How to read the Tarot with the Star of David method

The underlying symbol

The Star of David (a perfectly symmetrical 6-pointed star created by the intersection of two equilateral triangles) is one of the symbols most treasured by esotericists through the ages.

Its use and meanings go far beyond Tarot and divination. Just consider that – among other things – it is the symbol of an entire people: the Jewish people.

Esotericism and Freemasonry, are also historically linked by a double thread, and it is almost superfluous to note the importance of the triangle – of the pyramid (also upside down) – in Freemasonry.

The star of David – composed of one triangle pointing upwards and another triangle pointing downwards – is therefore the apotheosis of esoteric symbolism, so much so that leafing through the books of the early esotericists you will literally run into it within a few pages.

The legend

To understand (and especially to memorize) how to read the Tarot with the Star of David method, it is worthwhile knowing one of the legends behind this symbol.

The star of David is created by the conjunction of two triangles.

The first triangle represents the water element (female). It points downwards, as water tends to flow downwards to fill spaces.

The second triangle represents the male element (fire). It points upwards, as fire tends to rise upwards.

Legend has it that when God cast Adam and Eve out of their earthly paradise, he condemned them by eternal decree to have to rely on each other for their very existence, thus binding them together inextricably.

From this indissoluble union of male and female, the Star of David was born, which we will use to read the Tarot.

How to begin

For the Star of David method, you can use the full Tarot deck, or the 22 Major Arcana cards. The choice is yours.

The reader shuffles the cards, hands the deck to the querent, and asks him or her to cut it.

Once the deck has been reassembled, the reader starts to turn over the cards on the table. To do this, they start by laying out the cards of the female triangle, i.e. the one pointing downwards (cards 1 to 3).

Next they will form the male triangle, pointing upwards (cards 4 to 6).

Lastly, they will position the middle card (7).

Each card has specific nuances and a context of specific meaning depending on its position, which I will outline below.

Meaning of the cards in the Star of David method

• Card 1 – Opportunities. These represent the external elements favorable to the querent. Solutions and help that the querent will find on his or her path.
• Card 2 – Limitations. These represent the external elements that are unfavorable to the querent. Unforeseen events, obstacles, unknown situations.
• Card 3 – The basis. The situation that is the subject of the reading, what the querent wants. The background of the consultation as set out by the querent, or as deduced by the reader if they believe that the querent is not being fully sincere, or is not objective enough.
• Card 4 – The future event. This represents, where possible, a specific and determined future event. It may or may not happen: all the other cards taken together give us further indications about this (assuming the querent will play a proactive role in deciding whether all this will take place).
• Card 5 – The present. This card represents the querent and his or her present. It represents the situation that is the subject of the reading (in a more specific way compared to other reading methods).
• Card 6 – The past event. A precise past event, often with a decisive role in the whole story. This is often a very specific event, very clear also in the mind of the querent, and this card helps to further clarify its meaning. But even if it is not very clear, it is still a relevant event, which has had a heavy impact on the querent.
• Card 7 – The guide. The final card, the summation of the entire reading. Where will the scale needle fall? Will the opportunities (card 1) or the limitations (card 2) prevail? Or will the querent prevail over the circumstances by exercising his or her free will?

Further reading

If you are still not perfectly comfortable with the meaning of the Tarot cards, here is my summary guide to Tarot card meanings.