Transcription
TarottheColoring BookbyT he re s a Re e dBOULDER, COLORADOBK04928-Tarot-Coloring-Book-GUTS.indd 38/1/16 2:10 PM
ContentsForeword by Mary K. Greer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viiiIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ixHow to Use This Coloring Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A Quick Intro to Tarot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3A (Brief) History of Tarot and the Origin of the Rider Waite Deck . . . . . . . . 3All Those Colors in the Deck: What Do They Mean? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4What Does “Doing Tarot” or “Reading Tarot” Actually Mean? . . . . . . . . . . . 5Ten Ways to Use Tarot in Your Everyday Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5The Major Arcana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7The Minor Arcana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53The Court Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137Tarot To Go—Quick Interpretations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171How to Come Up with a “Good” Tarot Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173Spreads and Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180viiBK04928-Tarot-Coloring-Book-GUTS.indd 78/1/16 2:10 PM
How to UseThis Coloring BookThere are many ways to use this coloring book.in the morning may work for some, while othersFeel free to do what feels right to you, but heremight find this practice to be more relaxing at theis what I suggest.end of the day. Coloring is a meditative act, so apeaceful environment is best.STEP 1 Get a Tarot DeckI recommend that you purchase the Rider WaiteSTEP 4 Set the SceneTarot Deck, which is considered the “classic” orOrganize your workspace so that you feel centered“gold standard” of Tarot decks—a must-own deckand peaceful. If you like, you may wish to light acandle or a stick of incense. Soft music in the back-for any Tarot lover.ground can create a lovely ambience.The images in this coloring book are modeled offthe images in the original guide to the Rider WaiteTarot, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, by A. E. Waite, soSTEP 5 Begin Coloring!as you color the images in this book, you can pullYou’ll notice that each coloring page in this bookout the corresponding Rider Waite card and keepincludes some helpful info about the card you’reit beside you as a “model” or “coloring guide.”about to color—like what this card usually meansYou can purchase the Rider Waite Tarotwhen it pops up in a reading and so on. I recom-Deck at online retailers that sell books or at yourmend reading this info before you start coloring.friendly local metaphysical shop. Just march inIf you’d like, take a moment to close your eyes andand say to the clerk, “I’d like a Rider Waite Tarotsoak in the information. Then, color away!Deck, please and thank you.” They’ll know whatyou’re talking about.MOST OF ALL Do It Your WayThere’s no “correct” way to color each card. This isSTEP 2 Gather Your Coloring Suppliesyour coloring book and your journey!Got your deck? Great. Now get a set of crayons orYou may want to start with the background andcolored pencils that you like. Felt tip pens can work,work your way to the center of the card. Or you maybut they may bleed through the paper, so I don’tbe called to start on one symbol that is catching yourrecommend them. If you want to get supercrafty,eye. You might want to glance at the correspondingget some glitter, stickers, washi tape, or gems to addcard from the Rider Waite deck and color the cardsome personal flair!in your book exactly the same way, creating a mirrorimage. Or you might want to go wild, defy traditions,STEP 3 Choose a Peaceful Timeand do a totally different color scheme. Go ahead!When you’re ready for a coloring session, pick aAs I mentioned above, coloring is a meditativequiet time when you won’t be disturbed. First thingact. As you continue working on the image, you may1BK04928-Tarot-Coloring-Book-GUTS.indd 18/1/16 2:10 PM
find yourself becoming more relaxed. The more youyou right now? Is there a lesson or story that youlean in to this feeling, the more you may discover insuddenly recall?the Tarot.Gaze at the illustration for a few momentsand then jot down any thoughts, interpretations,REFLECT AND MOVE ALONGWhen you are done coloring each card, take amoment to examine the finished image.What did you learn about the card? What doyou feel is the essence of it? It’s great to understandthe general meaning of each card. But when you aredoing a Tarot reading, try to forget what “the pros”think and trust your personal instincts. Take yourtime and notice any thoughts that arise as you coloralong. Do certain cards trigger strong emotions foryou? Do certain cards remind you of someone youknow or a situation that’s currently going on in youror feelings that emerge in the space following thedescription of each card or in a journal.Enjoy your handiwork, and then move on asyou feel called.Most of all, try not to become discouraged ifyou forget what certain cards are called or what theysignify or if you get confused as you move along.Learning how to do Tarot is just like any other skill(like bike riding, playing the piano, making sushi, orbecoming a superfly rapper). The more you practice,the more intuitive and instinctual the process willbecome. Keep practicing!life? Is the card delivering a particular message toThe Tarot Coloring Book 2BK04928-Tarot-Coloring-Book-GUTS.indd 28/1/16 2:10 PM
