You have permission to publish this article electronically
or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are
included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be
appreciated - send to burgess.james7@...
-----------
Article Title: Tarot Significator, 7 Words of Wisdom
Author: Nesta Burgess
Category: Metaphysical
Word Count: 752
Keywords: tarot, arcana, significator, prediction, arcane, esoteric, wicca
Author's Email Address: burgess.james7@...
Article Source: http://www.7words.co.uk/life-management/tarot_mysteries
The article is preformatted to 65CPL.

------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------
A different approach to the process of choice of a tarot significator.

There are many theories about the choice of the significator card for a Tarot
reading and of course there is no "one true way", for it is very personal. Still
I would like to offer a slightly different approach to this process of choice –
as a means to define your question more clearly, prepare for the reading better
and even to know yourself more deeply. There are various possible choices using
Major or Minor Arcana cards. Rider Waite for example speaks of the tradition of
representing male and female respectively as Magician or High Priestess. Perhaps
more commonly the court cards of the four suits are used to represent qualities
of personality, the nature of a particular situation, or even outer qualities
such as the color of the hair or eyes. The process of choosing goes along with
the study and definition of the topic in the reading, and it has 7 stages,
aligned with the 7 Words.

1 Identification. Firstly, there is a need to decide what exactly it is that we
are going to study – the nature of situation, our role in it, or the effects of
it in the greater picture of our life. If we wish to get deeper insights into
the particular situation, one of four suits of the Minor Arcana can be chosen
regardless of our individual qualities of personality: Rods (Wands) would be
chosen to represent spiritual and philosophical aspects of life; Cups are
concerned with feelings and emotional matters; Swords are all about power and
social position; Pentacles (Coins) symbolize money, wealth and material
belongings. When choosing a significator to represent yourself or your client,
it is important to decide whether you are interested in the qualities of your
role in particular circumstances, or their relations to your personality in life
in general, for they may differ greatly. My personal opinion is that the Major
Arcana cards represent the spiritual principles in our life, which are more to
do with our soul's purpose rather than expressions of our personality. Therefore
I would suggest using them for more special cases when life-changing events
occur or major questions of life direction are addressed.

2 Options. Having chosen clearly which aspect of the matter you are studying,
select all the possibilities for the significator. Criteria of age, sex and
appearance can be used, but don't forget that in some situations even a powerful
and mature man can be rather like a vulnerable young boy.

3 Deepening. Your question might be complex when contradicting qualities prevent
you from making a choice between several archetypes. See it as a door to a
deeper knowledge of what is hidden in the situation. Consulting your feelings
and body sensations take your time looking at every one of the possible cards
and then let your heart guide you.

4 Decision. Trust your choice and return the remaining cards to the Tarot deck.
If you manage consciously and truthfully to point out the difficulties and
contradictions you have had to overcome to make your decision, these can be
turned into valuable realizations about yourself.

5 Visualization. Imagine meeting or even becoming the character depicted in the
card. Breathe slowly to deepen this connection and expand your understanding of
this energy – you can talk to the archetype, or imagine it expressing through
yourself in various situations. See its effect in your life – when do you act
out such qualities? Which situations represent or awaken these qualities in you?
What is the deeper wisdom this card is teaching?

6 Awareness. Although all archetypes may be pure in the spiritual realms, they
gain a shadow side as they descend to the material world. Suppression or
unawareness of the existence of the pure energy always leads to distortions and
negative expressions of it. Acknowledging these shadowy qualities in yourself is
your biggest resource. Try not to judge – just to notice, because awareness and
acceptance are enough to get things moving.

7 Flowing. Do not get attached or identified with a certain significator for too
long, especially if it was very pleasant and inspiring. You would be limiting
yourself to only one thing, when many are available. Every day and every reading
bring new lessons and to be able to accept them one needs to let go of any
expectations.

I hope that the description of this sevenfold method will be a source of new
ideas and inspiration, even if you don't choose to use it!

Free Questionnaires and Mini Courses are available on the 7 Words website
(http://www.7words.co.uk), interactive fun with the "satisfaction index
calculator" at http://www.7words.co.uk/life-management/tarot_mysteries

------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------