In many ways, the tarot and astrology are deeply connected. Both practices share important symbols and concepts and can help guide us in our daily lives. They can be consulted for advice, or to seek the answer to a specific question.
Using tarot cards and astrology together can help us achieve our goals and promote a journey towards self-knowledge. Ready to find out more? Below you’ll find advice and tips to make the most of these beautifully complementary practices.
The Origin of the Tarot
Tarot cards, as we know them today, have their roots in Italy in the fifteenth century, and were originally used for playing a card game. It wasn’t until the eighteenth century, however, that they became associated with divination, largely due to the French occultist Jean-Baptiste Alliette.
Alliette created the seventy-eight-card deck that’s now widely used, assigned specific meanings to each card, and developed a system of divination that linked the tarot to other forms of esoteric practices such as numerology and astrology.
The History of Astrology
Astrological practices are believed to date back to the ancient Egyptians, where proponents mapped celestial bodies to help understand and predict events here on Earth. Plato, Ptolemy, Aristotle, Copernicus, and even Isaac Newton are all famous figures who have been fascinated with the combined application of astrology and astronomy.
Different cultures have adapted the principles of astrology over time. For example, the Chinese zodiac comprises five (rather than four) elements: fire, earth, wood, water, and metal.
The Archetype Connection
Many of the tarot cards, such as The Fool, Empress, and Hierophant, as well as the Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings of each suit represent archetypal personalities. They act as universal symbols, recognized across time and cultures, that can help guide us and promote self-development.
Similarly, each sign of the zodiac represents a specific character type or personality. Learning about these can help us better understand ourselves and identify the habits and thought patterns that may be holding us back.
A Complimentary Practice
The practices of tarot and astrology complement each other beautifully. While the tarot can provide specific guidance and immediate insight, astrology offers a bigger-picture view. Used together, these practices provide a holistic approach to a journey toward self-knowledge and fulfillment.
When next undertaking a tarot reading, try interpreting the cards with a view to what’s happening astrologically at that particular time, or bring your knowledge of your star sign’s personality to bear when using the cards to meditate on a question.
The Four Elements
The twelve signs of the zodiac are divided across the elements of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are the Fire signs, Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn represent the Earth element, while the Air signs comprise Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra. The Water signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
The tarot’s Minor Arcana is divided into four suits, too, each representing one of the elements. Wands (or Staffs) are Fire, and Pentacles are Earth, while Swords represent Air and Cups Water.
Fire / Wands
Fire personalities, astrologically speaking, are dynamic, vibrant, driven, and passionate – and they can be prone to impulsivity and a show of temper! Like the star signs, the tarot’s suit of Wands is concerned with action, movement, and progress.
The Ace of Wands is the epitome of the suit and the sign: it represents the potential for growth, new opportunities, and inspiration. If you’re a Fire sign, spending some time meditating with this card could be very beneficial…if you can sit still long enough!
Earth / Pentacles
Johann Georg Rauch / Public Domain
Like their zodiacal counterparts, Pentacles tarot cards are all about groundedness, practical matters, and the magic inherent in the everyday world. Stability, loyalty, dedication, and hard work are all associated with both the sign and the suit.
The Eight of Pentacles is a great example. This card represents commitment, craftsmanship, and devotion – the figure in the picture is undertaking a labor of love. Finding pleasure in your work and cultivating your interests is the advice of this card.
Air / Swords
Representing thoughts, ideas, communication, and – sometimes – conflict, the tarot suit of Swords corresponds to the element of Air. Those born under an Air sign will no doubt appreciate the connection between the mind and a sword: quick, sharp, and penetrating.
How we communicate with others and ourselves is a key concern of this suit and a particularly helpful question for Air Signs to reflect upon. Both also suggest how our mental attitude shows up in our thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions.
Cups / Water
Finally, the element of Water appears in the tarot as the suit of Cups. Like the zodiac signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, the Cup cards are all about the heart, the emotions, and our intuition. Like the element, these signs tend to be more resilient than they look.
The Ace of Cups is the epitome of the sign and the suit. With this card, we see a beautiful Cup, overflowing with life-giving water which streams freely. It represents emotional fulfillment, release, compassion, and new emotional energy coming to the fore.
Getting to Know Your Element
As part of a spiritual practice that combines the tarot with astrology, it’s a great idea to get to know your element. Separate the relevant suit from the deck that matches your astrological element. If you’re a Libra gather the fourteen Air cards, for example.
Lay the cards out and simply contemplate them singly and as a group. What thoughts or emotions do they stir? Do they suggest a story to you, or are there any you’re particularly drawn to?
