What Is Tarot
Definition of Tarot Cards
Tarot cards came from a card game called Tarocchi, popular in Italy in the 15th century. With time, they developed past their original gameplay, soaking outside influences from Africa to Europe. For example, classically, their symbolic complexity ultimately woven into the Holy Qabalah, alike a kaleidoscope of universal themes.
By the 18th century, tarot began to develop into a tool used for divination. The first documented use of tarot cards in this way seems to be in a manuscript from 1750 that outlined their interpretations.
Today, contemporary tarot functions equally as a spiritual and psychological tool. It draws on centuries of symbolic imagery, now reimagined in decks from different cultures and perspectives. Tarot has made a huge leap in accessibility. You’ll discover all sorts, from classic designs to themed decks based on astrology, mythology, or even pop culture.
This evolution reflects its timelessness, as a tool for self-reflection and exploration.
Purpose and Uses of Tarot
Tarot is meant to be used as a guide to help you understand the more difficult, complicated questions of life. Traditional decks such as Rider-Waite are well-loved for their classic imagery, while Marseille decks add a beautiful historic flair.
Themed decks provide a fun alternative, customizing imagery and symbolism to match niche interests. Selecting a deck is highly individual—usually it just comes down to your gut attraction to its images.
Outside of divination, tarot promotes self-awareness and clarity. Some people use it to learn more about themselves, others to learn more about relationship or career choices. The cards are most effective when approached with sincerity, providing an honest reflection of your internal dialogue.
Misconceptions About Tarot
While many people still think of tarot as a type of fortune-telling, it’s less about predicting the future and more about self-reflection. Much of the misunderstanding comes from its mystical imagery.
The real power of Tarot is in developing greater self-awareness. Tarot does not predict your future; it allows you to make sense of what’s possible.
To use tarot for anything beyond a game, begin by gathering a clear, intentional space. Cleanse your deck by waving it through sage or incense smoke, and recharge it by leaving it in sunlight or moonlight.
Create familiarity by handling your cards often, and spend time meditating on their meanings to deepen your connection. These practices maximize the experience, helping to deliver sharper insights.
History and Origins of Tarot
Tarot cards originated in 15th century northern Italy, where they were known as tarocchi. The earliest decks, like those from Ferrara and Milan, featured the Fool and 21 trumps, or trionfi, alongside four suits: batons, coins, cups, and swords.
These cards were at first a playing game, with standardized decks though decks varied in naming and sequence. By the end of the 18th century, tarot had transformed into something other than a game.
Jean-Baptiste Alliette, who went by the name Etteilla, began assigning divinatory meanings to the cards and designed the first Tarot deck specifically for fortune-telling. The connection between tarot and the occult became fashionable in the 19th century, long after its medieval origins.
The tarot soon became popular all over Europe, from the Tarot Nouveau in France to German-suited “Taroc” packs. Today, contemporary tarot practice is a culmination of this deep historical significance, marrying traditional card interpretations with more contemporary approaches.
Its cultural journey serves as a testament to its unique versatility and enduring appeal.
Types of Tarot Decks
Traditional tarot decks explained
Not surprisingly, traditional tarot decks have 78 cards. They are split into the Major Arcana with 22 cards and the Minor Arcana with 56 cards.
The Minor Arcana is made up of four different suits. Each suit contains 14 cards, including these numbered cards as well as four court cards. This structure gives us a dynamic framework to explore questions of motivation, emotion, and the “whys” of life.
The most recognizable example is probably the Rider-Waite deck, commonly used nowadays for its clear imagery and straightforward symbolism. Published by Rider and Company, it’s the most beginner-friendly deck and is most frequently suggested to beginners looking to learn tarot reading.
Unique features of themed decks
Themed decks provide a refreshing alternative with unique artwork, interpretations and styles. For example, the Hanson-Roberts deck has gentle, naive art, so it’s cute and friendly and not intimidating.
Themes are wide ranging from mythology and pop culture to nature and fantasy, giving readers a chance to connect with personal interests.
