For a long time I used the Giant Rider Waite solely for teaching until I began to incorporate them into my reading practice for first time clients. Because I am a Holistic Tarot Therapist, I do not read the cards on a fortune-telling basis. The clients who come to me are aware of that. They too are not looking for a fortune-telling, but view the Tarot as Holistic Therapy, Life Coaching, Personal Guidance and Empowerment. Typically, an initial consultation with a new client involves listening to their story and some background history before I conduct a Personality Profile Analysis to determine which Elements are currently at play in their life (what influence are they under, what is controlling them consciously or unconsciously), and look back on any Elements involved in the formation of their personality over the years. This gives vital information which is more expansive and broader than choosing a Significator. Often the person we think we are is very far removed from the person we actually are. Life can be a walk in the park if we are in the highest alignment with the Elements, or an uphill results-poor battle if we are ignorant of their presence or of lack of thereof. Sometimes the Elements need encouragement and invitation to engage before improvements can be made. We need to be aware of their individual and collective power. We need to understand how the absence of any might negatively affect us. As the saying goes, ‘a bird cannot fly on one wing’. Our personality certainly can’t. It actually needs more than two wings to fly anywhere.

The Importance of Healthy Elements

If we cannot bring our Elements under managed control, they will seek to control us, which when Upright might be a great thing. You can reach each and every star you set your heart on. Things happen easily for you. You seem to be blessed with luck as success wraps itself around all your endeavors.  However, when the Elements are Reversed, unstable or inconsistent in our personality make-up, it can have a detrimental effect on our lives. No matter how hard we work, how much we want to succeed, we seem to fall short of the mark and then fall into despair. Instead of our life being a history of ongoing success, it is littered with false starts, mistakes and failures. Depending on the health of  our Elements, we can progress through life in the direction we seek and intend, or end up blowing in the wind, unsure of what will happen next, never alighting on the path of our own choosing. We become victims of life, slaves to our perceived fate and bad luck, back-seat passengers. If we have not had the best start in life, upsets, traumas and lack, our Elements are probably not in the healthiest condition. When we attempt to improve our life as we mature, unless the Elements cooperate in our favour, we might find it hard to crawl out of our circumstances. We might improve at times and believe we have overcome our issues, but if the Elements are not strong or healthy enough (a steady Upright), the slightest pressure may flip them into Reverse. We seem to be able to Talk the Talk, but cannot Walk the Walk long enough for it to manifest into ongoing success. We do not have the right tools in our toolbox to do the job, or we do not have enough of them. Our tools may not be in the best of shape either. Thus we try to walk forth into a strong gale force wind, swim against a rib tide, with insufficient energy to make it through to the other side. We try to climb a mountain in our slippers instead of strong hiking boots. We are inadequately dressed for the weather when our Elements are not firing on all cylinders.

Identifying What Is Missing

When we discover our toolbox is missing essential tools, worn out or outdated tools that need to be replaced or discarded, we can then take action to rectify the situation. The Tarot Personality Profile Analysis is similar to a very close friend who is not afraid to tell you the truth. They may draw your attention to things about you that might be painful to hear. They seek your ascension, not destruction, but before you can improve, you need to be aware of what needs nurturing, what needs improving, and what needs discarding. For example, if you are a rip-roaring bitch, this may have to be pointed out to you by a third-party if you are under the assumption you are great. You may not want to hear it, but addressing the bitch part of your personality could reap great rewards in your life. No one likes a bitch, so life can only get better for you if ditch the bitch part of your personality. Often times we are totally ignorant of rogue Elements playing in our lives, but are keenly aware of the results they manifest. We don’t like the way things are, but we don’t know why they are that way. The Elements need to be put under the spotlight and examined. We need to find which ones are supporting us, and which are dragging us down. When you go in search of these rogue Elements they may attempt to hide from view or claim to be your friend not your enemy. They have been with you a long time, have become part of you, are used to hanging around with you, talking to you in a certain tone, enjoying a certain type of relationship with you. It won’t be easy to change this arrangement, but it can be done. Knowledge of your Elemental Make-Up is one thing, but wanting to do something about it is quite another. Like going on a diet or giving up alcohol or cigarettes you need to be committed to breaking the habits your personality has acquired if you are going to succeed.

Rogue Elements

Knowledge is power, but you then need to do something with that knowledge. If a rogue Queen of Cups is perpetually destroying your chance of relationship success, she won’t Upright herself and behave unless you put the effort in. Asking her politely to stop dragging you down is unlikely to succeed. You need to show her you mean business. If persistent rogue Pentacles (Reversed) are blocking you from achieving financial success or stability, then you must insist they shape up or ship out. You have to be proactive in your own life – you have to show up if you want anything to happen or change. Rogue Elements were formed out of habit for one reason or another, they are the unwanted or uninvited guests who never fail to show up. Healthy Elements lacking in your personality need to be encouraged to visit, and visit regularly. They need to become a habit, a healthy habit. They must become part of the fixtures and fittings of your personality so that the necessary changes can come about. It might take a while to get to know them and feel comfortable with them, but rest assured they are on your side and want only what is best for you. They are like Glenda, the good witch of the North in The Wizard of OZ who glows with purity and positivity in comparison to The Wicked Witch of The West who seeks to bring misery and mayhem to all she can wave her wand at.

