What are Tarot cards anyway?
Originally created in the 1400s, they were first used as a card game to keep the Italian aristocracy entertained. Over the last several hundred years, the deck has evolved quite a bit. With the most popular version being that of the Rider-Waite Smith (RWS) from which most modern Tarot decks are structurally based. Tarot decks are comprised of 78 cards, consisting of 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The sequence of the Major Arcana cards is referred to as “The Fool’s Journey”, cataloging the lessons we learn from our first steps on our path to our final destination, upon which the cycle begins all over again. If we think of Tarot as telling us a story, the Major Arcana cards can also be thought of as the “Big Picture” moments or the Main Ideas, with the Minor Arcana cards representing the details of everyday life.
What is Tarot used for?
Tarot can be used for a variety of reasons. We can use it to weigh in on decisions, read the energy of a situation, help to view a difficult situation with greater clarity and make aligned choices. While Tarot is not great at answering “yes” or “no” questions ( believe me I’ve tried, resulting in my belief the cards would be laughing while shaking their head at me if they could) we can ask about the potential outcome of a decision we make based on the present moment.
Pulling Tarot feels like sitting down with an impartial 3rd party who gives it to you straight and wants the best for you without judgment.
People I’ve read for have told me it feels like “therapy”.
Tarot vs. Oracle? What's the difference?
Tarot follows a very set guideline regarding number of cards (78) and correlated meanings (the meaning of the Fool Card, Magician, etc. is universal). However, while the base meaning for each card remains consistent, the interpretation of the cards and how they play into a reading depends on the placement of the card, the question asked and most importantly, the intuition of the reader. I would call this a “closed system”.
Oracle Cards have no set format that they follow. The number of cards in a deck varies. The meanings of the cards vary based on the creator of the deck and their personal vision. I would call this an “open system” anything that the creator had in mind goes.
While modern Tarot decks feel unique in regards to art work and sometimes renaming of classic titles of cards, at their foundation , they continue to hold the same base meaning. Oracle decks typically have a theme (e.g. Seasonal, Healing, Ancestor Work, etc.) but there is no set formula that the cards follow and are personalized to the deck creator and their vision.
I love Oracle decks and have several. I will often close a reading with an Oracle card as a supportive card or as a call to what we may have overlooked in the situation. My first love though will always be Tarot. I blame my Virgo Rising, we love structure in a world of chaos 🙂.
A little about me, Kati
Ever since I can remember I’ve been pulled in the direction of the “Healing Helper” As a child I always felt the world around me so strongly it could be overwhelming at times. I was a Highly Sensitive Person but back then, in the early 80s, I was always told to “Get tough” and as much as I tried that, I always stayed soft. For which today I am grateful.
As a teenager I found myself deeply drawn to all things I could find in the direction of self discovery via intuitive and divinatory measures. Astrology, Palmistry, Dream Working, Meditation, Energy Healing (only on myself back then) and ofcourse, Tarot. I carried a deck around for many years and never could quite connect with it, despite knowing that this was something that kept calling out to me. It wasn’t until many years later that I realized the problem wasn’t with me or the deck itself, but rather we weren’t right for each other. Just like a relationship, the two of us lacked chemistry.
When I finally found a deck that spoke to me (“That 90s Tarot”, thanks for introducing us Jess!) I started down the windy-feely and spiritual path that is the journey of the Tarot and have never felt more at home.
Today I have collected quite a few Tarot (and Oracle) decks along the way and they all reach out to be used during different seasons of life. I deeply believe that you don’t find Tarot, but rather it finds you, and when it does, the feeling that you MUST read their story, is always with you.
Tarot at its core is storytelling, a dialogue between you and your spirit guides and a conversation between you and your higher self. We come to Tarot for clarity on a matter as well as for support in making an array of decisions when we feel stuck. Tarot has come to my aid more times than I can count
I hope the same for you and that a Tarot reading will allow for a sense of support, holding space and clarity as we undoubtedly will find ourselves at countless bends and forks in the road. Thank you for trusting me with your life’s journey and let’s flip some cards!
pronounced “kah-tee”
I am a Tarot Reader and Intuitive, tapping into my clairsentience from a very young age with other clairs slowly making their presence known over time. I am a long time student of Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka and hold my Reiki Master training from the Usui lineage.