Table of Contents  
History of Runes 1 

Basic Runecasting 2 
Meanings 2 
Simple Castings 6 
Casting the Norns 9 
Nine Runes Cast 9 
Runecasting Layouts 9 

History of Tarot 10 

Tarot Meanings 10 

Tarot Layouts 16 

Card-a-Day 16 
3-Card Spreads 16 
Release and Let Go Spread 16 
The Celtic Cross 17 

History of Astrology 19 

Natal Charts and Horoscopes 20 

Reading Natal Charts 20 

 
   
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- Runes -  
 
History of Runes 
The Elder Futhark is an ancient 24 character alphabet used by germanic tribes 
from the 2nd to 8th centuries. Findings of the Elder Futhark are distributed throughout 
Scandinavia and Northeast Europe, but primarily where Norway, Denmark, Poland, and 
northern Germany are now 
established. The name of the 
alphabet is derived from the 
phonetic values of the first 6 
characters: F, U, Þ, A, R, K. The 
futhark is organized into three 
groups of eight called ​ætts​, 
named for Frejya/Frey, Heimdall, 
and Tyr (the gods of Fehu, 
Hagalaz, and Tiwaz: the top 
three runes in the illustration to 
the right). It is believed that 
alongside Ancient Greek, 
Egyptian Hieroglyphs, and the 
Phoenician alphabets, the Elder 
Futhark helped form the Old 
Italic alphabet, which eventually 
turned into the Latin alphabet. 
The earliest runic 
inscriptions found on artifacts either give the name of the craftsman or the owner, or 
occasionally remain a linguistic mystery. It is therefore possible that alongside using 
the Futhark as a writing system, ancient citizens may have used it as a series of magical 
symbols to enchant artifacts, or to tell the future by means of divination. The word ​rune 
itself means “secret,” or “something hidden,” which indicates that knowledge of the 
runes may have been considered esoteric or mystical. 
However while Norse literature is full of references to runes, there are no 
specific instructions on divination. The only reliable historic account of the futhark 
being used magically is in Rimbert’s 9th-century ​Vita Ansgari​, where before a battle, a 
king asks his army to “draw lots” (which here means drawing from a bag of runestones: 
small stones, each with one rune carved into it). According to the story, the runes 
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foretold bad luck, and so the army did not attack. Additionally, In the poem ​Hávamál​ in 
the Codex Regius (a collection of Old Norse poems), the god Odin recounts a spell 
centering around runes. 
Basic Runecasting 
There are several ways to “cast a lot” (​lot​ meaning a collection of runes), which 
will be described here. A basis for all castings is to find a quiet place you will not be 
disturbed, and sit facing North, the direction of the gods in Norse mythology. Before 
casting, hold the rune bag and think of a question you have until it is clear in your 
head. If it makes sense to you, you could also lay out a small cloth on which to cast the 
runes. 
The most important part of runecasting is interpretation: applying the runes’ 
meanings to the situation in question. Some runes have multiple meanings (only some 
of them may make sense) and others’ are particularly vague (which may only loosely 
apply). 
Meanings 
Each rune has a meaning, which you interpret after casting. Usually, meanings 
are positive in nature, and some runes have neutral or negative meanings (such as Isa, 
Nauthiz, Hagalaz, Gebo, and Thurisaz). But when a rune lands in a certain position, it is 
seen as merkstave: literally ​dark stick.​ When a rune is merkstave, its meaning is not 
inverted, such as it might be with tarot cards, but is instead the same meaning with a 
more negative spin on it. For example, Gebo’s base meaning includes such things as 
gifts, sacrifices, and personal relationships. However Gebo merkstave means greed, 
loneliness, and over-sacrifice. Meanings for each rune can be viewed below: 

Fehu ​(F: Domestic cattle, wealth.) Possessions won or earned, earned 

income, luck. Abundance, financial strength in the present or near future. Sign of hope 
and plenty, success and happiness. Social success. Energy, foresight, fertility, 
creation/destruction (becoming). Fehu Reversed or Merkstave: Loss of personal 
property, esteem, or something that you put in effort to keep. It indicates some sort of 
failure. Greed, burnout, atrophy, discord. Cowardice, stupidity, dullness, poverty, 
slavery, bondage. 

Uruz​: (U: Auroch, a wild ox.) Physical strength and speed, untamed 
potential. A time of great energy and health. Freedom, energy, action, courage, 
strength, tenacity, understanding, wisdom. Sudden or unexpected changes (usually for 
the better). Sexual desire, masculine potency. The shaping of power and pattern, 
formulation of the self. Uruz Reversed or Merkstave: Weakness, obsession, misdirected 
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force, domination by others. Sickness, inconsistency, ignorance. Lust, brutality, 

rashness, callousness, violence. 