Yes, our rogue Elements may feel like a wicked spell or curse, for they blight our lives and hold us back from happiness and personal fulfillment. We must also acknowledge that rogue Elements, Elements that Reverse are not in themselves the root of all evil. Throughout the course of our lives we may expect rogue Elements to invade our peace and space from time to time because of circumstances and exposure to certain experiences. However, they should only ever be transient, stay for a period, and then move on. We need to recover our Upright Element. This sadly does not always happen and Reversed Elements get stuck or fixed, especially if negative experiences happen early in life, are prolonged, regular or persistent. The Element gets used to staying Reversed. It becomes a habit that unless addressed, moves in to stay. Other Elements will move out, if they believe they are of no use, not wanted, or not getting their fair share of the action. If they do stay, they become weak and vague, their vividness turning transparent and vapoury. They lose their strength and cannot be effective, even if called upon at times. They must stand at the end of the queue where they feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the more dominant Elements. The Key is Balance and Harmony. The Elements need to work together as a happy team and not pull against each other in a battle for power or supremacy.

The Formation Of A Personality

The Personality Profile is not just to find out who the client is in their current sense, but rather how they formed from childhood on-wards – what contributing factors have made them the person they are today. The accumulative personality formation, with its ups and downs determines what they draw to themselves, how they react to different situations, how successful they are at finding solutions, and what it is that holds them back. I do not conduct any fancy psychological evaluation tests as I am not qualified to do so. I use  Tarot to help them explain to me who they are and why. It is done through identification with a particular Suit and its Element, imagery, number, and Court Card Rank throughout the formative stages of their life. We also take into consideration both the Upright and Reverse Aspect that can fluctuate throughout life due to experiences, circumstances, external influence/interference, impact and reaction.

Not all clients want their Personality Profiled and opt for a normal tarot reading instead. The Tarot Personality Profile Analysis does come with a special charge as the Reader needs to apply them self to analysing the results which can take a bit of extra time. However, the benefits to be gained from this process are numerous. Not only does the client have a better understanding of why their life is the way it is, knowledge is power, but the information and insight gained in such profiling is incredibly valuable when conducting any further tarot readings for the client. So much more can be extracted then on a normal basis.

Giant Rider-Waite – Crystal Clear Imagery For Clients

I specifically use the Giant Rider-Waite Deck to carry out The Personality Profile Analysis because the images are large and clear for my client to see.  I normally put my client sitting on one side of the table, while I stand on the other side, moving up and down the rows of cards, holding each one aloft in front of them while I explain its meaning and implication. The client is not seeking to learn tarot, but needs to understand what they are looking at and how they must apply them-self. This Personality Profile Analysis is not a passive reading. It is not something I do for them while they sit idly by. On the contrary, they are expected to play a proactive part in their own analysis.

For the Tarot Personality Profile Analysis I prepare and layout a deck of Giant Rider-Waite cards in advance of the client’s arrival. A kitchen or dining table is great for this as it offers greater space to work on.  For the Personality Profile Analysis there is no shuffling and no blind drawing. I need to know the client is consciously picking what they believe are the most appropriate cards to tell their story at each stage of life. It is only when their life is laid out in front of them in a such a manner do they see where patterns have formed, why things have worked out as they have, why they might be experiencing blocks or issues with achieving the success or happiness they desire. They will need my help in this process, but only to the extent of explaining what the Suits, Elements and Ranks mean. Due to the empowering results achieved from this profiling, clients often request it to be repeated at a later stage to determine how their current or adjusted personality is evolving. Therefore, they get to know how it works, who is who in the Courts and what impact the Elements have.

Let me show you how I conduct the Personality Profile Analysis.

What You Will Need

Giant Rider-Waite Tarot Deck: Complete 78-Card Deck

• 1 Deck of Giant Rider-Waite Tarot Cards
• Pieces of Paper and Pen – Client will likely select the same card repetitively to represent various stages in a particular Rank. You will only have one card for each Page, Knight, Queen and King in any given Suit. Where extras are needed simply take a piece of paper and write the Court Card on it. For example the client selects the Page of Cups for their Childhood Stage in Page Rank, but also selects it for their Adolescent Stage in Page Rank. Use the one Page of Cups, and for the other one, write The Page of Cups on a small piece of paper as a stand in for the card itself. If you are creating a digital copy of the client’s Tarot Personality Profile Analysis later on, you can upload the extra cards or copy and paste to get the required number.
• Voice Recorder (optional) – you can use your phone for this but make sure the sound and volume are sufficient.
• Camera – Use your smart phone. Take snaps of all the stages to keep on record and for compiling your findings.
• Note Pad – To make notes on client comments and cards selected.

Separate the Deck into the following:

Stage I  – Four Suits (Court Cards Only) = 4 piles of four cards

Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings

Stage II – Four Suits – Ace to Ten = 4 piles of ten cards

Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles

Stage III – The Major Arcana = 1 pile of 22 cards

Process

Stage I

Start with The Four Suits (Court Cards Only) = 4 piles of four cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) – Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles. I have supplied you with various points to consider as a Reader which should be studied before attempting this Analysis on clients. The process itself when client is present is is quite simple. The Personality Profile Analysis should take approx. 4o minutes to an hour. Repeat clients will take less. Remember, you are just giving them Suit/Element and Court Cards descriptions. Nothing deep or profound is required. Other than that, describing the nature of each Suit, The Four Suits Ace to Ten are selected on picture basis only. The same applies to the Major.

