How to Appreciate the Tarot

A Hermetic Guide to Semiotics & Allegory

Appreciation is that which accrues Soul and enlightens Spirit

The Tarot, when understood in its true depth, is more than a collection of colourful images or a game of fortunes; it is a cosmic theatre where the archetypes of human experience take the stage. In this collection, we journey through a labyrinth of symbols and stories, where Hermetics, Kabbalah, Alchemy, Mythology, and Astrology intertwine like threads in a rich tapestry. This is a guidebook not only for the esoteric enthusiast but for anyone curious enough to look beyond the veil of the ordinary. Each card serves as a mirror reflecting the grand narrative of existence, a map for the soul's journey through the vast landscapes of the mind and the cosmos. Whether you are a seasoned explorer of the mystical or a newcomer to the world of Tarot, this work invites you to delve into the profound and the poetic, to explore the Fool’s Journey, and perhaps, to find yourself anew.

What you can expect from the Daily Tarot series

To appreciate Tarot, you do not need to subscribe to anything mystical or arcane, and one most certainly does not need to consult the booklets and the types of interpretations we encounter on the internet, which are no deeper than a typical lifestyle magazine for young readers. One just needs to appreciate how symbols and archetypes are windows into expansive maps of meaning.

Each card is a window into a holographic map of meaning, holding a trove of symbols, archetypes and other even less visible aspects such as numbers and geometry. When seen as a whole, considering all the subtle aspects, including the body language, the colours and the arrangement and the constellation of connection and meaning they imply, we begin to understand the true power of Tarot—an essential aid to the Mystic, the Magician, the Alchemist, the Kabbalist and the Diviner.

In the Daily Tarot series, we begin each time with the ‘abstract’ so that our subconscious minds can be primed with that which is most essential about the card, which would be overlooked by our human nature to scan for visual cues, recognise forms, faces and objects at a more literal level. Before we even encounter the visual aspect of each card, the reader is initiated into the inherent forms, archetypes and Logos refracted through the card via Numbers, Geometry and Etymology.

The Inner Emerald Tablet, Semiotics and the Archetypal Psyche

In this respect, Tarot becomes less of a tool for the kind of divination we associate with ‘pop astrology’, and instead a far more mature and meditative guide for connecting with the invisible aspects of ourselves, the world we belong to and the manner of that belonging which we call ‘divine symmetry’.

The further invitation is to consider how the convergence of seemingly disparate elements which appear initially obscure and random, unfolds to reveal not only an emergent essence of each card but also an undeniable, deliberate web of meaning. This intricate orchestration underscores a genius in design and composition, hinting at a profound interconnectedness and the thoughtful intent behind each card’s creation and the wisdom human beings have access to.

Each post in the Daily Tarot series, includes sections for Symbolism, Kabbalah, Hermetic Principles, Astrology and Mythology and concludes with an invitation to Inner Reflection.

Each post, and the series as an emergent ‘Whole’, challenges the reader to view the Tarot through the lens of personal exploration and intuitive understanding. The synthesis of these diverse disciplines provides a scaffold for interpreting each card’s symbolism, inviting a deep, personal dialogue with the archetypes it embodies.

Experienced Diviners and any readers familiar with Tarot, are invited into a paradigm shift from the traditional quest for foresight, and consulting the booklet and other mediums of ‘pop-astrology’, to a deeper, more introspective exploration of wisdom and interconnectedness. In this paradigm, the cards transcend their conventional role as divinatory tools, becoming holograms that illuminate the hidden levels of the psyche and divine symmetry pervasive to all existence. This approach nurtures a dialogue with the self and the universe, elevating the medium of Tarot into the realm of Hermetic semiotics and allegory, providing a window onto the Logos.

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Every day, I get my daughter to pick a card from the Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck. Disregarding traditional interpretations and sceptical of ‘professional’ Tarot readers, I draw instead from my Hermetic background and psychological focus on Mythos and Archetypes. I'm exploring an experiment to deeply understand each card's archetypal meanings, delving into both its overt and covert symbolism while remaining open to the conversational nature of signs. This process embodies the concept of "Signal" as "Emergence," where being in tune allows for the unfolding and proper demodulation of universal, multifaceted messages, highlighting the pervasive relevance and context available to all.

The Invitation is to consider all the implications and let them form a constellation of context, from which you might derive some Meaning.