Oct 12 - Autumn Imagery in Tarot

Autumn in tarot is all about transition, harvest, and reflection - the season of crisp air, falling leaves, and quiet preparation.

Look for:
🍂 Leaves - drifting, turning, or scattered, often symbolising change, endings, or release.
🌾 Harvest - fruits, grains, or bountiful fields hint at rewards, completion, and gratitude.
🌰 Acorns and seeds - the potential for future growth, reminding us that endings also hold new beginnings.
💀 Bones - a nod to mortality, the cycles of life, and what remains when the old is cleared away.
🌫️ Fog or mist - mystery, uncertainty, and the introspection that autumn invites.

Autumn cards ask us to slow down, notice the natural cycles, and consider what we are ready to let go - and what we hope to carry forward. The colours, textures, and atmosphere of the season can guide your intuition in subtle ways.

Want to play a little game? Step outside or look around your space and notice the autumnal details - fallen leaves, golden harvests, foggy mornings, or even the way shadows stretch. Which tarot card does each detail remind you of today?

💭 Which autumnal detail in tarot catches your eye the most - a crisp leaf, a golden harvest, or perhaps the misty shadows?

Sep 25 - Non Identical Twins: 4 of Cups and 5 of Cups

Both the 4 and 5 of Cups show emotional discomfort. Both feature a figure who isn’t engaging with what’s in front of them. But they’re not the same.

One is numb. One is grieving. Let’s unpack the difference.

🃏 4 of Cups: Emotional Fog

• Visual Tone: A seated figure ignoring a cup offered by a mysterious hand

• Emotional Climate: Apathy, disengagement, emotional static

• Symbolic Logic: You’re not ready to receive. You might be bored, emotionally saturated, or stuck in your own head.

• Reader Tip: Ask “What am I emotionally avoiding?” or “What invitation am I not ready to accept?”

🥀 5 of Cups: Grief with Perspective

• Visual Tone: A cloaked figure mourning spilled cups, with two upright cups behind them

• Emotional Climate: Loss, sorrow, regret - but also potential for healing

• Symbolic Logic: You’re mourning what’s gone, but not all is lost. This card holds space for grief and recovery.

• Reader Tip: Ask “What am I grieving?” and “What support still remains?”

🔍 Key Differences

• Tone: 4C is emotionally flat. 5C is emotionally raw.

• Focus: 4C avoids emotion. 5C feels it deeply.

• Invitation: 4C asks for re-engagement. 5C asks for perspective.

🧠 Reader Prompts

• Have you ever pulled both cards in the same reading? What did each one reveal?

• Which card feels more familiar to you - and why?

• What’s the difference between emotional numbness and emotional grief in your symbolic system?

✨ Final Thought

Not all discomfort is the same. Some is fog. Some is mourning. Both deserve compassion. Your deck knows the difference - and now, so do you.

Sep 11 - Tarot Words

Tarot has its own little language, and getting to know it can make your readings feel a lot more confident and fun. Here are a few key words to keep in mind:

🃏 Querent – the person asking the question, often you in a personal reading.
🪄 Spread – the layout of cards for a reading. Each position has meaning.
🔮 Reversed – a card that appears upside-down, which can modify or deepen its meaning.
✨ Significator – a card chosen to represent the querent or the topic of the reading.
🌀 Pips – the numbered cards in the Minor Arcana (like the Three of Cups or Seven of Swords).
🎨 Court cards – Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings, often representing people, personalities, or aspects of self.

Want to play a little game? Pull a single card from your deck and try to spot it in today’s reading using one of these words. Is it the querent, a court card, or maybe a reversed card adding extra nuance? Small exercises like this can help you get familiar with tarot’s language in a fun, hands-on way.

💭 Are there any tarot terms that made you go “aha!” when you first learned them - or that you still love using today?

Sep 3 - Plants and Flowers in Tarot

Plants and flowers aren’t just pretty decoration in tarot - they carry meaning, symbolism, and energy.

