The quintessence (Major Arcana)

To add depth to your own tarot readings and/or get additional advice, I always recommend calculating the quintessence after each tarot reading. The word quintessence therefore means: the core or essence of a matter.

So the quintessence of your tarot reading shows what it is mainly about.

The following is a brief guide to use when calculating and interpreting the quintessence of your own readings. 

Calculation of the quintessence

Add up all the numbers of all the cards you have drawn. The result (the sum) corresponds to the card that adds to your 'reading' an extra message or advice

All numbers above 21 should be added together.

For example 23> 2+ 3 = 5 (the Hierophant)

35> 3 + 5 = 8 (the Force)

CAUTION:

When, after adding the two digits of the result, you arrive at another two-digit number, you also add these numbers together again.

For example: 67> 6 + 7 = 13 (Death) AND > 1 + 3 = 4 (second advice card: the Emperor!)

In this case, Death shows that it is important to bring closure to a certain situation, the Emperor tells you how best to do so. 

Understanding the quintessence

On this page you will find the basic meanings of the tarot cards that you can intuitively transform into useful and helpful advice to complement your own tarot reading.

If you prefer all descriptions of the maps in book form, you can >HERE order my book 'The Tarot in Brief'.

nb. Did you know that you can also use the Minor Arcana as a quintessence?

 

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