Choosing the Signifier Card
/ Arthur Edward Waite / Pamela Coleman Smith / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
When asking the tarot a question or for guidance, some people like to choose a “signifier” card to represent themselves. You may wish to lay this card at the top of the spread, or simply keep it by your side as you draw the cards.
If you wish, you could choose your signifier card based on your star sign. A young woman who is a Taurus could therefore select the Knight of Pentacles as her signifier, while a mature Aquarian woman could opt for the Queen of Swords.
Tarot Court Card Correspondences
As well as the suits themselves, the court cards of each suit have a correspondence with an astrological element. The Pages are associated with Earth, Knights with Air, Queens with Water, and Kings with Fire.
This can add a really helpful element to a tarot reading. A Knight, for example, is linked to the typical Air qualities of planning, invention, fun, adventurousness, and intelligence. Knowing this can enrich your understanding of a reading, provide answers, or help you gain deeper self-awareness.
The Mysteries of the Major Arcana
Each star sign is linked to a card of the Major Arcana, too. The Emperor is Aries, Taurus is The Hierophant, Gemini is the Lovers, Cancer is the Chariot, Leo is Strength, and Virgo is The Hermit.
The Justice card is linked to Libra, Scorpio to Death (don’t worry Scorpios, not physical death: this card is about the death of old ways and subsequent rebirth), Temperance to Sagittarius, The Devil to Capricorn (again, don’t panic, Capricorns, it’s not as bad as it sounds!), The Star to Aquarius, and the Moon to Pisces.
Aries / The Emperor
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Like The Emperor, Aries is a natural-born leader: a dynamic, inspirational, and powerful personality. Also like The Emperor, Aries is a great multi-tasker, managing his empire and remaining vigilant to problems and enemies. Both are personalities that love to be hands-on.
Both the sign and the card suggest that caution be taken that great leadership doesn’t stray into dictatorship. The Emperor and The Ram’s biggest challenge is keeping their cool, and grounding their energy when things get too frenetic.
Taurus / The Hierophant
/ Arthur Edward Waite / Pamela Coleman Smith / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Just as Taureans find the magic in the everyday, and sensuousness in Earthly delights, so The Hierophant understands the truth of the adage: as above, so below. Sometimes, great wisdom and the answers to profound questions can be found in the most mundane of places, rather than in something beyond ourselves.
The sign and the card speak to old traditions that have real meaning, rather than a blind following of doctrine. Interestingly, many Taureans are drawn to teaching roles, which are also linked to the figure of The Hierophant.
Gemini / The Lovers
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Duality is the essence of the star sign Gemini and its partner tarot card, The Lovers. How to integrate our multiple selves into a harmonious whole may be of particular importance to The Twins, but is a question that we all struggle with.
The pairing of the sign and the card can help us contemplate some possible answers. Making peace with the many facets of our personality is the aim, as is bringing together the perhaps disparate areas of our lives. Self-love is key: Gemini’s card is The Lovers, after all.
Cancer / The Chariot
/ Arthur Edward Waite / Pamela Coleman Smith / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Look carefully at The Chariot card: it must be hard work keeping those two powerful horses (or sphinxes) in check, right? But remember – the card isn’t called The Charioteer; it’s called The Chariot. Therefore our attention needs to be on the vehicle itself, rather than its driver.
Like The Chariot, Cancer often feels pulled in two directions. She wants to enjoy the peace and security of home but sometimes yearns for adventure and the open highway. Trusting your intuition is key to steering a steady course.
Leo / Strength
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Like the star sign, the tarot card of Strength is powerfully associated with inner strength, resilience, and confidence. It speaks of the highest aspects of strength, too: compassion, patience, and the ability to convert emotions into action that aligns with our best selves.
Meditate with this card to find the inner strength needed to make choices that are right for you, or call on it for help resisting impulses that don’t serve your highest good. If you need to tackle an issue head-on, look to this card for reassurance.
Virgo / The Hermit
/ Arthur Edward Waite / Pamela Coleman Smith / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Earthy Virgo may particularly benefit from taking the tarot card of The Hermit as their personal emblem. Like the figure in the picture, it can light the way to inner peace and wisdom. Virgos are famous for their perfectionism, and The Hermit gently advises that this drive comes from within, rather than without.
We could all benefit from unplugging from the modern world sometimes. Follow The Hermit on his quiet, introspective journey, to cultivate a sense of stillness and wholeness.
Libra / Justice
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Given that the sign of Libra is the Scales, it’s no surprise that their tarot card is Justice, who weighs everything to ensure fairness and accountability. Cause and effect is the concern of the card and the sign – and this includes the impact of intentions as well as actions.
