Significator

Concept in cartomancy and astrology

In traditional cartomancy, especially in the older systems (Spanish deck, Italian Tarot, French Lenormand), it is common to choose a card that represents the consultant from the start of the reading. The card may be: 1) Selected by physical characteristics: King of Cups for mature blue-eyed brown-haired man; Queen of Swords for mature woman with serious, analytical character. 2) Selected by zodiac sign: each suit corresponds to elements (cups=water, pentacles=earth, swords=air, wands=fire); the King/Queen of the suit corresponding to the consultant's element. 3) Selected by life situation. 4) Selected by intuition directly by the consultant or by the reader.

In Lenormand, the Rider (card 1) is traditionally significator of man, the Lady (card 29) significator of woman. In the Lenormand Grand Tableau, the position of the significator card determines much of the reading. In astrology horary, the consultant is significator by his/her own ruling planet (the planet that rules the ascendant of the moment of the question); other people involved in the question are significators by their corresponding houses (partner = ruler of house VII; mother = ruler of house IV; etc.).

How it is used

Once the significator is chosen / identified, the reader observes: 1) Cards/planets close to the significator = direct immediate influences. 2) Cards/planets approaching in the spread direction = imminent things. 3) Cards/planets moving away = passing things, leaving. 4) Cards/planets contacting the significator by aspect (in astrology) or position (in cartomancy) = events / influences specifically affecting the consultant. 5) Specific position of the significator in the spread (top = mental focus; centre = balance; below = unconscious; right = future; left = past) — different traditions vary the conventions.

Methodological alternatives to using significator: many modern readers prefer NOT to choose explicit significator — they read the spread without anchor card, allowing all the cards to speak directly. Both approaches are valid; depend on personal reader preference and tradition followed. The Marseille tarot is often read without explicit significator; the Lenormand traditionally uses one; the Rider-Waite is flexible.

When to use

Recommended use of significator: 1) When the question is specifically about the consultant's personal life trajectory (life direction, identity issues, life chapters). 2) In long readings of complete life (Lenormand Grand Tableau). 3) In horary astrology where the significator system is technical-traditional fundamental requirement. 4) When you find that having an "anchor" helps you stay focused in the reading. NOT recommended: 1) For specific concrete questions (where the answer is universal regardless of the consultant). 2) When the chosen significator is "in the way" (sometimes the chosen card simply does not fit in significant way and complicates the reading more than helping).