Thurisaz​: (TH: Thorn or a Giant.) Reactive force, directed force of 

destruction and defense, conflict. Instinctual will, vital eroticism, regenerative catalyst. 
A tendency toward change. Catharsis, purging, cleansing fire. Male sexuality, 
fertilization. (Thorr, the Thunder god, was of Giant stock.)Thurisaz Reversed or 
Merkstave: Danger, defenselessness, compulsion, betrayal, dullness. Evil, malice, 
hatred, torment, spite, lies. A bad man or woman. Rape? 

Ansuz​: (A: The As, ancestral god, i.e. Odin.) A revealing message or insight, 
communication. Signals, inspiration, enthusiasm, speech, true vision, power of words 
and naming. Blessings, the taking of advice. Good health, harmony, truth, wisdom. 
Ansuz Reversed or Merkstave: Misunderstanding, delusion, manipulation by others, 
boredom. Vanity and grandiloquence. (Odin is a mighty, but duplicitous god. He always 
has his own agenda.) 

Raidho​: (R: Wagon or chariot.) Travel, both in physical terms and those of 
lifestyle direction. A journey, vacation, relocation, evolution, change of place or 
setting. Seeing a larger perspective. Seeing the right move for you to make and deciding 
upon it. Personal rhythm, world rhythm, dance of life. Raidho Reversed or Merkstave: 
Crisis, rigidity, stasis, injustice, irrationality. Disruption, dislocation, demotion, 
delusion, possibly a death. 

Kenaz​: (K: Beacon or torch.) Vision, revelation, knowledge, creativity, 

inspiration, technical ability. Vital fire of life, harnessed power, fire of transformation 
and regeneration. Power to create your own reality, the power of light. Open to new 
strength, energy, and power now. Passion, sexual love. Kenaz Reversed or Merkstave: 
Disease, breakup, instability, lack of creativity. Nakedness, exposure, loss of illusion 
and false hope. 

Gebo​: (G: Gift.) Gifts, both in the sense of sacrifice and of generosity, 
indicating balance. All matters in relation to exchanges, including contracts, personal 
relationships and partnerships. Gebo Merkstave: Greed, loneliness, dependence, 
over-sacrifice. Obligation, toll, privation, bribery. 

Wunjo​: (W or V: Joy.) Joy, comfort, pleasure. Fellowship, harmony, 

prosperity. Ecstasy, glory, spiritual reward, but also the possibility of going "over the 
top". If restrained, the meaning is general success and recognition of worth. Wunjo 
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Reversed or Merkstave: Stultification, sorrow, strife, alienation. Delirium, intoxication, 

possession by higher forces, impractical enthusiasm. Raging frenzy, berzerker. 
Heimdall's Aett 

Hagalaz​: (H: Hail.) Wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, 

especially the weather, or within the unconscious. Tempering, testing, trial. Controlled 
crisis, leading to completion, inner harmony. Hagalaz Merkstave: Natural disaster, 
catastrophe. Stagnation, loss of power. Pain, loss, suffering, hardship, sickness, crisis. 

Nauthiz​: (N: Need.) Delays, restriction. Resistance leading to strength, 

innovation, need-fire (self-reliance). Distress, confusion, conflict, and the power of will 
to overcome them. Endurance, survival, determination. A time to exercise patience. 
Recognition of one's fate. Major self-initiated change. Face your fears. Nauthiz 
Reversed or Merkstave: Constraint of freedom, distress, toil, drudgery, laxity. 
Necessity, extremity, want, deprivation, starvation, need, poverty, emotional hunger. 

Isa​: (I: Ice.) A challenge or frustration. Psychological blocks to thought or 

activity, including grievances. Standstill, or a time to turn inward and wait for what is 
to come, or to seek clarity. This rune reinforces runes around it. Isa Merkstave: 
Ego-mania, dullness, blindness, dissipation. Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, 
stealth, ambush, plots. 

Jera​: (J or Y: A year, a good harvest.) The results of earlier efforts are 

realized. A time of peace and happiness, fruitful season. It can break through 
stagnancy. Hopes and expectations of peace and prosperity. The promise of success 
earned. Life cycle, cyclical pattern of the universe. Everything changes, in its own time. 
Jera Merkstave: Sudden setback, reversals. A major change, repetition, bad timing, 
poverty, conflict. 

