Glossary Of Tarot Terms
The following glossary of Tarot Terms was supplied by TarotNexus.com and is just a small sample of their full glossary. To view the full glossary of tarot terms, please visit TarotNexus.com.
Akashic Records
The permanent record of everything that has ever happened as recorded by non-physical forces. It is said to be readable by psychic perception, and is often given as the source of knowledge of past lives.
Alchemy
A Hermetic field of study and practice, in part the fore-runner of modern chemistry, but also a rich body of symbolism for exploring and interacting with the unconscious.
Arcana
Things which are secret or hidden, often of a sacred nature
Archetype
An organizing force in the unconscious mind which produces a universally recognizable concept.
Cartomancy
The art of telling fortunes or “divining” by means of cards.
Celtic Cross Spread
One of the most common patterns for laying down the cards in a cartomantic divination.
Cross
One of the four basic symbols along with the centre, the circle and the square. Where the two lines meet is the centre where the old and the new come together. Useful layout for a quick overview.
Crown
A symbol of royal status and authority.
Cups
One of the four Suits of the Tarot, associated with the element of water and the emotions.
Discs
One of the four Suits of the Tarot, associated with the element of earth and material possessions. Some decks use Pentacles or Coins instead of Discs.
Elements
The symbolic associations in occult metaphysics of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. Originated by the Greek philosopher Empedocles, and elaborated on by NeoPlatonism and Hermeticism, The Elements of the Wise are a fundamental organizing principle in esoteric systems and correspond to the four Suits of the Minor Arcana.
Major Arcana
The 22 cards of the Tarot known as The Greater Secrets. Modern Tarot readers look upon the trumps as a psychological process with each card representing an archetype.
Minor Arcana
The 56 cards of the Tarot known as The Lesser Secrets. It is divided into four suits which can be easily linked to regular playing cards. They are most commonly interpreted from a divinatory point of view.
Reversed
When the design on the card shows it to be upside down. Also referred to as Ill-Dignified.
Rune
A letter in the writing script of Germanic tribes which also symbolized a non-physical force believed in by those peoples.
Sage
One distinguished for wisdom; a mature or venerable person of sound judgement.
Sephirah
A circle on the diagram of the Tree of Life in the Cabala system, which represents a stage of the unfolding of the Universe and an aspect of God .
Significator
In a spread of cards, the card used to represent the querent.
Spell
A set of words and actions intended to direct non-physical forces to accomplish a particular purpose.
Spread
The pattern or layout of the cards in a reading.
Suit
Cards which all use the same symbol. In tarot they are Cups, Wands, Swords and Pentacles.
Symbol
An image which contains a meaning given either by convention, or by association with an idea, process, object, or being.
Synchronicity
Meanignful coincidence; used to explain how oracles such as the Tarot seemingly predict the future.
System
In esoteric matters, a coherent and comprehensive set of ideas and symbols used to explain and interact with non-physical forces.
Tarot
A system of 78 picture cards used for divination, pathworking, meditation and spiritual/psychological self awareness.
Trumps
Another name for the Major Arcana.
Wands
One of the four Suits of the Tarot, associated with the element of fire and career, work and business.
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