So, what is Tarot? Simply put, it’s a deck of 78 cards filled with symbols and imagery that can be used as a tool for self-reflection and gaining insights into your life. Think of it as a visual language that speaks to your intuition.
Tarot isn’t about predicting the future with 100% accuracy. It’s about tapping into your own inner wisdom, understanding patterns, and guiding yourself toward making better choices in your life. It’s like having a conversation with yourself only you didn’t know you needed to have.
A Brief History Of Tarot
Believe it or not, Tarot started way back in 15th-century Europe, but not like you might think. Back then, these cards, called Tarocchi, were actually used to play games! Imagine that, like a super-old version of Uno!
But over time, something changed. Instead of just a game, people started seeing deeper meanings in the cards.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, as spiritualism and other mystical ideas became popular, people started exploring the symbolic potential of the Tarot. It became less about winning a game and more about understanding yourself and the world around you. People thought the images could tap into hidden knowledge.
Then came a huge turning point: the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. This deck, created in the early 1900s by A.E. Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, is the deck most people think of when they hear Tarot. Its images are super clear and full of symbolism. It made Tarot way more accessible and helped spread its popularity around the world.
Today, there are tons of different Tarot decks out there, each with its own unique artwork and style. But they all share that same core purpose, to help you think about your life in new and interesting ways.
Inside the Deck
At its core, Tarot is a deck of 78 cards, each with its own unique symbolism and story. It’s a tool for self-reflection, guidance, and understanding the energies and patterns that shape our lives.
As I mentioned, there are 78 cards in total, divided into two main sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
Major
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, often considered the trump cards. These cards represent significant life lessons, karmic influences, and major archetypal energies. Think of them as milestones on your soul’s journey.
Take, for example, The Fool. This card represents new beginnings, optimism, and taking a leap of faith.
Then there’s Death, which, despite its scary name, actually symbolizes transformation, endings that lead to new beginnings, and letting go of what no longer serves you.
And finally, The World, representing completion, integration, and achieving a sense of wholeness.
Each of these cards holds a rich and complex meaning, and studying them is a lifelong journey.
Minor
The Minor Arcana makes up the bulk of the deck with 56 cards, representing the day-to-day events, challenges, and opportunities we encounter in our lives. These cards are divided into four suits: Cups, Wands, Pentacles and Swords.
- Cups relate to emotions, relationships, intuition, and love. Think of them as representing your heart.
- Wands symbolize passion, creativity, action, and energy. They represent your will and drive.
- Pentacles deal with material possessions, finances, security, and the physical world. They represent your tangible resources.
- Swords represent intellect, logic, communication, and challenges. They often signify conflict or difficult truths.
Within each suit, you’ll find Court Cards: the Page, the Knight, the Queen, and the King. These cards can represent actual people in your life, or different aspects of your own personality. The Court Cards reflect stages in our life or attitudes we may manifest.
Understanding the numerological and elemental associations can provide even deeper insights into the cards. Each number from Ace to Ten carries a specific meaning. For example, the number one represents beginnings, while ten represents completion. The elemental energies, which you find represented in the Suits, influence the energy around a situation. Fire corresponds to Wands, Water to Cups, Earth to Pentacles and Air to Swords.
How Tarot Works
The Major Arcana cards represent significant life events, karmic lessons, and powerful archetypes that we all encounter. Think of cards like The Fool representing new beginnings, or The Lovers symbolizing choices.
The Minor Arcana, on the other hand, are divided into four suits – Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles – which represent different aspects of our daily lives. Wands often relate to passion and action, Cups to emotions, Swords to intellect and challenges, and Pentacles to the material world and stability.
But how does a deck of cards offer any insight? It all comes down to symbolism and intuition. Each image on the cards is packed with symbolism, colors, numbers, characters, landscapes, all these elements carry meaning. For example, the color red can represent passion, while water might represent emotions. Tarot readers study these symbols and learn their associations.
Knowledge with Intuition
But knowledge of symbolism is only part of the picture. The real magic happens when you combine that knowledge with your intuition. When you look at a card, what feelings or thoughts does it evoke in you? That’s your intuition at work, helping you connect the card’s message to your specific situation.
