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A deck of cards with significant meaning.
By Carlie Fox — Written on Sep 25, 2019
The concept of tarot cards seems super mysterious; you probably think of psychics or palm readers when the concept of tarot cards pops into your mind.
While the cards are usually associated with being able to tell the future, they actually can be used as a way to understand possible outcomes within your life.
The concept isn't super set in stone but can have a deeper meaning when it comes to our inner selves and what our future holds in terms of relationships, job opportunities, or even financial stress.
For those who are just starting out, here's some information you need to know about tarot card decks.
How many cards are in a tarot deck? A deck contains 78 cards.
The first 22 cards being the Major Arcana and the remaining 58 being the Minor Arcana.
What's the difference between the Major and Minor Arcana cards?
The Major Arcana cards symbolize the material world, our minds and how time can shift our realities.
How many groups or suites are there in a deck?
The Minor Arcana cards are divided into four groups:
Swords, Pentacles, Wands, and Cups. I know it sounds super confusing, but each group holds a powerful meaning within the realm of Tarot cards.
Suite of Swords
Sword cards indicate any type of conflict within your life.
Suite of Cups
Cups focus on the impact of relationships and emotions, which usually stem from our personal morals and values.
Suite of Pentacles
Pentacles (also referred to as Coins) focus on materialistic items: money, property, security, clothes, etc.
Suite of Wands
Lastly, Wands represent our ambitions, future goals, and job opportunities. Each group can blend and impact each other, making a tarot card reading so significant.
What do tarot cards do?
Tarot card readers look to potential outcomes and other things that may influence your future.
When going into a tarot reading, they may ask you about your reasoning for coming in; An upcoming event or just the uncertainty of your future could be possible reasons for your visit.
Tarot card readers use a number of different cards spreads when giving you a reading.
Their layout depends on the type of outcome they hope to receive. Different types of layouts include The Tree of Life, Romany spread and Pentagram spread.
Tarot card readers may also pull cards at random, giving you a reading based off of the numbers and cards are chosen. The Tree of Life is the one favored by beginners.
Tarot cards can be accurate in determining your future, but they are certainly not the end all be all. A tarot card reading may predict sadness and gloom in your future, but that also gives you a chance to change any negative aspects around you.
How does tarot connect with astrology?
In terms of astrology, each tarot card has a zodiac sign ruler and an element associated with it.
The Tarot Wands are ruled by Fire signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
The Tarot Pentacles are ruled by Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
The Tarot Swords are ruled by Air signs: Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra.
The Tarot Cups are ruled by Water signs: Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio.
Does a person's zodiac sign influence the interpretation of a reading?
Yes, these are important to keep in mind when having a tarot card reading, as your zodiac sign can greatly impact your results.
To help give you an even better understanding of Tarot cards, here are some quotes about the practice and how it can relate to your daily life, as told by authors and Tarot experts.
1. Tarot is a symbolic art.
“Remember that the Tarot is a great and sacred arcanum - its abuse is an obscenity in the inner and a folly in the outer. It is intended for quite other purposes than to determine when the tall dark man will meet the fair rich widow.” — Jack Parsons
RELATED: What Is The Fool's Journey & Meaning Of Each Major Arcana Tarot Card
2. Tarot reveals hidden truths.
“Fear is dangerous, not the tarot. The tarot represents the spectrum of the human condition, the good, the evil, the light, and the dark. Do not fear the darker aspects of the human condition. Understand them. The tarot is a storybook about life, about the greatness of human accomplishment, and also the ugliness we are each capable of.” – Benebell Wen
3. Tarot is timeless.
“It is the province of the tarot reader to move backwards, forwards, even sideways in time.” — Sasha Graham
4. Tarot requires you to connect with your inner self.
“Tarot Reading is an art based on intuition, interpretation, and perception.” — Nikita Dudani
5. Tarot is meant to be used as a personal tool.
“Tarot Card are the best friend you can ever have. They are always there for you.” — Nikita Dudani
6. Tarot gives guidance but you still have free will.
“Tarot Cards are your guidance cards.” — Nikita Dudani
7. Tarot is about the journey, not the end result.
“In every deck, the Fool is in a precarious position. Think of all of the idioms we have for taking chances. “Going out on a limb.” “Winging it.” “Break a leg.” “Going for broke.” These all sound really painful, but what they’re about is deciding that being still is not for you. When you see this in a reading, you'll know it's time to jump.” — Melissa Cynova
8. What you see in the Tarot is within you.
“You are the Secret. Let Tarot Explore you.” – Shweta Tarot
9. Tarot is meant to challenge your beliefs.
“...animal imagery [is] an important reminder to listen to nature and seek guidance in her voice rather than relying entirely on the cold intelligence of man.” — Siolo Thompson
10. Tarot is for everyone.
“That kind of swagger. The “I got this” energy. That’s the Magician. You see this card a lot with successful people, or with people who’ve just found the correct path in their life and have just had that Eureka! moment. He’s President Barack Obama backed by the P-Funk All Stars. Just sit down, kiddo. He’s got this covered.” — Melissa Cynova
11. Tarot is evolving.
“Books are like Tarot decks. They provide answers and guidance but more importantly, they are doorways and portals to the otherworld and the imagination. They leave their imprint and keep whispering to us long after we close the pages or shuffle the deck.” — Sasha Graham
12. A reading will last a lifetime.
“This is your karma. You do not understand now, but you will understand later. The source of pain is within your own larger expression of being.” — H. Raven Rose
RELATED: The Meaning Of Each Minor Arcana Tarot Card In The Sword Suite
Carlie Fox is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.