Significator

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Teal	04 Oct 2002
I have a question (again! lol) In some spreads, there's a card chosen called a significator. I'm guessing that you pick the card at random like you do the other cards. Right? Even though it represents the querent, the querent doesn't choose one they feel represents them-----it's done just by drawing an unseen card? How many of you use this card in spreads? Is it necessary and advisable or does it matter?

Scorpion	04 Oct 2002
Teal, As I understand it, significators are usually drawn by the reader - sometimes on the basis of an astrological sign, but probably more often on the basis of age/colouring. i think I've seen somewhere significators chosen to reflect the nature of a specific question (so, Cups would be emotional, Pentacles for finances etc). I don't use significators myself as I agree with those that feel (a) this is too limiting and (b) takes a card out of the deck that might have appeared naturally in a more illuminating position. On the plus side, I believe some people feel that it gives them and the querent a "focus" for the reading. There is at least one thread somewhere on this subject - I'm sure someone will bring the link up for you: I'm no good at these technicalities!

evangelion	04 Oct 2002
Usually I choose the significator for the querent. I look for a court card (sometimes a Major arcana) that best suits that person at that time. I do this because as I read, I can sometimes verify specific people in the querents life as they come up in the reading. So, it can be of help to you, but it's not necessary to do. Try it sometime though and see if it helps.

Teal	04 Oct 2002
Great input, you two! Thank you. I think the Significator I drew at random this morning in a spread I posted for some help in a reading just now was pretty appropo to the situation I was doing the reading for, but I drew it at random like I do the other cards. I'll remember these things you've told me in the future if I choose to use this card in a spread.

cricket	04 Oct 2002
There have been a few threads about this that are buried in the archives somewhere. The main jist of all of them is to do what feels right to you. Some people don't use them, others pick a card for the querent, and others (like me) use the first card after the cut as the significator. For me that one's usually the most accurate card in a reading.

wavebreaker	04 Oct 2002
Hi Teal, You can find previous threads about significators here and here.

The Significator thread was originally posted on 04 Oct 2002 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.