Signs of the Times
Thousands of years ago, when astrologers were first developing the principles of their art, they saw the Sun rise and set against the backdrop of a different constellation each month. Eventually, 12 constellations became the 12 signs of today’s tropical zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
Aries, the ram. The glyph for Aries looks like the horns of a ram.
Taurus, the bull. The glyph for Taurus looks like the head of a bull.
Gemini, the twins. The glyph for Gemini looks like two people.
Cancer, the crab. The glyph for Cancer looks like the claws of a crab.
Leo, the lion. The glyph for Leo looks like a lion’s mane or tail.
Virgo, the virgin. The glyph for Virgo looks like the wings of an angel or a V and an M, the initials of the Virgin Mary.
Libra, the scales. The glyph for Libra looks like a pair of perfectly balanced scales.
Scorpio, the scorpion. The glyph for Scorpio looks like a scorpion with a stinger.
Sagittarius, the archer. The glyph for Sagittarius looks like an arrow.
Capricorn, the goat. The glyph for Capricorn looks like a goat’s head.
Aquarius, the water bearer. The glyph for Aquarius looks like waves of water.
Pisces, the fish. The glyph for Pisces looks like two fish tails.
Cosmic Connection: Precession of the Equinoxes
Every now and then, you’ll hear media reports that the zodiac has shifted, and your Sun sign isn’t really your sign.
Don’t panic. It’s simply an attention-getting way to describe an astronomical phenomenon known as the Precession of the Equinoxes.
The Earth rotates on an axis that’s tilted. Our equator isn’t quite aligned with the Sun and the Moon. As a result, both the Sun and the Moon exert a gravitational pull on the equator, which makes the Earth wobble a bit.
Over time, that wobble realigns our view of space. The position of the fixed stars gradually changes, and the Sun seems to rise and set against a slowly shifting backdrop of constellations.
The Greek astronomer Hipparchus first noted the phenomenon in 134 bc. Since then, the background constellations have continued to drift, and now they’re about a month out of synch with our traditional frame of reference—which is known as the tropical zodiac.
In tropical astrology, we start each celestial year on the vernal equinox, or the first day of spring. We refer to that date as the start of Aries, no matter where the Sun actually rises or sets among the stars. It’s mostly as a matter of convenience, because the tropical zodiac aligns so well with the mythology and symbolism of western civilization. Once we have Aries marked in the heavens, we simply measure out the remaining signs in twelve segments of 30 degrees each.
There is one branch of astrology that has kept up with the times. Vedic astrologers, who generally practice in India, use a sidereal zodiac, which accurately reflects the current position of the stars as seen from Earth.
Neither system is right or wrong. In fact, both systems are equally effective, because both tropical and sidereal astrologers rely on most of the same astrological principals.
The animal imagery of the signs is important. The word zodiac means “circle of animals,” and the characteristics of each creature can be valuable clues to personality.
Sign Language
The symbolism of the signs involves multiple layers of meaning. Before we dive into the cards that correspond to each sign, let’s look at the characteristics that all of the signs have in common.
Modes, Qualities, and Quadruplicities
Astrology is a calendar-based study, and the twelve signs, just like the twelve months of the year, can be grouped into four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each season is three months long, and each season has a beginning, middle, and end.
The signs fall into three corresponding modes: cardinal, fixed, and mutable. Loosely put, those modes conform to the beginning, middle, and end of each season, so they—and their corresponding cards—are evenly spaced around the Wheel of the Year. The modes are sometimes called quadruplicities, because there are four signs for each mode.
Cardinal signs start each season with a bang. Each one marks a definite starting point on the Wheel of the Year, so they correspond to new beginnings. The first day of Aries marks the first day of spring. The first day of Cancer is the first day of summer. The first day of Libra is the first day of fall, and the first day of Capricorn is the first day of winter.
Cardinal signs are unstoppable forces of nature. They’re leaders with a take-charge, can-do attitude. They’re courageous, self-motivated, quick to take the initiative, and energetic. They’re fast. They think on their feet, and take immediate action. They initiate change with sudden bursts of inspiration. All told, the cardinal signs convey a sense of inspiration and fresh starts.
Fixed signs mark the high point of each season. Just as you know that summer days are hot and winter nights are cold, the fixed signs—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius—are clearly defined. They are thorough, unstoppable, and enduring. The fixed signs dig in and are able to hold steady in their goals to achieve something solid. It’s hard for them to change, which gives them a reputation for being stubborn—but they’re also very dependable. They are respected for their reliability and sense of purpose. They have the strength and endurance to see things through and to uphold the status quo. They need stable homes, careers, and partnerships, and prefer the known to uncertainty.
Mutable signs—Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces—are flexible, adaptable, and changeable, because they typically usher in the change of seasons. They pave the way for change, and offer a sense of closure. They’re transitional; they represent the breakdown of the old season before the new season begins, so there’s a touch of chaos to their nature. They’re versatile, but they can also be scattered, fickle, inconstant, and restless. They can see life from many perspectives, making them great communicators, and they can steer projects through periods of transition to bring them to a successful conclusion.
The Triplicities of the Four Elements
The twelve signs can also be grouped according to element. The elements are sometimes called triplicities, because there are three signs in each.
Fire signs—Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius—are as mesmerizing as fire itself. They give off heat and light that’s impossible to ignore and difficult to contain. They’re energetic, enthusiastic, spontaneous, impulsive, and optimistic.
Earth signs—Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn—are as stable as the ground beneath your feet. They’re solid, supportive, reliable, practical, physical, sensible, and capable. They’re also cautious, slow-moving, thorough, and unhurried.
Air signs—Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius—are quick-witted and as fleeting as the wind, filled with ideas and imagination. They’re light and airy; they can shoot the breeze with anyone. They’re conversational and communicative. Sometimes, they can also be elusive.
Water signs—Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces—are emotional and intuitive. Their moods can rise and fall like the tides. They can be turbulent and swirling, or deep and calm. Still waters run deep, and most water signs are placid—but they’re also succeptible to passing storms of anger.