Its crucial to understand that tarot isn’t about predicting the future in a fixed, set-in-stone way. Think of tarot as a mirror reflecting the energies surrounding a situation. It shows you potential paths and possible outcomes, but ultimately, you have the free will to make your own choices.
The tarot reader acts as an interpreter, guiding you through the symbolism and helping you see the situation from different perspectives. They’re not telling you what will happen, but highlighting the possibilities and helping you make informed decisions.
Choosing Your First Deck
Choosing your first deck! And trust me, it doesn’t have to be intimidating.
There are literally thousands of tarot decks out there, but some are classics for a reason, especially when you’re just starting.
- The Rider-Waite-Smith deck: This is like, the original. It’s been around for ages, and a lot of other decks are based on its imagery. The pictures are pretty straightforward, which makes it easier to understand what the cards mean.
- The Light Seer’s Tarot: This is a more modern take on tarot. It uses really beautiful, bright imagery and focuses on positive themes. If you’re drawn to something more contemporary and uplifting, this might be a good choice.
So How Do You Actually Choose?
Here are a few things to think about:
- Imagery: What kind of art do you like? Are you into detailed, symbolic pictures, or something more simple and modern? Pick a deck where the images resonate with you personally.
- Clarity: Can you understand what’s going on in the pictures? Some decks have really abstract art which can be harder to read, especially when you’re new. You want something that speaks to you without you having to study it like it’s a textbook.
- Vibe: This is a huge one. Does the deck feel right? Does it give you good energy? Tarot is all about intuition, so trust your gut! If a deck feels dark or scary, maybe it’s not the best choice for now.
Okay, you know what to look for. Now, where do you find these decks?
- Online: Websites like Amazon and Etsy have tons of options. It’s great for seeing a wide variety and reading reviews.
- Metaphysical or Witchcraft Stores: These shops usually have a curated selection of decks, and you can actually hold them in your hands before you buy. Plus, the people who work there are usually super knowledgeable and can give you recommendations.
- Bookstores: Some bookstores might have a small selection of tarot decks, so it can be worth checking out.
How To Use Tarot
Cleansing
When you get a new deck, you want to cleanse it. Think of it like giving your cards a fresh start. You can do this by simply holding the deck and visualizing it being filled with bright, positive energy. Some people like to pass the cards through incense smoke or place crystals on them overnight. This is your time to connect with the deck.
When you’re not using them, keep your deck in a special place, wrapped in a cloth or in a box. this keeps the energy directed, and keeps your cards in good condition.
Shuffling
Now for the fun part, shuffling! There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Just shuffle the cards until they feel right. Some people cut the deck into three piles and restack them. Other people spread the cards out on a table and swirl them around. Trust your gut.
When you feel ready, draw a card from the deck. Don’t overthink it! Just pick the one that feels like it’s calling to you.
Spreads
Okay, let’s keep it simple with some spread ideas. A spread is just how you arrange the cards.
- One-Card Spread: This is perfect for a quick daily check-in. Just ask a question like, what do I need to focus on today? and draw a card.
- Three-Card Spread: This is awesome for exploring a situation. The first card represents the past, the second card represents the present, and the third card represents the future or potential outcome.
Journaling
Here’s a tip that will seriously up your tarot game, journaling! After each reading, write down the cards you drew, what you think they mean, and how they relate to your question. This helps you track patterns and deepen your understanding of the cards.
Tarot is all about intuition. Don’t just memorize the meanings in a book. Look at the images, feel the energy of the card, and ask yourself what it means to you. The more you practice, the stronger your intuition will become. You can try meditation, or taking a walk in nature to help clear your mind.
Tips For Beginners
Be patient and kind to yourself. Learning tarot takes time. Don’t expect to become an expert overnight. There are 78 cards, and each one has multiple layers of meaning. Cut yourself some slack!
Practice Regularly. Even just pulling one card a day can make a huge difference. Start with simple questions, like what energy should I focus on today? The more you handle the cards and work with them, the more comfortable you’ll become.