If this is a new client, I take time to describe each Suit; its traits, characteristics, weaknesses, strengths, tendencies, inclinations, what drives it, what draws it, what repels it, what upsets it, what soothes it. I then define the role and approximate age span of each Court Rank – Page, Knight, Queen and King. As a reader, you will need to know your Suits, Court Cards and the Elements that govern them or you will not be able to describe them to the client or analyse their overall meaning and relevancy. You will quickly get mixed up in who’s who and what’s what.

The information below is for the benefit of the Reader and is not intended for the client, unless you are conducting a profile on yourself. The Reader should assist the client in their selection process with prompters, but not direct leads. Attempting to convey the detail below to a client not versed in the meaning of Tarot and Elements will lead to confusion as it is too complex to absorb in this period of time.

It is wise not to offer too much feedback throughout the session as this may indirectly influence the client to fix or amend their story as they go for a more favorable outcome or desirable personality. It is important to be as close to the truth as possible. If you inform the client of the reversal of their personality from Page to Queen for example, and what it might mean, you risk interrupting the flow and the conscious can begin to censor and filter what is revealed. Just describe the meaning of the Elements and Ranks and take notes. Let the client guide you after that. The implication of the Personality Analysis will come to light as you continue. When the actual tarot readings begin, the findings can then be referred back to for greater understanding.

Page

Childhood/Teenage/Young Adulthood up to 21/22 (male/female). From this pile, the client selects the most appropriate Page/s that reflect who they were from childhood up to young adulthood. This could involve the same Page being used for each stage (child/teenager/young adult) if the personality has remained intact from the beginning. Sometimes they do, the personality remaining steadfast and predictable. However, many do not as life experiences, evolving maturity, conditioning and culture, can all impact a forming personality. Also, the person might see themselves as being more than one Page (e.g. both Page of Cups and Pentacles in childhood) at any given stage, which is a sign of a more rounded personality. If the analysis is to be honest and beneficial, the client should decide if any of the Pages need to be Reversed as this will offer great insight when seeking guidance in the later readings.

A client in their late teens (avoid this analysis for anyone under the age of 18 years) may expect to select cards for just the childhood and adolescent stage. Their Personality Profile will not include the Knight, Queen and King as they have yet to live these years.  If the client is early twenties they will need to select cards for the three stages of childhood, adolescence and young adulthood.  If the client is borderline Page and Knight age, include the Knight but only the early stage selection will be required. You may ask them to select the Knight/s, Queen/s, King/s they aspire to develop into. There selection could be based on wishful thinking or true aspiration. Regardless, it will yield interesting information about the character your tarot reading is about. 

Take note of the Pages selected and any reasons the client has given for this. Note their orientation too. Also note any Pages that have not been selected. This will tell a lot about what might have been missing, suppressed, not encouraged in their upbringing, or simply not part of their personality make-up. The absent Suit could throw light on certain issues they are currently struggling with if the Element needed for its successful resolution is lacking or has been habitually lacking in their personality make-up. Point out to the client any Pages not selected and ask if they are sure about leaving them out. Note their reaction to the absent Page/s. Are they hesitant, definite? Are they overly-adamant about not including them? Do you see or hear disdain, or dislike for the Page/s. If they need to be reminded again of the Page/s Elemental association, it may be a sign of the particular Element not figuring in their life at all, of them not being familiar with its energy. This could be a family personality trait, or a conditioned one. After completing the Page selection, the client should indicate which Page/Element was the most dominant and which the weakest. Which came naturally and which did they struggle with? Make notes of your findings and observations for later on. Set the selected cards aside and move on to the Knights. Leave any Pages not selected in place on the table.

Knights

(22 yrs to early thirties) -Now that the early years have been accounted for, it is time to move on to the Knights to determine if the personality remained consistent or changed. Will any Elements prominent in the Pages, fall away or change orientation in the Knight stage of growth. Will an Element not previously selected in the Pages now make an appearance? Perhaps it is only beginning to mature in the Knight stage. Generally, there is a change. Some aspects of the Pages might now be viewed as childish, unrealistic, idealistic, naive. The Knight stage may involve the client letting go of aspects of their personality so as to fit in with career demands and the struggles of the big bad world. In this manner, we might see the lovely Page of Cups who dreamed of being an artist, actor or singer, get pushed into the background as the Knight of Pentacles perhaps, takes over with a need to get real. Dreams and aspirations might get pushed aside as being irrelevant and not feasible. We might also see the modification of an early personality to gain the approval of a partner or spouse.

The Knights take a more dynamic stance and are eager to move away from their childhood. They step away from the direct influence of their parents in search of freedom and independence to be who they want to be. The early stage of Knighthood is full of thrill, promise, expression, and entitlement. They seek to change the world and make an impact, chase dreams and expose themselves to new experiences, experiences that have nothing to do with parental approval. They are accountable only to themselves, for they have been given the keys to the Kingdom. They have control of the reins. Everything and anything is possible and confidence in achieving it is high. Any magic bubbles may still be intact.