🌸 Flowers often represent growth, beauty, and cycles of life. For example, roses can signify love, passion, or spiritual unfolding, while lilies might hint at purity or new beginnings.
🌿 Herbs and other plants can symbolise healing, protection, and practical wisdom. Think of wheat as abundance and nourishment, or ivy as perseverance and connection.
🌻 Seasonal plants also add context: spring blooms might suggest fresh starts, summer gardens hint at vitality, autumn leaves reflect endings and transformation, and evergreen foliage whispers of resilience and continuity.

Want to play a little game? Step outside or look around your home and spot a plant or flower. Now ask: which tarot card does it remind me of, and why? Let your observations guide a mini reading or reflection - it’s a simple, playful way to bring the symbolism of plants into your own life.

When you notice plants in a card, ask:

• What energy does this plant bring to the scene?

• How does it interact with the figures or symbols nearby?

• What might it be trying to teach me today?

💭 Which plant or flower in tarot do you most connect with, and why?

Aug 29 - Non Identical Twins: 3 of Cups and 4 of Wands

Both the 3 of Cups and the 4 of Wands look joyful. There’s dancing, connection, maybe even confetti. But they’re not interchangeable.

One celebrates emotional connection. The other marks a milestone. Let’s explore the nuance.

🃏 3 of Cups: Relational Joy

• Visual Tone: Three figures raising cups, often in motion or dance

• Emotional Climate: Friendship, chosen family, shared delight

• Symbolic Logic: This is joy rooted in emotional connection. It’s spontaneous, relational, and often informal.

• Reader Tip: Ask “Who am I celebrating with?” or “What emotional support is lifting me?”

🏠 4 of Wands: Ritual Arrival

• Visual Tone: Two figures near a decorated arch or structure, often still and framed

• Emotional Climate: Stability, recognition, communal milestone

• Symbolic Logic: This is joy rooted in structure. It’s a pause to honour progress - often tied to home, ceremony, or achievement.

• Reader Tip: Ask “What milestone am I marking?” or “Where do I feel safe and seen?”

🔍 Key Differences

• Tone: 3 of Cups is fluid and emotional. 4 of Wands is grounded and ceremonial.

• Context: 3 of Cups is about people. 4 of Wands is about place.

• Function: 3 of Cups lifts spirits. 4 of Wands anchors them.

🧠 Reader Prompts

• Which card feels more familiar to you - and why?

• Have you ever celebrated something emotionally without a formal milestone? Or vice versa?

• What does “home” mean in your emotional logic?

✨ Final Thought

Not all joy is the same. Some is shared over wine and laughter. Some is marked with ribbons and rituals. Your deck knows the difference - and now, so do you.

Aug 15 - The Emergency Deck #3, Numbers

Now that you know your suits, it’s time to look at what the numbers mean. In tarot, numbers are the secret structure behind the story — and the same applies when you’re reading with playing cards. Think of them as the emotional scale from “Let’s begin!” to “I’ve learned my lesson, universe, you can stop now.”

Here’s the quick guide:
Ace – new beginnings, potential, raw energy.
Two – balance, choices, partnerships.
Three – growth, collaboration, progress.
Four – stability, structure (or boredom).
Five – conflict, challenge, change.
Six – harmony, healing, getting back on track.
Seven – determination, introspection, tricky decisions.
Eight – movement, mastery, doing the work.
Nine – nearing completion, self-sufficiency.
Ten – endings, fulfilment, or “too much of a good thing.”

Combine this with your suits, and you can already read any card. A Five of Hearts? Emotional chaos. An Eight of Diamonds? Work or financial progress. A Ten of Spades? Probably time to stop overthinking everything.

Tomorrow we’ll meet the troublemakers of the deck — the Kings, Queens, and Jacks (and yes, the Joker’s invited too).

Jul 28 - Summer Imagery

Summer in tarot bursts with warmth, energy, and life - the season of sun-soaked days, buzzing bees, and ripening fruits. Cards may show radiant sunlight, golden fields, or sparkling waters, all reminding us of abundance, growth, and joy.

