Guest Author - Karen Artino
When doing a reading, often times we find ourselves wondering, "So when can I expect this to happen?". There are a few techniques to help make the process easier.
The first step is identifying whether the card is from the Major or Minor Arcana cards. Cards that are in the Major Arcana denote events that will take place relatively soon and take precedence over the other influencing cards. These cards represent Major Life Events. Whereas the Minor Arcana represent Everyday Mundane Events and do not hold as much sway in the overall interpretation as the Major Arcana.
Each card has it's own method of mathematical connotation and is identified in various ways. The Major Arcana represent the numbers 0-22 most often denoting the months of the year. Double numbers are typically added together to find a prime number; utilizing that number to represent the equivalent month of the year (e.g. 7 = July, 3 = March).
The Minor Arcana on the other hand, represent the days and weeks that can reasonably assess the time-frame in which those influences will likely bear fruition. However, the Court Arcana represent the beginning and endings of stages or cycles that you are presently undergoing.
Aces represent the seasons of the year with each lasting a cycle of 3 months of progression till the next cycle can commence. Simply this means that what will begin in the Spring, it's influence, elements and lessons will most likely be a process that has to cycle through a period of time until another season has begun. In some instances, the lesson or cycle may be more than 3 months. In fact, most cycles are either a duration of 3 months, 6 months or 9 months. Always keep this in mind when looking at what exactly is being called to your attention. What cycles are you presently going through? How long have you been dealing with the influences, energies and elements surrounding you?
Looking into these questions can help you discern how long you can expect to continue enduring until reprieve comes through the next stage or cycle that will commence with each passing season and turn of the Wheel of Life.
Ace of Wands represent the Autumn, a time of drawing upon our resources and preparing for a long winter of dormancy (inactivity; slowing down) and going within (hibernation). Wands represent ideas, seeds of wisdom, thoughts, intentions, willingness to expand one's vision (mind/intellect/inner vision/intuition).
Ace of Cups represent Summer, a time of celebrating the Sun's warmth, family, fun, joyfulness of allowing our inner child to explore and play. It also represents our roots, relationships and stability. Cups represent our emotions, desires, experiences, passion and ambition.
Ace of Swords represent Winter, a period of solitude and going within to digest one's experiences, ideas, emotions, and actions in order to know which seeds of wisdom should be planted in the Spring to reap an abundant harvest. Swords represent our actions, reactions, attitudes, oppositions, challenges and struggle.
Ace of Pentacles represent the Springtime. A time of renewal, emergence of life springing forth anew. A time of rebirth, purification and planting good seeds (intentions) for creating a year of prosperity and abundance. Pentacles also represent abundance, prosperity, wealth, finances, realization, manifestation and validation.
Karen Artino - Tarot Editor
