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Hello loves! This lesson is taken from the second week of 78 Mirrors (it's a 6-week course).

In the first week we cover the tarot essentials, explore the world of decks, make a start on our tarot journal and get to grips with the elemental energies that form the foundation of the tarot (this piece unlocks everything!). 

From the second week onwards we explore every single card in the deck, plus tarot spreads and some homework too (nothing too taxing! It's all fun, I promise 😉) 

Watch the video first then have a read below!

ENJOY ❤️

The Threes

What happens when your own interpretation of a card is different to what the books tell you it means? It could be a little bit different or it might be wildly different — does the book meaning trump everything else? No, I don’t believe it does.

In fact, I’d go as far as to say trust YOUR interpretation over what the books say.

What you're doing is reading the cards intuitively — some pro tarot readers only read in this way!

It’s normal to chase after the meanings in books because we want to get it "right" like we did at school, but actually, what a card means to us on one day can be something else entirely on another day.

We’re studying each card in this course to get a grasp on the traditional meanings of the cards (the Rider Waite Smith version), but consider this simply the foundation.

I hope you’re starting to see that it’s just as important to find your own associations for each card. In fact, once you’re familiar with the standard meanings of the cards I’d suggest forgetting all that so you can see the cards with fresh eyes again!

We’re not going to nail down of all this perfectly in six weeks but every time you pick up your deck, draw some cards and figure out what they’re saying, you’re another step closer to unlocking your ideas and understanding of the tarot. So trust your interpretations.

Trust that you will see and intuit what you need in that moment.

Three of Wands

Possible keywords: Discovery. Exploration. Action.

I always think the Two and Three of Wands look far too similar in the RWS, so it’s good to distinguish the differences in your mind. If the Two is planning the next step, the Three of Wands is putting the plan into action. You know what you need to do, you’ve got the tools and you’ve made a map — now it’s time to DO it. In the Shadowscapes depiction (top left) I get a real sense of heading off on a voyage of discovery while the Wild Unknown Three of Wands (bottom, centre) speaks to me of the magic we hold inside us, the magic that makes a project or plan come alive. If we dig deep inside we’ll find all the resources we need. Trust your creative instincts.

Three of Cups

Possible keywords: Bonds of friendships. Support. Joy.

The Three of Cups is about companionship, support and the sweet bonds of friendship. If the Two of Cups was the beginning of love, the Three is the morning after when you call your best friend and dish all the gossip! In the RWS Three of Cups (depicted here by the Melanated Classic, top right) I always wonder if the three women are toasting their fabulousness, something we should all do more often when we’re with the ones we love, non? This card reminds us to share our joy with each other. To reach out when we need support. To offer a helping hand when we know it's needed. Community is important and this card reminds us to look for it.

Three of Swords

Possible keywords: Grief. Loss. Eventual release. Also: wisdom, progress

The sword in the heart. The pain of loss, disappointment, betrayal and heartbreak. The first truly dramatic-looking card we encounter in the Minors, reminding us that the Swords don’t shy away from the harder things in life. The pain can come from an expectation not met or it can come from a hard decision made. The Sword in the heart is not always inflicted by another — we humans are more than capable of hurting ourselves. Through the acknowledgement of the pain can come healing and release. Feel your way through this rather than try to THINK your way through. Old pain can hurt like it happened yesterday, so if this card is mirroring sadness back to you it's time to do the work to heal and move forward. 

Three of Pentacles

Possible keywords: Teamwork. Practical support. Help.

If the Three of Cups was all about socialising with friends and loved ones, the Three of Pentacles is about teamwork. It’s about working together towards a common goal. We can’t always do it alone, and if you’re a lone shewolf like me, it’s good to remember that sometimes things ARE better done together. Blending different viewpoints and skills can only benefit the project at hand. Let others in and ask for the help you need. Be open to new ways of doing things. Likewise, share what you know with others. Spread the word. Be generous. 

Daily contemplation

The Three of Swords stands out as a difficult card to process because it’s a difficult place to be in life. Historically how do you heal your hurts? What has worked when it comes to releasing the past and moving on? I’ve put together a little spread to pull out when your heart is heavy and you’d like some support from the cards.

Heart Healing spread

Card 1: The current state of my heart*

This card reflects where you are right now. Could be what you’re feeling, what you’re going through or what you're preoccupied with.

Card 2: What I need to let go

This card reflects what you need to release in order to move through the difficult feelings or situation. Could be something external to you — a commitment, a relationship, something in the material world — or it could be something within you you’re clinging to — an expectation, a disappointment, a hope. Whatever it is, letting it go will help you move forward.

Card 3: What I need to embrace

The card gives you guidance on what you need to embrace in order to heal yourself and/or the situation. It could be something practical in your outer world or a quality or mindset within you that will help you change the story you’re telling yourself.

* TIP: You could substitute the word “heart” for any situation, dilemma, part of you or your life you’d like some guidance about. For example, the current state of my job, my love life, my energy levels, my relationship with my father.

I'll meet you back here in the next lesson xo

NOTES

Wands: Shadowscapes Tarot, Aquarian Tarot, Tarot of the Hidden Realm, Wild Unknown Tarot, Rider Waite Smith Centennial

Cups: Naked Heart Tarot, Melanated Classic Tarot, Tarot of Pagan Cats, Morgan Greer Tarot, Guided Hand Tarot

Swords: Linestrider Tarot, Tarot of the Hidden Realm, Rider Waite Smith, Shadowscapes Tarot, Herbal Tarot

Pentacles: Golden Rider Tarot, Mystical Cats Tarot, Modern Witch Tarot, Wild Unknown Tarot, Everyday Witch Tarot

Decks featured in the video: The Numinous Tarot, Rider Waite Smith, Light Seer's Tarot, Oak Ash & Thorn Tarot, Tarot of the Abyss, Sasuraibito Tarot