Sometimes, however, we can be too close to things, and unable to view a situation objectively. Be wary of judging others too harshly or the urge to seek validation. Always try to see the bigger picture.
Scorpio / Death
/ Arthur Edward Waite / Pamela Coleman Smith / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Scorpio is one of the most intense personalities of the zodiac, so the drama of the Death card suits them perfectly! Don’t worry, the card doesn’t mean physical death: it’s about transformation, endings and new beginnings, as well as transition.
For the Scorpion, the message is that however much we may be attached to something (whether this is a person, a situation, or even a way of thinking), sometimes letting go is the only way to turn the page to discover the next part of our story.
Temperance / Sagittarius
/ Arthur Edward Waite / Pamela Coleman Smith / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
For Sagittarius, finding balance in life can be tricky. This is the sign of adventure, wandering, and freedom, a lifestyle that can be hard to maintain when trying to hold down a job, bring up kids, and generally live a modern life.
Temperance counsels balance. It shows the Archer that it’s important not to suppress the vital parts of their personality, but to find a way to integrate and align them with their lives. Blending disparate elements to make a perfect whole may be Sagittarius’ biggest challenge, but Temperance counsels that it can be done.
Capricorn / The Devil
/ Arthur Edward Waite / Pamela Coleman Smith / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
It may seem strange that dependable, hardworking, down-to-earth Capricorn has The Devil as their tarot card. However, the Goat’s tendency to overwork, often putting great pressure on themselves to “achieve” is linked to the card’s advice that a mindset can easily turn into a trap.
The Devil card tells us that sometimes our desires and ambitions can end up controlling us. It’s a great idea to check in with ourselves regularly to ensure that we are not neglecting some essential parts of ourselves in our quest to achieve a goal.
Aquarius / The Star
/ Arthur Edward Waite / Pamela Coleman Smith / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Like The Star, Aquarius is the sign of inspiration and optimism and is powerfully linked to healing, The Water Bearer is driven to make things better, likely to be committed to sustainability, and typically seeks out job roles that allow them to make a difference.
The card’s advice to this sign (and in general) is to extend that compassion and desire to heal to themselves, as well as the people and world around them. Step back, now and again, and breathe.
Pisces / The Moon
/ Arthur Edward Waite / Pamela Coleman Smith / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
The tarot card of The Moon belongs to Pisces. This makes sense, given that the Fish are the dreamers of the zodiac, immersed in the world of fantasies and the subconscious. Embrace this, by contemplating the nature of your daydreams, and what this reveals about not just your hopes and dreams, but your fears.
Heeding our intuition and trusting our instincts is the message. The Moon gently reminds Pisces that it’s important not to lose their way, and to return fully to the material world – from time to time, anyway!
The Quality of Each Star Sign and its Link to Tarot Cards
Star signs have one of three qualities: cardinal (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn), fixed (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius), and mutable (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces). Broadly, cardinal signs are initiators and leaders, fixed signs are linked to reliability and stability, and mutable signs are adaptable and versatile.
Differently numbered cards correlate to each of these zodiacal qualities. So, tarot cards two, three, and four of each suit are linked to cardinal signs, five, six, and seven are connected to fixed signs, and cards eight, nine, and ten correlate to mutable signs.
Choosing Cards to Match Your Sign
Putting everything we’ve learned above together, you can now draw some tarot cards specifically related to your star sign. These cards can be great to meditate on or to contemplate if you have a question or need guidance on a tricky matter.
If you’re a Gemini, a mutable Air sign, pull from the deck The Lovers, the eight, nine, and ten of Swords, and the Knight of Swords. Leo, meanwhile, as a fixed Fire sign, would pull the Strength card, along with the five, six, and seven of Wands and the King of Wands.
Tarot Reading by Moon Phase
You can also harness astrology to ensure you get the best reading with the clearest answers, depending on the moon’s phase. Readings about new projects, relationships, careers, or ideas are best undertaken during a new moon, while the waning gibbous moon is the perfect time for readings done with a mind to release that which no longer serves you.
A full moon is a time of particularly strong energies, and divination practices are likely to be super-charged at this time. It’s an especially good phase for readings centering on relationships, intuition, and emotions.
Finding Your Perfect Way to Work with the Tarot
Your star sign can help reveal the best way for you, personally, to work with the tarot cards. A Capricorn is likely to prefer to learn everything about the practice and its history and develop a systematic way of working with the tarot, including a lot of writing things down!
Pisces, meanwhile, would do best to work more intuitively with the tarot, feeling their way as they go by instinct, while Aquarians will quickly master the basics and soon be keen to create brand new spreads of their own.