Choosing the right deck for you
Choosing a tarot deck comes down to what you hope to accomplish and what speaks to you. Some people are drawn to classic decks for their symbolic reliability, while others are attracted to themed decks for their imaginative viewpoints.
Most working readers have several decks, but tend to prefer one for the bulk of their readings. Whether you’re looking for profound self-discovery or just some light-hearted advice, the deck you choose should always feel like the best fit intuitively and personally.
Preparing for a Tarot Reading
Cleansing and Charging Your Deck
Taking the time to make sure your tarot deck is properly cleansed and charged will make all the difference right from the start. Cleansing eliminates any residual energy, be it from past readings or just day-to-day use.
Cleanse your deck by wafting it through the smoke of incense. You could leave it under the light of a full moon or cleanse it with a crystal such as selenite. Charging your deck, on the other hand, is about infusing it with your energy and intentions.
Shuffle the cards, focusing on your intentions. Or, hold the deck in your hands and meditate with it to get more focused, singular energy. Regular cleansing and charging will have your deck singing, and your readings will be all the more clear and accurate.
Creating a Focused Reading Space
Selecting an appropriate space for a reading can be transformative. Choose a quiet location that’s conducive to connecting with your intuition. It might be an inviting nook in your house or a special reading table.
Flowers, dim lighting or candles can create a calming atmosphere, and soft music can keep you in the zone. Keep the space clean, and have things such as crystals, incense, or a cloth to lay the cards out on.
Having a regular space not only makes the practice feel more ritualistic, but it helps you stay grounded and focused in the present during the reading.
Building a Connection with Your Cards
Learning about your tarot deck is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for your reading. Spend time getting to know the imagery and meanings of each card.
Focus on the upright meanings first and then add the reversals once you feel more comfortable. Practicing simple spreads, like a three-card spread for past, present, and future, can help you understand how the cards interact.
Sharing how you think or feel as a reading unfolds, particularly when those thoughts or feelings resonate with the cards, creates a stronger bond. The more intimate you get with your process, the more fulfilling your readings will become.
How to Conduct a Tarot Reading
Shuffling and Drawing Cards Properly
Shuffling involves more than just the act of mixing the deck. It’s an amazing, grounding, and protective way to connect with the cards and channel your energy. Go with your intuition and shuffle at a pace that feels right to you.
Some people like to overhand shuffle, others spread the cards out and mix them up on a table. The important part is to get comfortable and focus on your question or goal. When you are comfortable, pull the cards.
You may draw the top card, cut the deck, or allow a card to “pop” out. No one way is wrong—follow your intuition.
Interpreting Card Placements in Spreads
Card spreads add a lot of structure to a reading. A three-card spread, perfect for beginners, can be used to show the past, present, and future or the situation, action, and outcome.
The Celtic Cross spread is more complicated, but it offers a deeper, more nuanced view at challenges and ways to work through them. Keep in mind that the position of each card adds an important layer of context.
For instance, a card in the “obstacle” position reveals what’s in the way, whereas a card in the “outcome” slot indicates possible outcomes. Notice the meanings of cards in relation to each other—their interactions almost always show you bigger truths.
Understanding Reversed Card Meanings
Reversed cards, or cards that show up upside down, can feel intimidating, but they provide extra depth. They tend to symbolize inner conflict, stagnation, or a different way of seeing the world.
The upright Four of Swords indicates a need for rest; the reversed could indicate an unwillingness to slow down. Avoid getting too hung up on reversed meanings—concentrate on the energy a card is providing you and how it relates to the rest of the spread.
Tips for Self-Readings Versus Reading for Others
Self-readings are explorative and intimate. Pull a card every day to sharpen your intuition and become familiar with your deck.
When you read for someone else, be impartial—don’t let your emotions color the picture you’re seeing and interpreting. Have firm boundaries in place if someone begins to ask difficult or emotionally charged questions.
Whether lighting a candle or burning some sage, making sure you create a safe space will put everyone at ease. What is most important is to always go into readings with an open heart and mind, and listen to your own intuition.