Eihwaz​: (EI: Yew tree.) Strength, reliability, dependability, 

trustworthiness. Enlightenment, endurance. Defense, protection. The driving force to 
acquire, providing motivation and a sense of purpose. Indicates that you have set your 
sights on a reasonable target and can achieve your goals. An honest man who can be 
relied upon. Eihwaz Reversed or Merkstave: Confusion, destruction, dissatisfaction, 
weakness. 

Perthro​: (P: Lot cup, vagina.) Uncertain meaning, a secret matter, a 

mystery, hidden things and occult abilities. Initiation, knowledge of one's destiny, 
knowledge of future matters, determining the future or your path. Pertaining to things 
feminine, feminine mysteries including female fertility, and vagina. Good lot, 
 5 

fellowship and joy. Evolutionary change. Perthro Reversed or Merkstave: Addiction, 

stagnation, loneliness, malaise. 

Algiz​: (Z or -R: Elk, protection.) Protection, a shield. The protective urge to 
shelter oneself or others. Defense, warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection 
with the gods, awakening, higher life. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. 
Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned. Algiz 
Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of divine 
link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels. 

Sowilo​: (S: The sun.) Success, goals achieved, honor. The life-force, health. 
A time when power will be available to you for positive changes in your life, victory, 
health, and success. Contact between the higher self and the unconscious. Wholeness, 
power, elemental force, sword of flame, cleansing fire. Sowilo Merkstave: False goals, 
bad counsel, false success, gullibility, loss of goals. Destruction, retribution, justice, 
casting down of vanity. Wrath of god. 
Tyr's Aett 

Tiwaz​: (T: Tyr, the sky god.) Honor, justice, leadership and authority. 
Analysis, rationality. Knowing where one's true strengths lie. Willingness to 
self-sacrifice. Victory and success in any competition or in legal matters. Tiwaz 
Reversed or Merkstave: One's energy and creative flow are blocked. Mental paralysis, 
over-analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance. Strife, war, conflict, failure in 
competition. Dwindling passion, difficulties in communication, and possibly 
separation. 

Berkano​: (B: Berchta, the birch-goddess.) Birth, general fertility, both 

mental and physical and personal growth, liberation. Regenerative power and light of 
spring, renewal, promise of new beginnings, new growth. Arousal of desire. A love 
affair or new birth. The prospering of an enterprise or venture. Berkano Reversed or 
Merkstave: Family problems and or domestic troubles. Anxiety about someone close to 
you. Carelessness, abandon, loss of control. Blurring of consciousness, deceit, sterility, 
stagnation. 

Ehwaz​: (E: Horse, two horses.) Transportation. May represent a horse, car, 
plane, boat or other vehicle. Movement and change for the better. Gradual 
development and steady progress are indicated. Harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty. An 
ideal marriage or partnership. Confirmation beyond doubt the meanings of the runes 
around it. Ehwaz Reversed or Merkstave: This is not really a negative rune. A change is 
 6 

perhaps craved. Feeling restless or confined in a situation. Reckless haste, disharmony, 

mistrust, betrayal. 

Mannaz​: (M: Man, mankind.) The Self; the individual or the human race. 
Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, 
social order. Intelligence, forethought, create, skill, ability. Divine structure, 
intelligence, awareness. Expect to receive some sort of aid or cooperation now. Mannaz 
Reversed or Merkstave: Depression, mortality, blindness, self-delusion. Cunning, 
slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation. Expect no help now. 

Laguz​: (L: Water, or a leek.) Flow, water, sea, a fertility source, the healing 
power of renewal. Life energy and organic growth. Imagination and psychic matters. 
Dreams, fantasies, mysteries, the unknown, the hidden, the deep, the underworld. 
Success in travel or acquisition, but with the possibility of loss. Laguz Reversed or 
Merkstave: An indication of a period of confusion in your life. You may be making 
wrong decisions and poor judgements. Lack of creativity and feelings of being in a rut. 
Fear, circular motion, avoidance, withering. Madness, obsession, despair, perversity, 
sickness, suicide. 

Ingwaz​: (NG: Ing, the earth god.) Male fertility, gestation, internal growth. 
Common virtues, common sense, simple strengths, family love, caring, human warmth, 
the home. Rest stage, a time of relief, of no anxiety. A time when all loose strings are 
tied and you are free to move in a new direction. Listen to yourself. Ingwaz Merkstave: 
Impotence, movement without change. Production, toil, labor, work. 