A Quick Intro to Tarot“When should I start my own business?”pitfalls, and confirm that your “hunches” are correct.“Should I try to negotiate a better offer . . .I believe that everyone—yes, everyone—is bornor back off?”with intuitive abilities. We all get “funny feelings”“What do I need to know about this hot new guyand “flashes of insight” and “solutions” that seem toI just met?”pop out of nowhere. The more you use your Tarot“Why do I have such a weird feeling about thisdeck, the more you’ll connect to your intuition, andpotential job opportunity?”the stronger your abilities will become.Plus: it’s fun!Got questions? Tarot’s got answers.Before we dive into the coloring portion of thisTarot is a practical—and mystical—tool forbook, the following chapters provide some infointuitive reasoning and decision making.about what Tarot is and isn’t, where it came from,Learning how to read a Tarot deck can help youand how you can use Tarot to answer questions andweigh options, identify unseen opportunities, avoidsolve problems in your everyday life.A (Brief) History of Tarotand the Origin of the Rider Waite DeckWhere did Tarot begin? Tarot cards were rare and expensive—a privi-Who started it?lege of the upper classes—until the inventionAnd why?of mass printing in the mid-1400s. By the 1500s, more people were able to getConfession: I am not a Tarot history scholar. Sometheir mitts on a deck of Tarot cards, and theirpeople love to geek out over the history of Tarot, butpopularity began to grow.that’s never been my jam. (I’d rather eat a delicious, In the late 1700s, a guy named Jean-Baptistebuttery croissant rather than learn the entire historyAlliette, often known as “Etteilla,” publishedof French baking, you know?)one of the world’s first books on Tarot. In theBut here’s a zippy, condensed version of the his-book, he described how these cards couldtory of Tarot, just to give you the basics:be used to understand conflicts, make wisedecisions, and even predict likely future events. Tarot started in Italy during the 1400s. BackThis book created a bump in Tarot popularity.then, the early decks were called carte da(And triggered a few raised eyebrows andtrionfi, or “triumph cards.” It does appear thatobjections from certain religious leaders whothe first Tarot decks were created as a gamewere not feelin’ it.)(they are still played as a game in many parts of In the 1900s, Tarot experienced another surgethe world to this day).in popularity when a guy named Arthur3BK04928-Tarot-Coloring-Book-GUTS.indd 38/1/16 2:11 PM
Edward Waite commissioned artist PamelaTarot is beginning to enter “the mainstream,” andColman Smith to create a new Tarot deck:lots of artists are producing whimsical, unconven-the Rider Waite deck. Even today, this deck istional Tarot decks—everything from vampire-themedconsidered the “gold standard” of Tarot decks,Tarot decks to decks featuring cats wearing Victoriana timeless classic.costumes (a favorite of mine!). More and more people Today? Tarot continues to come “out of theshadows” and is finally being celebrated andare recognizing that Tarot is a fun, useful tool—there’snothing inherently “spooky” about it.accepted for what it is: a tool for awareness,That brings us up to date, historically speaking.divination, and conscious decision making!If you’re a passionate history buff and you want toLots of celebrities have openly expressed their Tarotlove. Some reportedly have a Tarot card reader intheir business entourage. (Um, Hollywood celebs,call me if a spot ever opens up. I am in!).dive deep into the history of Tarot, I recommendreading The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination by Robert Place—an excellent and verythorough book on this topic.Now that our mini-history lesson is complete,let’s move on to discuss colors!All Those Colors in the Deck: What Do They Mean?In the world of Tarot, every color holds meaningPURPLE spirituality, ideals, wisdom, royalty,and significance.psychicWhen an artist is creating a new Tarot deck,she’s not choosing colors randomly—she’s choosingeach color with thoughtfulness and intention.This is certainly true for the Rider Waite deck.The colors you see on the cards in the RiderWaite deck are not accidental. Each