What Is a Significator in Tarot and How to Use One
What Is a Significator in Tarot and How to Use One
What Is a Significator in Tarot and How to Use One
In the world of Tarot, a significator is a card chosen to represent a person, situation, or focus in a reading. While not always necessary, it’s a traditional technique that helps ground the reading and direct the energy toward a specific subject. If you’re learning Tarot or looking to deepen your practice, understanding the role of the significator can add more structure and intention to your readings.
The Purpose of a Significator
The main role of a significator is to act as an anchor. It brings clarity to who or what the reading is about, especially when the question is complex or the situation involves multiple people. Placing a significator at the beginning helps set a clear tone for the spread and guides the interpretation with more precision.
Some readers use a significator in every spread, while others use it only when needed. Whether you’re reading for yourself or someone else, choosing a significator can help create a more focused and intentional space for insight.
When Should You Use One?
Using a significator is optional, but there are certain scenarios where it can be especially helpful:
- Readings about another person: It helps define who the reading is for.
- Complex or multi-layered questions: It gives the reading a center.
- Personal reflection or identity work: It helps you explore how you see yourself in the moment.
In simpler spreads or daily draws, a significator may not be needed. But for more detailed readings—such as relationship spreads, career questions, or year-ahead layouts—it can enhance the clarity of your message.
How to Choose a Significator
There are different methods for selecting a significator, and none are more “correct” than others. What matters most is that the card feels aligned with the focus of the reading. Here are a few common ways to choose one:
By Court Card
Court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) are often used to represent people. You might choose based on:
- Age: Pages for youth, Knights for young adults, Queens and Kings for maturity.
- Gender identity or energy: Queens may reflect feminine traits, Kings masculine, though these are flexible and can reflect energetic qualities more than physical gender.
- Personality: A passionate person might be a Wands court card; a sensitive person, Cups.
By Astrological Sign or Element
Some readers match significators with the querent’s sun sign or element. For example, a fiery Aries might be represented by the Knight of Wands, while a grounded Taurus could be the Queen of Pentacles.
By Major Arcana
If the reading is about a life lesson or spiritual growth, you might choose a Major Arcana card. For example, The Fool for someone starting fresh, The Hermit for introspection, or The Lovers for relationship themes.
By Letting the Deck Choose
Instead of selecting a card, some readers prefer to shuffle and ask the deck to reveal the significator. This approach lets the Tarot itself highlight what’s most relevant about the person or situation in the moment.
Placing the Significator in the Spread
Once chosen, the significator is usually placed outside or in the center of the spread, depending on the layout. It’s not drawn from the deck during the shuffle—instead, it’s set aside beforehand.
In Celtic Cross spreads, for example, some versions place the significator at the heart of the cross, while in relationship readings it might represent the querent or their partner.
Interpreting Around the Significator
As the reading unfolds, the cards around the significator offer deeper layers of meaning. How they interact with the chosen card can reveal external influences, hidden factors, or advice related to the core focus.
If the rest of the spread seems unclear, the significator serves as a reference point to return to. It can help tie everything together, especially when interpreting multiple cards at once.
Do You Always Need a Significator?
Not at all. Many experienced readers never use one and still give meaningful, accurate readings. The choice to use a significator is personal and depends on your style, the type of question, and the energy of the session.
If you’re just starting out, try using one in a few practice readings and see how it feels. You may find it adds focus, or you might prefer the freedom of letting the deck speak on its own.
Conclusion
A significator isn’t a rule—it’s a tool. When used with care and intention, it can enrich your Tarot practice by sharpening the focus of your readings. Whether chosen for a person, a theme, or a situation, this card serves as a symbolic doorway into the heart of the question. As with all things in Tarot, trust your instincts, experiment, and see what brings the most clarity to your sessions.