Look for:
☀️ Sun imagery - literal suns, or just bright, vibrant skies.
💧 Water - rivers, oceans, or fountains suggesting flow, emotion, or refreshment.
🔥 Heat and fire - flames, candles, or blazing energy, representing action, transformation, or passion.
🍓 Fruits and harvests - symbols of reward, nourishment, and creativity coming to fruition.
🐝 Bees, butterflies, and other summer creatures - buzzing with productivity, community, and the sweetness of life.
🌻 Flowers, leafy greenery, and long golden light - the glow that makes everything feel alive.
🎉 Seasonal activities - picnics, festivals, or outdoor gatherings hinting at joy, celebration, and connection.
🥗 Seasonal foods - juicy berries, ripe grains, and fresh produce often weave into the imagery, reminding us of natural abundance.

Summer cards invite us to celebrate vitality, enjoy our successes, and soak up the simple pleasures.

💭 When you see a summery scene in a card, which detail jumps out to you first - the sun, the water, the creatures, or something else entirely?

Jun 28 - Breaking in a New Deck

Getting a new tarot deck is like meeting a new friend - a little mysterious at first, but full of potential. The goal isn’t to “train” the cards, it’s to familiarise yourself with their energy, imagery, and quirks.

Some gentle ways to break in a deck:
✨ Flip through the cards and take note of which images catch your eye.
✨ Pull a card a day, even just for a quick reflection.
✨ Shuffle mindfully, letting your hands get used to the weight and texture.
✨ Talk to your deck - yes, really! A little hello or intention-setting can help you feel connected.

Different decks sometimes call for slightly different approaches. Thin, flexible cardstock is easy to shuffle and might feel ready for readings right away. Thicker or coated decks can take a little longer to feel comfortable in your hands. And illustrated or themed decks with complex imagery? Take extra time exploring the details - your intuition will notice what your eyes might initially miss.

Remember, every deck has its own personality. Some will feel instantly comfortable, others will take a few weeks (or months) to really reveal their voice. Treat it as a conversation, not a chore.

💭 What’s your favourite ritual when you first meet a new deck - a single-card draw, a full spread, or something completely unexpected?

Jun 17 - Animals in Tarot

From the loyal dog of The Fool to the mysterious black cat in The Queen of Wands, animals in tarot aren’t just decoration - they’re packed with meaning and attitude.

Each creature adds its own layer of wisdom to the story. The lion beside Strength speaks of courage and inner power, but also the harmony that comes when we tame our instincts rather than fight them. The eagle soaring above The Emperor or Death hints at vision, transformation, and the bigger picture. The horse - seen in The Chariot, the Knights, and Death - symbolises drive, movement, and freedom, charging forward toward change.

Birds often link heaven and earth; dogs bring loyalty and faith; cats add intuition and independence; snakes whisper transformation and rebirth. Even the smallest creatures matter - the butterfly fluttering near The Fool reminds us that new beginnings are fragile and beautiful.

And in modern decks, the menagerie gets even wilder: wolves, crows, foxes, even dragons appear to lend fresh symbolism or speak to different cultures and mythologies. Each new animal still asks the same question - what instinct or energy does it awaken in you?

Next time you notice an animal, ask yourself:
🐾 What quality does this creature bring to the card?
🦋 Is it guiding, warning, or reflecting the person shown?
🐍 And what does its presence make you feel?

✨ If you could step into a tarot card as an animal companion, which one would you choose - fierce lion, watchful owl, or mischievous cat?

Jun 13 - The Emergency Deck #2 - Suits

Now that you’ve got your emergency deck in hand, it’s time to make sense of the suits. Luckily, this bit’s easy - the four suits in a playing deck map neatly onto the tarot’s four elements.

Hearts = Cups — the realm of feelings, relationships, intuition, and emotional messiness. If a spread is all Hearts, someone’s caught feelings (or caught in them).

Clubs = Wands — action, drive, and creative spark. These cards shout “do something!” and don’t particularly care if you’ve planned it out yet.

Diamonds = Pentacles — money, home, the practical stuff. They’re all about what’s tangible, from your bank balance to your favourite mug.

Spades = Swords — thoughts, words, and conflicts. When Spades dominate a reading, there’s something that needs to be said (or stopped before it’s said).