one represents aspecific quality or emotion.Here is a general guide to the colors that showRED vitality, love, passion, action, dangerSILVER illumination, clarity, awarenessWHITE purity, peace, innocenceYELLOW intelligence, creativity, student,positivity, healingup in the Rider Waite deck:On the description of each card, I list the traditionalBLACK negativity, evil, transformationFeel free to take a peek at your deck as you color. ButBLUE peace, spirituality, aspiration, tranquilityremember, you’ve got options.BROWN earth, ground, stability, commitmenteach matches the corresponding card in the Ridercolors in the Rider Waite deck for quick reference.You can color the images in this book so thatWaite deck exactly, if that is your preference. Or youGRAY depression, mysterycan break away from convention and color the cardsGREEN nature, renewal, vitality, prosperity,your own way, using nontraditional colors. It’s upabundanceto you. Whatever feels most enjoyable, relaxing, andORANGE success, aspiration, funfun is the way to go!The Tarot Coloring Book 4BK04928-Tarot-Coloring-Book-GUTS.indd 48/1/16 2:11 PM
What Does “Doing Tarot” or “Reading Tarot” Actually Mean?When you “read Tarot” or “do Tarot” (same thing)epiphany. Maybe I’m exaggerating on the epiphanythis is what’s happening:part. For you, it may be a gentle knowing or a little You come up with a question. (Or if you aredoing a reading for someone else, such as afriend, family member, or client, you ask themto come up with a question.) You sit with that question for a moment, takinga deep breath or two, letting it sink in. You shuffle and cut your deck of Tarot cards. Then you pull out a single card (or, if you’rebeing fancy, you pull out several cards to createa “spread”). You gaze at the card (or cards) and see what isrevealed to you. (You might refer to the reference book that came with your deck if you’redrawing a total blank, or your “gut” might giveyou a strong message or interpretation—nobook consultation required.)intuitive nudge. That’s Tarot in a nutshell.Okay, perhaps I’m being a little overly simplistic, but, honestly, not by much! Anybody can learnhow to do Tarot. The process is simple—the trickypart is getting completely calm, centered, andfocused so that when you pull out a card and gazeat it, your intuition can actually “speak” to youinstead of getting drowned out by all the chatterand stresses and monkey-mind stuff that typicallycrowd your brain.Sometimes a card will show up upside downwhen you place it for a reading. In the Tarot world,this is called a reversal. Some Tarot readers take thereversal into account, while others treat the card asif it’s right side up and don’t “read into” the reversal.Either way, you can deliver a powerful reading. But Irecommend giving reversals a whirl, because rever-That’s pretty much it: come up with a question,shuffle, cut, pull out a card, stare at it, blammo—sals can add subtle nuances to your readings, and,personally, I love that!Ten Ways to Use Tarot in Your Everyday LifeTarot can be used in a lot of different areas of yourlife. You can use it for the following:make you feel?”) General decision making (“This or that?” “Rentor buy?” “Taco or burger?”) Understanding the best way to help a loved one(“How can I support Mom right now?”) Coming up with creative ideas (“What should Iblog about this week?”) Finding strategies for sticky situations (“What’sthe best way to proceed with ?”) Avoiding pitfalls by looking at potential roadblocks and outcomes (“What is one challengethat’s likely to come up if I choose ?”) Timing (“Now or later?” “Move forward orback off for now?”) Entertaining your friends! (“Anybody got aquestion?”)If you want to learn more about how to do Tarot for Mapping out plans for the future (“Whatshould I focus on next year?”)yourself or your friends—including simple one-, two-,and three-card spreads that are great for beginners— Seeing the potential in a situation (“I feel stuck.What’s the silver lining for ?”) A conversation prompt (“How does this cardcheck out chapter 11, “Spreads and Layouts.”If you’re ready to get acquainted with each card inthe deck—and start coloring!—then just turn the page.A Quick Intro to Tarot 5BK04928-Tarot-Coloring-Book-GUTS.indd 58/1/16 2:11 PM
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The Major ArcanaEvery Tarot deck has two types of cards: MajorArcana and Minor Arcana. There are twenty-twoMajor Arcana cards and fifty-six Minor Arcana cardsfor a total of seventy-eight cards per Tarot deck.We’re going to begin our Tarot coloring journeywith the Major Arcana.Major Arcana cards represent the bigger spiritual picture: the big, deep, powerful forces that maybe creating opportunities or obstacles to our personal growth. Major Arcana cards are sometimescalled “trumps” or “trump cards,” but in this coloringbook, we’re going to stick with “Major Arcana.”7BK04928-Tarot-Coloring-Book-GUTS.indd 78/1/16 2:11 PM
