Do you pick a Significator when you do tarot readings?  If so, what method do you use to determine which one to use?  Do you ever use something else besides a Court Card to represent?  (The best reader I have ever visited with chose the Magician as his Significator.)  If not, why not?

I don't always choose a significator, but it is often very useful to do so. Also, you can use any card in this manner, not just courts. If I'm using one as an extension of anther reading, then I will choose a deck with an energy similar to the card I'm expanding on. The position of the card in the original spread may play a role in the deck selection process as well.

In addition, I have found that when using significators to gain perspective on external influences, it is often confusing when you don't use another deck. You may be limiting your potential understanding if not. When using a seperate deck, not only can you leave the original spread on the table, but in doing so you have the advantage of possibly seeing duplicate cards that tie influences between the two spreads. Thus allowing readers to see where resources might be matched and/or mobilized.

The flip side to this is if you are assuming more than you may know about the person you are using the significator for. You could get a reading that describes someone or something entirely different from what you wanted to know about. Though no less relevant in your life, you might well be looking in the wrong direction when this card comes into play. If you are relying more on visual cues than innate energy or not, (the two of which, it is important to never confuse within the same spread), can be detrimental to an accurate reading.

For instance, if the woman your curious about has blond hair, she isn't necessarily empowered by the energy of the card that depicts a woman with the same. Yet another reason a second deck is recommended. One should be used for focusing on the pictorial key, while the other's focus is on divinatory meanings. Another work around, rather than using a court card, is to use one that identifies how you relate to, or feel about, the other person. You might even leave the significator positon open and place the last card dealt there. If something other than a court card lands in that spot, keep your eyes open for the next instance the indicated energy manifests. When it does, the answer to your question will be within reach. Stay aware...

That's all for now. Until next time,

Love and light,
Bulal

When I was first started learning the Tarot (by the book) I used them. But personally, it made no sense (to me) as to why I should have to search him/her out in the card - by standard terms of what he 'might' represent.

So as my friendship grew with the cards, I trusted myself and my intuition - and rid the standard book interpretations. Depending on the spread I use, I allow the Significator to come out in the reading naturally (and they always do)... letting them introduce themselves to me.

For example, rather than me choosing the King of Pentacles for George Clooney (as he is 40+ and a Taurus)... depending on his situation, his upbringing, his astrological chart, etc.... he reveals himself as the Queen of Cups to me. His feminine side more pronounced, compassionate, creative, and gentle, unlike the King.

It's not right, nor wrong.. but my own style that I trust in doing my own readings.

It is wrong. No matter how you look at it, it is wrong. George Clooney was born at 4:56 am in Lexington KY on May 6th 1961. his soul card is the magician which give him the soul of a one. His fates and path cards are the aces and 10's of each suit. His inner teacher cards are the wheel and the Sun cards his destiny card is the 6 of disks his will cards are the 5 and seven of disks.

His persona cards are represented by a sun in  Taurus, his personal potential card: The King of Pentacles, His hidden teacher based upon a Moon in Capricorn is the Queen of Disks His mode of expression is again the King of Pentacles.

His visible influences based upon planets in his midheavens is:

The Moon: The High Priestess

 His hidden influences based upon the planets ascending at the time of his birth

Mercury: The Magician his soul card
Jupiter: The Wheel, his dominant Inner teacher
Saturn: The world.

These are the cards of George Clooneys constellation.

Trust me, I know these things.
 

I have been called many things.....but "staic" is not one of them. I think like Natalia I will draw back to the harmless discussions, before any possible trouble brews. I am half a planet away from home....my mouth and beliefs could be seen as a loaded gun.

I need to remember this.

I think you may have misunderstood. I wasn't calling you static. I was referring to the view that a person cannot embody the traits of any card other than that which makes up there constellation? Surely one would have to agree that we very often treat people differently from one another. Usually, I respond to the person with whom I'm relating at any given moment. Like, when someone is unwilling to compromise and/or fears debate, I feel compelled to probe to find out why. More times than not I manage to get them in a conversive state of mind. On the other hand, if someone is usually supportive of my view and/or is willing to have a civil debate on the matter, I tend to listen more than talk.

Whereas, in the first instance someone may read me as the knight of swords. In the latter, it is more likely my actions better relate to the queen of swords. Of course, this has a lot to do with percepton. Also, the suit would be largely dependant on the subject and how knowledgeable I was. In the course of a lifetime it would be more pertinent to consider one's collective impression on the overall environment as a very strong correlation to their constellation would be readily apparent. Surely, I would have to learn more about your method of divination, but it appears that it is based on the idea that each card, having an astrological affiliation, can reveal certain aspects of an individual's personality and must therefore be taken into account when reviewing their perceptions and motivations. To an extent this is great. The problem I have with it is that noone ever acts the same way 100% of the time.

For lifepath and empowerment readings, I think yours could be the absolute best method of integrating the worlds of astrology and tarot. But, our lens of perception is so seldom shared that trying to include someone else's constellation in our every day view is a bit like trying to sketch a moving vehicle. That is to say, in order to see things as they do, we would have to be traversing the same A to B, at the same speed, and on the same path. It appears that imbuing them with the energy they manifest, as we relate to them, is much more practical than wormholing into their overall perspective on daily life.

Truly, I would love to hear more on your method of divination. This is a learning process for all of us and I am under no misconception that my knowledge is complete. The point of a forum is to share ideas. This is the most wondefrul thing about the internet. People of various discipline and technique coming together to discuss what they've learned so that the compendium is more complete. After reading your insights, I may be compelled to abandon my current understanding altogether. If you take your ball and go home though, the secrets of the universe may never be revealed. Please...let us share. After all, it's just a discussion.

So you see my confusion...
 
Saying that the constellation represents ones propensity to behave in a distinct manner, but does not define them, supports Starcana's position more than your own. Still, you repeatedly insist that she is wrong...

Am I missing something?

Hey it was Anton Tak being crazy,  not me Tiki...roflmao.