The Tarot-Astrology Connection

Tarot and astrology are two major divination systems that have been used for centuries to provide insight into the human condition. Both systems are steeped in rich symbolism and offer a glimpse into the spiritual realm. While these systems may be separate, they are intricately connected by a web of symbols and meanings that overlap and intertwine. In this article, we will explore the relationship between tarot and astrology symbols and how they complement each other. From the origins of these systems to the application of their symbols in readings, we will dive deep into the mysterious and fascinating world of tarot and astrology. So, let us embark on a journey of discovery and unravel the secrets hidden within these ancient divination tools.

The History of Tarot and Astrology

As we delve into the world of tarot and astrology, it’s important to understand the deep-rooted history that connects these two divinatory systems. Their origins can be traced back centuries, and their relationship has evolved over time. By exploring the history of tarot and astrology, we can begin to understand the symbiotic relationship between these mystical arts. Understanding their history is key to unlocking the hidden meanings behind the astrology symbols in tarot cards and using them to unlock deeper spiritual insights.

The Origins of Tarot

It is still a mystery where exactly Tarot cards originated from. Some experts believe that the cards were first used in Europe during the 14th and 15th centuries for playing games, while others believe that the cards were used for divination and fortune-telling purposes since Ancient times. The exact origins of Tarot are not clear, and there are many theories surrounding the creation of the first Tarot deck.

One popular theory suggests that Tarot came from ancient Egypt because of the symbols and designs on the cards. However, this theory is not widely accepted as there is no evidence to support this claim. Another theory proposes that the cards were created by gypsies, who were known to travel across Europe and use Tarot cards for divination.

The use of Tarot cards for divination gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in France where Tarot decks were mass-produced. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck, one of the most popular decks today, was created in the early 20th century by artist Pamela Colman Smith and occultist Arthur Edward Waite. This deck is widely used in Tarot readings and follows a similar structure to traditional Tarot decks.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the origins of Tarot, the practice of using Tarot cards for divination and self-reflection remains extremely popular today. Tarot has become a widely recognized symbol of spirituality and self-discovery. Many people use Tarot as a tool for understanding themselves and their future, while others view it as a way to connect with the divine or the universe.

If you want to learn more about the relationship between Tarot and astrology, check out our guide on astrology and Tarot symbols.

The Origins of Astrology

Astrology is a belief system that has been around for thousands of years. It is the study of how celestial bodies affect human behavior and the natural world. Historians believe that astrology originated in ancient Babylon, but it wasn’t until the Hellenistic period in Ancient Greece (323-146 BC) that astrology reached its full potential. During this time, astrology and astronomy were considered one and the same, as they both involved the study of the stars.

The Greek philosopher Ptolemy wrote the Tetrabiblos, which became the basis for Western astrology. In the Tetrabiblos, Ptolemy explains the relationship between celestial bodies and human behavior. This work was widely influential and is still studied today.

Over time, astrology spread throughout the world, and different cultures developed their own astrological systems. In China, for example, there is a system of astrology based on the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. In India, there is a system of astrology based on the position of the planets at the time of a person’s birth.

Astrology has remained popular throughout the centuries, and today, many people still believe in its power. Astrology has also had a significant influence on other belief systems, including the tarot. Many tarot cards feature astrological symbols, and understanding their meanings can add depth and nuance to a tarot card reading.

If you want to learn more about how astrological symbols are incorporated into tarot card readings, check out astrology symbols in tarot card readings or astrology tarot reading.

Tarot and Astrology: A Brief History

Tarot and astrology have a long-standing connection that dates back centuries. Both practices have their roots in ancient civilizations and share many symbolic elements that are still relevant today. The tarot was created during the Renaissance as a game of divination, but it quickly took on a spiritual and mystical significance. At the same time, astrology was also gaining popularity, with many people turning to the stars to make sense of their lives and the world around them.

Some historians believe that tarot and astrology were brought together in the late 18th century by French occultist, Antoine Court de Gébelin. He saw a connection between the symbolism in the tarot cards and the zodiac signs in astrology. This connection would later be expanded upon by other prominent occultists, such as Eliphas Levi and Aleister Crowley.

Today, tarot and astrology remain intertwined and continue to influence each other’s practices. Many tarot decks now include astrological symbols, and many tarot readers use astrology to inform their readings. Similarly, astrologers may use tarot cards in their practice to gain further insight into their clients’ lives.

The relationship between tarot and astrology has a long and fascinating history that has evolved over the centuries. Understanding the connection between these two practices can provide deeper insight into both and enhance one’s spiritual practice. For more on the hidden meanings of astrology symbols in tarot cards, check out our guide here.

Understanding Tarot Cards

As you delve deeper into the realm of Tarot, it’s important to understand the components that make up each card. Each card is infused with layers of symbols and meanings that can be intertwined with astrology to provide an even deeper level of insight. By understanding the symbolism embedded in each card, you can begin to see how they relate to astrology and how the two can be used in tandem to give a more holistic understanding of your readings. To learn more about the connection between Tarot and astrology symbols, check out our astrology and tarot symbols guide.

The Major Arcana and Astrology

The Major Arcana consists of the 22 cards in a Tarot deck that represent significant life events or archetypes. Each card is associated with a specific astrological symbol or planetary energy, making the Major Arcana a great way to incorporate astrological insights into your Tarot readings.

The table below outlines the astrological correspondences for each Major Arcana card:

Card Number	Card Name	Astrological Symbol	Planet
0	The Fool	Uranus	Uranus
1	The Magician	Mercury	Mercury
2	The High Priestess	the Moon	Moon
3	The Empress	Venus	Venus
4	The Emperor	Aries	Mars
5	The Hierophant	Taurus	Venus
6	The Lovers	Gemini	Mercury
7	The Chariot	Cancer	Moon
8	Strength	Leo	Sun
9	The Hermit	Virgo	Mercury
10	Wheel of Fortune	Jupiter	Jupiter
11	Justice	Libra	Venus
12	The Hanged Man	Neptune	Neptune
13	Death	Scorpio	Pluto
14	Temperance	Sagittarius	Jupiter
15	The Devil	Capricorn	Saturn
16	The Tower	Mars	Mars
17	The Star	Aquarius	Uranus
18	The Moon	Pisces	Neptune
19	The Sun	Sun	Sun
20	Judgement	Pluto	Pluto
21	The World	Saturn	Saturn

As you can see from the table, each card of the Major Arcana has strong ties to a specific astrological energy. For example, The Tower card is associated with Mars, the planet of aggression and action. This card represents upheaval and sudden changes, which are typical of Mars energy. The Temperance card, on the other hand, is associated with Sagittarius and Jupiter, making it a card of harmony and balance.

By understanding the astrological associations of each Major Arcana card, you can incorporate astrological insights into your readings in a meaningful way. Additionally, the Major Arcana can serve as a visual representation of astrological concepts, making it easier to grasp the meaning behind each symbol. For more information on Tarot and Astrology and how they relate to each other, check out our article on Astrology Symbols in Tarot Cards.

The Minor Arcana and Astrology

The Minor Arcana of the Tarot deck consists of four suits, each suited to a different element: wands for fire, cups for water, swords for air, and pentacles for earth. Each suit is numbered from ace to ten, with four court cards: page, knight, queen, and king. These suits each relate to a set of astrological signs, which carry different meanings and symbolism.

To understand the link between the Minor Arcana and astrology symbols, let’s break it down by suit:

Suit	Astrological Signs	Meaning
Wands	Aries, Leo, Sagittarius	The wands suit represents action, energy, and passion. It is associated with these three fire signs, which are known for their strong will and sense of adventure.
Cups	Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces	The cups suit represents emotions, intuition, and creativity. These are qualities that are commonly associated with water signs, which are known for their sensitivity and empathy.
Swords	Gemini, Libra, Aquarius	The swords suit represents intellect, communication, and conflict. It is associated with air signs, which are known for their sharp minds and rational thinking.
Pentacles	Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn	The pentacles suit represents material wealth, stability, and practicality. These are qualities that are commonly associated with earth signs, which are known for their grounded, reliable nature.

Each card in the Minor Arcana carries its own unique symbolism, often influenced by both the element of its suit and the astrological sign it represents. For example, the six of wands features a victory parade, reflecting the fiery nature of the wands suit and the competitive nature of the Aries zodiac sign.

Understanding these connections can deepen your understanding of each card’s meaning and help you gain more insight from tarot readings. By paying attention to the elemental and astrological symbolism of each card, you can start to see patterns and themes emerge across different readings.

Exploring the Link Between Tarot and Astrology Symbols

For centuries, both Tarot and Astrology have intrigued philosophers, scholars, and spiritualists alike. Both practices offer insight into the mysteries of life and provide guidance on how to navigate its complexities. But have you ever noticed the similarities between their symbols and imagery? The planets and zodiac signs that are crucial to Astrology also have a place in Tarot decks, and the connection between these two ancient practices has long been explored by enthusiasts. In this section, we will delve deeper into the link between Tarot and Astrology symbols, uncovering the secrets that lie within their shared imagery. Get ready to discover a fascinating connection that may just change the way you approach both Tarot and Astrology.

The Planets and the Tarot

The planets have a significant relationship with the Tarot, as each Tarot card is associated with a planet. These associations relate to the symbolic and energetic qualities of the planets, which are then reflected in the meaning of the Tarot cards. Here are some of the key associations between planets and Tarot cards:

• The Sun: The Sun card in the Major Arcana represents success, vitality, and positive energy. It is associated with the planet of the same name, which is a symbol of strength and power.
• The Moon: The Moon card is often associated with our emotional and intuitive selves. It is connected to the planet of the same name, which is tied to our subconscious and inner world.
• Mars: Mars is a planet that is linked to passion and aggression. It’s associated with the Tarot card called The Tower, which represents chaos and upheaval.
• Venus: Venus is a planet that is associated with love, beauty, and pleasure. It’s linked to the Tarot card called The Empress, which represents femininity, abundance, and creativity.
• Jupiter: Jupiter is tied to expansion and growth, and is associated with the Tarot card called The Wheel of Fortune. This card represents change and cycles in life.
• Saturn: Saturn is associated with discipline, responsibility, and structure. It’s linked to the Tarot card called The World, which represents completion and fulfillment.

Understanding these planetary connections can add depth and nuance to Tarot readings. Tarot practitioners may choose to incorporate planetary alignments and transits into their readings to gain a deeper understanding and more nuanced interpretation. By interpreting the symbols of both Tarot and astrology together, Tarot readers can provide targeted and specific guidance to those seeking insight into their lives.

The Zodiac Signs and the Tarot

The zodiac signs are a fundamental element of astrology, and each of these signs carries with it a set of unique characteristics and energies. These characteristics can be found in tarot cards as well, and many tarot decks incorporate zodiac symbols into the images on the cards.

1. Aries: Represented by the Emperor card, Aries is a sign of leadership, determination, and action. The Emperor embodies these qualities, representing the authority and control that Aries can exert when they are at their best.

2. Taurus: The Hierophant card is associated with Taurus, and represents tradition, stability, and convention. Tauruses are known for their persistence and practicality, which are also qualities embodied in this card.

3. Gemini: The Lovers card is associated with Gemini, a sign known for duality and communication. This card embodies the concept of choice and the power of two people working together.

4. Cancer: The Chariot card represents Cancer, which is a sign of emotional depth and intuition. The Chariot embodies the strength and tenacity that are common traits among Cancerians.

5. Leo: The Strength card is associated with Leo, which is a sign of courage, creativity, and leadership. The card embodies the regal and powerful qualities of the lion, which is the symbol of this sign.

6. Virgo: The Hermit card represents Virgo, a sign of introspection, analysis, and practicality. This card embodies the need for solitude and reflection that is central to the Virgo personality.

