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Interested in adding more depth to your Tarot readings? Consider elemental dignities. They’re especially helpful if you don’t use reversed cards. 

Each suit is associated with an element: swords are Air, wands are Fire, pentacles are Earth, cups are Water.

Each major arcana is associated with an element as well:

• The Fool: Air
• The Magician: Air
• High Priestess: Water
• Empress: Earth
• Emperor: Fire
• Hierophant: Earth
• Lovers: Air
• Chariot: Water
• Strength: Fire
• Hermit: Earth
• Wheel of Fortune: Fire
• Justice: Air
• Hanged Man: Water
• Death: Water
• Temperance: Fire
• Devil: Earth
• Tower: Fire
• Star: Air
• Moon: Water
• Sun: Fire
• Judgement: Water
• The World: Earth

Combinations of elements in multi-card readings will tell you the impact the cards have on each other. Cards of the same element are very strong. This applies if the cards’ meanings are positive or negative. Compatible elements also strengthen each other, but not as much as the same element. Fire/Air, Water/Earth are compatible.

Fire/Water and Air/Earth are not compatible, therefore they weaken each other. This could be good or bad, depending on the meanings of the cards. Fire/Earth and Water/Air are neutral. They don’t weaken each other, but they’re not particularly strong, either. 

Here’s an example. You pull the Moon (Water), Ace of Cups (Water) and Ace of Wands (Fire). Something you want (Ace of Cups) is strengthened by your dreams or instincts (Moon). But actually getting started (Ace of Wands) is difficult, because all that Water drowns out Fire’s initiative. Maybe you’re content to dream about it, and that’s it. If we put the Ace of Wands in the middle, there may already be a start, but you’re having trouble balancing emotions with action. Actions (or passions) are undermined by sensitivity and illusion. 

Or, let’s say you pull the King of Pentacles (Earth) and the Queen of Wands (Fire). If this is a question about two people, we might say the vibe between them is so-so, because these elements are neutral towards each other. The King might ignore the Queen’s dramatic plays for attention, or her bold, creative efforts. He won’t be offended by her, but he won’t be impressed. The Queen might think he’s ok, but a bit conservative for her tastes. Note that this does not describe an outcome. It just gives you more insight into how they get along. 

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