Katrina’s Approach to Tarot
Interpretations of cards and spreads often differ between tarot readers, who have different philosophies upon which they base their practices. Read on to learn about Katrina’s personal understanding of tarot, but keep in mind that you do not have to agree with or fully understand her personal beliefs around tarot and spirituality to benefit from or use tarot.
My approach is based on my belief that tarot is an interface between the physical realm (i.e. embodied life on Earth) and what I consider the primordial consciousness – that is, the underlying spiritual essence of all existence in the universe (some call it the collective consciousness, universal consciousness or source). The primordial consciousness is past, present and future – it is the foundational layer of the universe. It knows everything because it is everything and has always been everything. I believe that pieces of the primordial consciousness are incarnated into the physical realm as physical forms of life – all animals, plants and other life forms have a piece of the primordial consciousness within them which keeps them connected to everything else in the universe. Here in the extreme density of the physical realm, we can easily forget our source. But the eternal knowing is still there within us, and we can access it if we choose.
Tarot is therefore a tool for us to commune with the eternal spirit within each and every one of us, that connects all forms of life in the universe. It knows all – which is why I always say that you already know the answers – tarot just lets you see them. You are an embodied living piece of the universe – you only need connect to your own inner knowing to find your path (which, I understand, is harder than it sounds). Tarot facilitates this connection.
But if tarot is an interface to connect us in our human animal form with the universe’s spiritual essence, why does it not give us direct, specific answers to all the knowledge we seek? Why can it be mysterious? I believe there are two components to this.
Firstly, I believe the primordial consciousness communicates primarily through symbols, abstract concepts and the ‘sixth sense’ of intuition. As we are grounded in the physical realm in our human animal form, we cannot fully comprehend the language of the primordial consciousness. This is why when people experience altered states of consciousness (i.e. they are temporarily not grounded in the physical realm), they are able to understand abstract concepts such as love and spirituality in a whole new way, whereupon these concepts finally ‘make sense’. But upon their return, translating their experiences into human words and ideas is very difficult. As physically incarnated beings, we are unable to fully comprehend our spiritual essence - but we remain connected to it, and aware of it if we choose.
Additionally, tarot can be mysterious because it seems to operate through qualities often associated with Yin energy: intuition, symbolism, cycles and unfolding understanding. Using tarot's own terms, I would describe it as a combination of The Moon and The High Priestess - rather than revealing everything outwardly upon demand, tarot invites us into a process of sensing, reflecting and allowing meaning to emerge over time.
Like other Yin concepts, tarot works in cycles. The Major Arcana are the 22 out of tarot’s 78 cards that represent each essential stage of every spiritual cycle we undergo throughout our lives, beginning at The Fool and ending at The World. This cycle is repeated with every new truth, learning and development we experience, all of which take us closer to alignment with our whole, true selves – our primordial essence. Through each cycle, we come back to ourselves a little more.
I do not believe that tarot can tell you exactly what will happen and when, and it never presents a fixed destination that you are doomed to reach. You always have agency over your path and have control over your choices and future. Tarot is self-reflective - it helps you recognise what is happening in your life for what it truly is. It shows you where you are in The Fool’s journey, and where you are heading based on your current actions and beliefs. It grants you self-awareness and the opportunity to change course. Furthermore, tarot reveals only what you are supposed to know right now. It nudges, hints, suggests. This, however, does not diminish its value. On the contrary, it ensures that you walk your journey yourself, as I believe is necessary for all of consciousness to grow, learn and experience itself as a life form. I cannot read you your ‘fortune’ like the script of a play. I cannot take you from The Fool straight to The World. You must walk the full journey yourself.
My role as the humble translator is to help you figure out what part of your life the cards are pointing your attention to, and to help you apply the wisdom of tarot to your actions and decisions. But it is you, and only you, who can, and must, walk the path and do the work.