Dualities
In a world where opposites attract, all of the signs have characteristics that make them either masculine or feminine—or, in other words, active or receptive, extroverted or introverted, energetic or magnetic, linear or circular, or yin or yang.
Masculine Fire and air signs are masculine. They’re outspoken, confident, assertive, courageous, and bold. They don’t wait for results: they make things happen.
Feminine Earth and water signs are feminine. They’re quiet, responsive, intuitive, and understanding. They’re patient and strong, and they have the wherewithal to see events through to their conclusions.
Now let’s take a look at the Major Arcana cards that correspond to each sign.
The Emperor
Aries comes to life in the form of the Emperor. Whether you think of him as an astrological sign or a tarot card, he’s the leader of the pack.
The Emperor typifies the Aries personality: fearless, confident, courageous, and completely in control. He’s a master and commander, a visionary ruler, and lord of all he surveys. He creates order out of chaos and transforms his conquests into an empire and a civilization of his own design.
The Emperor is ready to protect and defend his realm at a moment’s notice—like Aries, the Greek god of war for whom the sign was named. The Romans called him Mars, and the planet named in Mars’ honor is assigned to the Tower card. Even today, the warlike god is remembered in terms like “martial arts” and “martial law.”
As the embodiment of the first sign, the Emperor symbolizes leadership and initiation. He’s adventurous, pioneering, and decisive. He is forceful, blunt, and direct. And just as Aries leads all the other signs, the Emperor leads a vast collection of kingdoms, lands, and territories.
You’ll discover clues to the Emperor’s Aries nature in most versions of the Emperor card. The Aries glyph looks like the horns of a ram—and, in fact, images of rams and rams’ horns are incorporated in many artists’ renditions of the Emperor card. In the Wizards Tarot, the Aries influence is prominently featured in the warrior’s helmet with the horns of a ram.
Aries rules the head. True to form, the Emperor leads with the head, not the heart. He is willful, stubborn, and strong—and he rules through logic and reason. He can be rigid and inflexible: his word is law.
The connection isn’t limited to health and physical issues: think broadly and symbolically. The Emperor is the head of state. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, occupies the first house of the natural horoscope, so it’s the head of the zodiac household, too. The first house is where astrologers look for information about first impressions and physical appearance.
Aries is a fire sign. In both astrology and tarot, the element of fire symbolizes spiritual energy. As a result, the Emperor can be hot-headed. All that fire makes him passionate about the causes he believes in. He’s bold, brash, and self-confident. He doesn’t doubt himself for a moment, or question the rightness of his cause.
People with a strong Aries influence in their charts can seem like rams—and Emperors. They’re not afraid to butt heads, or to use their heads as battering rams. In an argument, the heady Emperor can outsmart, outmaneuver, and browbeat almost any opponent. He holds a battery of facts at his disposal. He’s hard-headed, too; it’s not easy to get him to change his mind. Occasionally, the Emperor is even called upon to give up his life for his people or his cause. After all, rams were sacrificial animals in the ancient world.
Aries’ ruler, Mars, is the red planet, traditionally associated with the unbridled energy and passion of war, as well as aggression, self-defense, and action. The mythic cross-connections don’t stop there. In mythology, Mars and Venus were lovers, and in tarot, Venus is assigned to the Empress card. While the Empress holds court in a lush and fertile garden, the Emperor rules from a far more Spartan landscape. He’s all business.
In tarot, Mars corresponds to the Tower card.
The Sun travels through Aries between March 21 and April 20. The sign marks the first month of spring and the first day in the astrological year. That makes it a cardinal sign: it’s an initiator and a self-starter. The Emperor doesn’t wait to take action, or look around for someone else to take the lead. While Aries introduces new beginnings, other signs will step in to provide the follow-through that an Emperor requires from his followers.
Aries rules the first house of self, where astrologers look for information about physical appearance and first impressions.
The Hierophant
Taurus plays for keeps, especially when it comes to matters of spiritual value. That’s what makes the sign such a perfect match for the Hierophant, the card of time-honored values and beliefs.
Taurus is the sign of stability and convention, while the Hierophant is a traditionalist who values faithfulness, monogamy, and procreation. Both Taurus and the Hierophant are committed to structure and propriety, along with creature comforts and objects of beauty that represent spiritual treasures.
In ancient Greece, the hierophants were priests who guided their followers through the sacred rites of the Eleusinian Mysteries—a mythic scenario of death and rebirth—by enacting the story of Persephone. She was the maiden goddess who was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the Underworld. Her disappearance plunged the world into a long winter of bitter cold and deprivation—but it was fertile ground for ruminations about life after death. Today, the role of the hierophant lives on in every spiritual teacher and guide who leads followers through seasons of hope and experience.
The word “hierophant” shares the same origin as the word “hierarchy,” which means an organization with varying levels of authority; a hierophant is the final authority on matters of faith. He has the power to speak on behalf of God, to explain the teachings of divine wisdom, and to serve as a bridge between this world and the next.
The glyph for Taurus looks like the head of a bull, or the ring in a bull’s nose. Most Hierophant cards feature Taurus glyphs carved into pillars of the church, or heavy, earthy animals like bulls or elephants.
Like bulls in a meadow, Taurus and the Hierophant are committed to creature comforts—as well as the comfort and stability of long-standing ritual and practice. Both can be bull-headed: stubborn, immovable, and almost impossible to placate. Both can be bullish when it comes to the practice of their beliefs. But both can also be a rock of solidarity and comfort in difficult times. They are determined and loyal, dedicated, and enduring. In a sense, the Hierophant is a spiritual beast of burden.
Taurus is the second sign. It rules the second house of the zodiac, where astrologers look for information about money and possessions, as well as the spiritual values they represent.
Taurus, in turn, is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and attraction. In the tarot, Venus is assigned to the Empress card; she offers a physical form of nurturing that complements the Hierophant’s spiritual training.
The Sun is in Taurus between April 21 and May 21. Taurus marks the second month of spring. That makes it a fixed sign: when Taurus is in play, the season of spring is in full flower.
Taurus is also an earth sign. In both astrology and tarot, the element of earth symbolizes physical energy. It’s practical and reliable, patient and persevering. It’s feminine and receptive: it provides fertile soil for growth and development.
