Thanks for adding to the discussion. The method you suggest does seem to have merit, in the sense that it’s a low effort approach. Low effort approaches are the most valuable kind when reading for other people. It allows us to focus more on the client and their particular needs.

Thank you for your kind words

I like your method. I’m starting to work with the Tarot in a similar way – looking for methods that foster a deeper connection, level of trust and relationship with the Tarot. Allowing the Tarot to select the Significator, in my opinion, definitely ticks those boxes!

It often ends up being what the client REALLY came to find out…

This is the sign of a great technique!

All in all, an excellent article.

Thanks for dropping by

There are people I know that use Crystals, not only to represent the Significator, but as a way of structuring “Magick” into the reading process itself.

I’m glad you enjoyed the post

I’d totally forgotten that it was Raymond Buckland. Thank you for reminding me . I’ve always liked that idea.

What do you think of older tarot methods that automatically used the Magician or High Priestess as the significator? Most modern readers hate tying up those cards; I think there’s a welcome simplicity to it. Even Paul Foster Case taught this method at one point (for OOTK no less).

It’s a good method if you’re comfortable with using significators.

In my opinion it all comes down to whether or not, you, as a Tarot reader, feel the use of a significator is appropriate. If the answer to that question is yes, then it’s a matter of personal preference as to what technique to use. The methods taught by Paul Foster Case, that of using either the Magician if it’s a male or the Priestess if it’s a female, (or even his use of birth dates) is an excellent approach.

I think the main goal of using a significator card is to assist in creating the right atmosphere for the reading; by providing an object for the client to focus on. In terms of the client, there might be something quite empowering in the selection of either of those two cards. For instance, the Magician has an air of confidence which might be useful while the Priestess has an air of knowledge or understanding.

As you pointed out, the downside of using either of these cards is that they remove them from the divination. Regardless of the pros and cons, if you feel the use of a significaor is useful within the context of the reading then the methods taught by Paul Foster Case are excellent.

The use of a situational card is something that might be appropriate in only a small number of cases, but when it is appropriate it can be very effective. It’s especially good for assisting a client that can’t focus, or is deeply confused about a variety of different issues or, from personal experience, has so many questions that need answering that their concentration on any one question is minimal. In this sense, it’s a good technique to help get the client into a slightly more relaxed, receptive and focused place.

I use a significator when it’s required by the nature of the spread or its methodology. I don’t use one if it’s not. For example, with Opening of the Key I would first choose a significator; for the Celtic Cross I would not.

That’s a good method for using the significator. Some spreads have been designed with it in mind while others haven’t.

For me the significator is mostly useful when I need, or want, to identify the querent in a spread. I find it has more use in older and non-positional methods of reading.

What do you think of older tarot methods that automatically used the Magician or High Priestess as the significator? Most modern readers hate tying up those cards; I think there’s a welcome simplicity to it. Even Paul Foster Case taught this method at one point (for OOTK no less).

Choosing a situational card is interesting to me; this is a common technique when reading European cards like Lenormand. Sometimes this is to provide an “index” for a subject when the whole deck is layed out. I don’t quite see the value for tarot, although you make good points about the discussion that can ensue to narrow down the queren’ts question.

“One method that I’ve read (I forget the authors name) is to actually ask the client to place a coin from their pocket onto the table so that they can focus on that whilst shuffling the cards.” –> Raymond Buckland has written about this and its origins in the saying “cross my palm with silver.” He suggests that a coin held by the querent can be laid out as a significator, and will hold some of the owner’s energy; which puts it in the same class as a significator card.