Dagaz​: (D: Day or dawn.) Breakthrough, awakening, awareness. Daylight 

clarity as opposed to nighttime uncertainty. A time to plan or embark upon an 
enterprise. The power of change directed by your own will, transformation. 
Hope/happiness, the ideal. Security and certainty. Growth and release. Balance point, 
the place where opposites meet. Dagaz Merkstave: A completion, ending, limit, coming 
full circle. Blindness, hopelessness. 

Othala​: (O: Ancestral property.) Inherited property or possessions, a house, 

a home. What is truly important to one. Group order, group prosperity. Land of birth, 
spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. Aid in spiritual and physical 
journeys. Source of safety, increase and abundance. Othala Reversed or Merkstave: 
Lack of customary order, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, 
prejudice, clannishness, provincialism. What a man is bound to. 
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Simple Castings 
“Simple castings” may not be as straightforward as they sound, but they’re not 
the most complicated either. 
Stir the runestones around in the bag until you feel compelled to cast. Pick up a 
bunch— however much feels right— and “cast” (throw) the runestones onto the ground 
or cloth. Ignore the face down runes, and interpret those that landed face up. Runes 
that fell closer to the middle of the lot are the most important or obvious, and those 
which fall to the sides or edge are less important. 
Merkstave: The diagrams (below) can be helpful when determining if a rune is 
“bright” or “dark.” Imagine a circle over the whole of the cast runes, divided into 
eighths. If there is a rune you wish to know more about, you can learn more about its 
meaning by investigating the other runes in the context of the rune in question.  
If a rune lies close to the line on or to either side of the “question rune’s” line, it 
is brightly aspected (for example, the second diagram puts Raidho as the question rune, 
Sowlio for the third, and Ansuz for the fourth). If directly across the circle, the rune has 
an immediately negative meaning with an eventual positive outcome. Runes at 90º to 
the question rune are merkstaves. 
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Casting the Norns 

The Norns are the Norse goddesses of fate. Urdh is the goddess of the past, 
Verdhandi is the goddess of the present, and Skuld is the goddess of the future. Fate, 
sometimes called ​wyrd​, (an Anglo-Saxon concept roughly corresponding to fate or 
personal destiny. Wyrd is ancestral to the English ​weird,​ which has come to have a 
different meaning) was an important factor in ancient psychology and culture. 
The Norns cast is incredibly simple, consisting of three runes drawn one at a 
time. Lay the runes in a row in the order you drew them, and turn each so it is face up. 
The first rune represents the past of the situation in question, the second indicates the 
present, and the third suggests the future if one continues on the current path. 
Merkstave: if a rune is pulled upside down, it is merkstave. 
Nine Runes Cast 
This kind of casting is similar to simple castings, but usually provides a more 
detailed overview of the situation in question and options or paths to take in the future. 
Nine is a magical number in norse mythology. Pick nine runes at random from the bag, 
focus on your question, and scatter them across your surface of choice. The runes 
which land face up indicate the present and what circumstances may have lead to it.  
Runes which land closer to each other often compliment each other, or even 
represent the same thing. Runes that land far away from each other Similarly to simple 
castings, those which land to the center of the lot are the most significant. Sometimes 
runes will fall off the surface, and some people consider these as particularly 
significant, while others ignore them completely. 
After interpreting the face up runes (and recording which ones they are), turn 
over the face down runes without moving them from their positions and interpret 
them. These represent outside or future influences, pointing to possible outcomes. 
Runecasting Layouts 
In addition to these basic techniques, more complicated “layouts” can be used to 
gain more detail and specifics into a situation. These layouts can sometimes take days 
to complete and interpret, and can be found online. 
   
