Choosing a Significator

Power Positions

The first concern in a reading is the seating arrangements. Each of the four cardinal points has it's own distinctive "power," and there has developed two modes of thought of how best to utilize these energies in a reading.

One mode of belief is to have the individual face West. You, the reader, would then be facing Fast. The reasoning behind this lies with the belief that East is the direction of all beginnings and, as such, is a strong power position. Also, the Querent may be more open and accepting of what the reader tells him if he is facing West, traditionally the Watchtower of Water, the ruler of emotions and a naturally nurturing, feminine energy.

The second mode of thought is to have the reader face North, the original Power Position, and the individual face South. My problem with this mode lies in my placement of Watchtowers. For me, North is Earth. I see (and feel) this as a grounding of the reader, at a time when the reader needs to let go of his "little" self. It also puts the querent facing South, the position of Fire, traditionally the ruler of strength, action, and fiery emotions.

Either of these modes is as valid as the other, however; as is any other that works for you. Only personal, practical experimentation will help you make that determination.

Choosing a Significator

Find any five readers, and you will find five different ways to choose a Significator. A Significator is that one particular card that symbolizes the person asking for a reading. About the only thing readers will agree on is that the Significator should be a Court card, and even then some take exception!

As far as human attributes are concerned, each of the court cards represents a coloring and temperament for a man or woman. Knights and Queens are said to represent men and women who have been or are married. Princes and Princesses represent men and women who have never been married. Princesses can also represent children, male and female.

Many readers base their choice of significators on the physical characteristics just outlined, much the same way as Cartomancy readers choose their significators. They will actually thumb through the deck in search of the Knight or Queen, Prince or Princess whose symbolic coloring and marital status most closely resembles their clients. If it works for them, OK. However, I prefer to let the Tarot itself choose the Significator.

My method involves matching the personality traits of the Court Card to the individual, not the physical characteristics. I base this method on the firm belief that the Tarot deals with inner vibrations and emotions. These are intangible, changeable qualities. The appearance of an individual usually has very little bearing on a situation, but how a person feels about it does impact most significantly. Therefore, I allow the Tarot to choose the proper Significator and clue me in to the emotional disposition of this individual. Remember, you are only the channel; keep yourself open to all possibilities. Allow the Higher Power to speak to you and through you.

Natural to this method is the possibility of more than one significator, dependent upon the individual's question. This ambiguity is necessary because each of us has more than one personality, depending upon the circumstances at the time. For example, we may behave soft and gentle in our domestic role, yet assertive and aggressive in the office. It would then make sense that the Significator for a question pertaining to domestic life would be different than the one chosen for a question about the career sector.

My beliefs concerning Significators demanded this unique method of discovering the correct one. I found that letting the Tarot choose the appropriate significator opened a clear and unbiased channel. It also provided me with a litmus test as to the difficulty of the reading, or if I should even attempt one at all. Three failed attempts to find a significator meant that I should postpone the reading. It disappoints a few people and even angers some, but responsibility and integrity are foremost when doing a reading.

I will outline my method in the following paragraphs. Again, as with everything in this manual, experiment with it. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it. Use what you can, and change what needs to be changed for you.

1. Read the individual's body language. This is important in knowing how much you can safely say.
   
   
2. The next step is to have the person shuffle his question into the cards. Ask him to concentrate on his question as clearly as possible as he shuffles, shutting off all other thoughts. Tell him to continue shuffling until it feels right to stop.
   
   
3. While he is shuffling the deck, you should clear your mind and focus on the task at hand. I always say a little "prayer" that I may be a clear channel and give to the individual what he needs.
   
   
4. When he has finished shuffling, ask him to cut the deck into four stacks to his left.
   
   
5. At this point, lightly touch your fingertips to the tips of his fingers. This enables you to "feel" his energy. The fingertips are the nexus of the life-force. You may feel heat, electricity, or emotions. Don't worry if it takes you a few times to experience this, just keep practicing.
   
   
6. After you have picked up on his vibrations, place your fingertips on the four stacks. One should feel radiate his vibration. That will be the stack with his Significator.

I find that this ritual works best if your eyes are closed from the time your hands first touch his until you have chosen the appropriate stack. This way, you avoid unnecessary sensory interference.