What Is Tarot
Definition and Purpose of Tarot
Tarot is a 78-card deck widely used for divination and introspection. It consists of 22 trump cards, the Fool, and 56 suit cards. Though most people associate tarot with fortune-telling, its purpose is more about guidance and revealing new insights.
Each card’s imagery is filled with symbols and meaning that connect with the archetypes of human experience, making it relevant to everyone regardless of culture. These archetypes, with origins in lineages that stretch back to Egypt and India, mirror our collective experiences and feelings.
Tarot is a reflection of your internal landscape. By exploring its symbolism, you’re able to more clearly comprehend emotions or experiences. The therapeutic aspect is what allows you to process your emotional state and see patterns in your own life.
As an example, the Hermit card can help inspire introspection and reflection, whereas the Wheel of Fortune represents cycles or change. Since the birth of tarot in the 18th century, the cards have been adapted as a tool for self-discovery, changing meanings to fit the needs of the present.
Common Misconceptions About Tarot
A common misconception is that tarot is used to predict the future, but it’s actually more about the present. It’s an art form that’s based on intuition and interpretation, where there are no “right” answers.
Many conflate it with dark practices, though at its core tarot is about personal growth. The cards are tools that act like a mirror, not supernatural forces. For example, the Death card usually signifies a change, not actual death.
History and Origins of Tarot
Early Beginnings of Tarot Cards
Tarot cards first appeared in 15th-century Italy, originally as a card game called tarocchi. Artists in Ferrara and Milan produced these early decks. They supplemented the four-suit deck of batons, coins, cups, and swords with the 21 trumps, or trionfi, and the Fool card.
The cards themselves were sometimes sumptuous works of art, beautifully decorated in the style of the Renaissance period. Bonifacio Bembo was instrumental in determining the artistic style of these early decks. He played a major role in producing the famous Tarot of Marseilles, which actually started out in Milan.
These decks were just designed to play with. Their symbolism, including allegorical imagery, moral lessons, and more, hinted at deeper meanings, laying the groundwork for contemporary interpretations.
Evolution of Tarot as Divination
The change in use of tarot from a game to a tool for divination started hundreds of years after the original creation. Tarot games started to move throughout Europe. They evolved into different regional variants, such as French Tarot and Austrian Königrufen, with the germini variant already known since 1506.
It wasn’t until the 1700s that occultists transformed tarot into a vehicle for esoteric practice. Jean-Baptiste Alliette, aka Etteilla, played a key role in this transformation. He attributed meaning to the cards, founded the first Tarot society, and created a deck specifically for divination use.
By the 19th century tarot’s reputation as a fortune-telling tool took root, propped up by an increasing fascination with mysticism and the occult.
Spread of Tarot Across Cultures
As tarot spread beyond Europe, it was reinvented and rejuvenated in every new culture that picked it up. From its Italian origins, it transformed into new languages, local customs, and interpretations.
In the 20th century, the thematic world of tarot ignited a spiritual renaissance among English-speaking populations. This movement resulted in the creation of several now-famous decks, including the Rider-Waite Tarot.
Today, tarot is experiencing a renaissance, with a rich international community of readers and enthusiasts who use the cards for self-reflection, guidance, and storytelling. This vibrant cross-cultural exchange has enhanced tarot’s legacy, melding time-honored symbolism with modern-day relevance.
Types of Tarot Decks
Tarot decks are available in a wide range of styles, each presenting their own unique appeal. Traditional tarot decks consist of 78 cards. These cards are further divided into the four suits of wands, cups, pentacles (or coins), and swords.
There are 22 Major Arcana cards that represent major life archetypes. Modern tarot decks, on the other hand, tend to play with this structure, creating new interpretations but still working within it. Some decks go even further off the reservation, fusing tarot paradigms with creative themes.