Common Tarot Spreads and Interpretations
Overview of Popular Tarot Spreads
Tarot spreads are the ways or spread that the cards are laid out during a reading, where each position has its own meaning. Common spreads such as the three-card spread tend to be preferred due to their basic nature and versatility. This configuration can cover past, present, and future or alternatively give insight on what’s going on, what the obstacle is, and what guidance is.
Beginners love it for its simplicity and seasoned readers love it for its depth and flexibility. This simple one-card spread is perfect for use in daily guidance. It provides immediate analysis on key trends and themes without bogging you down with minutiae.
How to Use a Three-Card Spread
The three-card spread is easy to use but produces powerful realizations. You shuffle the deck, think about your question, and pick three cards. Each card drawn will address a particular aspect of the situation, like past influences, present circumstances, and future possibilities.
For example, asking about career direction might reveal past achievements, current challenges, and potential opportunities ahead. This spread is great for suggesting action on a decision or offering general guidance.
Exploring the Celtic Cross Spread
The Celtic Cross spread is one of the most complex and popular tarot spreads. Many others lament that its structure is too limiting. It’s a huge undertaking that involves ten cards, each assigned to a specific position and meaning.
For example, the first card represents current energies and the second card shows current challenges. The seventh card, which is related to the 7th house, usually shows a lot of underlying patterns in intimate relationships such as marriage or committed partnerships.
Some love this spread for its depth and complexity while others consider it to be redundant and not as clear as more basic spreads.
Customizing Spreads for Unique Questions
Create custom spreads to focus on specific questions or topics. A romance-focused spread goes deep into the 5th house of romance and pleasure to get details about love and dating. On the other hand, an education-focused spread might include the 3rd or 9th house to emphasize learning and self-discovery.
Transforming questions can additionally empower the querent. Rather than questions like, “Will I find love?”, focus on, “How can I nurture meaningful relationships?” This reorients our attention to what needs to be done, not what might happen
When to Avoid Tarot Readings
Emotional states that may affect readings
The most important aspect of how to interpret tarot readings is your emotional state. When you are emotionally charged and anxious, it’s much more likely that you will misinterpret the readings and put your negative energy on the cards. Someone who is already anxious about a major job decision may read every reversed card as a sign of doom.
They may fail to understand the card’s potentially neutral or even positive interpretation. If you’re turning to tarot daily—or even every two to three days—this is a sign you may be developing an unhealthy reliance on the cards. Give yourself the time and space to regroup. Taking a step back helps you deal with your own feelings first so you can respond instead of react.
It can be just as bad when you use tarot readings as a tool to practice bad self-reflection. If you’re seeking constant reassurance from the cards instead of addressing underlying issues, this could hold you back from personal growth. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least six to twelve months between professional readings, especially for general guidance. This affords you time to really think through the process.
Ethical considerations during readings
That’s where ethics come into play, making the difference between a good and bad tarot reader. Arguably the most important thing, though, is to come into readings with integrity. If you’re using tarot to control or manipulate someone else’s actions, you need to stop.
If you feel the need to manipulate your partner’s choices, that’s not what you should be doing. Tarot should be a self-exploration tool—not a way to wield control over another person’s life. It’s unreasonable to place the burden of arriving at an exact answer on the reader. This sort of hope is a recipe for despair.
For example, when we ask when we will get married or require the cards to provide definite answers to questions, we forget how complex tarot can be. Readers aren’t fortune tellers, and we shouldn’t treat the reading as a final say. Using tarot as a replacement for therapy is another potential ethical line to draw. If you’re experiencing acute emotional or mental health issues, please seek support from a qualified professional. Getting professional counseling is the prudent and responsible thing to do.
Situations where tarot may not provide clarity
Tarot isn’t the right tool for every situation. At times, its responses can seem nebulous too, particularly when you seek concrete answers for multifaceted issues. So, for instance, if you’re wondering whether to move across the country, the cards won’t just say “yes” or “no.” Rather, they may point out things to think about, and let you make the call.