Learn the Meanings, But Trust Your Gut. It’s important to learn the traditional meanings of the cards, and there are tons of resources, books, websites, apps, to help you. But don’t just memorize! Pay attention to what you feel when you see a particular card. What images or ideas pop into your head? Your intuition is key.
Keep a Tarot Journal. This is a game changer. Write down the cards you pull, the questions you asked, and your interpretations. Over time, you’ll see patterns emerge and your understanding will deepen. You’ll also be able to look back and see how accurate your readings were!
Don’t Rely on the Guidebook Forever. Guidebooks are great for getting started, but eventually, you want to move beyond them. Trust your own intuition and develop your own personal connection to the cards. Let the images speak to you directly.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Let’s talk about some common beginner blunders. And trust me, we’ve all been there.
First, avoid relying only on memorized meanings. The guidebook is a great starting point, but the real magic happens when you connect the card’s imagery to your own life and the specific question you’re asking.
Second, don’t ask the same question over and over! Tarots aren’t about predicting the future in a definite way. If you don’t like the answer you get, consider how you can change your actions.
Third, resist the urge to read for everyone else right away. Start by practicing on yourself. Get comfortable with the cards and your intuition before you start reading for friends and family.
Finally, don’t get overwhelmed by the sheer number of tarot decks or spreads. Starting with one deck and a couple of basic spreads is totally fine.
Tarot and Self Discovery
I’m going to show you how Tarot can be an amazing tool for self-discovery, helping you understand yourself better and reach your goals.
Think of Tarot as a mirror reflecting your inner world. Each card holds symbols and meanings that can tap into your subconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It’s not about predicting the future, although some people use it that way, but about understanding the present and empowering your choices.
The first thing you’ll learn is that each card has a meaning. The Sun might represent joy and success, while the Moon can symbolize intuition and hidden emotions. Even cards like the Tower, which can seem scary, often represent necessary change and breakthroughs.
So how does it work for self-discovery? Well, when you ask the cards a question about yourself like, whats holding me back from achieving my goals? The cards you draw can highlight areas you might not even be aware of. It’s like getting a perspective from your own intuition.
One powerful use of Tarot is called shadow work. This involves exploring the parts of yourself you might normally avoid, your fears, insecurities, or past traumas. Facing these shadows with the help of the cards can lead to incredible healing and self-acceptance. It’s like shining a light into the dark corners of your mind so you can understand them better.
And finally, Tarot can be super helpful for goal setting and intention setting. Let’s say you want to improve your grades. You could ask the cards, what actions can I take to achieve my academic goals? The cards can provide guidance and inspire you to take concrete steps towards success. It’s all about clarifying your intentions and aligning your actions with your desires.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to use Tarot for self discovery. The most important thing is to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to explore your inner world. Grab a deck, start exploring, and get ready to unlock your amazing potential!
Where to Go Next
Once you’ve maybe done a few readings, pulled some cards, and are starting to get a feel for things. But where do you go from there? How do you take your tarot skills to the next level?
Jump into Symbolism! Tarot is way more than just pretty pictures. Each card is packed with symbols that connect to astrology, numerology, and even the Kabbalah. Don’t be intimidated! Learning even a little bit about these systems can drastically enhance your interpretations.
For example, understanding the astrological association of a card can reveal deeper insights into its energy and influence. Knowing the numerological significance can tell you about the card’s cycle or stage. It’s like adding layers of meaning to your readings!
Next, fuel your knowledge! There are tons of amazing resources out there. Hit the books! Find some reputable tarot authors and dive into their interpretations and techniques.
And don’t forget online courses! Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and even some tarot readers offer in-depth courses that can guide you step-by-step. Look for courses that resonate with your learning style and cover areas you want to improve.
Want to add even more flavor to your readings? Explore oracle decks! Oracle cards are similar to tarot but often have a specific theme or focus, like animal guides, affirmations, or energy healing.
They can be used alongside your tarot cards to provide additional clarity, guidance, or a different perspective on a situation. Think of them as valuable sidekicks!
And finally, connect with other tarot enthusiasts! Join online forums, Facebook groups, or even local meetups. Sharing experiences, asking questions, and learning from others is a fantastic way to grow your tarot skills.
Plus, it’s just fun to geek out about tarot with people who get it!
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