How Do Tarot Patterns Work?

I’ll be talking about patterns more in future months, but want to start with this.

Statistically, in a six card reading, the distribution of cards is as follows:

Majors: 1-2

Each Suit: 1-2

Court Card: 1-2

Number 1-10: 0-1

If you were doing a six card reading, for example, it would be within the statistical norm to see two Wands but three would be more than expected. Same with Majors and Courts. And, to see two of any number is outside the norm.

Putting Tarot Patterns into Context

If you did a six card reading and drew:

1 Major, 1 Cup, 1 Court, 1 Sword, 1 Pentacle, 1 Wand (with no more than 1 of any number) – that would fall within the norm. There’s no unusual pattern here.

But, if you drew:

1 Major, 1 Wand, 1 Cup, 1 Court, and two of the sixes, that would fall outside the norm

Just something to keep in mind when you’re doing a reading. Statistically I think you’ll recognize when there are more or less of something than there should be. For example, the second group of six cards had no pentacles – unless one of the sixes was a pentacle.

What to Look for in Tarot Patterns

Continuing the patterns – look at the number of cards of any one suit. If one suit  is dominant you know it’s telling you something:

Swords: Regardless of the question, the mental quality is at work here. Ideas, worries, thoughts, etc.

Cups: A preponderance of cups shows you that an emotional response  or an emotional topic is at hand.

Wands: Action. Wands (fire) want to do something. They are impatient and want to get moving.

Pentacles: There’s a concern over something physical, whether it’s the body, the home, the money, the job, the car, etc.

If you have several Majors you know this is a topic of great importance. Majors do not represent day-to-day life; they are reserved for major events or themes.

Courts: Lots of Courts equal lots of people involved. Not unusual to see these in readings about work or romance.

*Always look for a missing suit or missing card from Majors, Minors, or Courts.

Tarot Patterns Exercise

I have a lot more to say about patterns, but for now the Skill Builder exercise is this: Pull the cards below out of your deck and place them all upright. Without even knowing the question, is there a pattern? What might be the theme/energy of these cards?

High Priestess

Empress

Eight Cups

Nine Cups

5 Swords

Ace of Wands

7 Swords

Thanks for your comments.