Popular Tarot Deck Styles
The Rider-Waite deck is still one of the most recognized. Famous for its beautiful, easily-interpreted imagery and straightforward symbolism, it has attracted more beginners and experienced readers than any other deck.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Thoth deck is richly, esoterically designed, catering to those who are more magnetized towards deeper metaphysical pursuits. The Morgan-Greer and Hanson-Roberts decks, in contrast, emphasize softer, more approachable artwork.
Compared to that, the Legacy of the Divine tarot mesmerizes with its bright, surrealistic imagery. Each reader finds their right deck—some readers connect with more literal interpretation, others enjoy the challenge of more abstract imagery.
Unique Features of Different Decks
Artistic styles in tarot can be as diverse as the world around us. Minimalist decks present sharp angles and muted hues. On the other side of that coin, more ornate decks such as the Legacy of the Divine surround you with rich, detailed landscapes.
Themed decks bring a whole new level of intimacy. For example, decks featuring animals would be appealing to nature lovers, while fantasy imagery would appeal to people who like stories.
Even the format of the cards themselves can change—some decks are more geared towards intuitive reading, others more traditional interpretations. Because of these differences, each deck creates an incredible reading experience that challenges and inspires the reader.
Choosing the Right Deck for You
When choosing a deck, go with your gut. Your deck’s artwork and symbolism needs to resonate with you and the types of questions you wish to ask.
Trying a deck before you commit is always a good idea, either by learning with sample cards or borrowing from a friend. I personally use different decks for different purposes—Rider-Waite for clarity in complex situations, while oracle cards work better for simpler, everyday questions.
Over time, your collection will hopefully expand to suit your development as well.
Preparing for a Tarot Reading
Create a Checklist for Your Tarot Reading
The key to a successful tarot reading is in the preparation. Get ready with your tarot deck and some kind of notebook or journal. Don’t skip on a pen and anything else you need to focus, like candles, crystals, or incense.
Many prefer using a cloth to lay the cards on, which keeps the space clean and adds a sense of ritual. If you’re a beginner, a tarot guidebook or cheat sheet for card meanings is a great idea. For those new to Tarot, a simple three-card spread can provide great insight, while a more in-depth five-card spread can help you identify challenges and find your way.
Importance of a Calm Environment
The environment is extremely important to the clarity of a reading. Find a place where you won’t be interrupted or distracted. Soft lighting or bright daylight feels calming and relaxing.
Consider turning off or silencing any devices that could interrupt the reading. The first 10-15 minutes are essential for setting the tone. Let the cards know what you’re thinking and feeling as you begin, to help focus your energy and intention on working with the cards.
Set Intentions Before Starting
Give yourself a little time to think about what you’d like to focus on. Having a clear intention helps you stay focused on what’s important and prevents confusion or distraction from arising during the reading.
Instead of asking broad questions such as “Will I be happy?” consider something more focused. Try asking, “How can I experience more joy in my work?” This practice makes sure that the reading can offer actionable insights.
Cleansing and Storing Your Deck
Cleansing Methods
When you allow your deck’s energy to become stale, it negatively impacts your readings. Popular techniques involve running the deck through sage smoke and leaving it atop selenite crystals.
Alternatively, you could leave it out in the moonlight to be cleansed. Some readers will even knock on their deck to “reset” its energy.
Importance of Storage
Keep your deck stored in a safe, respectful place, such as a wooden box, a pouch, or wrapped in cloth. Don’t store it in messy, distracting, or disorganized areas.
A regular cleansing, at least once a month, will keep the deck in tune with your energy.
Building a Connection With Your Cards
Daily Interaction
Go through the deck every day, even if just to pull one card. This practice is what really hones the intuition and builds the comfort level.
Journaling and Meditation
Keep a journal of your interpretations and emotions following readings. With practice, this sharpens your intuition.
Combining this practice with meditation allows you to attune to the deck on a deeper, more intuitive level.
When to Avoid Conducting Readings
Emotional state and external distractions can seriously affect the accuracy of a reading. Steer clear of readings when you’re overwhelmed, rushed, or unfocused.
