Tarot for Beginners: A Guide to Psychic Tarot Reading, Real Tarot Card Meanings, and Simple Tarot Spreads (The Divination Series: Tarot, Runes and More)

by Lisa Chamberlain

The Tower card signals transformation, the shattering of illusion, and sudden change. This kind of transformation is abrupt and may be unsettling or even downright frightening. The Tower is associated with disaster, surrender, sudden endings, and egotism. It may mark the loss of a position or some other change with enormous implications. However, a literal event is not always indicated. The real meaning in this card is in the shattering of old constructs as the light of truth and higher consciousness prevails. Those at the highest points of realities created under false pretenses have the furthest to fall. Upright, The Tower can be read as a sudden shock or loss that creates great insecurity: the collapse of an ideal or a relationship. What you have fabricated falls down, and there is little you can do to avoid the situation or repair it. But you will gain new wisdom from the situation, which you can use in the future. When this card appears, it’s always good to remember the old saying: “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” The Tower reversed can point to an avoidable disaster that is at least somewhat of your own making. Fear of change, resistance, dishonesty, or willful oblivion may be aggravating a situation and placing you in danger of losing everything. Do what you can if there’s still time. If not, you will at least have the experience of seeing your worst fears realized and learning that life does go on. No matter what happens, a current struggle will have...

The Star appears in the Fool’s journey as the calm after the storm kicked up in the events of The Tower card. After the disillusionment comes new clarity, and a breakthrough arises, or an opportunity suddenly becomes available. The Star card is associated with guidance, inspiration, rewards, energy, and alignment with the creative source. While the significance of this card in a reading may relate to past events, the focus is on the future, and faith in the journey as we awaken to the larger patterns of meaning in the Universe. When The Star is upright, it indicates an increased level of inspiration, spirituality, hope, and serenity. You have clarity of purpose and great potential now. You have reached a point where your past experiences enable you to make a dream come true. You are on the right path, using your creativity to cultivate success and happiness. When The Star is reversed, discouragement may be indicated, as well as despair and general lack of faith. A creative or emotional block occurs as something you’ve been tending loses steam. You need direction, but you may not have been listening to the right people. Get back in touch with your inner guidance, and ask for help from those you trust at the gut level.

The Sun is the card of enlightenment, as we are granted time to bask in the successes of our journey thus far. This card is associated with victory, achievement, and joy, as well as recuperation, vitality, and growth. It represents the dawn of a new day after the worst and darkest night, the source of life and optimism. The Sun is also associated with the dawn of the inner light of each soul on the spiritual quest. Another meaning relates to intellect, practicality, and power, as the physical sun is the source of all growth on Earth. It is said that this card has no truly severe indications—all is well, or soon will be, when The Sun appears. Upright, The Sun points to positivity, success, upcoming fun and warmth. It is time for the good things in life: love, play, rest, and bright cheer. It may also indicate children coming into your life. It is not so much about swift forward motion as it is a moment to appreciate where you are. You are still growing, and it’s important to appreciate times of rest and feelings of security. If The Sun is reversed, you may not be feeling so positive just yet. There is a sense of delay or frustration, as your goal is just out of reach. However, just as the sun goes behind the clouds, it will come out again. Be sure not to focus on the gray, as it is always temporary. Trust that the feeling of joy, success, and easy rest will come again.

From 2009 until early 2013