Home >> Science & Nature >> The Occult

How to Interpret the Rider-Waite Tarot Cards

The Rider-Waite tarot deck was the most widely used tarot deck of the 20th century in the United States. First published in 1909, the artist, Pamela Coleman Smith, was directed by Arthur E. Waite to illustrate clues so that the reader could gather meanings through symbolism. Though the use of tarot cards possibly dates back to the 13th century, the Rider-Waite deck was an initiator of the use of the illustrated suit cards of the Minor Arcana.

Instructions

- 1
  Look through the deck and set aside the card that represents you, the querant -- the person for whom the reading is being given. Most commonly, this is based upon your coloring. For example if you are a blue-eyed blonde, then choose the King or Queen of Cups; if you have light brown hair, choose the Wands suit. If you have darker hair, or can wear the rich oranges of autumn, choose the King or Queen of Pentacles, or if you have black hair and dark eyes, choose the King or Queen of Swords.
- 2
  Shuffle the cards and lay out nine cards in a row below the significator for a simple past, present, future reading. The three cards on the left indicate how the past has influenced the situation; the middle three cards show what is happening currently relative to the situation, and the three cards to the right reveal what will happen in the future.
- 3
  Look at the cards to get clues to the meanings by considering their placement in the spread (past, present, or future), their name, number and illustration.
- 4
  Cite the name of the card at its bottom to determine whether it is of the Major or Minor Arcana. The cards of the Major Arcana indicate that something is affected by karma, and that you have little or no control over what happens, because fate will intervene. Cards of the suit of Swords shows what planning will take place. The suit of Pentacles usually refers to money or the establishment of security. Cups show how you will feel about the situation while Wands show how you will behave.
- 5
  Read the low-numbered cards of both the Major and Minor Arcana as a situation or experience that is about to begin or that has already started to unfold. For example, the number "0" card of the Major Arcana, The Fool, shows a person who is apparently beginning a journey with a few of his things in his bundle, which could indicate that you may have little information about the situation. Give a warning to avoid carelessness, since The Fool is depicted in the Rider-Waite deck walking toward a cliff with his head up.
- 6
  Explain that high-numbered cards indicate that a situation has gone as far as it can. For example, the 10 of Swords in the Rider-Waite deck shows a victim who has been stabbed multiple times. Depending on the card's position in the spread this may reveal that you may have or will use too much of a heavy hand and overkill the situation. Look for other clues that appear in the illustration, too. On the 10 of Swords, the sun appears to rise, indicating a new day and a fresh start.

The Occult