In the Tarot, the Significant Card (also known as the “Significant Card”) serves as a representation of someone or something in your current life. In most cases, people use the significant card to represent themselves. In this sense, the significant card is the central figure or question that is posed during a tarot reading. This is done by incorporating a person’s significant card as a specific key card in a tarot spread. As a key card, the signifier represents the central person or subject being read with the surrounding cards relating to it.
The beauty of meaningful tarot cards is their ability to help the tarot reader stay focused on a specific person or issue during a tarot reading. In essence, they make sure that the tarot reading stays on track. In most tarot readings, the significant cards are placed in the center of the tarot spread. This helps the tarot reader to identify the key challenges facing the subject.
The cards of meaning can also influence the design or pattern of a tarot spread. Depending on the needs of the subject, tarot readers will often incorporate spreads that are quite specific in nature. Significant cards play an important role in determining the type of spread that a tarot reader will choose to use during a tarot reading.
Significant cards are usually identified through one’s astrological association with the tarot cards. Both the Major Arcana and the Court Cards have astrological associations. It really is up to the individual to choose his own personal preference. The major arcana cards tend to focus on the developmental stages of a person’s life, while the court cards focus on personality types and physical attributes. In general, most people prefer to work with Court Cards because they tend to be more descriptive in nature.
When working with the Court Cards, age can also play a role. As a general rule, Court Cards can represent various ages. The pages are associated with children and adolescents. Knights are associated with young adults. And queens and kings are associated with mature adults. Obviously, there is great flexibility in identifying significant cards based on chronological age. Take, for example, your 50-year-old who still acts like a teenager.
The most important thing to remember when identifying a significant card is your own personal associations with it. Bad cards are really tools for the tarot reader. In the end, they are there to deepen the experience of tarot reading.
Astrological Associations of the Major Arcana
•The Fool: Uranus
•The Magician: Mercury
•The High Priestess: Luna
•The Empress: Venus
•The Emperor: Aries
•The Hierophant: Taurus
•Lovers: Gemini
•The Chariot: Cancer
•Strength: Leo
•The Hermit: Virgo
• Wheel of Fortune: Jupiter
•Justice: Libra
•The Hanged Man: Neptune
• Death: Scorpio
• Temperance: Sagittarius
•The Devil: Capricorn
•The Tower: March
•The Star: Aquarius
•The Moon: Pisces
•The Sun: Sun
• Judgment: Pluto
•The World: Saturn
Court Card Astrological Associations
•Aries: King of Wands
•Taurus: Queen of Pentacles
• Gemini: Knight of Swords
• Cancer: King of Cups
• Leo: Queen of Wands
•Virgo: Knight of Pentacles
•Libra: King of Swords
•Scorpio: Queen of Cups
• Sagittarius: Knight of Wands
• Capricorn: King of Pentacles
• Aquarius: Queen of Swords
• Pisces: Knight of Cups
For more information on tarot readings and tarot card meanings, visit Carolyn’s blog.