Understanding Tarot cards

 HOW THE TAROT WORKS

Tarot is more than just an illustrated deck of playing cards to be used for entertainment; when used intentionally, it becomes a conduit. 

The deck itself takes on a deeply personal meaning when infused with the energy of the individual working with it.

It can be an important tool for self-discovery and for deepening your spiritual knowledge.

Think of it as a communication device that connects you to the divine. 

One thing tarot does not do is predict, or tell, the future. Rather,

tarot offers confirmation of your intuition, which then empowers you

to move forward in life in a way that speaks to your truth and aligns

with your purpose. Sometimes you may not get the answer you

wanted to hear, as tarot often points to the areas that need attention

in order to reach a desirable outcome. Try to remain flexible and

open. The answers to many of life’s questions aren’t black and white,

so don’t expect your deck to offer a yes or no response. Instead,

trust your intuition; it will be your best asset for interpreting the cards.

What's in the Tarot

Most tarot decks contain a total of 78 cards—22 trump cards called

the Major Arcana and 56 cards called the Minor Arcana. The word arcana means secret 

The Major 

Arcana cards hold more significance than the Minor Arcana cards.

MAJOR ARCANA

The 22 cards that make up the Major Arcana represent significant

life events. Cards 0 to 22 take you on a journey, showing you the

energy present on both internal and external levels, individually and

collectively.

MINOR ARCANA

The remaining 56 cards that make up the Minor Arcana represent

everyday influences in your life. While these energies may be less

significant, they are the threads that weave our lives together,

assisting us in making decisions and getting to know ourselves

better.

COURT CARDS

Each suit within the Minor Arcana also contains four court cards,

much like a deck of playing cards. These cards represent the next

level of energy within their respective suits, meaning they are

considered masters of their suit and more powerful than the

numbered cards. Each of the court cards have already faced the

lessons depicted in the Ace through 10 cards and carry that wisdom

and experience within them. The Page, Knight, Queen, and King all

have their own levels of maturity and talents, giving them more

weight than the numbered minors. 

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TAROT

Tarot has been around for more than 600 years! Throughout those six

centuries, its meanings and usage have evolved. In the 1400s, a

version of the tarot cards featuring four suits, court cards, and trump

cards—similar to a traditional deck of playing cards—popped up in

various parts of Europe. In the 1800s, tarot cards were being used as

divination tools in occult practices, which is likely the source of the

belief that tarot is a tool of evil. The Rider Waite Smith deck was

drawn by illustrator Pamela Colman Smith from instructions given by

academic and mystic A. E. Waite and was published by the Rider

Company in 1909. To this day, this deck has the most iconic and

recognizable tarot imagery in the world. While the Rider Waite Smith

deck uses Judeo-Christian imagery, the symbolism transcends any

religious connotations and has inspired most decks released over the

last century.

Tarot has increased in popularity over the past decade, largely

due to curiosity around spirituality and self-healing, and understanding

the law of attraction. A perfect tool for self-discovery and making

changes in your life, it helps you co-create with the universe rather

than leaving life up to chance.