Tarot Astrology Basics: Understanding the Celestial Connection in Card Readings

Tarot astrology basics combine the art of reading tarot with astrology to give insight into one’s personal journey, character traits, and life events. At its core, the tarot deck consists of 78 cards, each with its own imagery, symbolism, and story. The deck is divided into the Major Arcana, which symbolizes major life changes or lessons, and the Minor Arcana, which reflects day-to-day events. I use these cards to tap into subconscious wisdom and gain a new perspective on different aspects of life, from personal growth to relational dynamics.

Combining astrology with tarot, each card has it’s own astrological element, planet, or sign to deepen the understanding of the card. I have been interested in astrology since I was a teenager, and I recently started combining tarot with astrology. The more I read and study this combination, the more I realize they work hand in hand with each other. For example, when I look at the Empress card, I see a nurturing, loving woman who is ready to help anyone. The card is associated to the planet Venus, which is a nurturing plane. For example, when a card, like the Knight of Swords, is associated with an assertive Mars energy appears in a reading, it might be saying that it is a time to take bold actions or defend one’s boundaries.

Foundations of Tarot and Astrology

Combining tarot and astrology helps us understand the symbols and themes that have gathered peoples interests. I’ll detail the composition of a tarot deck and introduce the fundamentals of astrology.

The Tarot Deck: An Artistic and Symbolic Tool

A Tarot deck is made up of 78 cards, 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards.

The Minor Arcana, is divided into four suits, cups, wands, swords, and penacles. Each suit has 4 court cards—the Page, Knight, Queen, and King—which can represent people or personalities in the deck. Each tarot card holds a variation in meaning that can change depending on what the other cards around it are showing. For our artists in the group, . Salvador Dalí, created his own tarot deck, combining traditional symbols with his unique surrealist style.

Astrology Basics for Everyday Understanding

Astrology, which I view as the science of astrology, is the study of how the planets, asteroids, and the sun affect us. The way the sun and planets were placed in the sky on the day and time you were born impacts your personality, the way you act, and even life events. When my aunt did my chart when I was born, she saw in the stars a possibility of twins in my future. Well not only does my husband have twin brothers, but we also have a set of twin boys. The signs of the Zodiac are twelve parts of the sky, each associated with a zodiac sign, like Aries, Taurus, or Gemini.

Each zodiac sign embodies certain traits and characteristics that can be seen in individuals born under those signs. A fundamental aspect of astrology includes understanding the themes of these signs and how they interact with other astrological components, such as planets and houses.

Here’s a basic list of the Zodiac signs and their elemental associations:

• Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
• Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
• Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
• Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

I am a Gemini, through and through. I enjoy talking with people, and I often change my mind on a dime.

Intersections of Tarot and Astrology

Using both tarot and astrology together helps me see a situation or a person in a different light. They are complimentary. You can use each one by itself, but using them together can give the best reading. I find that when I explore the intersections between tarot and astrology, I gain a deeper understanding of how these two disciplines can complement one another. Let’s look at the connections that exist between the zodiac signs and tarot cards, as well as how the planets can influence tarot interpretations.

The Zodiac and the Tarot: A Powerful Link

I see the zodiac signs as a key to unlocking the tarot’s mysteries. Each of the 12 signs is associated with a specific tarot card, offering a layer of depth to readings. For instance, The Emperor card is closely tied to Aries, embodying its bold leadership qualities.

• Aries: The Emperor
• Taurus: The Hierophant
• Gemini: The Lovers
• Cancer: The Chariot
• Leo: Strength
• Virgo: The Hermit
• Libra: Justice
• Scorpio: Death
• Sagittarius: Temperance
• Capricorn: The Devil
• Aquarius: The Star
• Pisces: The Moon

The Planets and Tarot: Enhancing Interpretations

Each planet rules certain aspects of our lives and, similarly, certain tarot cards. I use this information to add clarity to my tarot readings. When I see The Tower and remember its connection to Mars, the planet of havoc and upheaval, the message of sudden change becomes clearer.

Some astrological correspondences with tarot cards that I take into account are:

• Sun: The Sun
• Moon: The High Priestess
• Mercury: The Magician
• Venus: The Empress
• Mars: The Tower
• Jupiter: The Wheel of Fortune
• Saturn: The World
• Uranus: The Fool
• Neptune: The Hanged Man
• Pluto: Judgment

When Mercury is in retrograde, for example, I will watch out for The Magician in readings as a sign of potential miscommunication. Mercury retrograde is known for its lack of good communication and technical issues. It’s best to not sign any papers during Mercury Retrograde either.

