Tarot consultants use the words “path” and “pathway” quite a bit in readings. What do we mean by that? Read on to find out!
The Fool’s Path
Modern Witch Tarot
I see the Tarot containing two parts. The Minor Arcana contains the Ace through Ten plus the court cards of each suit, while the Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, 0-21 which describe the Fool’s Path or Journey. The Fool’s journey is one from no or little self-awareness or knowledge to fulfillment. Along the way the Fool encounters 21 archetypes, each teaching a lesson that is needed in order to process further along his path.
Triple Goddess Tarot
I’ll cover the lessons of the Fool’s Path in a different post, but the important thing to remember is that the Path never really ends. When starting out, the Fool literally knows nothing, and the lessons they learn are suited to who and where they are at that particular time. When the Fool reaches card 21, the World, they aren’t finished. Instead, they level up, starting a new, more advanced path that helps the Fool on to more advanced learning and understanding.
You Are On the Fool’s Path
Everyone has their own path through life. Some people stall on their path when difficult lessons occur. They never really get past that blockage and you can see it in their lives. Anger, abuse, bitterness, apathy, and boredom, are just some of the emotions that become personality traits for people stuck on their path. They stopped growing and learning and get bogged down in their own self and feelings.
Tarot Helps You Understand Your Path
Finding out where you are on your path can be very enlightening and explains some of what is going on around you and inside of you. When you know where you are stuck, you can ask how to get unstuck. The Minor Arcana deals with the daily ins and outs of how to navigate the path. Think of one of those walks that have signs explaining what you see.
Your life is like that and the Major Arcana are the signs. The Minor Arcana is the path that leads you the right way.
My Own Path as an Example
I asked where I currently am on my path, shuffled the deck, and came up with the High Priestess. The High Priestess is the second stop on the Fool’s Path, coming right after the Magician, who provides the tools that will be needed, and just before the Empress and Emperor who provide guidance and leadership. I won’t go into the meaning of the High Priestess, but I will say that I feel this is very accurate for me right now.
How do I start moving forward? I start pulling some cards. I originally pulled three but noticed one had jumped out, so I included it. That card is the Eight of Pentacles – hard work. Next is the Queen of Pentacles – learning to use what I have to create material comfort. The Page of Swords is next – following the wind of inspiration. And finally, the Knight of Cups – battling and controlling emotions.
These are just quick, off-the-top-of-my-head interpretations and require more study, but you get the idea. By studying this I will move forward to the Empress.
How Path Working Helps You
Knowing where you are on your own path gives you a way to frame your daily life. With the High Priestess in mind, folding laundry becomes an exercise in mindfulness. Can I stay in the moment while doing this horrible chore? (If you can’t tell, I hate doing laundry). Practicing mindfulness while doing something you dislike is a great exercise, by the way. I do it while cleaning the house and end up feeling peaceful and happy instead of tired and grouchy.
Where Are You On Your Path?
I’m offering a $25 reading to discover where you are on your own path right now. This reading consists of pulling a Major Arcana card, a written interpretation, and emailed follow-up where I answer any questions you may have about the card. If you’d like a follow-up reading on how to get moving along your path, it will be 20% off!
If you are interested, email me at readings@sophrosynetarot.com. Let’s get moving!
What Clients are Saying about Sophrosyne Tarot
I was advised to ask open-ended questions instead of predictive questions which I thought was helpful because I never would have known if it weren’t for the reader. The reader provided the reading along with some advice too so the entire reading was very thorough and explained in an understandable manner.
Everything said was accurate and helpful for me to identify my flaws in order to grow as a person. I have learned a lot about tarot and what it does to help me.
Is it true that we are all on the Fool’s path? Starting from knowing nothing and always on a path of learning. Never completing the journey and never advancing to another path?
Think of the path as spirals rather than circles. Every time through we level up to more advanced lessons. Everyone’s path is their own and therefore different, but we all face similar challenges on our paths.
I really resonated with this article! I’ve been reading and learning about tarot for a little while now and it’s been really helpful in understanding myself and what’s going on in my life. I think it can be really helpful for anyone, whether you’re spiritual or not, because it gives you some insight into what might be happening and why. Thanks for posting this!
Exactly! And that is why I love it as well. As an aid to understanding yourself, your relationships, and your interactions with the world it is very enlightening. Thank you for your input!