Quick Answer
Advanced Tarot reading moves away from memorized meanings and rigid spreads into the realm of intuitive storytelling. It involves techniques like Elemental Dignities, numerological patterns, and reading the "interactions" between cards rather than the cards in isolation.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Context is king; a card's meaning changes based on its neighbors.
- Elements (Fire, Water, Air, Earth) dictate the "mood" of the spread.
- Repeating numbers indicate a major theme (e.g., three 5s = conflict/change).
- Intuitive hits often override traditional meanings.
- Creating your own spreads is a sign of mastery.
Going Beyond the Book
The "Little White Book" that comes with your deck is a starting point, not the destination. Advanced reading happens when you stop looking up meanings and start looking at the *image*.
If you pull the Three of Swords (heartbreak) but the querent is asking about a surgery, the literal image of swords piercing something might refer to the medical procedure, not emotional pain. This flexibility is the hallmark of an advanced reader.
Elemental Dignities
This system, derived from the Golden Dawn, helps you determine if two cards strengthen or weaken each other.
The Elemental Rules
- Fire (Wands) + Air (Swords): Friendly. Air feeds Fire. Active and fast.
- Water (Cups) + Earth (Pentacles): Friendly. Water nourishes Earth. Passive and fertile.
- Fire + Water: Enemies. They cancel each other out (steam/extinguish).
- Air + Earth: Enemies. Dust storm or containment.
If you pull a generally positive card like the Sun (Fire), but it is surrounded by Cups (Water), its effect is dampened. It might mean "happiness, but with emotional reservations."
Tarot Numerology
Numbers provide a secondary layer of meaning. When you see multiples of the same number in a spread, pay attention.
| Number | Theme | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Aces (1) | New Beginnings | Potential, seed form |
| Fours (4) | Stability/Stagnation | Solid foundation or stuckness |
| Tens (10) | Completion | End of a cycle, transition |
Reading the Flow
Look at the directionality. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, figures are often facing left, right, or center.
If the Queen of Swords is looking to the left (the past) at the Five of Cups (regret), she is analyzing her past mistakes. If she is looking to the right (the future) at the Ace of Wands, she is planning a new venture. The cards are not static; they are interacting scenes in a play.
Try This Exercise: The Storyboard
Pull 3 cards. Don't read them as "Past, Present, Future." Read them as a single sentence. For example: "The Knight of Wands (rushing in) crashes into the Tower (sudden change) which leads to the Star (healing)."
Integration
Trust your first flash of insight. That split-second impression before your logical brain kicks in ("But the book says...") is usually the psychic hit. Advanced tarot is learning to trust that voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Elemental Dignities?
Elemental Dignities is a system of interpreting how cards interact based on their element (Fire, Water, Air, Earth). For example, Fire (Wands) strengthens Air (Swords) but weakens Water (Cups).
How do I read reversals properly?
Reversals don't always mean the opposite. They can indicate blocked energy, internal focus (vs. external event), or a delay in the manifestation of the card's energy. Sometimes it just means "revisit this."
Is it okay to read for myself?
Yes, but it is the hardest type of reading to do objectively. Advanced readers often use specific "objective" spreads or meditate deeply to detach from the outcome before reading for themselves.
Sources & References
- Greer, M.K. (2002). *Tarot for Your Self*. Weiser Books.
- Pollack, R. (1980). *Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom*. Weiser Books.
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The cards are a mirror of the soul. As you deepen your understanding of their language, you deepen your understanding of yourself. Shuffle the deck, trust your gut, and let the story unfold.