How to choose the significator for a Tarot card reading

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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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?


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.


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. For more writings on Tarot and 7 Words go to www.7words.co.uk/life-management/tarot


Nesta Burgess 2008