In tarot card readings, the presence of numbers in ascending or descending order can be significant and can add layers of meaning to the interpretation of the cards. Each number in the tarot deck has its own unique symbolism and meaning, and when these numbers appear in sequence, they can create a sense of progression or development in the reading, especially when they appear in an ascending order. When cards and their numbers are laid in descending order or when the numbers are all over the place, the effect of a message is of course different.
The main question of this article is what if my Tarot cards appear in ascending order – either Major or Minor Arcana Cards, Court Cards, or what of there is “just” a sequential order in your Tarot spread? At the end of the article, we will also bring attention to the prediction of timing, if sequential numbers appear in your reading.
What if Major Arcana Cards appear in an ascending order?
Let’s start with Major Arcana, the cards which are numbered from 0 (The Fool) to 21 (The World). When you get Major Arcana cards drawn in ascending order, these cards can suggest a journey or a process of personal growth and development. It may indicate that the querent is moving through a series of significant life experiences or lessons. Of course, what this personal growth and development is about depends on the cards that the querent drew.
Besides going through a significant life journey or a path of personal growth, ascending Major Arcana cards may point to a spiritual awakening or a deepening of spiritual understanding. The cards are guiding the querent toward a higher level of consciousness and wisdom.
Major Arcana cards in subsequent ascending order may suggest a purposeful process, so the querent understands the challenges he is facing are not random but a part of a purposeful process. There is a sense of order and intentionality in the journey.
The sequential appearance of Major Arcana cards may indicate that the situation or issue at hand is gradually unfolding and progressing in a specific direction. It’s important to pay attention to the lessons and themes associated with each card in the sequence.
The sequence of Major Arcana encourages patience and trust in the process. It suggests that the querent should continue to navigate the journey with faith and an open heart, as each card brings valuable insights and experiences.
What if Minor Arcana Cards appear in an ascending order?
When we have the Ace through Ten series or whatever card appearing in Minor Arcana, the cards represent the journey or cycle of a particular suit (Wands, Cups, Swords, or Pentacles). When these cards appear in ascending order, they often indicate a progression or a gradual development in a situation related to the suit.
For example, if you draw Ace, Two, Three, and Four of Cups in a row, it might suggest the gradual unfolding of emotions or feelings in a relationship – from 1 (Ace), which is a number connected to individualism, strength, initiative, but most of all new beginnings and thorough changes, to number 4, which is actually the first number of stability, a number of foundations, basis and limitations. So, let’s say you’ve recently entered a new phase of emotional or romantic possibilities (Ace of Cups). This has led to a deeper connection with someone (Two of Cups) and a sense of emotional fulfillment. As a result, you may find yourself celebrating and enjoying the positive emotions and connections in your life (Three of Cups). However, there may also be a need to take a step back and reflect on your feelings and desires (Four of Cups) before proceeding further in this emotional journey.
When sequential numbers (e.g., Two, Three, Four, etc.) appear in a reading, they can imply a gradual progression or a step-by-step process in the situation being examined. The specific meaning will depend on the suits and the context of the reading.
For example, numbers in sequential order can suggest an increase in energy or intensity related to the suit. For instance, if you draw the Three, Four, and Five of Cups in a sequence, it might indicate a growing emotional situation, starting with a celebration (Three of Cups) and gradually intensifying (Four of Cups) before reaching a point of emotional challenge (Five of Cups).
With this logic in mind, the cards in a sequence can symbolize a flow or continuity in the narrative of the reading. It’s important to look at the context of the reading and surrounding cards to determine how this flow is influencing the situation.
For example, when you see the highest sequential number (Ten) in a suit, it often signifies completion or fulfillment related to the theme of that suit. For instance, the Ten of Pentacles may represent financial stability and abundance. The Ten of Wands in stands for a completion that comes with a heavy burden or a feeling of being overwhelmed. This card typically signifies the final stage of a long and arduous journey or project.
What if Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) appear in ascending order?
Court cards often represent people or personality traits, and their appearance in sequence can add depth to the interpretation. Oftentimes when Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) appear in ascending order, they can represent a progression in the qualities or characteristics associated with that particular court card. Each card could represent a different person or aspect of the same person, and their appearance in order may indicate a chronological or developmental sequence, or it may suggest a progression or evolution of individuals or personality traits in the querent’s life or the situation at hand. Therefore, the sequential appearance of court cards may indicate a transformative process or a journey of personal growth and development. It suggests that the querent or individuals involved are evolving in some way.
Ascending order of Court Cards can imply a shift in roles, responsibilities, or relationships within a particular situation. For example, a sequence of Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings may indicate a progression from initial ideas (Pages) to action and leadership (Knights) and finally to mastery or authority in terms of female (Queens) or male (Kings) characteristics.
Obviously, if the Page is missing in a sequence, it means that the querent is past the initial, developmental stages and characteristics associated with the Page. Or if the King or Queen is missing in a sequence, the cards may signal the querent is not ready to achieve the maturity and mastery of a specific suit.
Another thing also worth bringing up is that the court cards in sequential ascending order may offer advice or guidance on how to handle a particular situation based on the characteristics associated with each card. The progression may suggest a recommended course of action or a shift in perspective.
Through this we can see that the sequential court cards may symbolize a hierarchy or the dynamics of a group or team. The order could reflect the positions or roles of various individuals within a project or organization.
There is one more important thing we would like to pinpoint: sequential court cards can also highlight the interactions and relationships between people. However, we need to pay attention to the court cards’ elemental qualities (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles) to understand the nature of these relationships.
What can we say about timing if sequential numbers appear in a reading?
In tarot readings, sequential numbers can sometimes be interpreted as indicators of timing, but it’s important to approach timing in tarot with caution. Tarot cards are primarily used for gaining insights, guidance, and understanding rather than predicting precise dates or timelines. Timing in tarot is often considered more symbolic and flexible than literal.
Sequential numbers can suggest a natural progression or phases in a situation. For example, if you draw consecutive cards from the same suit, it may indicate that events or developments will unfold in a chronological order, with each card representing a step in the process.
For example, drawing the Ace, Two, and Three of Wands in sequence might suggest that an opportunity (Ace), planning (Two), and initial action (Three) are unfolding in a chronological order.
You can generally gauge whether a situation is likely to manifest in the short term or long term based on the numbers in the sequence. Lower-numbered cards (e.g., Ace, Two, Three) may suggest events happening relatively soon, while higher-numbered cards (e.g., Eight, Nine, Ten) may imply a longer time frame. In addition to this, Tarot is better at providing relative timing rather than specific dates. For example, if you see sequential cards indicating progress, you might infer that developments will occur in the near future.
However, the tarot may not pinpoint exact dates or time frames. Instead, Tarot cards often carry symbolic meanings related to seasons, astrological signs, or stages of life. You can explore these symbolic associations to gain additional insights into the timing of events.