The Tarot is a deck of 78 cards, each with its own imagery, symbolism and story. The 22 Major Arcana cards represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons, and the 56 Minor Arcana cards reflect the trials and tribulations that we experience on a daily basis.
Within the Minor Arcana cards, there are 16 Tarot Court Cards representing 16 different personality characteristics we may choose to express at any given time. The Minor Arcana also includes 40 numbered cards organised into 4 Suits, with 10 cards each, representing various situations that we encounter day-to-day.
Some may say that Tarot cards are simply ink on paper. However, what I have discovered from reading the Tarot cards daily for over twenty years is this: Tarot is the storybook of our life, the mirror to our soul, and the key to our inner wisdom. Every spiritual lesson we meet in our lives can be found in the seventy-eight Tarot cards. And when we consult the Tarot, we’ll get shown the exact lessons we need to learn and master to live an inspired life. It’s like holding up a mirror to yourself so that you can access your subconscious mind. Tarot allows us to tap into the wisdom and answers that live in us all.
Tarot is perfect for self-development, making choices, manifesting goals, coaching others, planning a business, writing a book, meditating—you name it. While many people believe that Tarot will tell you the future, making predictions are not really what Tarot cards are about. When it comes to Tarot, fortune-telling is out, and intuition is in, especially if you want to create your ideal future and manifest your goals. Continue reading from Biddy Tarot
You've heard of tarot cards, maybe you've even used an oracle deck—but did you know you can do a reading (for yourself or a friend!) with a regular ol' deck of playing cards? This practice is called cartomancy, and anyone can give it a try. According to intuitive astrologer Jacy Nova, cartomancy began centuries ago and was a favorite pastime of royals in European courts. "Cartomancy can be traced back to Europe as far as 1360, but it really rose to prominence between the 18th and 20th centuries" she adds.
Similar to the cards in a tarot deck, every card in a standard playing deck is ascribed a certain meaning. In cartomancy, you present your question to the cards, make a pull, and then allow your subconscious to guide the way. As you pull the card(s), you can tap into your intuition to discern what it's trying to tell you.
While they can be read similarly, tarot decks and regular card decks are pretty different. The tarot deck has 78 cards (as opposed to a standard deck's 52) and contains different suits from your hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. In addition to that, Nova adds, tarot cards "have more of a magical quality to them and really help you when you're doing psychic or intuitive readings." She notes that playing cards are much more black and white. This can make them a good option for anyone just dipping their toes into divinatory readings and looking for more direct guidance. Continue reading from MBG Mindfulness
Tarot (Encyclopedia Britannica)
Tarot Can't Predict the Future, but it Can Help you Make that Big Decision (NPR)
Intro To Cartomancy: A No-Nonsense Tarot Alternative That Uses Playing Cards (Mind Body Green)
Before Fortune-Telling: The History and Structure of Tarot Cards (The Met Museum)
Pamela Colman Smith: The Artist Behind the Tarot (Thought Co.)
Visconti Tarot (Yale Beinecke Rare Books Library)
The Unsung Woman Artist Behind Your Tarot Cards (Hyperallergic)
The Beginner's Guide to Reading Tarot Cards, According to the Pros (Oprah Magazine)
Tarot With Playing Cards: Learn About Cartomancy (Teen Vogue)