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- Tarot - 
 
History of Tarot 
Before tarot cards were used for divination, they were (and still are) used to play 
European card games. A tarot deck contains four suits (swords, coins, cups, and staves. 
Coins and staves are often referred to as pentacles and wands) of 14 cards (ace through 
ten plus four face cards: king, queen, knight, and page), plus a separate 21-card trump 
suit and an additional card called the Fool. Depending on the game, the Fool can be 
used as the top trump, or as a wild card. 
In many English-speaking countries, these games are not as popular, and so 
tarot cards are sometimes used for divinatory purposes. Throughout the 16th and 17th 
centuries, preachers often reference tarot as the devil’s instrument and a social plague, 
though no evidence of occult use has been found from before the 1780s. 
Many people who use tarot decks attempt to trace the cards to ancient Egypt, 
and possibly the first person to try to do this was Antoine Court de Gébelin: a french 
clergyman. Gébelin wrote in 1781 that he thought Tarot represented ancient Egyptian 
theology (for example he equated the High Priestess card to the goddess Isis), and 
claimed the etymology of “tarot” comes from the egyptian words for “road” and 
“royal,” literally translating to The Royal Road of Life. Egyptologists found nothing in 
the Egyptian language to support these claims. 
Jean-Baptiste Alliette (who went by Etteilla) was a french occultist who was the 
first to popularize tarot divination and make a living off of card divination. Etteilla 
accomplished a number of things, including divising a method of tarot divination in 
1783, created the first tarot cartomantic society, and made the first Egyptian tarot to be 
used exclusively for divination. 
Tarot Meanings 
When used for divination, each tarot card has a meaning. The most significant 
are the Major Arcana cards: the Fool and the 21 trump cards. There are 78 tarot cards, 
and so learning the distinct meaning of each may sound overwhelming, but a quick and 
manageable way to do so is to start with 40 of the 56 Minor Arcana cards: 1-10 of each 
suit.  
Each suit corresponds with an element and aspect of life, and each number can 
be equated to more specific concepts. 
 
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Suits: 
Cups (element = water): Emotions, creativity, intuition, relationships 
Pentacles (element = earth): Material wealth, money, career, manifestation 
Swords (element = air): Communication, truth, intellect, thoughts 
Wands (element = fire): Inspiration, energy, enthusiasm 

Numbers: 
I – (Aces) New beginnings, opportunity, potential 
Reconsideration, delays, lost opportunities  
II – Balance, partnership, duality 
Disharmony, overcommitment, stalemate 
III – Creativity, groups, growth 
Hiding potential, introversion, disharmony 
IV – Structure, stability, manifestation 
 
V – Change, instability, conflict 
Reconciliation, moving on, avoiding conflict 
VI – Communication, cooperation, harmony 
 
VII – Reflection, assessment, knowledge 
 
VIII – Mastery, action, accomplishment 
 
IX – Fruition, attainment, fulfilment 
 
X – Completion, end of a cycle, renewal 
 
Putting together the meanings of a suit and a number, we can get the meaning of 
a specific card. For example, the 5 of cups is about conflict (5) in relationships (cups). 
The 4 of pentacles is about stability (4) in finances (pentacles). 
The Court cards are slightly more vague, and consequently complicated; they 
don’t have such specific meanings. 
Page: As people, pages represent the youngest of the Court cards: children 
through young adults. Because of this, they also represent fervent energy, excitement, 
and beginnings. Pages also represent messengers. This will take different forms 
depending on the suit;  
The page of cups signifies the beginning of a new creative project or 
relationship, or good news from loved ones.  
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The page of pentacles represents the manifestation of dreams in the real 

world, or general enthusiasm about a new goal or dream.  
The page of swords reflects an abundance of energy concerning new 
projects and journeys, ultimately signifying a “green light” to pursue your 
passions.  
The page of wands could be seen as an “ultimate page,” because the pages 
and the suit of wands represent similar things. The page of wands represents a 
catalyst for change, and may mean that you are experiencing creative 
restlessness, waiting for expression, or that you are on the brink of a new 
discovery or phase of life. Follow your creative urges. 
Knight: knights are slightly more mature than pages (adults aged 20-35); their 
journey is already underway, and they are focused on keeping that journey going. 
However lacking the experience of queens or kings, knights can sometimes be 
extremists. Knights reflect change, movement, and action.  
The knight of cups epitomizes someone who is ruled by their heart, and 
makes decisions based on emotion rather than logic. It could also signify the 
arrival of someone or something with an emotional benefit, which will elevate 
you to an exhilarating mood.  
The knight of pentacles is a person who is responsible, patient, and 
committed. Drawing this card may mean that you need to trustworthy and 
reliable, or that you are committed already.  
The knight of swords upright shows ambition, determination, and 
strength to succeed no matter what. This card reversed may symbolize a 
blindness to challenges and consequences, lack of foresight, and neglection of 
others. Ultimately, it symbolizes a burst of energy, passion and inspiration for a 
new project. 
The knight of wands is similar to the previous card in that it represents 
impatience and impulsivity, without much consideration for consequences, a 
sort of “act first, think later” mentality. As an event, this knight may indicate an 
event entering your life suddenly and unexpectedly, which will require complete 
focus and energy. 
Queen: queens can either represent women or the feminine qualities of men. 
Queens are feminine cards, tapping into feminine energy, including creativity and ideas 
coming to fruition, embracing sexuality, and nurturing oneself and others. Queens are 
masters of gentle persuasion, subtly influencing other people or cards without being 
seen as pushy. In this way, queens are the most powerful, because they influence 
without anyone knowing. Queens are mature, aged 30-50, and often encompass the 
duality of independence and reliance. 
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The queen of cups is the epitome of a compassionate, sensitive, secure, 