A client in their early to mid-twenties may expect to select cards for just the early stage of Knight. A client in their mid to late twenties can expect to select cards for both the early and mid-stage of Knight. A client in their late twenties – very early thirties will likely select cards for the early, mid and late stage of Knight. A simpler method and easier when starting, is to reduce selection down to just one set of cards to cover the overall Knight Stage (early, mid and late) unless there have been dramatic changes over the time period. Their selection will be more generic, but is likely enough to describe their personality dynamics, especially if it remained constant throughout this stage

The appearance of an Element not previously selected, or its reappearance if it disappeared at any stage of the Page, could point to a phase the client went through when this Element was not considered cool or useful. If it was a suppressed Element, it has now broken free, or is welcomed back by the maturing Knight. Pages in their adolescent and early adult phase may drop aspects of their personality due to peer pressure and wanting to fit in with a crowd or group. They are not being true to them self, but conforming to the expectation of others.

The mid-rank stage of Knighthood could find them still sticking to the early stage mode of behaviour. Many Knights will still be flying high and continue the thrill and freedom their Rank affords them. They may have no intention of conforming, settling down or getting tied down. They may still be working hard towards their goals, the attainment of them never in question. They could be drifting in and out of relationships, not taking any of them to a serious level. Other Knights will begin to have their wings clipped as they knuckle down into their career, relationships, saving for engagements, weddings. They might begin to enter the world of debt as they get tied into car loans, business loans, property rental and overheads. They now have to look after the things which normally fell under their parent’s responsibility. They are expected to manage their own life.

The later stage of Knighthood might see a settling or maturity as they begin to become more like their parents, The King and Queen. Established careers and job security are hoped for at this stage. They need to see real progress in the form of promotion, advancement and salary increase. They are no longer the new and inexperienced Knights on the block so expect to be rewarded. Perhaps the approaching stage of the King or Queen Rank makes them realise their growing authority and expertise. They may decide to become their own boss and be the boss of others. Relationships are more likely to be long-term and committed, so marriage and starting a family feature. There is a responsibility for others. Some Knights could be ending relationships or marriages formed in the early stage. In this stage, Knights begin to become more introspective and reflective about their earlier years. They might stop to question where they are going and if it is still what they want. There is an understanding of not wasting any more time on areas of life that yield no joy or benefit. Any radical change or makeover must be made at this stage before it is left too late. Action may not be taken immediately, but the desire for it grows. Any personality aspects abandoned in the Page could begin to resurface as an urge or fond memory. They may attempt to retrieve or resurrect them as it becomes more about personal fulfillment than fulfilling the expectations of others. They are no longer concerned about what others might think. The later stage of Knighthood can begin to seek quality over quantity. Stability is welcomed and excess avoided. There is also a growing honesty about shortcomings. Weaknesses and inabilities are accepted and owned rather than glossed over and denied. Knowing what the Knight is naturally good at, their personal strengths,  becomes evident. Knights may drop or avoid things that have proven to be unsuitable or unsuccessful for them. In the Page stage they believed anything was possible, but by the late Knight stage, they are more realistic. They are beginning to know themselves and understand that we do not get everything we want. Reversed Knights may Upright themselves in the late stage as they seek to conform or behave.

Some late stage Knights might choose, or are forced back to the Page stage if goals set have not been realised or a change in direction is decided upon. Knights may go back to the beginning to retrain, educate, reform. They may have to start over again which could leave them either deliriously happy or in a permanent state of catch-up.

Some clients will retain all their Page traits as they mature, choosing their counterparts in the Knights. This shows consistency and steadfastness. Their personality sticking with them throughout. They get older but little else changes. Their life is working out as they expected. If there were no reversals before, we might begin to see them appear in the Knight stage. The Knight has lived more, is less shielded and protected, is out in the world, may be involved in a relationship, married, has children, separated, divorced, managing a career and lots more. Permitting exposure to the world, leaves the Knight vulnerable to disturbance, upset, disappointment and resentment. The dreams of the Pages may not have manifested, the life they chased after, now a struggle and drain, the career un-fulfilling and demoralising, or gone altogether, the relationship hankered over, insufficient and meaningless. They begin to become aware of the passing years – they are still young, but not as young as they used to be. Are they where they expected to be, reached the goals enthusiastically set in The Page? If the goal has been achieved, has it matched their early vision of it? They might feel life is slipping by on them if they have not achieved all they had hoped for.

As with the Pages before, the client must make their selection of Knight/s after being instructed on the evolving nature of the Elements experienced through the Court Cards. Describe the four Elements in their Knight stage. Should a client feel they have not progressed, from the Page stage, they can select the appropriate Knight in Reverse. For example – The Page of Pentacles is selected to showcase the client’s industrious, studious aspect and their desire to be financially successful. As a Page they want to own their own business or launch a brilliant career when studies and exams are completed. If that has not materialised in the Knight stage, the Reversed Knight of Pentacles should be chosen to explain this. This could also be selected if the Page has not made the progress as quickly as he expected. He may still be gaining extra qualifications or re-sitting exams when he had thought to be riding high on success. Recession may have put paid to his plans. He may have to regroup and re-plan. His ambition and plans have been thwarted or delayed. The Reversed Knight does not suggest he has failed, just that at that stage of life, he is not where he expected to be. It may be something to do with the other Elements. As he entered the Knight stage he may have lost his focus and become distracted from his studies, he may have become involved in an intense relationship, he may have had a change of mind about career or studies and set off on a new path. He may not have been cut out for the career he chose.  He has temporarily not succeeded. He may have to wait until the Queen or King stage to realise his goals. However, it may all fall away resulting in his Queen or King sticking in Reverse. He may never achieve what he set to achieve and this in itself is telling. Has he traipsed a path that was not suitable for him, yet continued on it anyway? Was he doing what was expected of him or trying to please another? Was his heart ever really in it? Had he got the sufficient Elemental make-up required?

