Tarot is a form of divination involving a deck of cards, not to be mistaken with Oracle cards.
One major difference between tarot and oracle cards is that a large majority of tarot decks base their designs and meanings on the Rider Waite tarot deck while oracle cards do not.
Rider Waite decks have 78 total cards, 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards.
Because the patent on the Rider Waite deck has ended, many companies and independent artists have designed their own decks using the Rider Waite deck as a base. You’re bound to find one that suits your tastes!
Nearly all decks will either be an original Rider Waite or designed around Rider Waite.
The Major Arcana consists of 22 journey related cards such as the Magician, the Empress, the Devil, the Moon, the Tower, etc.
The Minor Arcana consists of four suits: Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands.
Each suit has an Ace (1) and 2-10, as well as a Page, Knight, Queen, and King. Much like a deck of playing cards!
ex. Ace of Swords, Nine of Wands, Page of Cups, King of Pentacles, etc.
Each card has its own individual meaning, and another, related, meaning when the card appears upside down.
You can choose not to read reversed cards, sometimes called “reversals,” at the beginning, but most readers do eventually.
Do not try and memorize the meaning of each card like flashcards.
You’ll learn them as you use your deck, and possibly create your own meanings based on the art your deck has!
Tarot Card Keywords (Printable PDF from Biddy Tarot)
Links to meanings and extra details: Major Arcana | Cups | Pentacles | Swords | Wands
The most common divining method when using tarot cards is shuffling them face down then selecting certain cards to be turned face up and read.
Some people prefer flipping over the cards at the top of the stack. Others prefer fanning them out and selecting whichever ones call to them.
It’s up to whether you want to predesignate certain card positions or disregard the order the cards appear.
ex: card 1 represents past, card 2 represents present, card 3 represents future; or card 1 and card 2 are next to each other so they are related
You don’t always have to do one or the other. You can ignore card position and only read them when it seems relevant.
ex. card 1 shows good luck and card 2 shows love, maybe it means good luck in love
Sometimes, when you’re shuffling, a card will fall or “jump” out of the deck. You can read those!
Ultimately, your goal is to create a story or explanation with the cards that appear. This is why Yes/No questions don’t always work.
What to Ask Tarot - How to make your Yes/No question into a question better suited to tarot + common examples! tldr: Make your Yes/No question into a how/what/why question.
Start with pre-made tarot spreads:
Let the Planets Align Tarot Spread (popular one!)
Relationship Check-In Tarot Spread
Calm Waters Ahead (future) Tarot Spread
Star-Crossed Lovers Tarot Spread
Draw a tarot card every morning.
Cleanse your deck when you get it! (With sage smoke, under a full moon, meditation, crystals)
Get a more experienced tarot reader to do a reading for you!
I do Pay What You Can tarot readings where I explain each card and how it relates to your situation.
Sleep with your deck under your pillow or near you.
Give readings to your friends for practice.
Contrary to what some readers say, your tarot deck does not need to be a gift from someone. It can be a gift from you to you!
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