Due to mainstream misconceptions, tarot cards are notorious for being associated with dark and evil spirits. Mainly used by those who practice and follow dark witchcraft, and is seen as a way to unlock communication with demonic forces. But that is far from the truth and unfortunately rooted in the fear of the unknown. Tarot cards are a way to connect with oneself and to use for guidance and self-discovery. Tarot cards and the use of tarot cards are not linked to one specific doctrine, but can be generally used. They are just another tool that we can use for insight, whether internal or external.
In this article, we will cover:
Tarot cards are not a religion or even a belief system, but a divination system. It is a way to gain understanding and, for many, to connect with oneself and find a moment of peace. Tarot uses a specific set of 78 illustrated cards, and each card portrays an individual archetypal energy or life lesson.
The modern-day tarot cards actually go back to the fifteenth century in Italy, from a playing card deck, known as tarocchi. These decks of cards possessed a deck of “trump cards” that included symbolic illustrations. But until the late 16th century, these cards were only used as playing cards, until they switched over to divination.
In a traditional deck of tarot cards, the first 22 cards are known as the Major Arcana, or the major arcs of life. This includes “The Chariot” card, which, when pulled, signals that you must keep going forward and continue with purpose. These cards tell your entire story and focus on your journey as a whole. But the rest of the 56 cards are known as the Minor Arcana, and they focus on your day-to-day. Each Minor Arcana card is split into four suits:
Combining the major and minor arcana will help guide you in interpreting your situation and the clarity that you seek from the cards.
Tarot Card spreads are just a way you can align your cards. There are specific spreads that you can do when seeking answers to specific questions, because the spread may contain or add a structure that could help your question. Spreads can also help you:
You can use tarot cards and specific spreads to ask questions like:
The three-card spread is one of the easiest and most popular spreads of all time, and also one of the most straightforward and effective.
The Horseshoe spread is a more detailed version of the three-card spread, providing more insight into your emotional state and other influences on your decision. Not only will it provide a suggested approach, but it will also give you a potential outcome to the situation. There’s a narrative quality to this spread that also makes it easy to read and helps improve your card-reading abilities.
When stuck between two very serious options, such as two different universities to attend, two different cities to move to, or two different jobs, the decision-making spread can offer some direction.
Follow the same directions from the past two spreads: shuffle, draw (for this one, do 6 cards), and translate. Each card represents:
***NOTE: If you want to add another option to the spread, you can just don't forget to draw a card each for a pro and con.
Hopefully, this article was able to provide insight into what tarot cards are and what it is that they can provide for people. Tarot cards are meant to deliver insight, using both faith in the universe and your own mind and self-manifestation. Feel free to also check out how tarot cards can help bust a creative block for a better understanding of the art of tarot cards.
