Favorite card/significator

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Aure	24 Feb 2004
I'm such a beginner that I don't know exactly how you determine a significator for yourself and how do you use it? However, browsing through cards I've found a solid favorite I identify myself to: the Queen of Wands! So have I already chosen a significator? As for a favorite card in general, it is The Queen of Wands in Kat Black's Golden Tarot! I always check that card on each deck when I'm considering of buying a deck (okay, so I secretly wish her to be redhaired and about my age :rolleyes: ). So, tell me about this significator thing and also what is your favorite card and in which deck?

Imagemaker	24 Feb 2004
I chose the Queen of Wands, too, for these reasons: 1. The first deck that really "spoke" directly to me was the Robin Wood. 2. It also happens to have a lot of sunflowers and wheat, symbols of my birth state. 3. In this deck, she has a dark gray cat in her skirts that looks exactly like my Fendichio--who was lost for awhile and in my first daily spread after she came back, I drew the Queen with her cat in her skirts. I took it as a Sign :-) 4. And after that, when I asked questions about me, the Q of Wands often turned up. (I don't put down a significator card first.) And I admit, I have a *lot* of Q of Wands qualities! (sometimes not so good)

Alissa	24 Feb 2004
I don't use significators myself. Every now and then I will have a card that jumps out while shuffling, and I'll set the jumper aside. About 10% of my jumpers end up feeling like "significators," but that's the length that I use them. Also, you may wish to check firemaiden's incredible index which includes a list of threads on signficators, about the third post down. That should give you more reading on the subject as well. :D

lunakasha	24 Feb 2004
Although I don't use significators in my readings, the card that I most identify with (and aspire to be) is the 9 of Pentacles. In most of my decks (RW clones), the 9 of Pents shows a woman standing in a rose garden with a lovely bird perched upon her arm. She is dressed in a luxurious gown and has a contented look upon her face. To me, this card symbolizes feminine independence, financial security, luxury and peace of mind. Because she does not need to worry about money, she is free to enjoy her garden, commune with nature and spend her time as she sees fit...which is the ultimate expression of freedom! :) Luna

Aure	25 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Alissa I don't use significators myself. Every now and then I will have a card that jumps out while shuffling, and I'll set the jumper aside. About 10% of my jumpers end up feeling like "significators," but that's the length that I use them. Also, you may wish to check firemaiden's incredible index which includes a list of threads on signficators, about the third post down. That should give you more reading on the subject as well. :D Thanks!!! Firemaiden's thread is truly incredible!! It's like I found a whole section in the library I have always been looking for!

miss_apples	25 Feb 2004
I either use the Queen of Wands of the princess of wands. Mostly because Im a leo and wands represent the fire signs. I dont really have a favorite card though. Maybe the High Priestess.

DollieAnna	25 Feb 2004
I don't like to use significators 'cos I think that is one less card you could get in the reading.

lunakasha	25 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by adam_atom I don't like to use significators 'cos I think that is one less card you could get in the reading. I agree, adam_atom (or is it atom_adam??? ;)) :) Luna

nocturnaldreamr	25 Feb 2004
my significator card is the page of wands because of it's relation to a great enthusiam for life. i love adventures and making everyday boring things weird and interesting. i am also commpletely honest, i will tell it as it is the way i see it

Indigo Rose	26 Feb 2004
I don't use a significator card for most readings. I will sometimes for someone else, if the reading or situation seems to fit the use of it. I don't use one for myself, but I do identify with the Queen of Wands and the Queen of Cups, as well as the High Priestess. Indigo Rose

BlueLotus	26 Feb 2004
When I first started out with Tarot, I identified with the 'Queen of Pentacles' or that is what I thought,mainly because I am an 'earth sign'. With experience and learning more about court cards and who they stand for, I thought that the QOP may not always represent me, and many times I identified with the 'queen of swords', as it came up a lot in readings, and I see why. Queens aside, I think I do not mind to be a 'page of pentacles' if at all , or even the Hermit Overall I do not use a significator, but I like the Empress from Majors as it has come up in many specific queries' readings that I now know in no uncertain terms that it is got to be me.

ros	26 Feb 2004
I don't use one but after reading this thread I've been thinking the Hermit would be good for anyone. It could signify that "one looking for their own light" & this is what we do with Tarot, we find light on our situations.

crystal cove	26 Feb 2004
I don't use significators. Unfortunately, I see myself in EVERY card. :D

Nevada	26 Feb 2004
I don't normally use significators, though I can think of readings where I made an exception. I do have cards that I identify with more in particular than others (such as my soul and shadow cards, and a couple of the court cards). I pay special attention to those when they come up in readings for myself. When reading for others I don't use significators, though I sometimes use a spread with a position that represents the querent and read whatever card comes up there as an important aspect of them, or their part in the question. I also sometimes determine the querent's soul card and then consider its influence as I interpret the reading. I guess I'm a "fly by the seat of the pants" kind of reader. I just do what feels right in the situation. Sometimes this means that I follow a form, and sometimes not. Nevada

laura_borealis	26 Feb 2004
When I first became interested in tarot, I thought you had to have a significator. The first book I had leaned heavily on physical descriptions to assign court cards as significators. This was very unsatisfying, as you can imagine! I tend to use them now only if I feel like it. I should say, I only read for myself at this point. I'm not ruling out reading for others, but I'm not there yet. When I do use a significator, I usually use the Page of Cups or the Page of Pentacles, depending on my mood -- how I feel, or what I feel I need at the time. It has to do with the images on the card as well as the suit. In the Robin Wood deck, the P. of Cups has a very sweet and light feel, and she has a little artist's palette on her belt. The P. of Pentacles has a more grounded feel, and there is a little book attached to her belt. Then on occasion I use the Queen of Cups... she's a little more problematic for me, with her cup hidden under its handkerchief, but sometimes that guarded aspect is what I relate to.

amyel	26 Feb 2004
I don't use a significator, but there are cards I gravitate towards. After 15 years + of learning tarot, it has changed. I take this as a good thing, because I hope it shows growth. The cards I get most often - from a court card perspective - are the Queens of Swords & Wands, but I do relate to the King of Wands very strongly - I think it might be me in "work mode". I used to get alot of cups court cards, but I don't so much any more.

CreativeFire	26 Feb 2004
I also don't use a significator card in readings - as believe you need the whole deck for all possibilities. However I do have "my" card in a deck that can sometimes indicates or points to me (also to others of course as well) - but it has really made me sit up and take notice when it appears in a reading for myself or it if appears in readings for others very close to me (amazing experience with an early reading for my husband before we got together - but that is another story). My card/s - I have always been drawn to the Queen of Swords (and Queen of Wands) as in my first deck the Native American Tarot she (Q of S) is called the Matriarch of Blades - and as I was first starting off also read that you have to have a card that is "yours" in the deck - so found the image (and description in the LWB) drew me to this one. I now usually am more drawn to the Queen of Wands (life moves on) and choose a particular deck by the image of the Queen of Wands - particularly if she has a black cat at her feet - which reminds me of my little black cat, Gypsy who is always hanging around my feet :-) or sleeping on my tarot table or chairs! CreativeFire

CreativeFire	26 Feb 2004
Sorry couldn't resist - reminded me of a photo from a little while ago. *S* CreativeFire

lark	26 Feb 2004
That is so sweet! And what a beautiful alter you have......

The Favorite card/significator thread was originally posted on 24 Feb 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.