If you’ve had some deep experiences, allow yourself some space to recharge before jumping into a new reading.
How to Conduct a Tarot Reading
1. Setting the Right Environment
Making the space feel like a safe haven is the first step. Find a comfortable, quiet spot where you can relax and focus without any distractions. A side table or other flat surface where you can set up your cards is ideal.
Adding candles or incense, if possible, can further peace the setting, while soft background music will increase a calming energy. It’s key to eliminate distractions—close your laptop, put away the phone, silence notifications, and tell people you need some focus time.
A distraction-free environment will allow you to connect with the cards and your intuition much more easily.
2. Shuffling and Drawing Cards
Shuffling the deck is about more than just randomizing your cards—it’s an opportunity to focus your energy. Experiment with methods such as overhand, riffle, or even laying the cards out on a table and swirling them around.
After shuffling, drawing cards is a highly personal process, and there is no wrong way to draw cards. Others keep their hands hovering over the cards. They look for a specific physical sensation such as warmth, tingling, or heaviness to lead them, often, to the correct one.
Voice your interpretation and trust your instincts here.
3. Understanding Basic Card Meanings
Getting to know the meanings of your cards will help you do the best readings possible. Major Arcana cards usually address the big themes in life, such as The Fool representing new beginnings or The Tower bringing change.
Minor Arcana cards represent the day-to-day, and vary by suit. Cups focus on feelings, Swords on intellect, Wands on will, and Pentacles on the physical realm. Familiarize yourself with the symbolism and themes on each card, as these frequently lead to more in-depth insights.
4. Using Spreads for Guidance
Tarot spreads provide a framework for your reading. Most new readers will initially learn a three-card spread (past, present, future) or the Celtic Cross.
These spreads are all easy to understand, yet packed with rich detail. A five-card spread provides additional layers of depth, and a larger 10-card spread can even emphasize specific relationships between detailed events or themes.
Try out different spreads to find out which works best with your reading style and questions.
5. Interpreting Reversed Cards
Adding reversed cards introduces interesting layers to readings. Rather than contradictory interpretations, they can reveal stagnation, internal conflict, or different ways of looking at the world.
For instance, The Sun Rx might indicate repressed positivity. If reversed cards come up, pay attention to your intuitive response. Your intuition is your best guide to understanding their message.
Learning and Improving Tarot Skills
Practical Exercises to Enhance Tarot Reading Skills
Practice is the only way to improve tarot reading, and it will require focused, deliberate practice. Try beginning by pulling one card a day and contemplating its message as you go through your day. Combine that with committing to writing a journal entry for each card to document your personal insights and see the patterns emerge.
Work with three-card spreads to look at past, present, future, or do a two-card pull to see how people are relating to one another. Practice pulling several cards for a story, linking their meanings to form a complete tale. Apps such as Labyrinthos are great learning tools too, especially with features such as free daily readings to sharpen your interpretation skills.
Consistent practice, even just a few minutes each day, will go a long way in bringing these concepts to mind.
Joining Tarot Communities for Shared Learning
Connecting with other tarot practitioners through online or in-person communities creates an environment for you to share your practice and learn from others. Online forums, Facebook groups, and Reddit threads such as r/tarot are good places to start. These new platforms open up opportunities to talk about interpretations, ask questions, and share tips with experienced readers.
Local meetups or book clubs with a tarot focus are another great way to build skills in a supportive environment. By interacting with others, you gain fresh perspectives and build confidence in your readings.
Participating in Workshops or Courses
Classes and workshops offer a unique opportunity for guided learning and practical application with tarot. There are plenty of local metaphysical shops that host in-person classes, or websites like Udemy or Coursera have great beginner-friendly courses available. Find classes that teach you what each card means, how to use spreads as a guide, and how to read cards intuitively.
