What cards in the tarot deck depict 'travel'?

[Jimjam]

Hello...

 

If we look at the basic most meaning of the cards, which cards talk about 'physical travel'?

 

Recently a reader names three cards which according to her were 'travel cards'. She did not rely much on the imagery but just the basic meaning of the cards to tell me I might be travelling soon.

 

Does someone have a list of any such 'travel cards'?

[DanielJUK]

I've moved this to Individual Card Meanings where it will fit best as a discussion

[akiva]

1 hour ago, Jimjam said:

Hello...

 

If we look at the basic most meaning of the cards, which cards talk about 'physical travel'?

To name the few that could work with any deck:

The Chariot,

The World (in tarocchi) is a long voyage,

The Knight of Wands can indicate displacement, flight, emigration or transmigration

 

In pip decks I tend to use:

6 of Wands and 10 of Wands

 

Hope this helps 😁

[Chariot]

Unlike Lenormand or Kipper cards (or some oracle cards) there aren't any cards in the RWS tarot deck that always denote 'travel'—at least not to me.  However, there are quite a few that can mean travel, depending on circumstances and the questions asked.  

Of course there is The Fool.  He's definitely setting off on a journey (does not have to be a physical one, though.)  If I was starting out a trip to someplace I'd never been (and know little about) I'd say the Fool might be an appropriate card.  There is a sense of adventure and positivity to the upright card, but also the sense that The Fool doesn't really have a clue!  (This would be an appropriate card if you were hitchhiking ...although it's not a recommended mode of travel any more.)  The reversed Fool card might indicate a lack of positivity about the journey ...perhaps even fear, or reluctance to take it.

The Chariot can indicate a vehicle you have control of, so perhaps a journey made by car (that you are driving) could be represented by The Chariot.  At any rate, the journey will be planned, controlled, and purposeful, if represented by the upright Chariot.

The World could also indicate setting off to explore wide horizons or a major lengthy journey that will involve learning and engaging with many different people.  You would be off to see 'the world' with this card.

All three of these are Major Arcana cards, so if they indicate a journey, it's likely to be an important one—which will have lasting impact on your life.

 

For less significant journeys, I might consider these Minor Arcana cards:

Ace of Wands - A journey or holiday that you are looking forward to, and feel energised about.  This is a journey you really want to take!

3 of Wands - Can indicate a journey made for business purposes

 

8 of Wands - Can indicate a swift or sudden journey; it might suggest a plane rather than some other form of transport

 

Knight of Wands - Certainly suggests a person who loves to be on the move

4 of Swords - While it usually suggests a period of rest, it can also suggest travel to somewhere you can rest and recharge batteries.  Someplace like a retreat, or hospital, or camping out in nature, or a sojurn in some hotel where you will be subliminally pampered and left to relax in peace.  Or a stay with an understanding friend or relative who will give you the space you need to get rested up. This is not likely to be a journey filled with sports or sightseeing activities.

 

6 of Swords - Often suggests travel, but it's usually a journey to get away from something unpleasant—either permanently or temporarily, till the unpleasantness blows over.  The image does not suggest joy, and the destination might be necessary, but not wanted.  A refugee would be accurately represented by this card.

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by Chariot

[Natural Mystic Guide]

 

Here are my picks.  These are from the Illuminated Tarot, original colors -- hand painted fluorescent colors, by Carol Herzer.

[Jimjam]

@akiva @Chariot @Natural Mystic Guide

 

Thank you all so much! This does make a lot of sense...

 

Never knew about The Fool, but now I know!

[Guest]

In my case it would be The Chariot, the Prince of Wands, and the Six of Swords, depending on the cards surrounding them. 

[DanielJUK]

It's worth looking at the card images in the deck you are using @Jimjam. If you read intuitively, you might see a symbol which donates travel for you in that deck. So I would suggest that first, look for clues in any cards that come up in the reading for you.

 

From the RWS images.....

 

8 of Wands shows those wands flying through the air, this is fast travel! So this can represent flying. But also it's a card of internet things (fast communications), so it could be flying or talking via zoom or messaging methods

8 of Cups is also travel but walking away from a situation and travelling to something new (we cannot see what). This is a regretful and emotional leaving, they are leaving everything behind

6 of Swords, the 8ofW before often shows flying in my experience but this card often comes up to show travelling by boat. It is a sad card, leaving for new shores but has the promise of better times (we can see the next shore in the distance).

2 of Wands and 3 of Wands are travel cards with horizons. 2 of Wands maybe planning to emigrate? They look to the horizon from the cliff and have the globe in their hand. 3 of Wands has the ships in the bay. again a travelling overseas card.

 

Look for the ships in the RWS cards. they are travel big clues, the 2 of Pentacles has them in the background (handling rough seas) and the King of Cups has ships behind him on the ocean.

The Fool and Knight of Wands are definitely people who are about to go off on a travel adventure.

For the other Majors, I cannot add to what other have said already 🙂 .

 

[DanielJUK]

There is a previous discussion on the forum about travel cards which might inspire some further ideas -

 

[November]

Hello! Once in a reading the Knight of Cups stood for travel by sea. 

[Scandinavianhermit]

I read all Sixes as some form of travel, literally or figuratively. Cups is time travel. 

[Natural Mystic Guide]

This is an interesting concept.  Would you care to flesh this out a bit for us?  Thanks.

1 hour ago, Scandinavianhermit said:

Cups is time travel. 

 

[Scandinavianhermit]

1 hour ago, Natural Mystic Guide said:

This is an interesting concept.  Would you care to flesh this out a bit for us?  Thanks.

 

That remark is made in jest. Six of Cups upwards is associated with the past, upside down with the future. Time is a dimension, too. 

 

Upwards, Six of Batons may (among other things) signify returning home from a journey. 

 

Upside down, Six of Swords may signify traveling with sensitive information, be it business secrets, spying or diplomacy, but in our modern age it may also signify e-mail and websites: the "journey" of information in general, or a press release. 

 

I mainly base readings on the French tradition, but, in Swedish cartomancy, Six of Cups signify honeymoons and romantic journeys, Six of Batons recreational journeys (what we would call tourism today), Six of Swords journeys out of necessity (including to a hospital, a sanatorium, a deathbed or a funeral), Six of Coins business journeys. I have occasionally attempted to tie each Six to means of transportation, but without the precision I hoped for (or with inconclusive results). 

 

In the French tradition, Six of Batons and Six of Coins (both upside down) are intertwined with Six of Cups in so wise, that they signify our relationship to the future: Six of Batons signify an attitude of passive expectation, Six of Coins proactive realisation of plans by moving ourselves, information or money around. The upward Six of Coins is related to Six of Cups in so wise, that it signify present time. 

 

My personal memory technique to remember the Sixes is TARDIS: Time and Room Dimensions In Space.

Edited July 15, 2024 by Scandinavianhermit
inconclusive, TARDIS, moving around

[Natural Mystic Guide]

46 minutes ago, Scandinavianhermit said:

Six of Cups upwards is associated with the past, upside down with the future. Time is a dimension, too.

That puts a nice twist on the meaning of the Six of Cups.  I like it.  Thanks.

[Teemu]

For me, the hermit can point to a physical journey as well.