Taurus rules the neck and throat—which means that Taurus can be remarkably expressive through spoken language and song. Similarly, hierophants have always relied on speeches, sermons, and hymns to lead and uplift their followers.
Cosmic Connection: Chiron, the Wounded Healer 
In the Wizards Tarot deck, the Hierophant is Chiron, the wounded healer of myth and legend. A centaur—half human, half horse—he represents a magical blend of man and beast, body and spirit, and intelligence in animal form.
Chiron was an immortal creature who served as a teacher to the ancient Greeks and Romans. He even tutored the legendary hero Hercules. When Hercules accidentally shot him with a poisoned arrow, however, Chiron’s immortal essence condemned him to suffering without end. As Chiron sought relief for his crippling injuries, he accumulated a vast store of medical knowledge. He shared that wisdom with others, which led to his legendary reputation as a wounded healer. Eventually, the gods took pity on Chiron’s suffering. They relieved him of his mortal form and gave him a heavenly home in the stars.
In astrology, Chiron is a comet with a unique and erratic orbit. Modern astrologers look to Chiron for information about the wounded healer that resides in every person’s birth chart, along with corresponding efforts toward healing and recovery.
The glyph for Chiron looks like the Hierophant’s key to the kingdom of heaven.
The Lovers
It is often said that people born under the sign of Gemini are the great communicators of the zodiac. They are insatiably curious, talkative, flirtatious, and playful.
One could say the same thing about the Lovers, the tarot card associated with Gemini.
The Lovers are twin souls, with a wide range of thoughts, interests, and experiences to share and compare. They’re quick thinking and smart—and they’re versatile, lighthearted, adventurous, and inquisitive, too.
While the card can have romantic connotations, it’s more important to note that the Lovers are kindred spirits, who speak the same language and exchange thoughts and ideas freely and openly. Their love and affection for each other could just as easily be Platonic as romantic.
Most people put a romantic spin on the Lovers card, but its astrological significance applies to siblings, too. You might even think of a sibling relationship as a profound soul mate connection. In fact, most people have a longer-lasting relationship with their brothers and sisters than they do with their husbands, wives, or romantic partners.
The Gemini glyph depicts Castor and Pollux, twins who hatched from the egg of their mother Leda, following her seduction by Zeus. They were great warriors, noted for their devotion to each other. Zeus created the constellation Gemini in their honor.
The glyph for Gemini looks like two people standing side by side, with their arms around each other, perhaps smiling for the artist who first etched their image on a cuneiform tablet.
The sign represents the duality of two separate individuals working in tandem—one that makes the most of two identities, two ideals, and the intersection of two points of view. Both the Gemini twins and the two Lovers in the tarot card represent a diversity of thoughts and experiences, and the versatility and expanded point of view that a partnership can bring to any situation.
The sign also describes the intersection of those viewpoints, primarily through communication, which it rules. People send and receive information in a variety of ways; Gemini covers the spoken word, written word, and body language.
Together, the combination of Gemini and the Lovers demonstrates that two heads are better than one—and that two points of view can coexist harmoniously.
Gemini rules communication. It controls the free and open expression of ideas, and it lends a sense of magic to written and verbal messages. Gemini rules sibling relationships, because we so often learn how to communicate with others based on our exchanges with brothers, sisters, and related peer groups. Gemini also rules short errands and neighborhood trips—the kind we embark upon when we’re first learning to navigate the world as children.
Gemini is the third sign. It rules the third house of the zodiac, where astrologers look for information about communication, sibling relationships, and elementary education. Gemini, in turn, is ruled by Mercury, the planet of speed and communication. In tarot, Mercury corresponds to the Magician card.
Gemini is also an air sign. In astrology, just as in tarot, the element of air symbolizes intellectual energy.
Gemini is ambidextrous: it’s associated with the dual embrace of arms and hands. It also rules the twin chambers of the lungs, which control the air we breathe and use to communicate.
The Sun is in Gemini between May 22 and June 21. The sign marks the third and final month of spring. That makes it a mutable sign: it’s flexible, spontaneous, and adaptable, to ease the transition from one season to the next.
The Chariot
The Chariot card corresponds to Cancer, the sign of motherhood, home, and family life.
At first glance, the sign doesn’t seem to have much in common with the adventurous spirit of the Chariot card. Look again, though, and you’ll soon discover that the high-flying charioteer never leaves her home and family for long.
The typical Cancer individual is far more like the Charioteer than you might expect. After all, the first charioteers traveled in an early version of the mobile home. Both Cancer and the Charioteer are also remarkably resourceful, intuitive, and protective—all valuable resources for the traveler on the go.
In almost every version of the card, the Charioteers are adventurers—but their quests have a practical purpose. Some are warriors, determined to protect and defend their communities. Some travel for the sake of business and trade, in order to make a better life for their families. Some journey in pursuit of knowledge and experience, and to make new connections with people in other parts of the world.
No matter where they travel, however, the Cancerian charioteers bring a little piece of home along for the ride. In most versions of the card, the Chariot is itself a home away from home. In the Wizards Tarot, the Chariot is a broom—a staple tool of hearth and home, and a must for proper homemaking.
The glyph for Cancer looks like a crab’s claw—and both Cancer and the Charioteer can be defensive. The crab’s hard shell offers a tough, nearly impenetrable barrier between the dangers of the outside world and the vulnerable creature inside.
Crabs scuttle sideways when they move; they rarely move in a direct course. They even put out feelers to sense the direction they should travel. When they sense danger, they lash out with sharp, pinching claws that can maim those who threaten or torment them.
And because they’re water creatures, Cancerians are sensitive and intuitive. They’re moody: just as the Moon changes from day to day and the tides rise and fall in response, they can be wildly responsive to fluctuations in the environment around them.
They can be possessive and overly protective. Overall, however, Cancers are sensitive, kind, gentle, imaginative, affectionate, and nurturing.
