Semiotic Analysis of Tarot Cards - Research Proposal Example

Semiotic Analysis of Tarot Cards Background information Semiotic analysis has for many centuries been used in many ways among them being for therapeutic function, the transformation of habits and discovering of meanings in experience (Peirce, S. 2008, pp 114-126). The use of semiotic analysis enables one to become aware of not only the meaning of the image on the card, but also the subtle signs which can enhance a good reading to a brilliant one (Van der Heide, B. 2005, 23-41). Aim This article explores how the semiotic analysis of Tarot Cards has been used over time to interpret various phenomena in life. Moreover, to explore the significance of the same analysis in the solution of current problems in life. Thesis Statement Lack of adequate information in analysis of signs and symbols to obtain meaning of life events has been one of the contributors to compounding of certain problems in life, thus the use of Semiotic Analysis art as a tool for gleaning information from the Tarot Cards can be of significance to solve life presented problems. Semiotics in tarot cards concepts A Tarot deck comprises seventy-eight imaged cards, twenty-two Major Arcana and fifty-six Minor Arcana (Kalyva, E. 2013, 283-301). These images bear information in an iconic format. The pictures on the cards can represent illustrations to explain any tail as denoted by the seeker of information. The twenty-two cards that are called Major Arcana in the Tarot deck are used to represent the archetypes of the collective state of unconscious (Bishop, R. 2011, pp 23-41). The rest of the cards, fifty-six Minor cards are used to represent a spectrum of typical situations, each one is accompanied by a particular mood, behaviour or thought (Gluck, M. 2008, 4-25). The various constellations of images in an ideal Tarot layout is known to comprise and symbolically many spiritual subject information that a human soul must learn to be able to be fruitful and creative in its experiential adventures and encounters in life. Semiotic Analysis of a deck in general Tarot cards are symbols of situations, events, lessons and influences that affect man. When reading Tarot cards, the entire picture, both foreground and background, should be brought to focus and then pay attention to the possible meaning. Tarot cards are not reversible in playing, once turned over, the image on the card is upside down (Skanderson et al., 2014, pp. 63-119). This feature is used to glean more information on the cards. Tarot cards are associated with elemental forces of water, air and earth. The Wands represent Fire, the Cups represent water, Swords represent Air, and the Pentacles relate to Earth (Semetsky, I. 2006, pp, 95–116). Compare and Contrast 3 cards from Tarot Card pack 1st card: The Magician Silhouettes Tarot Universal Waite Similarities: Right-hand raised and left down, which is the position of doing magic spells. Use the same “infinity” symbol as an indication of the attraction of the nature to the magic spell that is purported to have control over humanity and nature. Silhouettes Tarot uses “red and white background” to represent the roses and lilies for the card. This card portrays the symbol of divine purity, love and compassion that ought to govern nature. Difference: Silhouettes Tarot uses “bird, gecko, rabbit and fish” to represent the “four elements” on the tarot (magic spells tool) for “air, fire, earth and water”, while the Universal Waite uses a rose, chalice, a sword and crown to represent divinity of the supernatural love that a supernatural being has for nature and all who dwell in it. Analysis: It is the first card after the card results to the fool, therefore, the card portrays the genesis of something thus it means creation. Universal Tarot: The magician wears white inside and red outside Lilies and Rose, (The magician is trying to make lilies turn into roses, hence he knows what he wants. 2nd card: 8 Swords Silhouettes Tarot Universal Waite Similarities: The two cards portray women both bound against their wills. The card of the eight swords represent a female with no faith as represented in being tied and blind folded but has strength that emanates from the swords in her possession. Difference: Silhouettes Tarot uses thorns to replace swords (air element) because air elements are spikey. Analysis: Silhouettes Tarot uses “spider-web” to represent the number 8 because spider-web always are “octagon”. Secondly, the elf has hope because she is praying and the background is bright. She knows the web cannot hurt her if she is not going to touch it. Due to the “Kabbalah tree”, the number 8 is linked with 5 Strength and 7Victory. There is honour but using hard core method and ways to do it. Moreover, the character from this deck is scared the “karma” effect of the card 5sword and 7sword. 