Gender and Tarot
Many Tarot cards have a marked masculine or feminine identity, which can have a strong influence when it comes to interpreting a Spread. However, learning to avoid gender stereotyping is an important skill in Tarot.
Among the many techniques that a Tarot Reader will acquire over the years, one of the most valuable is the ability to use the gender pictured on the cards to imbue cards with meaning. This is a skill that can be applied to any Tarot deck at any time.
Keep An Open Mind
We don't embrace stereotypes in life - and nor should we. Applying lazy labels to people and things restricts our thinking and makes our world smaller. When working within the structure of Tarot, however, it may be worth considering traditional gender roles and symbolism to bring readings to life.
You will find plenty of traditionally masculine and feminine figures in the Court cards, of course, but gender can be used with every card in the deck.
Stereotypes have one obvious value - they can be easily shared and communicated. As the work of the Reader is not just to interpret the cards, but also to find a way to communicate with the Quernt, a technique that looks at Tarot in terms of masculine and feminine symbols can be highly effective.
The four suits of Tarot contain a masculine and feminine structure. Can you determine which suits are masculine and which are feminine just by looking at them? Pull cards from the four suits from one of your decks and examine them. Take a guess at which ones are masculine and which ones are feminine.
According to traditional Tarot interpretation, the sharp, phallic and outwardly pointed suits of Swords and Wands are masculine. The softer, more receptive and receiving suits of Cups and Pentacles, meanwhile, are considered feminine.
Yin and Yang Tarot-Style
The masculine suits of Swords and Wands also have Yang attributes in common. According to the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, this means that these 'male' cards have qualities that relate to extroversion, action and direction.
The feminine suits of Cups and Pentacles, for example, can be considered Yin in their nature, meaning they represent gentleness, compassion and receptive energy.
Further considering the suits in terms of gender, we can look to the elements associated with them. Water and Earth, which correlate to Cups and Pentacles respectively, can be seen as soft, malleable and receptive. Air (related to Wands) and Fire (related to Swords), meanwhile, could be described as forcefully shaping the world.
Looking past the suits to the characters on the cards, pictorial depictions depend on the choice of the artist and author of each deck. Just like suits, these characters are imbued with masculine and feminine energy. A female figure implies the ability to take care of others, nurturing and healing, along with other ideals of the feminine. In contrast, male figures are attributed with determination, vitality, linear thinking and the ability to command.
Male and Female Characters
When male and female characters appear in a Tarot reading, bear in mind that each card represents aspects of humanity, regardless of gender. The Magician does not always imply a man and the High Priestess will not necessarily be a woman.
Always remember in your Tarot practice that stereotypes are a double-edged sword. They can help you to communicate a basic concept in a fast and effective way, but they may also over simplify, mislead and offend. As you gain in confidence, you will start to interpret meanings relating to the masculine and feminine in a nuanced way. You will also discover when the cards relate to other people, or about you or your Querent.
Yin and Yang
Yang and Masculine
Wands and Swords are Yang and masculine suits. Their symbols have shapes that could be considered phallic.
Yin and Feminine
Cups and Pentacles are Yin and feminine suits. Their symbols have a rounder shape that may be interpreted as womb-like.
Updated
12 January 2025 at 00:03:29