Cancer is the fourth sign. It rules the fourth house of the zodiac, where astrologers look for clues about home and family life, as well as nurturing influences. Cancer, in turn, is ruled by the Moon, the planet of reflection, intuition, and inspiration. The Moon is assigned to the High Priestess card—which is a good fit, as she represents those same qualities.
The Sun is in Cancer between June 22 and July 23. The start of the sign, on the summer solstice, is also the first day of summer. That makes it a cardinal sign of leadership and new beginnings. Both the sign and the Chariot card represent leaders who aren’t afraid to dive into new experiences and adventures.
Cancer is also a water sign. In astrology, just as in tarot, the element of water symbolizes emotional energy.
Cancer rules the breasts and stomach, which clearly indicates a mother’s lifelong role as a nurturing presence in her children’s lives. For most mothers, feeding their children is a primary part of their job—first, by nursing their children as infants, and later by filling their stomachs with home-cooked meals.
Strength
Strength is the card of courage and self-discipline. It symbolizes bravery and determination, even in the face of overwhelming obstacles. It also suggests the confidence and calm that come from overcoming fear.
The young woman in the card might seem fearless, but that’s not necessarily the case. She’d be the first to tell you that she both fears and respects the power of every wild creature. She’s learned, however, to maintain her composure, even in the face of danger.
She’s also learned that some animals feed on fear, so she refuses to display any hint of vulnerability. Instead, she snatches victory from the jaws of defeat.
In older tarot decks, Strength was called Fortitude—a cardinal virtue, aligned with Temperance, Justice, and Prudence. In a similar vein, Leo is also a sign of valor, daring, and willpower.
Both Leo and Strength are generous, warm, dramatic, flamboyant, magnetic, strong-minded, optimistic, honorable, loyal, frank, energetic, and regal.
Most Leos, the strong, self-confident showmen of the zodiac, would have no qualms about stepping into the center ring of the circus if it meant that they could demonstrate their courage and ability to a crowd of admirers. Like the brave young lion-tamer in the Strength card, they take a certain pride in their ability to shine in the spotlight.
In fact, the ferocious beast in most versions of the Strength card is simply a reminder of Leo’s signature animal, the lion. Leo people are usually as strong, brave, inspiring, and showy as the Strength card would suggest. They can also be vain, proud, and self-important—but, having tamed lion after lion, they probably have earned the right to show off a bit.
Lions hunt and dispatche their prey without bitterness, recrimination, or regret. The lion is also an alchemical symbol for the Sun—Leo’s ruling planet—along with gold and sulphur.
The glyph for Leo looks like a lion’s tale or a lion’s mane. Most versions of the card feature both the glyph and a lion—or a similarly formidable creature of the wild, like a tiger or a dragon. In the Wizards Tarot, the Strength card depicts a wyvern—a dangerous, dragon-like creature, with wings, two legs, and a serpent’s tail. While the wyvern isn’t likely to bite the hand that feeds him, any close interaction with the creature entails an element of risk.
Leo rules the fifth house of the zodiac, where astrologers look for information about creativity—creation, procreation, and recreation.
Leo, in turn, is ruled by the Sun, the radiant center of our solar system. Leo personalities typically like to be in the spotlight of center stage. In astrology, the Sun symbolizes the ego and individuality of the self.
The Sun is in Leo between July 21 and August 23. Leo rules the hottest month of summer, when the Earth is closest to the Sun, the days are long and scorching, and the season is at its peak. That makes it a fixed sign: established, clearly defined, and unmistakably fiery.
Leo is also a fire sign. In both astrology and tarot, fire represents spiritual energy, passions, and drive. Leo is one of the most flamboyant signs, determined to shine and stand out from the rest of the celestial crowd.
Leo rules the heart and spine. It’s no accident that we use the terms heart and backbone to describe the bravery and determination of heroes.
The Hermit
Any hermit can tell you that it’s lonely at the top—especially when others are expecting you to shine a light of wisdom and experience to guide them, too.
The Hermit isn’t part of ordinary civilization, but he does keep watch over the world from his hermit’s cave, where he maintains a collection of universal wisdom and learning. He’s reclusive, but he’s not exclusive; his followers know where to find him. He even holds a lamp of wisdom to serve as a beacon and a guide.
In astrology, Virgo is the sign of duty, work, and service to others, and the Hermit typifies the Virgo personality: self-disciplined, conscientious, reliable, and exacting—a troubleshooter who can spot flaws and fix them.
The Hermit card usually represents wisdom, prudence, and illumination, as well as philosophy, introspection, and meditation. The card illustrates the concepts of solitude, silence, and leadership by example.
Virgo is represented by the virgin—more spiritual than physical, almost holy, and pure. In fact, the glyph for Virgo looks like a pair of angel wings, or a “V” and an “M”—the initials of the Virgin Mary.
That doesn’t mean that the Hermit is destined for a life of celibacy. In Latin, “Virgo” means “unmarried” or “self-possessed.” Virgos give of themselves by choice, not out of a sense of duty. They have integrity, and they always stay true to themselves. Historically, unmarried temple virgins served their communities by living exemplary lives of public service and personal responsibility. Hermits are solitary and self-possessed, too, but they carry the light of wisdom for others to follow, and they tend to attract fellow seekers and believers.
At their core, Virgos are somewhat isolated. It’s their rational, practical, and analytical nature at work. In order to live up to their own high standards, Virgos often have to separate themselves from those who aren’t as hard-working, resourceful, and well organized. They’re detail-oriented, and they can be critical—although usually they are most critical of themselves. They are also extremely helpful. Once you seek them out, they are more than willing to share the wisdom they have accumulated on their own journeys.
Virgo is the sixth sign and rules the sixth house of the zodiac, where astrologers look for information about work and service to others.
Virgo, in turn, is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication. In tarot, Mercury corresponds to the Magician card. The combination of the wise old Hermit and the brash young Magician relates directly to Virgo’s desire to teach and help other people.
The Sun is in Virgo between August 24 and September 23. The sign marks the third and final month of summer. That makes it a mutable sign: it’s changeable and varied, to ease the transition from one season to the next.
Virgo is also an earth sign. In both astrology and tarot, the element of earth symbolizes stability and practicality.
