What card is TAROT for You?

[CottonCandy]

I have to say I'm loving all the discussions I've found here. I love reading all the different views people have.

In regards to what NorthernTigress said, I agree that tarot cannot be fully represented by any one card, but I think maybe you are thinking a bit too hard on it? I think it was meant as a lighthearted question... (it was originally posted in games if I recall correctly from my skimming) Or perhaps I am thinking too hard on it, anyway, no offense meant from me!

I think people are choosing the card that reflects what tarot personally means to them or what they use tarot for, rather than what card they think represents all the cards combined.

For example, my choice would be the wheel of fortune or the world.

My reasoning?

Each of the 78 cards represents an archetype &/or an aspect or multiple aspects of life, all our thoughts, feelings, actions, experiences, etc. are found in one card or another. So to me, tarot as a whole is a representation of life in general, and to me the wheel of fortune & the world are the 2 cards that kind of represent life in a general way, showing Life as a whole, the overall picture.

I see the wheel as the wheel of life and the wreath in the world card (with what looks to me to be the infinity symbol as the "wrap" in the RWS) as representing life. I see the woman in the world card kind of as a goddess of knowledge & balance. Plus, from what I've read (http://www.tarotschool.com/Angels.html) both cards have representations of 4 archangels, which are connected with the 4 elements, in the corners. To me, the angels would symbolize guidance & the connection to the 4 elements would represent balance.

I see tarot cards as a reflection of life & a "tool" for guidance & learning about myself & life, so I chose the cards that represent that to me.

I see the question being more like asking "what represents the concept of travel for you?" Some people will think of a car while others would have an airplane come to mind or even a boat. People who are "forced" to travel a lot for work or whatever reason might connect the concept of travel with stress, deadlines, missing family, etc. rather than immediately thinking of a mode of transportation.

Again, no offense meant to anyone, I'm just sharing my thoughts.

[punchinella]

Originally Posted by CottonCandy

I think people are choosing the card that reflects what tarot personally means to them or what they use tarot for, rather than what card they think represents all the cards combined.

Exactly . . . that's my perspective on it, anyway. Of course one card can't represent all the other 77. But it can represent the role of tarot in an individual's life at a particular point in time

CottonCandy, I also like your logic re:The World . . . This works for me too

[CottonCandy]

Thanks I'm glad someone thinks I make sense. Sometimes I fear I talk way too much.

[SunChariot]

To me saying one card IS Tarot to me is like saying I have found THE deck. I don't believe there is one deck that can be all things to me. ALL my deck together form the perfect system for me. Just as Tarot itself to me needs ALL the cards to be Tarot.

Babs

[NorthernTigress]

Originally Posted by CottonCandy

In regards to what NorthernTigress said, I agree that tarot cannot be fully represented by any one card, but I think maybe you are thinking a bit too hard on it? I think it was meant as a lighthearted question... (it was originally posted in games if I recall correctly from my skimming) Or perhaps I am thinking too hard on it, anyway, no offense meant from me!

I see tarot cards as a reflection of life & a "tool" for guidance & learning about myself & life, so I chose the cards that represent that to me.

I see the question being more like asking "what represents the concept of travel for you?" Some people will think of a car while others would have an airplane come to mind or even a boat. People who are "forced" to travel a lot for work or whatever reason might connect the concept of travel with stress, deadlines, missing family, etc. rather than immediately thinking of a mode of transportation.

Again, no offense meant to anyone, I'm just sharing my thoughts.

Oh, I wasn't insulted/offended in any way. I was just expressing my opinions. My first impression and my more thoughtful version. Although the original inspiration may have been a game, the current thread is in a more "serious" section of the forum, which is why I gave it a more serious answer.

Also, I wasn't necessarily saying that "one card can't represent all 78 cards". More like "one card can't represent everything that tarot can do/be".

If I'm using tarot to answer a question, then it might be the Priestess if it's a philosophical one, or the Magician if it's a more practical question. If I'm looking for guidance, tarot is the Empress, or a Queen. If I'm trying to get control of my life, tarot is the Emperor, or a King. If I'm meditating on the tarot, then it is the Hermit.

So many possibilities.

[bellathebrave123]

To me it would be the High Priestess, keeper of the secrets....

[jackdaw*]

The Magician; the TdM Bateleur - having the tools at hand to get the job done.