If you’re hoping that tarot will do all the work for you in making your decision, then this might indicate an issue of self-trust. Confidence in your own intuition goes a long way toward making tarot complementary to personal accountability.
A second example is if you use tarot as a distraction. If you’re just trying to avoid taking responsibility for your life, the cards won’t provide the clarity you seek. They’re supposed to be guiding—not to replace action or accountability. Self-care and reflection are essential to getting the most out of tarot readings. Without them, the things you learn can be half-baked or downright deceptive.
Learning and Deepening Tarot Knowledge
Resources for learning tarot meanings
It helps deepen your understanding of tarot learning the meanings of the cards. Start by finding a deck that really speaks to you. Maybe it’s the art style, the concept, or perhaps the creator’s direction that captivates you.
For those new to tarot, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck is the most common starting point, as the imagery in this deck is the basis and inspiration for many contemporary decks. Your deck can truly leap off the page with new, additional resources!
Use guidebooks, online tutorials and tarot apps to uncover the symbolism and individual interpretations for each card. Most seasoned readers recommend immersing yourself in tarot communities, both virtual and live, to trade tips and ideas and receive new perspectives.
Practicing regularly to improve skills
As with all things, practice will definitely make you more confident in your tarot readings. Making time each day or week to draw cards and consider what they mean will allow you to become more comfortable and acquainted with them.
Many folks begin with one card pulls, either posing a question or concentrating on the day to come. The more you practice, the more your intuition will sharpen and the better you’ll recall the meanings of the cards over time.
A short course, which can be completed in as little as three days, offers structured learning.
Journaling insights from your readings
A journal serves as a tangible artifact of your tarot practice. Whether you blog or keep a private journal, writing down your readings, thoughts and insights allows you to notice patterns and see how the cards work together.
For example, if the same cards continue to show in your spreads, through journaling you can better uncover the themes that are repeating in your life. Through this process, you form a deeper connection to the cards and gain a better perspective on your own development.
There’s no need for expensive or elaborate rituals—a simple notebook and pen will do to begin with.
Conclusion
Tarot provides a unique combination of self-reflection, guidance, and insight. It’s not just card flipping—it’s a powerful way to get in touch with your innermost thoughts and emotions. Whether you’re just getting your feet wet or peeling back its many layers, tarot meets you where you’re at. Every reading has the potential to unlock new avenues of comprehension, to ignite fresh ways of thinking.
Beginning with the fundamentals such as learning card meanings or spreads provides you the groundwork. With time, practice, and a little curiosity, you can build and strengthen your skillset. No pressure—it’s just about figuring out what’s right for you.
If you’re interested in going deeper, pick up a deck, research some resources, or connect with a community. Tarot may be a solitary journey, but you don’t have to make the journey alone. Begin your adventure here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tarot?
Tarot is a powerful tool for insight, guidance, and clarity. It’s based on a deck of 78 cards, each with their own archetypal meaning, to gain insight into a situation, feeling or query.
Where did tarot originate?
Tarot started in 15th century Europe as a playing card deck. Although it originated as a game, it became an important instrument for divination and self-reflection in the 18th century.
How do I choose a tarot deck?
Select a tarot deck that appeals to you both aesthetically and intuitively. Tarot decks The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is popular among beginners, but you can explore themed decks that resonate with you.
What should I do before a tarot reading?
Set the mood. Start by clearing your mind, thinking of a specific question, and laying out your tarot space. Grounding practices such as deep breathing can go a long way to connect your energy.
Can anyone learn tarot?
Yes, the tarot is a tool anyone can learn to use with some practice and study. Begin with the fundamental definitions, use guidebooks, try out beginner spreads to get comfortable.
When should tarot readings be avoided?
Don’t use tarot when feeling too emotional to concentrate, or in place of medical, legal, or financial counsel. Tarot can provide powerful guidance, but it should never supplant professional expertise.
What are common tarot spreads?
Use the three-card spread to get a better understanding of your past, present, and future. For a more comprehensive view of your circumstances, check out the Celtic Cross spread. Each spread lends itself to different applications.
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