Methods of Timing in Tarot
When a client comes for a reading they
inevitably want to know 1) what ever it is that they're there for, if it
will manifest, and 2) when will it manifest. This can be more
than tricky, because the cards don't always give a clear "time". But
quite often it will give a general time frame. It's rarely absolutely specific as to an exact date.
If
the cards do give a general, or even specific time frame, it's good to
know a few methods from which to see this. There are several methods for
figuring out timing in a Tarot reading.
There are specific spreads for timing, such as the
Clock or Wheel of the Year ~ each of which is a circle of 12 cards with
one in the center (there are several variations, but this is how I was
taught).
For the Wheel of
the Year the cards are read clockwise, starting at the top and
continuing around, until reading the center card last. Each card
represents a month of the year, with the center card being the querent's
overall influence on that year.
The Clock spread is also read clockwise, but
beginning with the card at the 1 o'clock position and continuing around,
until reading the center card last. In this spread the time frame is
decided up before laying out the spread. The 12 cards can represent 12
days, 12 weeks, 12 months, 12 years, even 12 hours, if you really want
to get extremely specific. This latter one though, I would reserve for
emergency situations only. To do a 12 hour reading every day would be
excessive and, honestly ridiculous in most circumstances. Oh, and again,
the center, 13th card represents the querent's overall influence on the
time frame.
But what about when doing a "regular" spread, such
as the Celtic Cross? It is also possible here as well, but with certain
cards having to be in specific locations in the spread. These positions
are 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the Celtic Cross:
5 10
9
4 1 & 2 6 8
7
3
The timing card is an Ace. If an Ace falls into
any of these positions (5, 6, 7, 8, and 9), then Card #10 is also looked
for the final piece to the time frame involved.
Each Ace represents a season:
Ace of Cups = Spring (beginning March 21st)
Ace of Wands = Summer (beginning June22nd)
Ace of Swords = Autumn (beginning September 22nd)
Ace of Pentacles = Winter (beginning December 21st)
The card in the 10th position gives the number of
weeks into that season. For example, as you can see in the picture
above, the Ace is in position #6, and the 7 of Cups is in position #10.
Ace of Swords = Autumn
7 of Cups = 7 weeks into Autumn
Thus putting the date time frame in mid November.
So, that's one method. Personally, I find it a bit
too limiting, because unless you get an Ace in the right position, then
you have to use another method. Not a problem for those that know other
methods, but for a novice reader it can be frustrating.
The next method I'll present is actually my favorite, and I rarely don't
get a time frame when doing a spread, regardless of the spread style.
So I could get a picture for this part of this post, I did a quick
5-card Pentagram Spread. And, as almost without fail, I get a timing set
up in the spread. This layout is:
1
4 3
2 5
Here is that spread:
In this method of timing there are what are
referred to as "Conjunctions". These are when timing cards fall
immediately before or after a Major Arcana. The timing cards are any 2,
3, 7, or 9. A Minor Conjunction is when a timing card falls before
a Major Arcana, and means that a new cycle is beginning (determined by
the timing card itself and the underlying aspects of the Major Arcana). A
Major Conjunction then, refers to when a timing card falls after a
Major Arcana, and means that a cycle is ending (also determined by the
timing card itself and the underlying aspects of the Major Arcana).
What's really fun is when a timing card falls between 2 Major Arcanas!
As you can see in the spread above card #1 is a
Major Arcana, the Wheel of Fortune. The next card in the spread
(following the form of a pentagram, this is then the bottom left card,
as shown in the diagram above) is the 9 of Wands.
Before I go into determining the timing in the
reading, I'll first explain how this method of timing works. First note
that the timing conjunctions are read separately from the rest of the reading, so do the reading first, then interpret the timing cards, which in all probability will refer to completely separate events.
Here then is how this method of timing works:
Minor
Conjunction:
If a number
2, 3, 7, or 9 card from the Minor Arcana appears immediately before a card from
the Major Arcana, a minor conjunction occurs that indicates that the querent is
beginning to embark on a new cycle. The energies inherent in this cycle are
determined by the energies specified in the cards.
Major
Conjunction:
A major
conjunction occurs when a card from the Major Arcana appears before a timing
card. This indicates that the major event has already appeared in the querent’s
life and the influences of the card impact the native first, as she or he then
experiences the energies represented by the Minor Arcana timing card to complete
the conjunctions.
The
difference between these two types of conjunctions is that the major
conjunction signifies the end of a cycle, while the minor conjunction depicts
the beginning of one. For the purpose of the timing descriptions, they are
written as if the event has not happened. If it is a Major Conjunction, then
that event has already occurred in about the time period that is shown.
2's
The number
two generally refers to challenges in partnerships, which almost always refer
to couples, partnerships, duality, and pairs. Two as one more than one refers
to our need to extend our level of awareness beyond our egocentric concerns to
those of our partner or friend.
2 of
Wands = 2 Days:
An event is
likely to occur within 2 days that may concern business partnerships or
creative endeavors. The nature of the beginning cycle will be indicated by the
Major Arcana card, which follows the 2 of Wands. Because the suit of Wands is
so active, the cycle should begin shortly after the reading.
2 of Cups
= 2 Weeks:
An event is
likely to occur within 2 weeks that concerns relationships involving
attachments of a highly emotional nature.
2 of
Swords = 4 Weeks:
An event is
likely to occur within 4 weeks concerning communications with a friend or
partner. Contracts, phone calls, and other forms of communication will figure
prominently.
2 of
Pentacles = 2 Months:
An event is
likely to occur within 2 months. During this period, the querent needs to
focus on property, money, and financial matters. These financial concerns may
be the result of an agreement with another person.