Virgo is associated with the nervous and digestive systems. Most Virgos are very conscious of their health, and pay keen attention to diet and clean living.
Cosmic Connection: Saturn’s Cloak
If you’re coming to tarot from an astrology background, you might think the Hermit is associated with Saturn or Kronos, the ancient gods of time and harvest. You wouldn’t be completely off-base: there is plenty of room for overlap in the archetypes of the tarot. Some early versions of the card did depict him as a robed and bearded man, holding a Saturnine hourglass. The Rider-Waite’s designer, however, described the Hermit as a variant of Prudence, which aligns the card with Virgo, too.
Justice
The goddess of Justice has assumed many forms, from her earliest incarnations in ancient Egypt to her prominent position in modern-day courtrooms. She comes to life in the Justice card, where she balances an archetypal set of scales and serves as a compelling witness to the importance of honesty and truth.
You might recognize her as Ma’at, the Egyptian goddess of truth who weighed the hearts of the dead before they could pass into the Afterlife. On her scales, a pure heart would weigh no more than a feather. Ma’at, like Libra, was the embodiment of cosmic order: she was responsible for ensuring that the universe followed a consistent, predictable set of rules.
You might also know her as Themis, the ancient Greek goddess of justice. She helped keep the infant Zeus safe from his father Kronos, the god of time who destroyed all of his creations. She was also a gifted prophet who served for a time as the Oracle of Delphi, where she offered visions of truth and light to spiritual seekers.
Today, the goddess of Justice is almost always depicted with the scales of balance—the emblem of the sign of Libra. The iconographic imagery links the card to Libran concepts of balance, equanimity, and grace, both personal and political.
Libra is skilled at solving problems, compromising, and arranging diplomatic solutions for any conflict. Occasionally, Libra’s need to see both sides of any issue can make it seem indecisive. Its charm, however, makes up for it.
Librans have an innate need to balance themselves through relationships with others. They are typically friendly, gregarious, and charming. They are exceptionally social creatures, with visionary social and humanitarian ideals. They tend to express themselves through artistic pursuits and have a keen appreciation for the beauty and harmony of art.
Libra is the seventh sign. It rules the seventh house of the zodiac, where astrologers look for information about marriage, partnerships, and intimate relationships.
Libra, in turn, is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, attraction, and an appreciation for beauty and harmony. For that reason, Libra rules all of the arts, from theaters, to concert halls, to art galleries.
In tarot, Venus corresponds to the Empress card. The combination lends a caring, nurturing quality to Libra’s role as an emissary of balance and equanimity.
The Sun is in Libra between September 23 and October 22. Its start marks the first day of fall. That makes it a cardinal sign: it takes a leadership position, and initiates change and forward movement. Like Aries and Cancer before it, Libra is an agent of change and decisive action.
Libra is also an air sign. In astrology, just as in tarot, the element of air symbolizes intellectual energy. Libra is extroverted, communicative, and conversational. It’s interested in others—and it’s able to express that interest in an utterly charming fashion.
Libra rules the seat of power in the human body: the buttocks, along with the lower back and the balanced pair of purifying kidneys.
Death
Believe it or not, the Death card isn’t a bad omen. It’s not a portent of doom or imminent destruction. Instead, it’s a card of transition. It almost never refers to an actual, physical death. In practical terms, it’s more likely to suggest a release, a change of form, a transformation, or the “little deaths” of sex and sleep.
While most people fear death, those who are born under Scorpio’s influence are unafraid of darkness. In fact, they’re fascinated by the interconnected mysteries of death and sex.
Scorpios understand, perhaps better than any other sign, that death does not always have the sting associated with its signature emblem, the scorpion.
Occasionally, Scorpio is also represented by an eagle, a bird of prey, or a phoenix, the mythical bird that dies and is reborn from its own ashes.1 The bird is a symbol of destruction and purification by fire and subsequent rebirth from the ashes. It’s a metaphor for transformation and change, metamorphosis and rebirth. It doesn’t represent the loss of energy; instead, it symbolizes a conversion.
Like the reborn phoenix, the Death card heralds the completion of one chapter of life and the exciting new start of another.
When the Death card rears its ugly head in a tarot reading, it could also refer to a death that’s already transpired—especially if that passing has gone unnoticed or unacknowledged. It may call for the release of old habits, old patterns, and old relationships that have served their purpose and now should be relegated to the pages of history.
Scorpio is the eighth sign. It rules the eighth house of the zodiac, where astrologers look for information about sex, death, joint resources, and other people’s money.
Scorpio, in turn, is ruled by Pluto, the planet of death, regeneration, and unavoidable change. In classical astrology, Mars was Scorpio’s ruler—but contemporary astrologers assign the sign to Pluto, and the tarot does, too.
In tarot, Pluto corresponds to the Judgment card. The combination of the Death and Judgment cards reaffirms Scorpio’s grasp of the deep mysteries of life, as well as its appreciation for the life to come. The sign is inextricably linked to the transformative powers of sex, death, and inheritance.
Scorpio is a water sign. In astrology, just as in tarot, the element of water symbolizes deep emotional energy.
The Sun is in Scorpio between October 23 and November 22. That’s the second month of autumn, when the days and nights are in perfect balance and the season is at its peak. It’s a fixed sign: established, clearly defined, and undeniably forceful in its autumnal energy.
Scorpio is associated with the reproductive organs, which guarantees that the ongoing cycle of birth and death will never end.
Temperance
In most tarot decks, the Temperance card depicts the alchemical process of blending and mixing disparate elements. Wet and dry, hot and cold, male and female … there is no end to the various combinations and permutations we can explore, and in most cases, the adventure of discovery is more fulfilling than any final result.
For Sagittarius, the sign of long-distance travel, higher education, and philosophy, the journey is also more important than the destination. Sagittarius is always chasing the adventure and excitement that awaits just over the horizon—whether that borderline is literal or figurative.
The archer of Sagittarius is a wily creature, a restless adventurer and offbeat philosopher. Half man, half horse, he’s a seamless blend of man and beast. He’s a happy-go-lucky explorer who travels the world in search of honest and visionary companions. He is enthusiastic, independent, footloose, and fancy-free.
