Tarot Tutorials: Timing In Tarot
Busting the myth of "Tarot can't tell time."
When will it happen???
This is one of the biggest questions in Tarot, but it’s also paired with the myth that you “can’t” tell timing with Tarot.
In my experience, you absolutely can! Sometimes, the timing presents itself in surprising ways. Sometimes, a seemingly conflicting timeline in the Tarot is absolutely accurate in retrospect. For example, prior to my last relationship, I was told two different things. I was single at the time, but two different readers said seemingly conflicting things:
I would meet him in the autumn.
“Something wonderful” would happen in my love life in the spring.
Well, I did meet that person in the autumn…but we didn’t make it official until the spring! Both readings were correct, but seemed to contradict when I got the readings!
Getting familiar with Tarot timing simply takes practice.
But while you are practicing, the tool below may be helpful.
Before we move on, don’t forget!
I have two incredible events you don’t want to miss. I have a presentation at the Witch Within Summit (free event) on the “Myth of Closure,” and will be offering my wildly popular course “The Dangerous Goddess” at the fifth (and final!) So Mote That Con. Register for both at this link. Paid subscribers: scroll down for your discount code for So Mote That Con!
Timing in Tarot: A Tool For The Timeline
Begin by asking the simple question: “When will (xyz) happen” and pull just one card in return. By getting one of the following, you’ll get a good time of when something will take place.
Numbered Pip Cards:
Swords = Days
Cups = Weeks
Wands = Months
Pentacles = Years
The number of the Pip card represents the time frame, e.g.:
6 of Swords = 6 Days
9 of Pentacles = 9 Years
9 of Cups = 9 Weeks
4 of Wands = 4 Months
Meanwhile, a Reversed Pip card likely means something will happen within a specific time frame, e.g.:
6 of Swords Reversed = Within 6 Days
9 of Pentacles Reversed = Within 9 Years
9 of Cups Reversed = Within 9 Weeks
4 of Wands Reversed = Within 4 Months
Court cards generally represent seasons:
Swords = Winter
Cups = Spring
Wands = Summer
Pentacles = Autumn
The specific court card can also tell you WHEN during the season something is likely to happen:
Pages = Start of season
Knights = Early-mid season
Queens = Mid-late season
Kings= End of season
Cards 1-12 of the Major Arcana can tell the month of the year it would happen. E.g.,
The Magician (1) = January
The High Priestess (2) = February
Justice (11) = November
The Hanged Man (12) = December
Major Arcana cards 13-21 can represent one year plus the number past twelve. E.g.,:
Death (13) = 1 year, 1 month.
Temperance (14) = 1 year, 2 months
The Star (17) = 1 year, 5 months
The World (21) = 1 year, 9 months
But, the Fool (zero) can mean RIGHT AWAY!
Every Tarot reader will eventually develop their own timing system. But until you develop yours, feel free to use mine!
