The tarot is many things to many people. For me and countless others, it is a metaphysical tool to intuitively connect with inner wisdom and guides that provide understanding of personal situations or challenges. The tarot assists us to connect with messages that bring clarity and insights to all kinds of questions. The traditional archetypes of the tarot are at times confusing and even scary to some people. I created the Rainbow Travellers Tarot so that each of the 78 cards had their own story to tell. I was excited to incorporate my own vision of some of life's lessons to help others tap into their own wisdom that would help to empower them to make decisions and choices to discover their own dreams.
A good example of a puzzling card for many querents in the Major Arcana is, "The Hanged Man," which usually shows someone hanging upside down tied at their feet. In the Rainbow Travellers Tarot, this card is called "Letting Go". The artwork conjures the precariousness of the situation, but the reader senses that personal power remains. The image draws you to look at the expression on the woman's face and the significance of the torch she holds. You may need to consider if you are holding onto things that no longer serve you, or perhaps you need to gather all of the facts before you let go. While the guidebook provides basic insights, the best way to read a card is to connect with what you see, feel and sense when looking at the card.
Another challenging card for many to understand in traditional archetype decks is the Major Arcana card, "Death," which often shows images of skulls or the Grim Reaper. People often become fearful when this card appears in a spread, and no matter what a reader says in interpreting the card for them, they seem to be consumed by the darker imagery that it depicts for them.