The glyph for Sagittarius looks like an arrow. With a single movement, the archer can unleash his weapon and send it soaring to a new horizon. Just as an arrow flies through time and space, physical and intellectual journeys broaden the mind and expand our horizons.
Sagittarius is the ninth sign. It rules the ninth house of the zodiac, where astrologers look for information about higher education, philosophy, and long-distance travel.
In turn, Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion. In the tarot, Jupiter is assigned to the Wheel of Fortune card. The combination of Temperance and the Wheel of Fortune depicts Sagittarius’ balanced, optimistic nature.
Temperance was one of the five cardinal virtues in ancient Greece, and it’s one of the four cardinal virtues of the Catholic Church. While the current interpretation of the word implies a total abstinence from alcohol, it also refers to a mechanical process: just as steel is tempered by fire and ice, people are tempered—made harder and more durable—by time and experience.
The Sun is in Sagittarius between November 21 and December 20. The sign marks the third and final month of fall. That makes it a mutable sign: it’s changeable and varied, to ease the transition from one season to the next.
Sagittarius is a fire sign. In astrology, just as in tarot, the element of fire symbolizes spiritual energy.
Sagittarius is associated with the hips and thighs—the “horsey” part of the body that can bear weight and carry a rider across long distances of time and space.
The Devil
The Devil knows how to make the most of first impressions—and he knows how to intimidate his opposition.
But if anyone could beat the Devil at a game of cards, it would be a Capricorn. That’s because the stereotypical Capricorn businessman and the Devil share an important trait: both understand all too well the trials and temptations of the material world.
Capricorn is the sign of business, career, worldly success, and social standing. It’s the sign of tangible property, material resources, and physical existence. People who are born when the Sun is in Capricorn are usually hard workers, high achievers, and responsible partners, both at work and at home.
The dark lord of the Devil card, however, offers a secret glimpse at every person’s dark side. He’s obviously connected to sin and temptation, as well as the pitfalls of human existence like lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. He knows that wealth and material success can liberate us—or enslave us.
Most Capricorns are keenly aware of their social status. Like their symbol, the sure-footed mountain goat, they are constantly climbing, and constantly seeking greener pastures. They are ambitious, driven, disciplined, and industrious. They are prudent, patient, stable, and enduring and they’re willing to give the Devil his due.
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of boundaries and limitations. In tarot, Saturn is assigned to the World card. The combination is effective: the Devil is an earthly creature, firmly rooted in the material world, and closely associated with both the pleasures and pain of physical existence.
People with a strong Capricorn influence usually feel driven to prove themselves in business and society. In this case, however, the Devil demonstrates that an obsession with outward appearances can imprison the spirit in the material world.
The Devil is a Christian invention—but many of his characteristics happen to be derived from Pan, the mythical god of music, nature, sheep, and shepherds. Pan’s head and torso looked human, but from the waist down, he was a goat, with fur-covered legs and animal hooves.
Pan was a god of physical pleasures, including sexuality, food, and drink. He was a close associate of Dionysus, the god of wine. As a result, the Devil card occasionally symbolizes alcohol and drug abuse. Pan was wild: he could even inspire panic. Because of his association with Pan, the Devil has come to symbolize erotic pleasure, wild behavior, and unbridled desire.
Some astrologers depict Capricorn as a hybrid creature, half goat and half fish. The imagery dates back to myths about Pan, who jumped into the Nile to escape the monster Typhon. Submerged from the waist down, his legs turned into a fish tail, while his upper body maintained its goat-like form. The Capricorn glyph looks like the profile of a goat-fish.
The Devil card can also be connected to Cernunnus, the horned nature and fertility god of the Celts, and Baphomet, the imaginary creature that’s sometimes depicted as a goat’s head superimposed on an inverted pyramid. Occasionally, the Devil card relates to Pluto or Hades, the lord of the Underworld and the king of the dead.
Capricorn is the tenth sign of the zodiac. It rules the tenth house of career and social status—both of which often come at great expense. No one understands that cost better than a Capricorn, who will pay almost any price for the privilege that power can bring.
Capricorn is ruled, in turn, by Saturn, the ringed planet of boundaries and limitations. In tarot, Saturn corresponds to the World card.
Not surprisingly, Capricorn is an earth sign. In both astrology and tarot, the element of earth symbolizes stability and practicality. It’s the sign of tangible property, material resources, and physical existence.
The Sun is in Capricorn between December 21 and January 20. The sign marks the beginning of winter. It’s a cardinal sign of leadership and initiation, which introduces a season of change and new beginnings.
Capricorn is associated with the knees, shins, and ankles—three components that are critical to anyone who wants to climb mountains and reach the pinnacle of career and social success.
The Star
What could be more astrological than the stars? The constellations and the signs of the zodiac have helped shape our very understanding of the human psyche.
In tarot, the glimmering Star card is associated with Aquarius, the sign of social consciousness and futuristic thinking. The stars of Aquarius are the altruistic visionaries, revolutionaries, and pioneers who dream of a brighter tomorrow.
Aquarius can be an unpredictable sign. Aquarians are usually unconventional free thinkers, and they can sometimes be eccentric. Despite their love of humanity, they occasionally spurn intimate, one-on-one relationships. They can even be aloof. Don’t take it personally. Most Aquarians are just a little farsighted, being focused on the future as they are.
The Star card illustrates the power of myth. Since the dawn of time, storytellers have gathered around campfires and used the stars as an aid to describe our most secret hopes and dreams. Every constellation in the night sky is associated with a corresponding myth or legend.
Aquarius, is sometimes linked to Ganymede, the handsome young cupbearer of the Greek gods. He kept their cups filled with ambrosia—the water of life, the nectar of the gods, and the drink of immortality.
The goddess depicted in the Wizards Tarot Star card might be Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the night sky. Her name itself means night: she arched protectively over the Earth, covered in stars, and she served as a barrier between chaos and the orderly workings of the cosmos. Each night she would swallow the Sun so that she could give birth to the morning. The Egyptians identified with Nut: they used to say that every woman was a nutrit, a little goddess.
