Working with Symbols

Working with Symbols

Tarot readers and clients: Symbols are gateways to the inside and other side. 

Symbols stretch across time and space. It is the reason we can look at a cave painting from Lascau and connect to it. We see the creatures not only as animal spirits, but ourselves.

Whenever I look at a tarot card, I am tuning into the symbols in the art for special clues. For decks I use regularly, I work with my intuition to pick out the symbol that is speaking to me then, at that moment in time. When you use this method, one tarot card is never interpreted the same way. 

If this gorgeous ancient cave art were a tarot card, in a reading today I might pick out the speckled furs on the Bull, whereas another day the Deer may be speaking to me. 

Symbols are personal to each person, but there is also some universality. For example, I think we could mostly agree that the Deer is food to the ancient hunter; however it’s drawn so majestically we can infer that there is a sacred coexistence. 

The Deer’s antlers reaching towards the heavens also show their ability to reach towards great heights. In a reading, a focus on all aspects of Deer might reveal that the Seeker needs to trust their higher self to lead them towards abundance (and sustenance!). 

An altogether different read might see you especially focusing on how the Horse is about to collide with the Deer. And so the place to start might the reading might be this: are you the Horse, or Deer? Are you charging ahead, or are you waiting? 

I encourage you to try this technique, but with a tarot card. And remember this: we are all visual people. Trust in your ability to interpret what you see. 

When I read for other people, I also give the Seeker time to process the symbol by asking:

“What does this symbol mean to you?”

They might have an altogether different read, or they may see something in the card that is highly personal and unique to them. 


A reading is the art of sacred exchange, something I firmly believe in with my work. 
 


Symbols can be interpreted on the spot, but you can also work on creating your own symbols dictionary. 

This is not just for tarot readers, but for everyone. Symbols occur in dreams, and are helpful reference points for our lives. Especially if you work with omens. (Hey! Why did I see a Monarch three times today?).

If you are so inclined, consider starting a symbols dictionary. You can reference a book like Taschen’s book of symbols–or just go completely on your own symbols road. 

As an artist, I find visual representation works best for me. Here are my flower symbols. They are somewhat based in tradition but I’ve brought my own meaning, too: 
 

Symbols, interpreting symbols, tarot, blog,

What symbols mean to you are not just helpful with readings and dreams, but with navigating life.

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Want to go deeper with your symbols? You might enjoy my zine:

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