I wanted to write this article to demonstrate how the ancient philosophy behind the Tarot is still relevant to us today, and to show how these ideas can be used to illuminate our modern world. Whether or not the Tarot has any mystical power I believe a lot can be learned from the view that it gives of the universe, which goes back to antiquity. As someone who teaches and practices Tarot I also wanted to create a guide to help people understand the meanings behind each card, by reframing tarot in a modern context which can be related to more easily.
When someone receives a Tarot reading the cards offer meanings that are universal but also personal to the questioner. If one was to carry out a reading for the state of the world, how then could the reader interpret the cards? What are the pressing issues for us all at this time? I asked myself this question and, whilst thumbing through the pack, the meanings became quite obvious and stark to me. Below I have listed these meanings for the 21 Major arcarna or trump cards.
FREEDOM – The Fool
TECHNOLOGY – The Magician
RELIGION – High Priestess
HUMAN RIGHTS – The Empress
STATE POWER AND SECURITY – The Emperor
TRADITIONALISTS VS MODERNIZERS – The Hierophant
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – The Lovers
WAR AND CONFLICT – The Chariot
WORLD POLITICS – Strength
INNER WORLD – The Hermit
INTERNATIONAL LAW – Justice
WORLD POVERTY – Hanged Man
GLOBAL WARMING – Death
THE MISSING ELEMENT – Temperance
TERRORISM – The Devil
GENETIC ENGINEERING – The Tower
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION – The Star
THE INTERNET AND THE INFORMATION AGE – The Sun
POWER AND CORRUPTION – The Moon