7. Libra: The Justice card represents Libra, which is a sign of harmony, balance, and fairness. This card emphasizes the importance of making balanced and fair decisions in any situation.

8. Scorpio: The Death card is associated with Scorpio, which is a sign of transformation and regeneration. This card emphasizes the importance of letting go of old patterns and embracing the potential for rebirth and renewal.

9. Sagittarius: The Temperance card represents Sagittarius, a sign of adventure, optimism, and growth. This card embodies the balancing of opposites and the importance of finding harmony in diverse experiences.

10. Capricorn: The Devil card is associated with Capricorn, which is a sign of ambition, discipline, and structure. This card embodies the shadow side of these traits, emphasizing the need to overcome negative patterns and tendencies.

11. Aquarius: The Star card represents Aquarius, which is a sign of innovation, individuality, and freedom. This card embodies the ideals of hope and inspiration that are central to the Aquarian personality.

12. Pisces: The Moon card is associated with Pisces, which is a sign of creativity, intuition, and empathy. This card embodies the mystery and unpredictability of the Piscean personality, emphasizing the need to embrace the unknown and the subconscious.

How to Use Tarot and Astrology Together

Combining tarot and astrology can deepen your understanding of the world around you, unlocking new insights and gaining a broader perspective. While these two practices may seem quite different, they can work together in harmony to provide a more nuanced understanding of your life’s journey. So, how exactly can you use tarot and astrology together? In this section, we’ll explore some practical tips for incorporating these practices in readings and creating personalized tarot spreads that incorporate astrological symbolism. Get ready to lift the veil on new ways of diving deeper into self-discovery and understanding.

Readings that Incorporate Astrology Symbols

When incorporating astrology symbols into tarot readings, there are several methods that can be used to enhance the interpretation of the cards. Here are some examples:

• Birth Chart Comparison: By comparing a person’s birth chart to the cards drawn in a tarot reading, a deeper level of understanding can be gained. For instance, if the Lovers card is drawn and the person’s birth chart indicates a strong placement of Venus, it could indicate a romantic relationship or a need for emotional fulfillment.
• Planetary Alignment Readings: During a reading, the astrological alignments and transits can be taken into account to provide more insight. For example, if Mercury is retrograde at the time of the reading and the Tower card is drawn, it could indicate a communication breakdown or disruption.
• Zodiac Sign Correspondences: Each tarot card is associated with a specific zodiac sign, so by taking into account the person’s sun, moon, and rising sign, a more personalized reading can be provided. For instance, if the Strength card is drawn and the person’s sun sign is Leo, it may indicate that they have the strength to overcome any obstacles in their path.
• Astrological Houses: Each house in a person’s birth chart represents different areas of their life, so by incorporating the house in which a tarot card falls, a more specific interpretation can be given. For example, if the Hierophant card falls in the 10th house, which represents career and public image, it could indicate a need for conformity or adherence to social norms in their professional life.

By incorporating astrology symbols into tarot readings, a deeper level of insight can be achieved, providing a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the cards drawn.

Creating Personalized Tarot Spreads with Astrology

One unique way of incorporating astrology symbols into your tarot practice is by creating personalized spreads that utilize both divination techniques. By combining the meanings behind tarot cards with the individual characteristics of planets and zodiac signs, these personalized spreads can provide a deeper level of insight into specific situations or questions.

Step 1: Determine the Focus

The first step in creating a personalized tarot spread with astrology is to determine the focus or intention behind the reading. This could be a specific question or situation that you want to gain insight into. Once you have determined the focus, you can move on to selecting the planets and zodiac signs that you want to incorporate into your spread.

Step 2: Selecting the Astrology Symbols

Choose the astrology symbols that align with your focus. For example, if your focus is on a romantic relationship, you may want to select Venus for love and relationships, and Mars for passion and desire. If your focus is on career or finance, you may want to select Jupiter for abundance and success, and Saturn for responsibility and discipline.

