My Poetic Key to the Tarot

This was written when I first started to study the Tarot.  It was instrumental in helping me to remember the basics and eventually I developed my own intuitive style of reading.  But, I believe every beginner should have a basic foundation.

THE P.K.T.  (THE POETIC KEY TO THE TAROT) By Joanne Matthew   ©

OUR JOURNEY BEGINS WITH THE WHIMSICAL FOOL,

FOLLOWED BY THE MAGICIAN, WHO HAS EVERY TOOL.

THE FIRST IS UNAWARE AS HE TRAVELS THE LAND,

THE SECOND MANIPULATES WITH THE SLIGHT OF THE HAND.

THE HIGH PRIESTESS, WITH HER UNCANNY INTUITION

HELPS BRING OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR DREAMS TO FRUITION.

WITH CREATIVITY, PASSION, HONOR AND REBIRTH

THE EMPRESS CELEBRATES THE GIFTS OF MOTHER EARTH.

WHEN FACING DISORDER, TROUBLE AND STRIFE

THE EMPEROR SENDS YOU A PEACEFUL LIFE.

THE HIEROPHANT EXPECTS US ALL TO  CONFORM,

BUT WE ALL HAVE THE CHOICE TO NOT FOLLOW THE NORM.

THE LOVERS TEACH US THAT WHETHER RIGHT OR WRONG

TOGETHER WE BUILD A FOUNDATION THAT’S STRONG.

THE CHARIOT SHOWS US THAT WITH CONVICTION AND WILL

NO MATTER THE ODDS, WE CAN GET OVER THAT HILL.

STRENGTH, FAITH AND COURAGE ARE VIRTUES SO SOUND

WHEN NEEDED, INSIDE US, ALL CAN BE FOUND.

THE HERMIT TEACHES THAT WE EACH HAVE A PART

DEEP IN OUR SOULS THAT ANSWERS THE HEART.

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE MAY  BE WIN OR LOSE,

BUT SOMETIMES WE’RE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

BALANCE RIGHT AND WRONG IN YOUR LIFE AND YOU’LL FIND

THAT JUSTICE, THOUGH FAIR, CAN ALSO BE BLIND.

THE HANGED MAN, SUSPENDED, WITH NO PLACE TO GO,

MUST DECIDE TO CHANGE, OR GO WITH THE FLOW.

THE DEATH CARD IS NOT ALWAYS AS IT APPEARS,

TRY TO LET GO OF YOUR UNFOUNDED FEARS.

IF INTOLERANCE OR IMPATIENCE ARE A MAJOR FLAW,

TEMPERANCE KEEPS   HARMONY WITH NATURAL LAW.

THE DEVIL EXISTS IN THE DARKEST OF HOLES

DON’T LET HIM EXIST IN THE HEART OF YOUR SOULS.

WHEN WE FALL AND FEEL LOWLY AND HUMBLED,

IT’S TIME TO REBUILD THE TOWER THAT CRUMBLED.

RECHARGE YOURSELF FROM THE LIGHT OF THE STAR,

FOLLOW YOUR HEART, AND IT WILL TAKE YOU SO FAR.

THE MOON UP ABOVE SHOWS US TWO SIDES

LIGHTING OUR WAY, BUT IN DARKNESS IT HIDES.

ENLIGHTENMENT, VITALITY, FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE

SHINE WITH THE WARMTH OF THE SUN UP ABOVE.

BE AWARE OF YOUR ACTIONS AND WHAT THEY SAY

THE CALL OF THE SPIRIT IS JUDGMENT DAY.

THE WORLD IS IN YOUR HANDS, YOU NOW HAVE EARNED,

BY THE PATH YOU CHOSE, AND THE LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNED.