Tarot and Astrology: Understanding Your Zodiac Sign Through Tarot

By Liz Worth

Even if you don’t know anything about astrology, you probably at least know your sun sign. In this post, I'm going to show you how you can combine tarot and astrology in your readings.

Sun signs are often the gateway into the zodiac. Many of us take time to read our horoscopes on a daily basis.

Astrology is an amazing way to learn more about ourselves. But with only 12 zodiac signs, you might wonder: How can there be billions of people on this planet, and only 12 signs? Does that mean there are only 12 personality types out there, or 12 ways of being?

Absolutely not. The beauty of astrology is that it gives us endless possibilities and pathways. It can go much deeper than your Sun sign. We all have moon signs, rising signs, and more.

But that doesn’t diminish the importance or influence of your sun sign.

Sun signs represent our ego, will, vitality, and outward expression. Sun signs matter because they tell us a lot about what motivates us.

Moon signs, on the other hand, can speak more to our intuitive selves. The Moon is the soul. It represents our needs, which can be different than our wants.

There are three types of sun signs: Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable.

Cardinal Signs

Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) all begin at the start of a new season. These are the signs that are natural self-starters and can easily orient themselves to new beginnings and new directions.

Fixed Signs

Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) are the signs that come in the middle of each season. They are more connected to times of stability than change. Stubbornness can be a strong trait for these signs, but this also gives them tremendous determination to see things through.

Mutable Signs

Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) are the signs that come in as seasons are beginning to wind down and transition into the next. This gives these signs highly adaptable energy.

Tarot Readers and Astrology

Tarot readers have an advantage to working with astrology because the elements of earth, air, fire, and water that we see in the Minor Arcana also lend themselves to the zodiac.

Fire signs (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius) will express themselves in fiery ways. They may be competitive, impatient, or fast-acting.

Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) will take on earthy traits. They may prioritize security or stability, and take their time with important decisions.
Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) will take on airy traits. Ideas and intellect may light them up, and they may be able to see things from many different points of view.

Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) need time and space to feel and reflect. The water element is up and down, and so flexibility can be important to these signs.

Every Sun sign has a range of possible traits and energies. They won’t all resonate with you, because you are also a product of your environment, and your life’s experiences. Take the qualities of your Sun sign that speak most to your true nature.

So what does your Sun sign say about you, and how can you work with it? Here are 12 tarot spreads to help each Sun sign maximize their potential.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Aries, a cardinal sign, is the first sign of the zodiac. It is responsible for getting the whole wheel turning and ready for the other signs to follow.

This means it’s a natural self-starter and trailblazer. But it has to learn to be patient on its path, and not let its fiery spirit take on more than it can handle. Aries loves to say yes, so it can easily become over-extended.

A tarot spread to harness your Aries energy:

1. What kind of trailblazer can I be?
2. What will I have to learn to wait for?
3. What can I say no to?  

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)  

As a fixed sign, Taurus can create an impressive foundation for itself. With Venus as its ruler, Taurus has incredible creative drive and inspiration behind it.

The challenge, however, is not to get stuck along the way. Security is important, but don’t cling to something that doesn’t fully serve you just because it feels safe.

A tarot spread to harness your Taurus energy:

1. How can I trust in my own strengths?
2. How does my creativity serve me?
3. How can I keep myself from falling into a rut?

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) 

Somewhere along the way, Gemini earned a reputation as being “two-faced.” But a fairer assessment of this sign is that it’s able to see situations from so many different angles.

But this can be confusing for other people, especially if they are asking a Gemini to take a stand, or make up its mind. Remember, Gemini is a mutable sign. Its energy can come across as changeable.

A tarot spread to harness your Gemini energy: 

1.  What truth can I stand in?
2. What impact do my words have on others?
3. What impression is it time for me to make? 

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)  

Cancer is ruled by the Moon, a celestial body that waxes and wanes month after month. Though it often gets associated with sensitivity and moodiness as a result, Cancer can be a force to be reckoned with.

Sometimes, its sensitivity leads Cancer to question itself. Once it knows its own potential, life’s changing tides become easier to ride. Energetic cleansing is also important for water signs, as they easily absorb other people’s energy.

A tarot spread to harness your Cancer energy:

1. Where am I underestimating myself?
2. What boundaries do I need to maintain?
3. What potential is it time for me unleash? 

Leo (July 23 – August 22) 

Leo is ruled by the Sun, making it a gregarious, generous fire sign. Creativity, recognition, and appreciation can all be important for Leo. Leo likes to feel welcome in any circle it moves through.

Sometimes, Leo can struggle with the expectations it puts on other people. Not everyone can keep up with a Leo’s energy, and not everyone can match Leo’s generosity or outgoing nature. Leo has to be careful not to be disappointed when people don’t respond with as much appreciation as expected.