The Star is also associated with Phospheros and Hesperos—two names for the rising and setting morning and evening star. The Star might also be Sirius, the Dog Star, the Star of Bethlehem, the Star of the Magi, or the North Star that guides sailors through the night. According to some traditions, each star is an unborn or departed soul.
For thousands of years, people have looked to the night sky for guidance—and the Star still symbolizes direction. Sailors navigate by the North Star. Small children make wishes on the evening star. Young lovers watch for shooting stars, so they can make wishes for their happiness. And astrologers look to the stars when they chart the course of their clients’ lives.
Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac. It rules the eleventh house, where astrologers look for information about social groups, social causes, utopian visions, and technology.
Aquarius is ruled, in turn, by Uranus, the planet of freedom, rebellion, and reform. In tarot, Uranus corresponds to the Fool. The combination of the Star and the Fool is a clear depiction of the dreamer who is not afraid to follow his heart.
The Sun is in Aquarius between January 21 and February 20. The sign marks the middle month of winter. That makes it a fixed sign: like a fixed star, it’s unmoving and clearly placed.
Aquarius is an air sign. In astrology, just as in tarot, the element of air symbolizes intellectual energy. And while Aquarius is an air sign, its symbol is a water bearer—so the glyph represents waves of both air and water.
Aquarius rules the shins, calves and ankles—the parts of our body that are immersed when we wade into the rivers of time.
The Moon
Pisces is often said to be the most mystical sign of the zodiac. While most people live entirely on the dry land of observable reality, the Pisces fish are equally comfortable swimming through the deep waters of intuition and spiritual transformation.
On land, Pisces can be restless, changeable, and self-destructive. In water, its energy flows in more appropriate channels. It becomes adventurous, imaginative, creative, and artistic.
Those otherworldly qualities are reflected in the Pisces card, the Moon—and they’re fully expressed in the goddess on the card.
Like the Moon, Pisces is changeable. It is sensitive, compassionate, selfless, and intuitive. It can also be restless, self-destructive, self-pitying, and secretive.
Throughout myth and history, the Moon has usually been a feminine symbol; since it reflects the light of the Sun, it’s often perceived as a mate or companion to the Sun. The Moon is also the Earth’s companion, a partner in time and space. She reveals herself in bits and pieces, and she hides the dark side of her nature.
In tarot, the Moon card is associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. (The Romans knew her as Diana.) Her hounds accompanied her as she chased playfully through the skies with her twin brother Apollo, god of the Sun.
In her role as hunter, Artemis could take life, cleanly and without reservation. She wasn’t a goddess of death, however. In fact, she was the goddess of childbirth, and she was dedicated to shepherding new life into the world. Immediately after she was born, she helped deliver her own twin brother. In ancient Greece, women in labor would cry out to Artemis for relief; they believed that she could either kill their pain, or kill them to end their suffering.
The Moon also represents the changing nature of existence and the cycles of our lives. It moves through all of the signs every month, and it’s actually full in each sign once a year. Because the lunar and solar calendars aren’t perfectly synchronized, the Moon makes a complete orbit around the Earth every 28 days, and catches up with the Sun every 30 days.
The Moon symbolizes fertility and creativity, because its 28-day cycles are typical of most women’s monthly cycles. It is also linked to pregnancy and childbirth, because its phases so clearly match the pregnant female form: slim, then round and full, then slim again.
The goddess on the Wizards Tarot Moon card embodies all three forms of the triple goddess: maiden, mother, and crone. Her figure is slim, like a young woman’s. However, her stomach is curvy and her breasts are full. She has either given birth recently, or she’s in the early stages of pregnancy. At the same time, her hair is silver, which suggests the wisdom and experience of the crone.
Pisces is a water sign. In astrology, just as in tarot, the element of water symbolizes emotional energy. The Moon moves those waters, as it rules the ebb and flow of the tides.
Pisces is the twelfth sign. It rules the twelfth house of the zodiac, where astrologers look for information about our deepest, darkest secrets and desires—all submerged in the waters of memories, dreams, and reflections.
Pisces, in turn, is ruled by Neptune, the planet of mystery and illusion. In tarot, Neptune corresponds to the Hanged Man, the visionary whose body exists in suspended animation, freeing his spirit to travel through an alternate reality.
The Sun is in Pisces between February 19 and March 20. The sign marks the third and final month of winter. That makes it a mutable sign: it’s changeable and varied, to ease the transition from one season to the next.
The Pisces glyph looks like two fish tails. In Greek mythology, the two fish were Aphrodite and her son, Eros. They turned into fish to escape the monster Typhon, and they tied their tails together to make sure they didn’t lose each other.
Pisces rules the feet—the one part of the human form that’s most in contact with the grounding qualities of the earth, but always ready to wade into the watery realm of emotion.
Astrology in Action: The Phases of the Moon Spread
This spread, based on the phases of the Moon, is especially good for project planning. It can help you set goals and manage the creative growth and development of any undertaking.
To start, choose a significator, a card that represents the subject of your reading. A significator card will help you focus your thoughts, clarify your question, and visualize the starting point of your reading.
You can shuffle the deck and choose the significator at random, or you can pick a card that represents the matter at hand. If you’d like to tune into the lunar energy of the moment, you can also refer to an astrological calendar and choose a card that corresponds to the Moon’s current sign. If you look ahead to the next Full Moon, you’ll even see what type of work you should be trying to manage.
Shuffle the rest of the deck and lay four cards around the significator. Start with a card in the New Moon position, and continue counter-clockwise. If you’re working in a tight space, you can also lay the cards in a straight row under the significator; you can use the four key cards, or go all out and lay additional cards for the waxing and waning crescent and gibbous Moons. Those extra cards will clarify and enhance the information in the four key cards.
The New Moon represents a starting point. It’s the darkest phase of the Moon, but it also marks the beginning of the two-week period when the Moon moves away from the Sun and increases in light. It’s a good time to plant seeds, both literally and metaphorically.
The Waxing (First Quarter) Moon grows larger, day by day. The card that lands here will help you determine the healthiest avenue for your project’s growth and development.