and emotionally mature person. They are admired for their fairness and honesty, 
and acts as a counsellor or healer, especially in regards to relationships. This 
card also symbolizes achievements made possible by imagination and creativity. 
The queen of pentacles is a traditionally “maternal” card, expressing 
organized spaces, a decent income, and the nurturing of children. It implies the 
importance of the ability to live independently and to balance work with “family 
time.” 
The queen of swords is similar to the Meyers Briggs INTP personality 
type: heavily based in logic, and a sign that you must use unbiased intelligence 
in upcoming decisions as opposed to the heart. It is a blunt card: direct and to 
the point. 
The queen of wands, much like the other wand court cards, is very 
ambitious. A strong, independent, and fiercely determined leader, this queen 
typically gets what they want. This card indicates you are able to take care of 
yourself and sustain creative visions, you know what you want and how to get it, 
and can work well with others to get it. You are optimistic, confident and full of 
passions. 
King: kings, like queens, don’t have to be male, but simply represent masculine 
energy and (typically) dominance. They are the most mature card, having successfully 
traveled through life, and so they represent the fully developed personalities of each 
suit. Pages conceive ideas, knights act upon ideas, queens nurture ideas, and kings 
develop these ideas to a stable, completely manifested state. Because of this, as an 
event, Kings signify the growth and maturity of an idea or concept right through until 
reaches completion. 
The king of cups is a master of keeping emotions under control. They do 
not repress these emotions, rather they represent the balance between feelings 
and intellect. This card also indicates strong bonds in relationships, emotional 
maturity, and deep understanding one’s own emotions. 
The king of pentacles represents abundance, security, ambition, power, 
stability, discipline, trustworthiness and control. The paragon of the pentacles 
suit, this king also indicates the final fulfillment of a creative task, business 
venture, or investment. You can now enjoy the fruits of your labor. 
The king of swords is similar to a judge, lawyer, or military commander: a 
symbol of intellectual power and authority. This card indicates that you should 
stay objective and detached to solve problems, and that your day-to-day 
thoughts are just as important as the “big lessons” you’ve learned. 
The king of wands is an outlier in the suit of wands, as they are not as 
interested in manifesting an idea in the world. Instead, they prefer to change the 
 14 

world to better fit an idea. This king is a master of collaboration and initiative, 
and indicates that you are the deciding factor in a situation. 
 
Next is a slightly more ambitious task: the 22 major arcana cards. In card games, 
these are considered trump cards in ascending order, except for the Fool, which is 
ironically the highest trump. Like all other tarot cards, these cards have a reversed 
meaning (upright cards=A; reversed cards=B).  
0. The Fool 
A. Beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a free spirit. 
B. Holding back, recklessness, risk taking. 
I. The Magician 
A. Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action. 
B. Manipulation, poor planning, untapped talents. 
II. The High Priestess 
A. Intuition, sacred knowledge, divine femininity, the subconscious 
mind. 
B. Secrets, disconnected from intuition, withdrawal and silence. 
III. The Empress 
A. Femininity, beauty, nature, nurturing, abundance. 
B. Creative block, dependence on others 
IV. The Emperor 
A. Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure. 
B. Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility. 
V. The Hierophant 
A. Spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, conformity, tradition, 
institutions. 
B. Personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo. 
VI. The Lovers 
A. Love, harmony, relationships, values alignment, choices. 
B. Self-love, disharmony, imbalance, misalignment of values. 
VII. The Chariot 
A. Control, willpower, success, action, determination. 
B. Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction. 
VIII. Strength 
A. Strength, courage, persuasion, influence, compassion. 
B. Inner strength, self-doubt, low energy, raw emotion. 
IX. The Hermit 
A. Soul-searching, introspection, being alone, inner guidance. 
B. Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal. 
 15 