Again, note any Knights that are absent. Have any Elements disappeared since the Pages? Have any appeared or reappeared? Have any Reversed that were previously Upright? Have any Reversed Elements become Upright in the transition. Take note of any comments the client has in this matter. Do they make light of, laughing off a discarded Knight, or look upon it regretfully and tragically. Was this Knight/Aspect denied them? Did they seek to be one with this Knight/s only to give up as it became clear it would not work, or sit comfortably with them? Was this Knight someone else’s idea of what their personality should be, perhaps, a parent or partner? Did they view this Knight as alien to their natural state of being? Did its absence force them to change plans or abandon goals and dreams, or the goals and dreams of others? After completing the Knight selection, the client should indicate which Knight/Element is or was the most dominant and which the weakest. Which came naturally and which did they struggle with? Make notes of your findings and observations for later on. Set aside any absent Knights and lay out the selected Knights the Pages. Move on to the Queens.

Queens

(30 years on-wards) If the client is female, this pile will hold more relevance to her than the following Kings, but more and more female clients are selecting Kings to reflect who they are, or have to be.  Therefore, do not exclude or skip the Kings for female clients and do not exclude or skip the Queens for male clients.

Describe the nature and Rank of Queen. Then give an account of the personality of Queen in each of the Four Elements. This selection is based on the feminine aspects of their personality. The range in age and scope for both the Queen and King is very broad, covering an age span from the thirties right up to the end, death. The age of the client will determine how many stages they need to take into consideration.

A client in their early to late thirties may only need to select queens for the early Queen stage. A client in their mid-life may need to select Queens for at least two stages. A client heading into their more senior years will need to select Queens for approx. three stages. A simpler method and easier when starting, is to reduce selection down to just one set of cards to cover the overall Queen Stage (early, mid & late if applicable) unless there have been dramatic changes over the time period. Their selection will be more generic, but is likely enough to describe their personality dynamics, especially if it remained constant throughout this stage

If the client is over thirty, it will reflect how their more mature side has evolved. Have they softened or hardened over the years? How has their life experiences affected their personality? For many women, the Queen represents their personality as a mother and how having children has changed them. Long-term relationships or marriage are likely. Balancing child rearing and career can feature. Stepping back from a career is also a possibility. Big changes can occur for women in and around this time. At the Queen stage, career advancement will be expected as goals set in the Page and Knight stage are attained. The maturing Page and Knight may begin to resemble their mother, The Queen, in looks, behaviour, attitude and personality. They may have attempted to be the exact opposite but there is no running away, no avoiding genetic patterns at play.

The Queen stage should see a developing security and stability as the personality grows into itself, or becomes fixed. The Queen can seek to settle down. Children are in various stages of growth. Friendships are more selective with circles smaller and more intimate. The social scene of The Page and Knight might be abandoned in favour of something less frequent but more genuinely enjoyable. At this stage the Queen could leave her party days behind and even retreat into the home where she finds more than enough to keep her occupied. The Queen is self-assured, knows what she wants and does not wish to waste time on that which holds little meaning for her. In the early stage of Queen we might find emphasis put on the care and needs of others. The Queen can be selfless, forsaking her own needs for the greater need of others. In career, she may work harder than most to prove her worth and capability. The Queen demands to be taken seriously and becomes aware of her own strength. The Queen’s multi-tasking skills become finely honed.

As the Queen evolves, she may have to deal with many ups and downs in life. Some may be traumatic and upsetting. Other could be life-changing and out of her control. She is exposed to life in all its force and must weather the storm of each experience. She will have to deal with the ageing and possible death of her parents, another stage of the Queen and King, or that of her siblings and friends – more Queens and Kings. Such experiences can impact the Queen’s personality, forcing her to abandon certain aspects, while others go into reverse. Unless she is blessed with good luck and shielded from loss and trauma, it is not possible for a Queen to be immune to the perils of life and living. Invariably it will arrive on her own doorstep at some time during her Queenly phase.

As the Queen evolves, there may be changes in career as jobs lose their worth and relevancy, or become obsolete in the rapidly growing digital era. The Queen may have to adapt by accepting and letting go, or moving with the times. She may experience a renaissance as she eagerly returns to the Page and Knight stage to retrain, re-educate and re-invent herself. The Queen at mid stage can discover a whole new world opens to her. Children are semi-reared granting more freedom. The Queen can enjoy her greatest career success at this stage by combining her accumulative skills, life experience and any new qualifications acquired. She has a new zest for life. She is also ripe to strike out on her own in business, choosing a venture for personal fulfillment as well as financial gain. In the developing stage of Queen any natural creativity will come to the fore and seek expression.