2nd Pentacles Silhouettes Tarot Universal Waite Similarities: Both of the figures (men) represented in the cards are clowns and they are all trying to balance. This is a representation of the tricky situation that comes in the balance of nature that often comes with challenges and other times, success. Differences: Silhouettes Tarot uses 2-wheels bicycle instead of pentacles. There are sun moon stars. The sun, moon and stars in this card represent the most powerful symbols of nature that helps the reader of the card to note that the balance represents a balance of nature. Analysis: The card of the Universal Waite used waves in the background as a representation of emotional turmoil that comes with the attempt to balance nature. It thus symbolize a need of a high powered intelligence to successfully balance the nature events that the reader of the card must understand. The use of two in Kabbalah meaning Wisdom Balance. According to Kabbalah, it is easier to control variables when one item is used or manipulated, however, the use of two items to balance a particular variable require a profound level of intelligence. The tower Analysis The card “the tower” shows a tall tower erected atop a craggy mountain. In the card, lightning strikes the tower and flames burst from the windows of the tower. People can be seen leaping from the tower in a manner that connotes desperation in an attempt to feel the turmoil and destruction. On a physical scale, the tower signifies destruction and darkness. The tarot card the tower owes its origin from the Jewish religious mythology about the tower of Babel. According to the tower of Babel story, the early men unified to build a tower to its limits at heaven. The tower was destroyed by God through differentiation of the builders’ linguistically dialect, a form of confusion and disorganization that the tower of Babel signifies in the Jewish mythology. The crown thrown off the top of the tower is a signifier of human vanity, that connotes great failures that come with great plans. The card the tower signifies ambition built on false premises. The lightning bolts breaks down the tower’s existing form in order to create room for the new order. The tower denotes a sudden momentary glimpse of truth and can be compared to a flash of inspiration that breaks down the structure of false reasoning and ignorance. In the tower, there are twenty-two flames that connote the 22 major Arcana. The gray clouds in the tower signify the clouds of misfortune that rains upon everyone indiscriminately. The card can be used as an intelligent denote for the need to act wisely in our performance and with anticipation of feasible results. Inferring to a person, the tower signifies a person who is capable of destroying things that are presumed as solid as a mountain. While inferring to an event, the tower signifies an unfortunate end to an ambitious project. In a contemporary world, the tower could be used to elicit the same teaching an English adage “pride comes before a fall” would be used for. Conclusion Tarot symbols have had a big impact psychologically over the years (Semetsky, I. 2005, pp. 81-94). They have demonstrated the power of healing and transformation due to the fact that they create a semiotic bridge between the unconscious mind, taken to be the universals of man’s experiences and the conscious mind (Semetsky I. 2006, pp. 95–116). The art of interpreting Tarot cards has for many years transformed man’s problems and chaos that come with individual beliefs and transform them into a meaningful pattern of experiences that become clear with the help of pictorial images. For instance, in the case of Marina (Semetsky I. 2005, pp. 81–94), despite her painful experiences, she achieved self-awareness level that did empower her to be able to choose actions she would not choose without the art of healing by Tarot symbolism. This art also affects habit change (Semetsky, I. 2005, pp. 81–94). As many people worldwide do not have much information about semiotic analysis of signs and symbols and more so when it is used to analyse Tarot cards, it is our duty to come up with ways to popularize this art as it will go a long way to helping in psychological counselling. Definition of terms Denotation: This is regarding pictorial representation in its most literal sense, usually by the seeker of information. Connotation: This is the information derived from a sign when it is associated with the context of its environment like passion is signified by a rose. Myth: In the semiotic perspective, myth is used as a widely-held cultural view that is often taken for granted. Signifier: this is any material thing that is used to indicate e.g. words on a page, facial expression or an image. Iconic signs: this refers to situations where the signifier is caused by the signified element. Like fire is indicated or shown by smoke. Bibliography Bishop, R. (2011). Stealing the Signs: A Semiotic Analysis of the Changing Nature of Professional Sports Logos. Social Semiotics, 11(1), pp.23-41. Gluck, M. (2008). Content Analysis, Semiotics, and Social Semiotics for Cartographic Analysis: Interpreting Geospatial Representations. Cartographic Perspectives, (31), pp.4-25. Kalyva, E. (2013). Conceptual art and language: introducing a logico-semantic analysis. Social Semiotics, 24(3), pp.283-301. Skanderson, D. and Ritter, D. (n.d.). Fair Lending Analysis of Credit Cards. SSRN Journal. Tarot Study, (2014). Real tarot techniques - sign reading - Tarot Study. Van der Heide, B. (2005). Boundary riding: Cross‐cultural analysis, national cinema and genre. Social Semiotics, 5(2), pp.213-237. Semetsky, I. 2005. Integrating Tarot readings into counselling and psychotherapy. Spirituality and Health International 6(2). 81–94. Semetsky, I. 2006a. The language of signs: Semiosis and the memories of the future.SOPHIA 45(1). 95–116. Peirce, Charles S. 2008. Essential Peirce: Selected Philosophical Writings, vol. 2, Peirce Edition Project (eds.). Bloomington: Indiana University Press. Read More