Hearts feel, Clubs act, Diamonds earn, Spades think — and that’s your quick cheat sheet.

Just remember: when you’re using playing cards, the symbolism is lighter, but your intuition still does the heavy lifting. Next, we’ll look at how the numbers tell their own story — from Ace to Ten, every hand has something to say.

May 19 - Do the Court Cards have Personalities?

Ah, the Court Cards - tarot’s most confusing housemates. Four families, sixteen personalities, and at least three of them are giving you side-eye.

Some readers see the Courts as people - vivid, complex characters with quirks, motives, and temperaments. The Queen of Wands is a creative whirlwind. The Knight of Pentacles is your reliable friend who never misses a deadline. The Page of Cups is writing poetry about a seagull.

Others see them as energies rather than individuals: patterns of behaviour, stages of maturity, or elements in motion. A Page moment might be about learning; a Queen moment, mastery. A King could symbolise control - or overcontrol.

And then there are readers who split the difference, reading the Courts as archetypes that sometimes act like people and sometimes like moods. One day the Knight of Swords is that impulsive coworker; the next, he’s your own caffeine-fuelled 2 a.m. brainstorm.

So… do the Court Cards have personalities? Or do we just project our own onto them - like a cosmic Rorschach test with crowns?

Closing question:
When you pull a Court card, do you see a person, an energy, or a mirror?

May 14 - Non Identical Twins: Tower vs Ten of Swords

At first glance, The Tower and the Ten of Swords seem to scream the same thing: “It’s over. It’s bad. Brace yourself.”

But look closer. These cards may share a visual language of collapse, but their emotional logic is wildly different.

Let’s unpack the nuance.

🃏 The Tower: External Collapse

• Visual Tone: Lightning, falling figures, shattered structure

• Emotional Climate: Sudden upheaval, forced truth, ego rupture

• Symbolic Logic: Something built on false foundations has crumbled. You didn’t choose this - but it’s revealing what was unstable.

• Reader Tip: Ask “What truth just struck me?” or “What illusion couldn’t hold?”

🗡️ Ten of Swords: Internal Surrender

• Visual Tone: A figure pierced by ten swords, often lying still

• Emotional Climate: Burnout, betrayal, emotional exhaustion

• Symbolic Logic: You’ve reached the end of a painful cycle. This collapse is quieter, more personal. It’s not about buildings - it’s about boundaries.

• Reader Tip: Ask “What story am I done telling?” or “What pain am I finally releasing?”

🔍 Key Differences

• Agency: Tower is external and sudden. Ten of Swords is internal and cumulative.

• Tone: Tower is explosive. Ten of Swords is resigned.

• Aftermath: Tower clears the rubble. Ten of Swords invites healing.

🧠 Reader Prompts

• Have you ever pulled both cards in the same reading? What did each one say?

• Which card feels more familiar to you - and why?

• What collapse in your life felt like a Tower moment? What felt like a Ten of Swords?

✨ Final Thought

Not all endings are the same. Some come with lightning. Some come with silence. Both are valid. Both are sacred. Your deck knows the difference - and now, so do you.

Apr 19 - Can you tell the future?

This one comes up a lot - and it’s a fair question. People want to know if tarot can predict what’s going to happen. The honest answer? Sort of.

Tarot is brilliant at showing where things are heading. It maps momentum, choices, emotional patterns - the direction the story’s currently flowing. But the future isn’t set in stone; it’s more like a weather forecast than a script. The cards say, “Looks like rain unless you bring an umbrella.”

So yes, tarot can hint at what’s likely if nothing changes. But the moment you make a decision, have a realisation, or decide not to text your ex (again), the energy shifts.

Then there’s the matter of timing - when things might happen. Some readers use spreads that mark out weeks or months, or link suits to seasons (Wands = summer, Cups = autumn, Swords = winter, Pentacles = spring). Others prefer to let the cards speak in pacing: fast-moving Knights, slow and steady Pentacles, that sort of thing.