Others concentrate more on tarot history and symbolism, which are great for expanding your knowledge of the deck. Participate in these sessions to ask questions and receive feedback from experienced instructors. From reading tarot to doing candle magic, this hands-on approach will hone your skills fast.
Tips for Beginners in Tarot
Getting comfortable with a basic deck, like the Rider-Waite-Smith, can help new tarotists feel less intimidated. Make sure to learn the basic meanings of the 78 cards and don’t stress about learning reversals just yet. A tarot journal can be a great way to keep track of your insights and the personal meanings you begin to associate with cards.
Just don’t forget that patience and regular practice will ultimately lead you to mastery. The more you read for yourself, the more confident you become. Being honest when reading for others as a novice helps you to develop.
Resources to Deepen Your Knowledge
The Ultimate Guide to Tarot by Liz Dean, Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack.
Websites: Biddy Tarot, Labyrinthos Academy.
Online Courses: Labyrinthos app, Udemy's tarot reading classes.
Social media is a fantastic place to connect and learn as well. Learn from others by following tarot readers on Instagram or TikTok for new ideas. Podcasts such as The Hermit’s Lamp present a wealth of information about a variety of interpretations and practices.
Practicing Regularly for Mastery
Mastering tarot is no easy task. Commit to a weekly practice to work with new spreads or dive into specific questions. Regular readings, even just five minutes a day, provide a substantial improvement as the days go by.
Getting a second opinion from a trusted friend or mentor can help you hone your craft and unlock hidden meanings. Developing a personal connection with the cards is far more precious than any rote memorization, so allow practice to lead you down this path.
Conclusion
Tarot provides a powerful blend of divination, self-reflection, and personal evolution. At its best, it’s a tool that bridges intuition and revelation. Use tarot as an entertaining pastime, or go beyond the surface to learn more about its true purpose. Either way, it provides you with an opportunity to learn more about yourself and your journey.
Approaching it with a basic deck and beginner’s mind makes the whole process fun and more manageable. That’s the thing — practice builds confidence, and over time, patterns and meanings just start jumping out at you. You’ll find that the journey itself is as enriching as the wisdom you’ll be gathering throughout.
Whether you’ve been interested in tarot for a long time or are just now looking to develop your practice, there’s no better time to begin. Pick up a deck, wander through its cards, and follow where it takes you. There is so much more to learn!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tarot?
Tarot shouldn’t be about fear or negativity, either Tarot is a tool for self-reflection and guidance. It draws upon a deck of 78 cards, each one rich with imagery and symbolism, to reflect on life’s questions and challenges. Most people use tarot as a tool for self-discovery, finding clarity, and making decisions.
Where did tarot originate?
Tarot first came to be in 15th century Europe as a card game. Through the ages, the Tarot transformed into a means of divination and metaphysical knowledge. Its deep history weaves together creativity, magic and folklore.
How do I prepare for a tarot reading?
To get ready, think about what you want to learn or find out. Be intentional. Locate a quiet space, free from distractions, to clear your mind and set the tone. What’s important is to be open and receptive to whatever insights the reading is bringing your way.
Are there different types of tarot decks?
For example, there are several different styles of tarot decks, including the Rider-Waite-Smith, Thoth, and Marseille decks. Each deck has its own artwork and interpretations based on the cards, so pick one that draws you in.
Can anyone learn tarot?
You bet your bippy we are! Tarot is open to all those who seek it. Begin by getting grounded in the cards’ basic meanings, practicing readings for yourself and others, and having faith in your intuition. With practice, will come increased skills and confidence.
How long does it take to learn tarot?
That all really depends on your commitment level. Some understand the rudiments within weeks, while others take months to become comfortable. Consistent practice and further study of the cards themselves will help you learn much more quickly.
Do I need to be psychic to read tarot?
Tarot reading is all about intuition, not psychic powers. With practice and proper understanding of the cards, anyone can connect with their intuition and provide deep, resonant readings.
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