78 Magickal Tools: Bringing the Magick of Tarot to your Pagan Path
Tarot is more than a tool of divination; tarot is a book of spiritual wisdom and a set of magickal tools. Explore new ways to use tarot in ritual, magick, meditation, self-discovery and attunement.
The Magick of Significators
In earlier days of tarot reading a significator was cognitively chosen by the reader to represent the querent. The choice of the significator did not add to the interpretation of the reading in any way. It may have been simply part of tradition. It may have been seen as a way for the reader, the querent, the cards and the Universe to connect.
Significators were chosen from the sixteen Court Cards based on age, gender and hair color.
Only a few modern tarotists continue this tradition today.
Many tarot spreads have a significator position. The card that randomly falls into this position describes who the querent is at the moment of the reading. This can be very helpful information in a reading.
Significators have an important place in tarot magick, too.
Most tarotists have a card they identify as their significator. It may be a Court Card, but it might also be a card from either the Major or Minor Arcana. In this case a significator card is one that will always represent that individual. For instance, my significator is the Queen of Wands. When I am reading for myself and this card shows up it has very special meaning for me. It tells me to pay attention. It tells me that I am on my path. It tells me to be aware of my own specific tendencies. It tells me that I am genuine and authentic in my actions.
Sometimes people chose their own significator based on gender and astrology. Sometimes they chose it based on personal affinity - the card that resonates most for them. Sometimes a card might choose the individual by repeatedly coming up in their readings.
Tarot magick with significators is the magick of self-improvement, goal-setting and personal growth. The way to do it is very easy.
Simply chose a card that represents who you are striving to be, rather than who you are right now. What are the qualities you wish to develop in yourself?
For example, my native Court Card significator is the Queen of Cups because I am an adult woman born under the sign of Scorpio, a Water sign. But my tendency is to be overly emotional, so embodying the Queen of Cups isn't helpful to me.
Many years ago I chose the Queen of Wands because I felt I needed her strength, her warmth, her humor and her intuition. As I began identifying myself as the Queen of Wands I maximized those tendencies within myself, and minimized those Cups tendencies that didn't serve me as well. I became happier and more successful.
When you choose a card to be your "goal significator" you can do a ritual to claim this card as your own and connect with its energies. You can sleep with it. You can breathe in its energies. You can hold it to your heart chakra. Do whatever feels right to you - as formal or as casual as you prefer.
Identify yourself with the card you have chosen. See it as a spiritual portrait of you. Over time the card will start to come up in readings when you are actively embodying its qualities. You will grow into the card and reach your goals for personal growth. Then you can choose another significator and set new goals or simply relax and enjoy being the person you have grown to be.
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