Ultimately, tarot isn’t a calendar. It’s a conversation. It tells you what’s most alive now and what could unfold soon, but it leaves space for your free will to do the rest.

Do you ever ask tarot about the future - or do you use it more to understand the present?

Apr 7th - Spring Symbols

Intro: Spring’s Energy in Tarot

As nature stirs with life and growth in the spring, the Tarot reflects this energy of renewal, vitality, and blossoming potential. Spring is all about new beginnings, creative expression, and a fresh outlook on what’s to come.

In Tarot, this energy finds its place in symbols related to growth, fertility, the blossoming of new ideas, and the ever-present tension between beginnings and endings. Just like the seasons, Tarot's Spring symbols highlight the potential for new chapters and untapped possibilities.

Let’s take a closer look at how these symbols manifest in Tarot and how they might come up in your readings, particularly during a season of renewal.

Apr 6 - The Emergency Deck

It’s happened to all of us. You’re out with friends, someone asks for a reading, and your tarot deck is... sitting at home, wrapped safely in silk, probably judging you from afar. But wait - there’s a pack of playing cards on the table. And that, dear reader, will do nicely.

Playing cards and tarot share a common ancestor, so the suits and numbers overlap more than you might think. The only thing missing is the Major Arcana - which means this kind of reading is more “day-to-day advice” than “divine revelation.” But that’s fine. Sometimes you don’t need a cosmic awakening; you just need to know whether your crush is texting back.

Think of it as tarot’s scrappy little cousin - less mysterious, more likely to show up at the pub. And the best bit? Nobody expects it to work, so your accuracy will impress everyone twice as much.

So next time you’re caught without your deck, don’t panic. Grab that pack of cards, channel your inner magician, and shuffle like you mean it.

Coming up: decoding the suits - because Hearts and Cups are practically soulmates.

Apr 4 - What's in a Question?

The cards will answer almost anything you ask - but how you ask matters more than people think. A well-framed question is like tuning a radio: clearer signal, less static.

Tarot isn’t great at yes/no or lottery numbers. It speaks in story, emotion, and perspective. So instead of asking “Will I get the job?” try “What can I do to make this opportunity go well?” or “What am I meant to learn from this process?” Suddenly the cards have something to say, not just something to shrug at.

Good tarot questions tend to be:

• Open-ended. Invite insight, not a verdict.

• Empowering. Focus on your choices and growth.

• Present-centred. Ask about now and next, not the far-flung future.

Less “Will they text me back?”
More “What happens if I reach out - and what happens if I don’t?”

You can even skip the question entirely and just ask, “What do I need to know right now?” That one never fails to deliver something interesting.

Tarot doesn’t judge the wording, but the way you ask shapes what you hear. Think of it as a conversation: the clearer your curiosity, the clearer the reply.

Closing question:
When you read, do you carefully craft your questions - or do you just shuffle and let the cards decide what needs saying?

Mar 20 - Tarot on the Go

You don’t need candles, crystals, or a perfect altar setup to read tarot. Sometimes all you need is five spare minutes and a deck that fits in your bag.

Tarot doesn’t stop being tarot when you leave the house. You can pull a card on the train, flip one while you’re waiting for your coffee, or shuffle in the park just because the light’s nice. The cards don’t mind. They travel well.

A “tarot moment” can be as simple as glancing at a single image and noticing what it stirs in you. You might not even ask a question - just let the art, the colour, or the symbolism catch your attention. That’s still connection.

If you do want a mini routine, try this:

• Shuffle mindfully for a few breaths.

• Draw one card - no spread, no fuss.

• Notice what it reflects about your current mood or surroundings.

You can journal it later, or not. The point is to keep tarot alive in the small moments - part of your everyday rhythm, not just a sacred ceremony behind closed doors.

Closing question:
Where’s the most unusual place you’ve ever pulled a tarot card - and did the reading make sense afterwards?

Mar 14 - Significators

A significator is a card that represents you - or the person you’re reading for. It’s a symbolic stand-in. A mirror. A placeholder. A guide.

Some readers use them to anchor a spread. Some use them to focus energy. Some don’t use them at all - and that’s okay too.