X. Wheel of Fortune 
A. Good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, a turning point. 
B. Bad luck, resistance to change, breaking cycles. 
XI. Justice 
A. Justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, law. 
B. Unfairness, lack of accountability, dishonesty. 
XII. The Hanged Man 
A. Pause, surrender, letting go, new perspectives. 
B. Delays, resistance, stalling, indecision. 
XIII. Death 
A. Endings, change, transformation, transition. 
B. Resistance to change, personal transformation, inner purging. 
XIV. Temperance 
A. Balance, moderation, patience, purpose. 
B. Imbalance, excessm self-healing, re-alignment. 
XV. The Devil 
A. Shadow self, attachment, addiction, restriction, sexuality. 
B. Releasing limiting beliefs, exploring dark thoughts, detachment. 
XVI. The Tower 
A. Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening. 
B. Personal transformation, fear of change, averting disaster. 
XVII. The Star 
A. Hop, faith, purpose, renewal, spirituality. 
B. Lack of faith, despair, self-trust, disconnection. 
XVIII. The Moon 
A. Illusion, fear, anxiety, subconscious, intuition. 
B. Release of fear, repressed emotion, inner confusion. 
XIX. The Sun 
A. Positivity, fun, warmth, success, vitality. 
B. Inner child, feeling down, overly optimistic. 
XX. Judgement 
A. Judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution. 
B. Self-doubt, inner critic, ignoring the call. 
XXI. The World 
A. Completion, integration, accomplishment, travel. 
B. Seeking personal closure, short-cuts, delays. 
 
 16 

Tarot Layouts 
Now comes the interesting and truly helpful part of this “suite:” how to actually 
use​ tarot cards. There are almost endless tarot spreads available online and within 
books (from spreads for starting a new business to birthdays to dealing with difficult 
coworkers), but I will be focusing on some more generalized spreads. 
Card-a-Day 
The simplest Tarot reading, card-a-day or daily card pullings are just as they 
sound: at the beginning of the day, ask a question (it could be as simple as “what do I 
need to know today” or “what will happen to me today”), and pull a single card from 
the deck. As you go about your day, think about what the card means and how it applies 
to the events of the day. 
3-Card Spreads 
Another self-explanatory method, 3-card spreads apply to certain questions or 
scenarios, detailed below. Once again, more spreads can be found online. Draw three 
cards and place them face up (but not necessarily upright) in order. Then, refer to your 
question and interpret the cards. 
Past / Present / Future   
The nature of your problem / The cause / The solution 
Current situation / Obstacle / Advice 
Situation / Action / Outcome 
Context of the situation / Where you need to focus / Outcome 
What I think about the situation / What I feel / What I do 
Release and Let Go Spread 
This spread is best to use 
when feeling intense negative 
emotions. Be it anxiety, sadness, 
resentment, or stress, the release and 
let go spread and help you do just 
that. 
You will need seven cards, 
arranged as displayed to the right. 
Place them face-up (but not 
necessarily upright), and interpret 
them in order: 
1. What am I feeling right 
now? 
2. Why am I feeling it so 
strong? 
 17 

 
3. How can I release this feeling? 
4. What is this feeling transforming into? 
5. How can I rise above? 
6. What is my new beginning? 
7. What have I learned? 
The Celtic Cross 
The Celtic Cross is one of the most 
commonly used spreads. Present in almost 
every tarot guide, the dynamics between 
and relationships of the cards used are what 
make this spread unique. 
You’ll need ten cards, arranged as 
displayed to the right. One again, place 
them face up (but not necessarily upright), 
and interpret them in order: 
1. The Present: what is 
happening to the querent, or 
how they perceive the 
situation. 
2. The Challenge: an immediate 
problem facing the querent; 
something which, if resolved, 
would make life much easier. Even if the card drawn is upright, it 
represents a challenge. 
3. The Past: the events which have lead up to the Present, or may indicate 
how the Challenge came about. 
4. The Future: what is likely to happen in the near future. This is not the 
final outcome, but rather the next step(s). 
5. Above: the querent’s best case scenario or goal. 
6. Below: what is in the querent’s subconscious. This may symbolize 
underlying feelings, and what truly drives the querent. Reversed cards 
may symbolize “unknowns” to the querent. 
7. Advice: just as it sounds, this card considers all preceding cards and offers 
an approach to address the Challenge. 
8. External Influences: the people, energy, or events which are out of the 
querent’s control and will affect the Outcome. 
 18 

9. Hopes and/or Fears: hopes and fears can be closely entwined, or even the 
same things. It may be helpful to draw a second card after the first 
reading. 
10. Outcome: Where the situation is headed, long-term, based on the current 
course of action. If the outcome is not desirable, a change of action will 
most likely change the outcome. 
 