The Queen’s rank will also expose her to the potential end of long-term relationships or marriage. Some will stand the test of time, while others will fail and dissolve during this period. The Queen may find herself flung into, or running back to her single days with arms wide open.  Therefore we could find her going through separation or divorce and all that it entails.  Life as she knows it, or has come accustomed to, can change dramatically. The mid stage of Queen will find her return to, and retrieve, aspects of any Pages and Knights abandoned, relinquished, or neglected in the past. She will want to integrate these back into her personality and give them an outlet.  She won’t be too hasty in letting them go again.  She may settle into single or a new single status quite happily, and not seek a partner. She becomes resourceful and self-sufficient. It is during the early and especially mid-stage of the Queen that deep unhappiness can surface if she has been forced to separate from any of her Pages or Knight personality aspects over the years. This may be an unconscious sadness or sense of feeling unfulfilled.

As the Queen moves onto the later stages of her Rank she may adopt the matriarch role in the family, becoming the mother of young adults, the grandmother of her children’s off-spring. The Queen must also deal with the growing prospects of health issues as she moves into greater maturity, the changes menopause bring and the failing of her body, and fitness levels. Her looks might also fade and if she is not balanced and secure in herself, can lose sight of who she is and her worth. She may not be able to do what she previously enjoyed doing or wants as she ages. The Queen is deeply introspective and reflective. Depending on her Upright or Reversed aspect, she may not want to change a thing about her life, not want to turn back the clock, reveling in the freedom that growing older brings, doing what she likes, dressing as she pleases, intent on impressing just herself. She could also live with dreadful regret of opportunities not seized or missed out on due to personal commitments, lost loves, unfulfilled career ambition and not putting herself first. The Queen in retirement will want to do the things she hadn’t the time or resources for. It is a time she will want to pander to her own desires. The Queen generally mellows as she matures, understanding her priorities, wanting to be happy, and for others to be happy too. However, if reversed, she could be bitter about how her life turned out, holding grudges and resentments until the grave. She will be either non-judgmental and tolerant, or negatively opinionated, sanctimonious and self-righteous. The Queen will either age gracefully and politely, or go kicking and screaming making everyone’s life a misery.  She may attempt to recapture her youth or realise her dreams through her children or grandchildren. She may maintain a youthful outlook and disposition or become settled at a very young age.

For men, it can also highlight how well their personality has tempered since the Knight stage and any changes in their emotional state after becoming a father and rearing children. The Knights can be quite bullish and opinionated, but the introduction of the Queen can soothe their attitude. It depends on how life has progressed, but also reflects their attitude towards females in general and acknowledging their own feminine side. More and more males are acknowledging their vulnerability and compassion in the world today, as they hang up their suit of armor and lay down weapons. They can be tough without needing to act tough.

Take note of any absent Queens, who is Upright and who is Reversed. Note any comments the client has about this stage. Have any previously absent Elements, or ones that had been abandoned during the Page or Knight stage appear or reappear? Is the Queen’s selection now similar to her early Page ones, when she still had her whole life ahead of her, and when dreams were still possibilities? Does the Queen stage appear predictable, an ongoing chain from the Page and Knight, or does it change course, veer in a new direction?

Set aside any absent Elements and lay out the selected Queens beside the Pages and Knights paying attention to their chosen orientation. Is there a pattern forming? Can you see a story emerging? Is the personality progression consistent or erratic, has the client stayed true to form or abandoned certain aspects over the years? Is the personality heading in a healthy direction, is it ascent or decline? Make notes of any observations. Is there a lot of re-invention, or adapting to suit the circumstances of life or others’ expectations? After completing the Queen selection, the client should indicate which Queen/Element is the most dominant and which the weakest. Which came naturally and which did they struggle with? After the Queens, it is time to focus on the Kings.

Kings

(30 years onwards) Once again describe the nature and meaning of the Rank of King and how it would be applied to the Elements. Ask the client to select the relevant kings that reflect their personality as they transitioned from Knight to King. If they are over thirty this will reflect their evolving maturity. If under thirty, they might represent their kingly qualities, their masculine side. Again, the Kings do not solely signify males as many females will display King-like personality traits, whether by desire or need. Females who identify with both Queens and Kings are likely to be quite independent, assertive, resourceful and ambitious. They offer both love and tough love as needed. Males who identify with both Queens and Kings are likely to be more compassionate, sensitive and understanding than when Kings on their own. Kings will also highlight their personality as fathers, how disciplined they are with children.

A client in their early to late thirties may only need to select Kings for the early King stage. A client in their mid-life may need to select Kings for at least two stages. A client heading into their more senior years will need to select Kings for approx. three stages. A simpler method and easier when starting, is to reduce selection down to just one set of cards to cover the overall King Stage (early, mid & late if applicable) unless there have been dramatic changes over the time period. Their selection will be more generic, but is likely enough to describe their personality dynamics, especially if it remained constant throughout this stage

Just like the Queens, the age span for Kings is as broad as the age of the client, so will become more complex the older the client, and especially if they have experienced much in life. Kings are the natural progression from Knight and go through various stages of development and maturity. In their early King stage they may still be working towards the pinnacle of their career, but unless they experienced hardship during their working career, or decided to change direction dramatically, they should be feeling the benefit of their experience and authority. The King may decide to make his move and become his own boss if the opportunity presents itself.

