I DON’T GET IT NO. 2: THINK ESOTERICALLY

So you tried reading the cards narratively, and you saw the interactions in the characters, and related them to your question. You managed to scrape a few pieces of information that seem relevant to your question, but you aren’t confident with its clarity. OR it still doesn’t make any sense to you or your querent.

I’ve been there too, and it can make you feel mediocre.

Whenever I get stumped after doing a narrative read, I typically go and think esoterically.

HOT TIP: USE THE ELEMENTAL, NUMEROLOGICAL, ASTROLOGIAL, AND ESOTERIC CORRESPONDENCES.

As I’ve continued to believe, the tarot is a meaning-making tool and is inherently man-made.

As I’ve continued to believe, the tarot is a meaning-making tool and is inherently man-made. Therefore, tarot experts and enthusiasts have created an abundance of associations and correspondences that you can tap into for readings. This is where the guidebooks and cartomantic reference books will come in handy in your repertoire (I will be posting some of my interesting reference books for cartomancy, so stay tuned).

Here are a few general ideas on how to use these correspondences:

1. Elemental Associations – a basic aspect of the tarot is that the cards have an association with the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water (particularly the four suits of pentacles, swords, wands, and cups). Each of the elements has an archetypal energy or vibe to it. For example, water is the element associated with emotions and intuition. If your reading has a lot of cups or water in the cards, that could indicate that emotions and feelings are a highlight to be discussed.
2. Numerological Correspondences – inherent to its origins as a game, tarot cards are linked with a number, and numbers in themselves have symbolic meaning (the study of numerology teaches this). You can use the number in each card and use its symbolism to add a layer of understanding to your readings. For example, if there’s a sequence in your reading (i.e Ace of Wands, 2 of Cups, and 3 of Swords appear in a spread), then that could add a message of progression or taking something one step at a time.
3. Astrological Significations – many traditions and tarot groups have linked the cards with astrological significations. The most famous one is the connection between the Major Arcana and the Zodiac & Planets. Then there is the link between the Minor Arcana and the Decans. I am not an astrology nerd, so I don’t really use this method, but you might find it useful.
4. Esoteric Symbolism – this relates to the symbols found in the cards and applying it to your context. For example, seeing the Caduceus wand in the 2 of Cups and associating it with Mercury or Hermes or with healing can be helpful in a health question.

There are plenty more correspondences that you can link the cards with and give your reading another layer to it that I won’t mention. The whole point of this post is that you can sift through the symbolism in a card and dissect it to find meaning that connects to your question or concern. This is why I think that tarot is such a multifaceted tool that could potentially answer any question.