Tarot

This is probably one of the most misunderstood tools in the divination toolbox.   In fact, when I first started thinking of using tarot, I ran the idea past a good friend.  His exact words were,

“You need to do a lot of prayer.  This doesn’t sit well in my spirit because you’re probably opening a door to something evil.”  (Funnily, I’ve since read for him using tarot and he now understands how its used).

I understood his concern because it came from a place of love—and misinformation.

The tarot is simply a tool for divination.   Divination seems like such a dark or bad word to many and, it too, is misunderstood.  It simply means it’s a tool from the Divine used to receive and interpret information.  It’s not good or evil; it simply is.

In the hands of a person with mal-intent, any tool could be evil.  One could use a hammer to drive a nail into a wall or they could use it as a blunt object to hurt someone.  It’s all about intention.

What is the Tarot?

The tarot is a set of cards divided into four suits with ten numbered cards per suit:  wands, swords, pentacles, and cups.  These suits also contain one of each of the court (royal) cards:  the page, knight, queen, and king.

Now, here is where it gets a hair more complex:  all of the suit cards (including the court cards) are referred to as the minor arcana.

The remaining cards are all numbered by Roman numerals and are referred to as the major arcana.  The cards of the major arcana stand on their own and belong to no suit or court.

Minor Arcana

Each suit in the minor arcana has a different theme that’s associated with a different element of nature.  These elements correspond to daily life.  The numbered cards in each suit tend to highlight daily life situations while the court cards tend to correspond to people and personalities.

The old saying, “Trouble don’t last always” is a good mantra for the minor arcana.  What these cards reveal are your current situations and issues that may be transient or temporary and passing.

Wands represent the element of fire.  To remember the element this is associated with, think of a traditional magic wand with the magic flowing out of the glowing, fiery tip.  The wands represent spirituality, energy, and inspiration.

Swords represent the element of air.  To remember the element this is associated with, think of the sound a sword makes as it slices through the air.  Much like the user wielding the sword, it is representative of power, intellect/intelligence, and wisdom.  The cards here also tend to take on an overwhelmingly negative connotation, so it’s important to always pay attention to the cards around them in a reading.

Pentacles represent the element of earth.  To remember the element this is associated with, think of a farmer reaping a harvest from a field.   Much like the farmer that sells this harvest, the pentacles deal with finances, career, and earthly possessions.

Cups, as you can probably guess, represent the element of water.  To remember the element this is associated with, think of stepping foot into a pool of cold water.  How would that make you feel?  This suit deals with feelings—emotional feelings, relationships, and even creativity.

Major Arcana

There are 22 cards in the major arcana that do not belong to any suit or court.  These cards always correspond to major life lessons that Spirit/the Universe would have you to learn.

The cards in the major arcana indicate major life changes that cannot be avoided and will also have major influence over your life.  While these lessons may seem difficult or challenging sometimes, they are necessary for your spiritual and personal growth.  Should these cards appear reversed in a reading, the person that’s being read for is likely avoiding the lessons that life is showing to them.

The best way to remember the lessons of the major arcana can be found in a quote by Oprah:

“…your life is always speaking to you. First in whispers…. It’s subtle, those whispers. And if you don’t pay attention to the whispers, it gets louder and louder. It’s like getting thumped upside the head, like my grandmother used to do…. You don’t pay attention to that, it’s like getting a brick upside your head. You don’t pay attention to that, the whole brick wall falls down. That’s the pattern I’ve seen in my life, and it’s played out over and over again…

…Whispers are always messages, and if you don’t hear the message, the message turns into a problem. And if you don’t handle the problem, the problem turns into a crisis. And if you don’t handle the crisis, disaster. Your life is speaking to you. What is it saying?”

Tarot Readings

I am a psychic medium who uses tarot to build the bare bones of the reading.  My clairvoyant gift helps to put the flesh, connective tissue, blood vessels, and place the organs on and within those bones.

Many clients ask which tarot cards are the best or which are my favorites.  To be quite honest, I have so many decks of tarot cards.   For you, I’ve done tarot and oracle deck reviews of the cards I use so you can glean which cards may be best for you.

I also want to hear from you!  What are your favorite tarot decks?  Write a review!

I can tell you this:  the cards you begin with will always probably be your favorite and the one you use the most.  In my case, those are the Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti.

And here’s a practical note:  don’t listen to those ideas and superstitions out there that you cannot choose your own tarot cards or any of that foolishness.  Remember, the cards are a tool.  Feel free to touch and pick out your own tools!  They don’t have to be gifted to you.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A TAROT READING WITH ME