The Full Moon depicts the peak intensity of the project, when it reaches its fullest potential. The card that lands in this position will describe the best results you can hope to achieve.
The Waning (Third Quarter) Moon symbolizes the steps you’ll need to take to finish the project, and it could even suggest possibilities for a follow-up project.
To measure your progress in real life, look at the Moon—and picture the Moon goddess’ canine companions. Over the course of a month, the Moon’s curvy side will spell the word “dog.” D is the Waxing Moon, O is the Full Moon, and G is the Waning Moon.
Sample Reading: Magic Moonbeams
Jane owns a busy metaphysical shop in Minneapolis. She’d like to produce a podcast to expand the store’s outreach, but she doesn’t know where to begin or how to proceed. What light can the Moon shed on her plans?
First Quarter:
The Wheel of Fortune
Full Moon: The Empress/The New Moon: The Six of Swords
Third Quarter:
The Lovers
The New Moon: The Six of Swords depicts Mercury, the messenger of the gods, in his adjunct role as a psychopomp—a conductor of souls. As Jane embarks on her journey into broadcasting, it might be a good idea for her to recruit a guide, someone who has already garnered some experience as the host or producer of a successful radio program.
First Quarter: The Wheel of Fortune, associated with Jupiter, is the card of growth and expansion. It suggests that Jane should take advantage of any opportunities she can to reach as many people as possible, even in the show’s beginning phases. She should make her recordings available through multiple outlets, not just her store’s website.
Full Moon: The Empress card corresponds to Venus, the planet of love, attraction, and pleasure. While radio broadcasts are designed to be heard, Jane might also want to design programming—and packaging—that will appeal to several senses. She can develop attractive visuals to accompany the downloads. She can augment recorded interviews with a theme song, bumper music during transitions, and live studio performances by singers and musicians. And she can devise program ideas that focus on her store’s fragrant oils and candles.
Third Quarter: The Lovers, a Gemini-themed card of partnership and communication, seems to indicate that as her show grows more successful, Jane will need to add a co-host. In this case, two heads are better than one: adding a second regular voice to the program will boost its interest, appeal, and versatility.
Summary: Major Arcana Correspondences
|
Glyph |
Planet or Sign |
Significance |
Tarot Card* |
|
|
Sun |
Illumination, the self, the ego; the glyph looks like the Sun at the center of the solar system. A masculine symbol, the Sun can represent a husband, father, or authority figure. |
The Sun |
|
|
Moon |
Cycles, reflection; the glyph looks like a crescent Moon. A feminine symbol, the Moon can represent mothers or motherhood. |
The High Priestess |
|
|
Mercury |
Speed, communication; the glyph looks like Mercury, messenger of the gods, in his winged helmet. |
The Magician |
|
|
Venus |
Love, attraction, spiritual treasure, fertility; the glyph looks like a woman’s hand mirror. |
The Empress |
|
|
Mars |
Energy, aggression, self-defense, action; the glyph looks like a shield and spear. |
The Tower |
|
|
Jupiter |
Luck, growth, expansion, enthusiasm; the glyph looks like the lucky number 21 or the number 4, which sounds like “fortune.” |
The Wheel of Fortune |
|
|
Saturn |
Discipline, limits, boundaries, tradition; the glyph looks like a church and steeple. |
The World |
|
|
Uranus |
Independence, rebellion, freedom, technology; the glyph looks like a satellite and antenna. |
The Fool |
|
|
Neptune |
Glamour, illusions, sensitivity; the glyph looks like Neptune’s trident. |
The Hanged Man |
|
|
Pluto |
Death, regeneration, unavoidable change; one glyph looks like a chalice and coin, symbols of resurrection and rebirth. The alternate glyph looks like the first two letters of the word Pluto. |
Judgment |
|
|
Aries, |
(March 21–April 20) The initiator; ruled by Mars; the glyph looks like the horns of a ram. |
The Emperor |
|
|
Taurus, the bull |
(April 21–May 20) The maintainer; ruled by Venus; the glyph looks like a bull’s head. |
The |
|
|
Gemini, the twins |
(May 21–June 20) The questioner; ruled by Mercury; the glyph looks like two people side by side. |
The Lovers |
|
|
Cancer, the crab |
(June 21–July 20) The nurturer; ruled by the Moon; the glyph looks like the claws of a crab or a woman’s breasts. |
The Chariot |
|
|
Leo, |
(July 21–August 20) The loyalist; ruled by the Sun; the glyph looks like a lion’s mane or tail. |
Strength |
|
|
Virgo, |
(August 21–September 20) The modifier; ruled by Mercury; the glyph looks like an angel’s wings or a V and an M, the initials of the Virgin Mary. |
The Hermit |
|
|
Libra, |
(September 21–October 20) The judge; ruled by Venus; the glyph looks like a balanced set of scales. |
Justice |
|
|
Scorpio, the |
(October 21–November 20) The catalyst; ruled by Pluto; the glyph looks like the stinger of a scorpion’s tail. |
Death (Transfiguration) |
|
|
Sagittarius, the archer |
(November 21–December 20) The adventurer; ruled by Jupiter; the glyph looks like an arrow. |
Temperance (The |
|
|
Capricorn, the goat |
(December 21–January 20) The pragmatist; ruled by Saturn; the glyph looks like the head and body of a goat. |
The Devil (The Dark Lord) |
|
|
Aquarius, the water bearer |
(January 21–February 20) The reformer; ruled by Uranus; the glyph looks like rolling waves of water or air. |
The Star |
|
|
Pisces, |
(February 21–March 20) The visionary; ruled by Neptune; the glyph looks like two fish kissing or bound together by the tails. |
The Moon |
*Card titles often vary from deck to deck. This chart lists each card’s standard Rider-Waite title, along with the corresponding Wizards Tarot title in parentheses.
1. The eagle is one of four zodiac creatures that make a joint appearance in other cards, too. Many versions of the Wheel of Fortune and the World feature the fiery lion of Leo, the earthy bull of Taurus, the airy human form of Aquarius, and the eagle of watery Scorpio.