Deepening Your Practice

To really get better at tarot and astrology, I think it’s super important to mix what I learn from tarot readings with the cool insights astrology gives.

Tools for Every Tarot Astrologer

There are certain things that are need to have when combining Tarot and Astrology. Here are some items that you need to have in order to really combine tarot and astrology:

• Astrology Cheat Sheets: These handy guides offer quick references to astrological symbols, planetary influences, and zodiac traits, directly linking these to corresponding tarot cards.
• User-Friendly Guidebooks: I make certain to keep a detailed guidebook within reach. A good one not only explains the card meanings but also integrates astrological correlations, making complex concepts accessible.
• A Set of Tarot Cards: Choosing a deck that visually weaves in astrological symbols can significantly augment my reading. Such cards become gateways to understanding the archetypal messages on a multi-dimensional plane.
• A Quality Journal: Documenting readings along with astrological observations has been invaluable. Not only does it help me track patterns and growth, but reviewing past entries also allows me to witness my interpretive skills maturing over time.

Nice to have items are:

• Your astrology chart: Having it helps make the connections easier to see. If you don’t have one, you can get one for free on several different websites.
• Highlighters: I love being able to use color to make connections in my charts and readings. Each tarot card has an element attached to it, and so do planets. I highlight the planets and cards that have the same elements in common.

Practical Applications and Beyond

Throughout my learning of tarot astrology basics, I’ve found tons of ways that combining tarot and astrology enlightening.

Tarot and Astrology in Everyday Life

• Daily Guidance: I often use a single tarot card draw to find inspiration or advice for the day. Aligning this with my astrological birth chart, I reflect on how the planets might shape the context for my card’s message.
• Decision Making: When faced with a difficult choice, I always go right to my tarot cards. For example, if Mercury is retrograde, which it does 3-4 times a year – it’s known for causing communication issues – my intuition might draw from the suit of Swords (linked to intellect and communication) to navigate the challenge.
• Personal Growth: Understanding my birth chart provides insights into character traits and potential challenges. Tarot spreads related to these astrological insights help me fine-tune my self-improvement efforts.
• Relationship Dynamics: I explore connections with others by considering our combined astrological charts and drawing tarot cards that focus on couples’ energies.
• Community and Sharing: Many everyday people look for communal experiences through tarot card meet-ups or astrology discussions. Sharing insights can create a bond and offer different perspectives on life’s events.

Joining my Facebook group is another resource to learn more about tarot and manifesting.

Advanced Techniques and Considerations

• In-depth Birth Chart Analysis: I look at the intricacies of my birth chart, delving into the houses, aspects, and transits. I then apply detailed tarot spreads, such as the Celtic Cross, to gain a deeper understanding of how the celestial bodies influence my tarot insights.
• Historical Practices: The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn has significantly influenced modern tarot astrology. You can dive into what they’ve taught to really get the hang of all the deep symbols in the cards and try out their detailed layouts.
• Famous Figures: Studying how renowned tarot astrologers read the cards and interpret the stars, like the works of Aleister Crowley, can expose us to a diverse range of techniques and interpretations.
• Developing Intuition: With time and experience, I’ve learned to trust my intuition more in interpreting the cards and astrological data. This synergy of knowledge and intuition is vital when engaging with more advanced concepts in tarot astrology.
• Ethical Considerations: As my skills grow, so does my responsibility to use tarot astrology ethically. I make sure that my readings are constructive and maintain the privacy and dignity of those who consult me.

In exploring the world of Tarot astrology, I have found that my tarot deck is not just a tool for divination, but a mirror to the subconscious. Each card manifests as a symbol, reflecting aspects of the human experience—love, conflict, success, and more.

During sample readings, the cards often weave together an intricate story of past, present, and future, only truly meaningful through personal interpretation. For instance, pulling The Lovers implies a strong relationship or choice, while The Tower may denote sudden upheaval.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Major Arcana: Key life events and lessons
• Minor Arcana: Day-to-day activities

I discovered that Tarot reading is as much an art as a science. It invites intuition, taps into my inner wisdom, and facilitates a dialogue with the subconscious:

1. Shuffle the deck while focusing on a question.
2. Lay out cards in a predetermined spread.
3. Interpret symbols within the context of the spread.

Remember:

• The cards do not offer absolute predictions.
• Each reading is unique to the individual.
• Understanding astrological influences enriches the reading.

Using tarot and astrology, I continue to find new layers within myself, and gain insights that help me make my decisions. With practice, anyone can tap into the wisdom of the tarot deck—channeling clarity, empowerment, and introspection.