.


INTERPRETATION


Joe's personality-card: “Judgement”

“Judgement” usually signals big changes. This involves leaving something old completely behind and stepping into something completely new. Like closing a door on an old job, and opening the door to a new and very different career (In Joe's case: different acting jobs, becoming a father, being a husband, balancing his time and life). But it's also about making a final decision, to take that plunge into a new career, to forgive people, to leave abusive people, to make a new life. To heal and renew. It means facing something, making the decision is the only way forward. “Judgement” is also about recognizing your true vocation, about feeling an impulse to acting and feeling drawn into a new direction. It also means finding absolution in your decisions and choices, it goes together with feeling relieved, cleansed and refreshed, “Judgement” is about releasing guilt and sorrow from the past and discovering joy in the present.

This advice could help someone with “Judgement” as his personality-card:

“It is possible to judge without condemning. Assess the matter, weigh all sides and try to discern the truth. Recognize the need to choose and hope for courage to do so wisely-but without blame. Judgements are necessary, sometimes you must decide. At such moments, it is best to consider matter carefully and then commit yourself without censure. Take what is of value, correct what needs correcting, but never loose side of your worth. Remind yourself of the feelings that come with salvation, you are reborn, cleansed of all guilt and burden. The past and its mistakes are behind you, and you are ready to begin anew. You may even feel a calling-a personal conviction of what you are meant to do. If you are in a low period, in need of hope and absolution, “Judgement” can show you that renewal is always at hand.”


Joe's soul-card: the “High Priestess”

A soul-card represents a person's true self, his inner world, his strengths and limits. In general a “High Priestess” is a woman (or man!) of psychic powers, intuition and secret knowledge. She (he) is a teacher of archaic knowledge. Notice this is a female card, this indicates that female side of Joe's soul is well developed (a reason why women feel related to him?). The “High Priestess” is the guardian of the unconscious; she can lift the thin veil of unawareness which is all that separates us from our inner landscape. She (he) is the one who can lead you through the darkest part of yourself. Accessing the unconscious involves opening to dreams and the imagination. I guess Joe might have that effect on people. You sense mystery in presence of a “High Priestess”; when you watch and hear Joe, you sense something hidden and secret. Joe poses a challenge to people to go deeper-to look beyond the obvious, surface situation to what is hidden and obscure. A “High Priestess” also asks you to recall the vastness of your potential and to remember the unlimited possibilities you hold within yourself.

These are two cards of the “crowley” tarot deck. Notice that card number 2 (II) is called “Priestess” in stead of “High Priestess”, but they have the same meaning. Card number 20 (XX) has also another archaic name: “The Aeon” it is another term for “Judgement”.


MORE INFO ABOUT TAROT
Lotus Tarot.
www.tarot.com
www.aeclectic.net/tarot
www.learntarot.com