   
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- Astrology - 
 
History of Astrology 
There are several different kinds of astrology, ranging from neo-astrology to 
ancient chinese astrology, I will be focusing on western astrology, starting with the 
Babylonians. 
Babylon is thought to be the birthplace of organized astrology, emerging 
between the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. This early astrology was primarily used to 
predict weather patterns, and for agricultural purposes: when to plant/harvest. With 
time, Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks connected celestial events to their 
theologies, and astrology became more esoterically divinatory, used to predict political 
events and other human affairs. This, as well as through the eventual studies of Plato, 
Aristotle, and other Greek philosophers/scientists/astronomers, astrology was 
considered to be a high science.  
The Zodiac (Greek for “circle of little animals”) originated in the first half of the 
1st millennium BC in Babylon, but recognition of constellations (zodialogical and 
otherwise) can be traced back to the 3rd millennium BC. The Zodiac itself is an area of 
the sky through which the sun, moon, and five visible planets (​planet​ is Greek for 
wanderer, indicating how the planets look like wandering stars) are observed to move 
through. Babylonian astrologers identified 13 constellations within the Zodiac (the 
zodiacs), but the Babylonians omitted the constellation ​Ophiuchus​ (serpent-bearer) in 
order to align the zodiacs with the 12 lunar months. The image below illustrates the 
path that the sun appears to take (red line) through the Zodiac (grey blocks). 
   
 20 

Natal Charts and Horoscopes 

There are two main types of astrology: tropical and true sidereal. Tropical 
astrology is the most common type, and is what the Babylonians created when they 
nixed Ophiuchus. In tropical natal charts, the 12 signs are divided evenly around the 
outside of the chart, symbolizing that each sign takes up 30º of the 360º that makes up 
the Zodiac belt. In reality however, not only are there 13 signs, but they’re all different 
sizes as well. In the image above, you can see the differences in size between each 
constellation, resulting in the sun, moon, and planets collectively spending a different 
amount of time in each sign. True sidereal astrology takes into account the actual size 
of the constellations, and includes Ophiuchus. Below, an example of each type of chart 
can be seen (tropical to the left, true sidereal to the right). If you look closely, you’ll 
notice that the symbols inside the outer ring stay in the same place, as do the lines 
drawn about the center of the chart; the only differences are in the outer ring of the 
chart, the area designated to the constellations. 

 
 
Reading Natal Charts 
 
 
Sun  Ego, identity, role in life/reflects who you are all the time, 
  regardless of who you’re with or what you’re doing. 

Moon  Emotions, moods, and feelings/ruling force over decision 

  making. What we need to feel secure, safe, and neutral. 
 21 

Mercury  How you communicate, talk, think, and process information. 

  Rules your mind and communication  

Venus  How and what you love. Rules your love life. 
 

Mars  Sex and aggression. Rules your actions and overall energy. 
 

Jupiter  Growth, expansion, progress, and philosophy. Rules luck and 

  progress. 

Saturn  Responsibility, restrictions, limits, fears, and self-discipline. 

  Discipline and responsibility. 

Uranus  Innovation, progression, rebellion, and change. 

 

Neptune  Dreams, imagination, and the unconscious. 

 

Pluto  Power, intensity, obsession, control, transformation 

 

North Node  Potential 

 

South Node  Karmic past 

 

Chiron  Your deepest spiritual wounds, but also your greatest 

  spiritual strengths. What you will learn the most from. 

1st House    Self image 

2nd House    Personal resources 

3rd House    What you know 

4th House    Home life 

5th House    Pleasure and creativity 

6th House    Productivity  

7th House    Significant relationships 

8th House    Beginnings and endings 

9th House    Open mindedness 

 22 

10th House    How people see you 

11th House    Friends and acquaintances 

12th House    Unconscious  

 
   
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To Do: 
1. Witchcraft Paper 
a. History and summary of Divination: Tarot, Runes, and Astrology 
i. History of Tarot 
ii. History of Runes 
1. Linguistics 
2. Connections to Norse theism 
iii. Astrology 
1. Origin of zodiacs 
b. History of and differences between Wicca and Witchcraft 
i. Source to look at: 
https://www.livescience.com/39119-myths-about-witches-wiccans
.html  
ii. Wicca as a religion 
1. Holidays 
iii. Origin of Witchcraft; paganism 
iv. Ties to Satanism 
1. Witch trials 
v. Covens 
c. Spells, Sigils, Sachets 
i. Black magick 
1. Voodoo, and how it’s not bad