The FoolCard Number: 0In our modern culture, calling someone a “fool” means you think they are reckless or stupid.But in the Tarot world, the Fool is no dummy.The Fool represents someone embarking on anew adventure. Brave. Curious. Playful. TheFool is willing to put it all out there and try something new. If you’ve ever loaded up your car for aspontaneous road trip, ready to embrace whateverlies ahead, you have felt the thrilling, adventurous energy of the Fool. The Fool card is number 0,which represents nothingness, unlimited potential,or what Zen Buddhism calls “the beginner’s mind.”This card represents new beginnings, risks, and aleap of faith.NOTICE THE SYMBOLSA CLIFF The Fool is standing awfully close to theedge of the cliff—yikes!—yet he seems confidentand joyful. The Fool craves adventure, even a bit ofdanger, but he knows his limits.THE DOG The Fool has a small dog as acompanion. The dog leaps playfully, perhapsmimicking his master’s jubilant energy. Thejourney might be short or long, but the Fool won’tbe traveling alone.A ROSE In the Tarot world, roses often symbolizeREVERSED (UPSIDE DOWN)The Fool becomes hesitant. He pulls back from theedge. Is this wisdom or doubt? Are you staying inyour comfort zone out of fear? Or are you simplynot ready to move forward? If this card comes upfor you in a reading, you might want to examinehow fear may be playing a role in your life. The Foolreversed can also represent recklessness, immaturity, and impulse, not looking before leaping.freedom—particularly sensual or sexual freedom.The Fool might enjoy some, ahem, liberated“pleasures” in the near future.BOOTS Those boots were made for walking! TheFool is geared up and ready for the journey ahead.COLORS In the Rider Waite deck, the Fool iswearing a green, black, and yellow tunic over awhite shirt with yellow boots. His rose and dogare both white. The sky is yellow with a white sun.The jagged mountains on the horizon are blue andwhite. (Peek at your deck to check out the colorscheme in more detail.)How do you want to color in The Fool? Whichcolors make you feel like taking a big, brave step?Go for it!The Major Arcana 8BK04928-Tarot-Coloring-Book-GUTS.indd 88/1/16 2:11 PM
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The MagicianCard Number: 1The Magician symbolizes the ability to direct your energytoward the things you wish to accomplish.Unlike the carefree Fool, the Magician is readyto get down to business. His tools are laid outbefore him, and his stance is powerful. With a wandpointed to the heavens and a finger to the earth, thiscrafty trickster sets his intention and focuses his willon manifesting a goal.Think about the times that you’ve wanted something so badly, you mustered every ounce of yourpower to make that happen. The Magician represents that level of willpower. This card also meansskill, talent, and having all the tools you need tomake epic stuff happen. The power is yours. It’s upNOTICE THE SYMBOLSTHE INFINITY SYMBOL ABOVE HISHEAD Also called a “lemniscate,” this representsthe endless energy in the universe. Energy isneither good nor bad; it’s just available for our use.It’s up to you to set the right intention and thentake action.THE SNAKE BELT AROUND HISWAIST Snakes symbolize renewal and rebirth.What are you ready to transform?to you to stand in that power. So mote it be, indeed.A WAND, CUP, PENTACLES, AND SWORDREVERSEDthese are his tools and represent the fourThe Magician lacks the skills and gumption neededto succeed. This could be due to weakness, laziness,or incompetence. The power becomes blocked, and,in some cases, there may be a tendency to blameothers for your inability to manifest your goals. Thereversed Magician isn’t just negative thinking—itcan also symbolize an abuse of power. How are youtaking responsibility for where you are . . . or aren’t?Empowerment begins within.ON THE TABLE Like a chef ’s mise en place,elements: fire, water, earth, and air. The Magicianhas all the resources he needs to succeed. Hebrings his talent and willpower to the table andbam—magic happens!COLORS In the Rider Waite deck, the Magicianwears a bright red robe over a white gown. Histable is a reddish orange. The cup and pentaclesare yellow, while the sword is silver. He has twowands—a brown one on the table and a white onein his left hand. The flowers around him are redroses and white lilies.Which colors make you feel powerful?The Major Arcana 10BK04928-Tarot-Coloring-Book-GUTS.indd 108/1/16 2:11 PM
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This Coloring Book T here are many ways to use this coloring book. Feel free to do what feels right to you, but here is what I suggest. STEP 1 Get a Tarot Deck I recommend that you purchase the Rider Waite Tarot Deck, which is considered the “classic” or “gold stan
