
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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