I realise talking to friends that most don't know much about tarot. Or if they do, they don't really understand how useful, exciting, profound and inspirational tarot can be. Once you're hooked, I promise you'll never play Wordle or Sudoku again!
Tarot can teach you about yourself; help solve problems; inspire you to make the most of your day; unpack what's going on in your relationship, and if you have a tricky choice to make, shed light on the real issues involved.
But first you have to learn the meanings of the cards. And there are 78 of them, which can be overwhelming when you first start. I thought I'd start by picking a card at random and tell you about it. My card is Six of Swords from the well-known Rider Waite deck.
The Six of Swords shows a man guiding a boat across a body of water. A woman and child sit in the boat in front of him. There are six upright swords at the front of the boat. The water on the left-hand side (unconscious side) is smooth. The right-hand side of the boat (conscious side) is choppy. We can't see where these people are heading, but there is a distant shore in sight. The colours are subdued - blue and grey. It doesn't look like a fun or adventurous trip. Who on earth carries upright swords in a boat?
Here are my Six of Swords interpretations for the three most common tarot questions/situations - work, love and health.
1) WORK/MONEY
Time to leave the past behind and travel to a new shore. This is not a joyous journey, however, more one of resigned acceptance. Although the future is unclear, you are in the right frame of mind to deal with your situation. If you’ve lost money, been made redundant or been forced to move on, know that this passage is necessary for your growth. Be calm and still.
2) LOVE/RELATIONSHIP
A card of moving on and letting go. Unfortunately you have no idea what the future holds and probably feel somewhat lost or lacking in direction. If you’ve lost someone you love, be calm and know it is for the best. If you feel alone or unsupported, seek comfort from those who care about you.
3) HEALTH/WELLBEING
This card brings loneliness, solitude and often pain. The Six of Swords asks us to leave the past behind, accept that we are not in control and take a bold step towards a new, though unknown, future. Take time to rest and consider your options. And be patient. Healing will come in its own good time.
If you have a deck of tarot cards, pull out the Six Swords and take a good look at the picture and think about what impression it makes on you.
I'll give you another clue - swords in the tarot represent the air element or mental activity, good and bad. Our minds can destroy or save us.