Similar to the Queens, the King is either settled into  a long-term relationship or marriage, or perhaps coming out of one. They have responsibilities that may include a family and possible long-term debt such as mortgages and loans. The Kings are results oriented and will want to have something to show for all their hard work over the years. As the King matures further he will become introspective and reflective like the Queen. He may question his life and all the decisions of the past. He may be happy with where he has arrived at and with what he has achieved, but he may harbor deep regrets.

The King may begin to resemble his own father, even if he fought wildly against it. He might sound like him too. It is during this stage he will most likely have to come to terms with the loss of his parents, siblings  and possible spouse or partner too. His own health may not be as robust as it once was. He energy levels might drop and old sport injuries flare up. If not attending to his health and diet, the King may lose his youthful physique as he evolves. He might face a mid-life crisis which could throw everything into chaos.

The King will either have developed as a wonderful caring father to his children or be distant and remote if he was not fully present during their upbringing. The King will seek to be firm and disciplined with his offspring, but he must find the right balance. Any unhealthy habits of his youth may become entrenched at this stage, his personality becoming more pronounced and fixed. On the other hand, The King may have gone through a major transformation and reinvented his life for the better. He may become more physically active as he matures and be conscientious about what he consumes. He might not be able to drink as much as when in his youth, and cigarette smoking may be knocked on the head as he becomes more informed about the health benefits. The King will want to seek a better quality of life.

The King’s circle of friends will become more intimate as he chooses quality over quantity. He gives thought to his retirement unless he has had to start his life afresh after a separation or divorce. When he does retire, he may find it takes time to relax and let go if he has been used to working all his life. He may settle into his slippers or throw himself enthusiastically into projects and hobbies he didn’t have time for previously.

The King generally mellows as he matures, becoming more laid back and tolerant of others. However, if he has failed to achieve his goals, he might feel bitter and resentful, especially at the success of his peers or siblings. He can become cantankerous and difficult to manage. As the King evolves he will either feel proud of his success or nurture a sense of failure which could affect his self-esteem. As he ages, he must also face the prospect of losing his job, or being looked over for promotion in favor of someone much younger. The Queen tends to take this better than the King who will view it as a personal slight. However, some Kings will heave a sigh of relief and see it as an opportunity for change.

Take note of any absent Elements/Kings and any comments the client may have on this. Note also the orientation of The selected Kings. Have any flipped or Reversed? If so, what might this say? Are any of them causing trouble? Set aside the absent Kings and layout the selected Kings beside their Page to Queen counterparts. Once more, look for patterns or irregularities that will give clues about the nature of the client and how their personality will likely deal with issues that will surface during any later readings. Has their personality remained consistent from childhood to Adulthood or has it drastically altered? Has life hardened or softened them? Has it impacted their personality at all?

Parents

The final selection in this stage requires the client to choose cards that represent their parents over the years. They do not need to go into an in-depth selection. You are looking for their parents’ archetypal personalities to determine how they may have effected or influenced the developing personality of  your client. There may be familial or genetic conditioning of personality traits to take into consideration.

Review

With all the cards laid out from Page to King, it is time to ask the client to reflect back on their selections and decide the Rank and Element the person feels most comfortable and most uncomfortable with? Which Rank and Element would they ideally like to emulate and aspire to. Which Rank and Element do they feel has dominated or overwhelmed their personality throughout life? Which Rank and Element do they feel weakest in? Which do they rejoice over (their best feature) and which do they despair over (their worst feature). If any Elements have disappeared over the years, are they missed and yearned for, or relieved to be rid of. Would they feel more whole if they could retrieve them? Did they voluntarily let them go, or were they forced? Would they go back if they could and do things differently? Take note of the client’s comments, reactions and responses. The list of questions is just an example. The layout of the analysis will give rise to specific questions. Be observant for these.

Go though the cards not selected. They may provide the missing pieces of the jig-saw. How and where might they work? Do not share too much insight at this stage and there is more work to be done. You want the client to naturally select.

You are now finished Stage I of the Tarot Personality Profile Analysis.

Example of What This Completed Stage Might Look Like

A sixty year old woman who wonders why her life has been so hard and why she has never found the emotional and financial security she so badly desires. She has been plagued with health problems and sleep is non-existent. She wants to enjoy life but feels blocked and cursed.

Page –

Childhood – Page of Cups/Page of Cups Rx, Page of Swords Rx,  Page of Pentacles/Rx, – Absent – Page of Wands

Adolescent – Page of Cups Rx, Page of Wands, Page of Pentacles/Rx, Page of Swords Rx,

Young Adult – Page of Cups Rx, Page of Wands, Page of Swords Rx, Page of Pentacles,

Knight – 

Early – Knight of Cups/Rx, Knight of Swords Rx, Knight of Pentacles – Absent – Knight of Wands

Mid – Knight of Wands, Knight of Cups, Knight of Swords, Knight of Pentacles

Late – Knight of Wands, Knight of Cups, Knight of Swords, Knight of Pentacles

Queen – 

Early 30’s – Queen of Wands, Queen of Cups, Queen of Swords, Queen of Pentacles

Late 30’s – Queen of Wands Rx, Queen of Cups Rx, Queen of Swords Rx, Queen of Pentacles Rx

Early 40’s – Queen of Wands, Queen of Cups, Queen of Swords, Queen of Pentacles

Mid 40’s  – Queen of Wands, Queen of Cups Rx, Queen of Swords Rx, Queen of Pentacles Rx

Late 40’s   – Queen of Wands, Queen of Cups Rx, Queen of Swords, Queen of Pentacles/Rx

Mid/Late 50’s  – Queen of Wands/Rx, Queen of Cups/Rx, Queen of Swords/Rx, Queen of Pentacles/Rx

King

Feels no connection to Kings. Never felt in charge of her life or any sense of achievement and success. Feels too intimidated and fearful of life to identify with a King. Never felt the protection of a King.