3's:
Threes refer
to expansion and growth, and signify a need for independence because they are
one more than the coupling two.
3 of
Wands = 3 Days:
In approximately 3 days the querent will receive further guidance concerning issues relating
to the card depicted in the Major Arcana. These concerns will deal with a
creative endeavor or business pursuit.
3 of
Cups = 3 Weeks:
In approximately 3 weeks the querent will find that a part of his or her destiny is coming
into effect, which could represent the beginning, continuation, or change of
plans. This could be a very emotional time with expectations of much happiness.
The card drawn from the Major Arcana will give further clues to the situation.
3 of
Swords = 6 Weeks
During the upcoming 6-week period the querent is likely to feel a sense of loss. Although he or
she may feel a bit melancholy, the worst of this difficult time will be over soon
with the resulting outcome reflected in the card from the Major Arcana.
3 of
Pentacles = 3 Months
During the
upcoming 3 month period the querent will be preparing for awards and
recognition. Success is likely but he or she will need to persevere and develop
their skills in order to assure a positive outcome. The Major Arcana card
following the 3 of Pentacles will show the querent the area in which they
will achieve.
7's
When a 7
precedes a Major Arcana card, a choice needs to be made. The querent has reached
a crossroad in her or his life and must make a choice before continuing on
their journey. The 7 deviates from the general pattern of the previous
conjunctive cards because each suit of 7 will be activated in approximately 7 days.
7 of
Wands = 7 Days:
The upcoming
week may be rather tense for the querent as his or her concerns center on
business or creative matters. They may be required to stand up for themselves
or defend their area of expertise. The following Major Arcana card will reflect
the nature of this situation.
7 of
Cups = 7 Days:
In the
upcoming week the querent needs to expand his or her level of awareness and
look closely at the opportunities available to them, because some of the
alternatives may not deliver hoped-for outcomes. Although things may not be
readily apparent, the querent will soon begin to see with greater clarity.
7 of Swords
= 7 Days:
During the
upcoming week, the querent needs to reevaluate his or her current situation.
They may have been influenced by a proposition that seemed too good to be true;
they will realize that they have been deceived. Because of this, they may be
inclined toward self-pity, but instead should concentrate their efforts on
future prospects provided by the card drawn from the Major Arcana.
7 of
Pentacles = 7 Days:
During the
upcoming week, the querent needs to arrive at a decision regarding his or her
career, possessions, or finances. It seems that they have put in a great deal
of effort and are now entering into a period of gestation. It is important to
know that if this preparation was of a solid foundation, the outcome will be stable,
but if the querent failed to properly prepare, then the outcome may not be what
they desire. Nevertheless, the situation will come to fruition during the
upcoming week and the associated card pulled from the Major Arcana will
indicate the nature of the outcome.
9's
Nine
represents the end of a cycle in traditional numerology and is considered one
before the end in the Tarot, with the 10 representing completion. Nines
generally have a lot of power, which is cultivated through the previous eight
cards. With 9, the querent feels the need to go back and reflect,
reevaluate, and release that which he or she no longer needs. Each 9 is
stimulated in two stages comprised of 28 days. The first stage is
composed of 9 days and all existing forces will be broken down during this
period. The second stage lasts for a duration of 19 days and during this
period the new cycle begins.
9 of
Wands = 9 Days Followed by 19 Days = 28 Days:
During this
period, the querent needs to finish what he or she has started. It is not the
time to give up because with a little extra effort they can reach their goal.
The associated card from the Major Arcana reflects what they are likely to
encounter during this new cycle.
9 of
Cups = 9 Days Followed by 19 Days = 28 Days:
During this
period, the querent is likely to experience a lot of joy and happiness. He or
she should experience their first element of joy within the first nine days,
and the remaining days will strengthen the initial peak.
9 of
Swords = 9 Days Followed by 19 Days = 28 Days:
During this
time, the querent will find that he or she is letting go of a lot of unpleasant
thoughts. They may be reluctant to release these opinions that have been with
them for such a long time, but in order for them to enter into the next cycle
it is important to let go of these memories.
9 of
Pentacles = 9 Days followed by 19 Days = 28 Days:
During this
time the querent is likely to experience significant events relating to money
or material possessions. He or she may feel that their life is at an impasse
because nothing is right, yet nothing is wrong either.
Now, back to my layout above. The Wheel of Fortune is before
the 9 of Wands. So referring to the information above, the timing here
is that in the next 28 days an event will occur. I won't go into
interpreting what it means, suffice it to say that I will be keeping an eye on the next month! ;)
Here's a simple timing method. You can do a Tarot timing through the elemental astrology process.
Fire =
Wands:
Because Fire
is so swift, in terms of time, it relates to days. Therefore, each numbered
card in the suit of Wands will equate to the number on the card multiplied by
one day.
Earth =
Pentacles:
Because Earth
is somewhat slower than the other elements, in terms of time each numbers card
in the suit of Pentacles will equate to the number on the card multiplied by
one month.
Air =
Swords:
In terms of
time, this element relates to the fortnight. Therefore each numbered card in
the suit of Swords will equate to the number on the card multiplied by one
fortnight. **note: a fortnight is 14 days or two weeks.**
Water =
Cups:
In terms of
time, this element relates to the week. Therefore, each numbered card in the
suit of cups will equate to the number on the card multiplied by one week.
Spirit =
Major Arcana
Because
matters of the spirit as a general rule tend to transcend time and space, they
affect our lives in such a transformative way that in terms of time it equates
to one year. Therefore, the duration of each card in the Major Arcana will
equate to the number on the card multiplied by one year.
******
So get out your cards and play around to get an idea of how each one works. Find the method you like and enjoy!