There’s no rule. You can pick what you want to do, change your mind, have different decisions for different situations. It's completely up to you.

🃏 Ways to Choose Your Significator

• By Age or Gender Traditionally, court cards were chosen based on age and gender. (e.g., Page for youth, Queen for mature women, King for mature men.) But you’re allowed to break tradition.

• By Personality Choose a card that reflects your emotional climate, strengths, or challenges. (e.g., The Hermit for introspection, The Chariot for drive, Queen of Cups for empathy.)

• By Situation Pick a card that fits the moment. (e.g., Strength during a tough time, The Star when healing, Two of Pentacles when juggling.)

• By Intuition Let your deck choose. Shuffle, pull, and see what card wants to represent you today.

🧠 Reader Prompts

• Which card feels like your emotional twin right now?

• Have you ever changed your significator - and why?

• What card would your best friend choose to represent you?

✨ Final Thought

Your significator isn’t fixed. It’s a snapshot. A symbol. A story in motion.

Choose the card that feels like you today. Let it speak. Let it guide. Let it reflect.

Mar 3 - Reading with only the Majors

Sometimes you want the big picture. The archetypal arc. The soul-level story.

That’s where the Majors come in.

Reading with only the Major Arcana strips away the daily noise and zooms in on the core themes: Transformation. Identity. Truth. Growth. It’s not better or deeper - it’s just different.

Let’s explore how and why you might try it.

🃏 Why Read with Only the Majors?

• Clarity: Majors cut through the clutter. They speak in archetypes, not details.

• Symbolic Focus: You’re working with the emotional DNA of the deck.

• Spiritual Tone: These cards often reflect inner shifts, soul lessons, or long-term patterns.

• Creative Constraint: Fewer cards = sharper questions, stronger intuition.

🔮 When to Try It

• You’re feeling overwhelmed and want a simplified reading.

• You’re exploring identity, purpose, or transformation.

• You want to design a spread that focuses on emotional or spiritual themes.

• You’re creating your own deck and testing archetypal flow.

🧠 Reader Prompts

• Which Major feels like your personal archetype right now?

• What story do the Majors tell when you pull three in a row?

• What’s missing when you read without the minors - and what’s revealed?

✨ Final Thought

The Majors are your mythic mirror. They won’t tell you what time your parcel will arrive. But they will tell you what kind of hero you’re becoming.

Try a reading with just the Majors. See what shifts.

Mar 2 - RWS, Lenormand or Thoth?

So you’ve heard the myth: You must use the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. But here’s the truth: You can use whatever system speaks to you.

RWS, Lenormand, Thoth - they’re not interchangeable, but they’re not in competition either. They’re different symbolic languages. Different emotional logics. Different ways of seeing.

Let’s explore the vibe of each.

🃏 Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS)

• Created by: Arthur Edward Waite & Pamela Colman Smith (1909)

• Visual Style: Storybook scenes, rich symbolism, full illustrations for all 78 cards

• Reading Logic: Emotional nuance, narrative flow, intuitive storytelling

• Best For: Beginners, creatives, emotional mapping, pop culture remixing

🔮 Lenormand

• Created by: Inspired by 19th-century cartomancy, named after Marie Anne Lenormand

• Visual Style: Simple, symbolic images (e.g., ship, ring, coffin)

• Reading Logic: Literal, practical, often read in pairs or spreads

• Best For: Direct answers, daily check-ins, predictive layouts

🧠 Thoth

• Created by: Aleister Crowley & Lady Frieda Harris (1943)

• Visual Style: Abstract, esoteric, layered with astrology, Kabbalah, and alchemy

• Reading Logic: Philosophical, energetic, intellectually rich

• Best For: Deep dives, spiritual exploration, symbolic complexity

🧠 Reader Prompts

• Which system feels most like your brain - or your heart?

• Have you ever tried reading with a new system just to see what shifts?

• What kind of questions do you ask - and which system answers them best?

✨ Final Thought

You don’t have to choose one forever. You don’t have to master them all. You just have to listen.

Your deck is a language. Find the one that speaks to you.