Parents

Mother  – Queen of Cups Rx, Queen of Swords Rx, Queen of Pentacles   – Absent – Queen of Wands

Father – King of Cups Rx, King of Swords Rx, King of Pentacles Rx.   – Absent –  King of Wands

Stage II

It is time to move on to the Four Suits in their piles of Ace to Ten. Pick up the Wands’ Pile and briefly describe the Suit and its Element. No need to go into great depth, just enough to understand the area of life it governs. When you are ready, simply hand the pile of 10 cards to the client and ask them to briefly look at each card before selecting cards that leave an impression on them. This impression can be positive or negative. Instruct them to Reverse any cards where they feel the association is negative. Once they have made their selection lay the chosen cards out in front of you face up. Take a brief note of their selection.

Now continue to repeat this process with the three remaining Suits of Cups, Swords and Pentacles, giving a brief description of each Suit before handing over the pile of cards for selection.

At this stage, you should have rows on top with all the Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings on display. Underneath, the selected cards from the Four Suits should sit displayed in their respective groups.

Take note of any repetition of numbers throughout the Suits, dominating colours, repetitive symbols or patterns in imagery. Note how many are Reversed and which numbers if any are absent. Which Suit has the greatest number of cards selected? What story is being told, is there a theme?

You have now completed Stage 2.

What this might look like when completed.

Stage III

Time to move on to Stage 3 – The Major Arcana. Take the pile of 22 cards and briefly describe the nature of Major Arcana Cards, but not the individual meanings, to the client, informing them of the lessons they contain, their fixed aspect, the inherent energy they carry, the lessons to be learned. Put it into your own words. You are not going to explain the meaning of each card as you really need the client to subconsciously connect with their imagery in the selection process. They may not know what the card means, but they will be drawn to its imagery, name and energy. They will pick the Major that tell their story. Allow them time to move through the cards. Once their selection is made, lay them out in a row under the Stage II Cards.

Now begin to take note of the selected cards. Is there a theme, are there patterns, which are Reversed? Is there a mood or feel about the selected cards? Are they optimistic or pessimistic? How well do they reflect the selected cards in the Four Suits? Are they natural selections based on their Court Card History?

What this might look like.

Pulling It Together

Compare the cards selected From the Major with  the Four Suits. What are you seeing, where are the connections? Do they make sense or are they at odds with each other? What story do they tell? Ask the Client to spend a few minutes observing the work they have done. Allow them to make observations, ask questions or even select extra cards they had been uncertain of at the time.

With a grasp of the story, pattern or theme, look to the Court Cards selected to see how the story affects the personality and how the personality is affecting the story. Both will drive each other and feed off each other. Is the story happy or sad? Can you spot in the Court Cards at which point the story turned sad or happy? From the Court Cards selected, can you determine how successfully they are managing their story or is the story managing them? Who is in control of the story, a Page, Knight, Queen or King? Is the story coming from a Reversed Court? Does the story suggest it is old or new, recent or from the distant past? Is an old story from a Page getting mixed up with a recent story from a Knight, Queen or King? Is a repressed Page or Knight forcing the story? Where would any absent, non-selected Courts fit into the story, or shape it if they were allowed? Is the story desperately missing any key players who could bring it to a successful conclusion? Where do you think their personality is tripping them up, getting in the way, and where is it supporting and encouraging them towards achieving goals? Is their story a no-brainer when you look at the Court Cards that are writing it? Is it heading in a very definite direction? Is it a story running out of control or are the selected Court Cards, amply managing it? Does this story represent a person who is in control of their life? Could their story read better? Is there room for improvement? Where does the story read well and where does it run off script? Does the story have many twists and turns, is it all over the place?

If  you feel confident enough go through your early findings with the client and discuss the results. If the Profiling has been brief, perhaps up to Knight Stage, you might be able to summarise it in the same session. If it has included the Queen, King, or both, it may be advisable to make a follow up appointment to discuss the results. A follow up appointment generally includes a regular tarot reading based on the findings or specific request of client.

Type up, make detailed notes, or record your findings. If a follow up appointment is not possible, send the report to the client. However, your client will have questions which may work better on a one-to-one basis. You could also arrange a video call on Skype.

NB**Only do this type of reading when you are very confidento of your knowledge of court personalities. Not for beginners.

Disclaimer – This is not a psychological evaluation unless you are qualified to do so. Tarot cards should not be used for a Psychological Assessment. A Tarot Personality Profile Analysis is only based on the meanings of tarot. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace professional advice or treatment. It should not be taken as a definitive analysis of any personality, but treated in the same manner as any tarot reading. A Tarot Personality Profile Analysis is similar to Life Coaching assistance. 

Keep records. Client may want to book another session some time in future to chart how much they are progressing. Take photos of the cards selected and keep on file.

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