A Video Introduction to Roberta Lee's Book, The Language of Tarot

This video is an introduction to my book, Roberta Lee’s The Language of Tarot , a comprehensive, illustrated guide to reading Tarot cards that teaches every aspect of this fascinating subject. The 452 page book is an important asset for those new to Tarot as well as experienced readers, and it places particular emphasis on understanding the often misinterpreted Court Cards in readings, as well as explaining the diverse nuances each Tarot card holds when read in the context of a layout.

With easy to understand instructions for applying every card in any Tarot deck to relationship, financial and medical questions, useful appendixes as well as an all-embracing clarification of the card combinations every reader should know, The Language of Tarot is a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in this intriguing subject and is also unequivocal proof you do not need to be psychic in order to read Tarot cards.

Here is a brief excerpt from The Language of Tarot, my interpretation of the first card in the Major Arcana, The Fool:

0 - The Fool

Keywords: Opportunity, potential, fortuitous event; innocent, trusting

The Fool signifies opportunity. The sense is of some choice that is dropped into the Seeker’s path, to use or misuse, learn from or ignore, as she will. Unless surrounded or followed by negative cards, read this card as a favorable opportunity that can lead to good things and a fresh start.

In business readings, The Fool foretells a chance for promotion or advancement. Be sure, however, to check for negative cards near it or following it, and then read it as an opportunity “too good to be true.” The Fool, alone—like all cards—is neutral, simply showing the opportunity, not what the Seeker will make of it or where it is leading. Not all opportunities are good ones. With positive cards, though, The Fool implies a shot at further success.

To read The Fool as advice, tell the Seeker that opportunity will soon knock and she should get ready to answer its call!

In romantic readings, read The Fool as attraction, the meeting of a potential lover. Again, the Seeker must decide whether or not to act on the attraction, since not all potential will ever be manifested. This may feel, however, like Love at First Sight: a very strong, perhaps rather mysterious attraction.

In a reading specifically about sex, the attraction has that animal magnetism component, big time. I have never seen this card show up in a romantic or sexual reading without it foretelling a very passionate affair, a swept away by passion scenario. I have also never had a Seeker pay any attention to whatever negative cards might fall after it. For better or worse, this attraction has distinctly Karmic vibes!

As an Outcome card, a favorable opportunity will be presented and the Seeker is being advised to prepare for it. It could take many forms, but it has the potential to be a major-and very positive—life decision.

Reversed 0 - The Fool

Keywords: Mistake, missed opportunity; foolish, careless

When it shows up reversed, The Fool denotes mistakes, missed opportunity and carelessness in general. Warn the Seeker to pay attention to details—this card seems to show up when the Seeker is distracted by some stressful situation and then has an accident or loses something because she wasn’t paying attention. Be careful with money, possessions and travel—just be more careful about everything for a while.

The sense is that the Seeker can be either acting like a fool, or being treated like one—i.e. being lied to. However, with positive cards coming afterward, this can be a warning not to be worried about what others may think, that although they may think you are “acting like a fool” about this matter, you are on the right course and they simply cannot see that.

To read this card as advice, tell the Seeker to watch out for careless mistakes or missed opportunities. However, don’t blindly follow the opinions of others just because you are afraid to look like a fool, be true to yourself and follow your intuition.

In romantic readings, reversed, The Fool implies mixed messages, misunderstandings and general confusion surrounding an attraction. The Seeker may be misreading or being misread. In general, it’s a muddle. Best to take it slowly, maybe the Seeker should start over again in a while if possible. This card can also indicate the presence of someone trying to play the Seeker for a fool; as such, it can indicate lying, manipulation, infidelity.

In that case, look for negative cards or indications of deceit, such as a reversed Court Card, the Seven of Swords (plots) or the High Priestess (hidden factors).

As above, though, followed by cards of happiness The Fool, reversed, can reassure the Seeker that she’s not being “a fool for love” but acting in a very understandable way, under the circumstances.

Sexually, reversed, this card means that the misunderstandings are being carried into the bedroom. Communication has broken down and other matters are interfering with the sexual spark. In addition, this can be the card of a Casanova: someone who will lie, cheat and steal to get laid. The Seeker is warned not to act like a fool!

Reversed, in the Outcome position, this card indicates the potential for carelessness and foolishly missed opportunities. I have often seen this card in this position to be a warning—the Seeker will soon make a mistake unless she is unusually careful. Watch out for accidents and misplaced items. We all know the awful feeling of wishing we had back that two seconds when we tripped over a step, cut ourselves with a knife, dropped something or made a stupid faux pas of some sort, and The Fool, when reversed, can give us a heads up warning in advance. Pass that message along to the Seeker.

(I am an artist and the author of the Suburban Sprawl series of novels as well as two nonfiction books. Find out more about my work at RobertaLeeArt.com.)

Copyright © Roberta Lee 2012. All rights reserved.