A symbol tells an idea, fact, or stands for something else. Anything can be a symbol. Some symbols are the same for everyone. A smile always means friendliness. There are also personal symbols. These are special to individuals. For people who love dogs a dog would be positive, but if you were afraid of dogs it might represent fear. There are no right and wrong meanings for symbols. We use symbols in everything we do. It is just another form of language. The classic Tarot deck is filled with esoteric symbolism that is sometimes difficult to understand. Expanding Dimensions chose to use modern symbolism in Today’s Journey Tarot. It is easy to relate to the contemporary imagery. Some of the general symbolism in Today’s Journey Tarot include:

Air – The mind, intellect, abstract thought, and knowledge

Arch – Threshold, point of crossing, passage of change

Birds – Messengers, guides, ability to see clearly

Books – Learning, knowledge, curiosity

Candle – Hope, celebration

Cat – Instinct, seeing what others cannot

Cars – Vehicles of movement, journey, control

Circle – Eternity, cycles, karma

Cup – Emotions, water

Dirt – Foundation, grounding, stability

Dog – Companion, natural world

Dolphin – Moving forward, gentleness, innocence

Dome – Power, authority

Earth – Balance, growth, abundance

Feet – Foundation, understanding

Fire – Passion, energy, strength, ambition

Gate – Passageway, transition, protection

Grass – Growth

Hands – Left hand receives and the right hand gives

Horse – Power, freedom, abundance

Lamps – Source of illumination

Lemniscate – Infinity

Locks – Protection, fear

Merkaba – As above so below, vehicle of transcendence

Moon – Emotions, intuition, creativity, subconscious

Pennants – Symbolic conveyance

Pleiades – Influence for awakening consciousness

Rain – Emergence of emotion

Sea – Depth of emotion

Sign – Message, information, direction

Stone – Strong foundation, manifestation

Sun – Physical, analytical, active, conscious

Torch – Victory, leadership

Water – Emotions, depth, flow, unconscious

Wood – Strength, flexibility, reliability

Window – Point of view

Yin/Yang – Balance, harmony, karma

Additional blogs will look at the detailed symbolism of each card.

Teresa Sue McAdams, co-creator of “Today’s Journey Tarot”, co-author of “Today’s Journey Tarot, A Traveler’s Guide”, co-author of “Tarot Meditations, A Journal for Self Discovery”, and author of “Lessons, The Wisdom Within Each Moment”

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