Step 3: Assigning Positions

Now that you have selected the planets and zodiac signs you want to include, it is time to assign them specific positions in your spread. You can use a table to organize your spread, with the astrology symbols listed on one row and the corresponding tarot card position on another row.

Step 4: Drawing the Tarot Cards

Once you have assigned positions for each astrology symbol, it’s time to draw the tarot cards. For each position, draw a card that corresponds to the meaning of the astrological symbol in that position. For example, if you have assigned the position of Venus for love and relationships, you may want to draw a card from the suit of cups, which is associated with emotions and relationships.

Step 5: Interpretation

Finally, it’s time to interpret the meaning of the tarot cards in relation to the astrology symbols and positions in your spread. This is where your knowledge of both tarot and astrology will come into play, allowing you to understand the deeper meaning behind each card and how it relates to the specific astrology symbol in that position.

By creating personalized tarot spreads that incorporate astrology symbols, you can gain deeper insight and understanding into specific situations and questions in your life. With a little creativity and knowledge of both tarot and astrology, the possibilities for these personalized spreads are endless.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s fascinating to see how intertwined tarot and astrology are. Both have a rich history and symbolism that have been passed down through the ages. The archetypes and themes represented in each can be incredibly powerful tools for self-reflection and growth.

Through exploring the connection between tarot and astrology symbols, we can gain a deeper understanding of both practices and how they can complement one another. By incorporating astrology into tarot readings or creating personalized tarot spreads based on astrological influences, we can gain valuable insights and guidance in our lives.

It’s important to remember that tarot and astrology are not fixed systems, but rather tools for exploration and introspection. While certain symbols and archetypes may hold specific meanings, it’s ultimately up to the reader to interpret them in a way that resonates with their own experiences and intuition.

Whether you’re a seasoned tarot reader, astrology enthusiast, or just getting started on your spiritual journey, the connection between these two practices offers a wealth of knowledge and insight to explore. So, grab a deck of tarot cards and dive into the symbolism and mysteries of the cosmos—it’s sure to be a journey worth taking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Tarot and Astrology?

Tarot is a divination tool that uses a deck of cards, while Astrology is the study of the movement and positions of celestial bodies to predict human affairs and natural phenomena.

Why are Tarot and Astrology often used together?

Tarot and Astrology have a deep connection as they both deal with archetypal energies and symbols. Many Tarot readers incorporate Astrology into their readings to provide additional insight and depth.

What are the Major Arcana in Tarot and how are they related to Astrology?

The Major Arcana are the 22 cards in a Tarot deck that represent major life events and themes. Each card is related to an astrological movement or planet, such as The Sun card representing the sun.

What are the Minor Arcana in Tarot and how are they related to Astrology?

The Minor Arcana are the 56 cards in a Tarot deck that represent everyday events and experiences. Each suit is related to a different astrological element – Wands to Fire, Cups to Water, Swords to Air, and Pentacles to Earth.

What planets are associated with Tarot cards?

The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are all associated with Tarot cards.

What are the most commonly used Tarot spreads that incorporate Astrology?

The Zodiac Wheel Spread, the Astrological Spread, and the Astrological Birth Chart Spread are popular Tarot spreads that incorporate Astrology symbols.

Can Tarot and Astrology be used for forecasting the future?

Tarot and Astrology can provide insight and guidance for the future, but they are not meant to be used for precise predictions. The future is always subject to change and individual free will.

Can anyone learn to use Tarot and Astrology?

Yes! Tarot and Astrology can be studied by anyone with an interest in these topics. With dedication and practice, anyone can develop a solid understanding and reading skills.

Can Tarot and Astrology be used in conjunction with other divination tools?

Absolutely! Many Tarot readers combine Tarot and Astrology with other divination tools such as crystals or runes to provide further information and insight.

What should I do if I feel overwhelmed about using Tarot and Astrology together?

It’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed when starting to explore Tarot and Astrology. Take it one step at a time, find a good teacher or mentor, and practice regularly. Remember to trust your intuition and have fun!

References

• Tarot Cards for Each Zodiac Sign
• Tarot card reading