A tarot spread to harness your Leo energy:

1. How can I shine?
2. What can I be recognized for?
3. What do I have to see and accept in the people around me?

Virgo (August 23 – September 22) 

When Virgo sets its mind to something, you can trust it will be done beautifully. Precision and attention to detail can be important to Virgo.

Nature, well-being, and acts of service can be priorities, too. Virgo might love to help others, or dedicate itself to protecting animals or nature. But an over-analytical mindset can be a struggle for Virgo, who has to be careful not to nit-pick or get stuck on minute details. 

A tarot spread to harness your Virgo energy: 

1. What do I need in order to feel my best?
2. How can I best be of service to others?
3. Where do I have to be easier on others, or on myself?  

Libra (September 23 – October 22)  

Ruled by Venus, Libra can be highly creative and have a keen eye for style and beauty. It can also be hugely motivated to help others, or to speak out against injustices in the world.

This is the sign symbolized by the scales, after all, where balance and fairness must rule. Similar to Gemini, Libra can garner a reputation for indecision because it also able to see different sides to every story. Often, Libra feels it has to choose between being of service, and being creative.  

A tarot spread to harness your Libra energy:

1. What can I let go of in order to achieve better balance?
2. How can I find harmony between all of my passions?
3. What can I help other people to understand?

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, the planet of power, death, and rebirth. Being a fixed sign, Scorpio is hard to deter. There is no stopping Scorpio when it knows what it wants.

Intense and intuitive, Scorpio can see right through any BS. One of its major lessons is to embrace the depth of its emotions, rather than avoid them. 

A tarot spread to harness your Scorpio energy:

1. What do I fear about myself?
2. How can I face this fear and move past it?
3. What can I accomplish as a result?

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) 

Sagittarius is represented by the centaur, a mythical beast. It’s fitting, given that Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expanded horizons, luck, and spirituality.

Sagittarius is drawn to the magic and mystery of the world. It loves learning. Knowledge helps Sag push past its own boundaries. This sign values true connection and significant, meaningful moments.

But Jupiter’s influence can sometimes be overly optimistic. Sagittarius has to remember that things might not always work out exactly as expected. Dreaming big is good, but back it up with a solid Plan B.

A tarot spread to harness your Sagittarius energy:  

1. What am I here to experience?
2. What am I being shown right now?
3. What can I do to build meaningful connections moving forward?

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)  

Capricorn is wired to lead and succeed. As a cardinal sign, however, it will want to define success on its own terms, and draw its own map to get there to maintain its independence.

Capricorn knows how to do the work, and often expresses its affection through acts of service. For example, a Capricorn might say “I love you” by organizing your bookshelves rather than pouring its heart out.

Sometimes, this can lead to mixed messages within personal relationships. Emotional availability can be a key area to work on for Capricorn.

A tarot spread to harness your Capricorn energy:

1. What mountain am I climbing right now?
2. What can I do to get the top?
3. How can I stay present in my relationships throughout my journey?

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)  

Aquarius can be known as the rebel of the zodiac. It is always a few steps ahead of everyone else, and has its own way of walking, talking, and creating.

Creative, inventive, and innovative, Aquarius will always find a way to stand out from the crowd, even when it’s not trying. Because it can carry a rebellious nature, it has to be careful that it’s not resisting other people’s ideas just for the sake of saying no.

A tarot spread to harness your Aquarius energy:

1. What rules am I here to break?
2. What rules do I have to respect?
3. What can I do to best express myself?

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)  

Pisces is the final sign of the zodiac. This is a highly spiritual energy that is concerned with transcendence and divine connection.

Creativity is also very important to Pisces. Ruled by Neptune, this sign is an open channel for creative energy.

Whatever Pisces chooses to focus on, it has to trust its gut all the way. As a water sign, Pisces will be highly susceptible to the energy in a room. Regular grounding and shielding techniques can be key for Pisces.

A tarot spread to harness your Pisces energy: 

1. How does my intuition speak to me?
2. What can I do to stay grounded day-to-day?
3. How can I open to my spiritual path?  

About the Author: Liz Worth 

Liz Worth thought her one and only career would be as a writer, but she started reading tarot in 2008 on the advice of an astrologer and her life has never been the same. Today she uses tarot and astrology as tools of truth, power, and clarity. She also continues to write and is the author of six books and counting. She has also written horoscopes for Flare Magazine and Spiral Nature, and has contributed to Little Red Tarot, Biddy Tarot, and the Numinous, among others. Her tarot book, Going Beyond the Little White Book: A Contemporary Guide to Tarot, is now available. Reach Liz at lizworth.com 

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