When you ask most people about tarot cards, many people would probably think that they predict your future. This is not far from the truth, as the cards can help you understand that something might happen in the future and how to show up to it. Here are a few tips on selecting the right tarot deck, pulling cards, and determining messages from these cards.
Learn about a Tarot Deck
Five centuries ago, tarot was a parlour game but evolved into a tool for use in divination. Today, you will find oracle cards along with the original tarot. These have a wider range of content and can be used in modern forms of mysticism (the ability to tell what will happen in the future). Standard tarot decks have 78 cards, each with unique symbolism. These cards are divided into Minor Arcana cards with 56 cards and Major Arcana cards with 22 cards.
Major Arcana
Major Arcana, also known as Trump cards, consists of 21 numbered cards and one unnumbered card known as a Fool. The Fool moves through these cards, learning lessons on the way, in what is called the Fool’s Journey. Any Major Arcana card is significant to the reading and may influence your direction by appearing in the deck. In most cases, it prompts the owner to check what broad lessons they have learnt from life.
Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana cards relate to challenges you face in your daily life or solutions to problems you are currently facing. They also represent experiences, feelings, beliefs, and thoughts. The cards also depict the temporary energy that may be affecting your life now but which can be influenced in some other manner.
Each Minor Arcana Card contains four tarot suits, each focusing on a different aspect of your life. Here is a quick description of each.
Wands
Wands are fiery cards in your deck. They represent sexuality, energy and creativity.
Cups
Cups are a suit of love. They are used to represent emotions, intuition and feelings.
Swords
Swords are intellectual tools. They represent words, thoughts and actions.
Pentacles
Pentacles are used to offer guidance on material matters. They can give you direction on career paths, finances, and material possessions.
Each suit also contains court cards that include knights, queens, kings, and pages. Court cards can be interpreted in different ways. They can be used to represent personalities, situations, people, and the energy you require when reading them.
Basic Guidance for Reading Cards
You always start by knowing the meaning of each card so that you know what it will be helping you determine. The power of the cards lies in the ability to tap into your intuition so that you can take positive steps towards making your future brighter. In terms of card design, you may notice differences in some cards, such as the Moonchild Tarot or Soul Cards Tarot. However, these brands all use the same mode of reading.
Other cards are designed with specific themes, but you will still be able to get the guidance you seek. For example, the Cosmic Guidance oracle deck was designed with endless love but offers you guidance on anything you may have in mind. It has a violet colour that represents the energy centres that enable readers to connect with their higher self in the environment of love, joy and peace.
Here are the card-reading steps.
Ask the Card Deck a Query
Create a question to start your reading. Your question should always be open-ended and not formulated with a specific answer in mind. Consider questions like: Why do I have anxiety over…? How can I deal with…? What should I prioritise in my marriage…? Your Indie tarot decks or any other brand will start radiating the energy within for you to follow up with the steps below.
Start by Shuffling Cards
You can shuffle cards in various ways. The most popular methods involve holding the deck with one hand and moving cards with the other hand, moving cards to the sections below them. With good quality cards like the intuitive Night Goddess tarot, you should shuffle with ease. Other players fan their cards and pick the card that feels light in their hands. The third popular method involves pulling a single or several cards, each with its interpretation.
It is possible to pull a single or several moon tarot cards in what is called a tarot spread. Reading several cards helps you gain an in-depth understanding of the issue or issues at hand and illuminates your path to the future.
Arrange the Cards in Your Spread
Once you have pulled cards, turn them right side up to face you. Then, gaze at the imagery, symbols and words. Note any thought or image that comes to your mind as you read the cards. Each deck will come with a guidebook. You may feel a different kind of energy in a brand of cards. Therefore, using Moonchild tarot may feel different from Indie or Soul Cards. However, each of them will give clarity on your path.
Are you ready to illuminate your path to success? Check out My Look Dollicious for more information about Tarot and Oracle Decks, including the The New Moon Tarot Deck