Tarot cards and how they work

 

“What are Tarot cards and how do they actually work?” 

Now, the answer to that question may differ, depending on who you ask and how they personally connect with the Tarot cards. That's because Tarot is simply a tool, and as with all kinds of tools, how you use it is completely up to you.

I want to give you my version of how I believe the Tarot works and how you can use it to gain instant access to your intuition and your inner source of power and wisdom. 

What Are Tarot Cards?
The Tarot is a deck of 78 cards, each with its own imagery, symbolism and story. The 22 Major Arcana cards represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons, and the 56 Minor Arcana cards reflect the trials and tribulations that we experience on a daily basis.

Within the Minor Arcana cards, there are 16 Tarot Court Cards representing 16 different personality characteristics we may choose to express at any given time. The Minor Arcana also includes 40 numbered cards organised into 4 Suits, with 10 cards each, representing various situations that we encounter day-to-day. 

What Can Tarot Cards Do?
Some may say that Tarot cards are simply ink on paper. However, what I have discovered from reading the Tarot cards daily for over twenty years is this:

Tarot is the storybook of our life, the mirror to our soul, and the key to our inner wisdom.

Every spiritual lesson we meet in our lives can be found in the seventy-eight Tarot cards. And when we consult the Tarot, we’ll get shown the exact lessons we need to learn and master to live an inspired life. It’s like holding up a mirror to yourself so that you can access your subconscious mind. Tarot allows us to tap into the wisdom and answers that live in us all. 

How Can I Use Tarot Cards?
Tarot is perfect for self-development, making choices, manifesting goals, coaching others, planning a business, writing a book, meditating—you name it. 

 
So, How Exactly Do Tarot Cards Work?
While many people believe that Tarot will tell you the future, making predictions are not really what Tarot cards are about.

When it comes to Tarot, fortune-telling is out, and intuition is in, especially if you want to create your ideal future and manifest your goals.

The most powerful way to read the Tarot is to use the cards to access your intuition and your inner wisdom. The imagery in the cards give you instant access to your subconscious mind and your intuition. And from this place of inner power and wisdom, you can discover how to make positive changes now so you can manifest your goals and your dreams in the future.  

For Example…
Let's say you want to find a new romantic relationship. Instead of pulling a card to predict whether Prince Charming is just around the corner and either being blissfully excited or bitterly disappointed, you consult the cards to discover how you can attract love (and keep it!). You draw the Ten of Cups, and upon seeing the happy family dancing under the rainbow in the card, you are reminded that to attract love, you need to set a clear vision of what it is you want to attract.

This simple act of envisioning your desired relationship then has a subtle, yet powerful, effect on your ability to find new love, and instead of waiting around for someone to find you, you are empowered to take action and find them. 

Creating A Connection
It’s as if the Tarot cards create an instant connection to our subconscious minds so we can access the inner wisdom of our Higher Self. And from there we can bring it into our conscious awareness where we can take action. Neat, right!?

And here's the thing – you may already consciously know the message or insight you receive in a Tarot reading, in which case, the reading can be a heartening confirmation of what you already know. Or, you might be completely unaware of the message until you see it reflected in the cards, in which case you are now empowered to take action based on your new awareness. 

How Do Tarot Cards Work When Reading For Others?
By now, you know that the Tarot is a powerful tool for self-discovery and manifestation. But, that doesn’t quite explain what happens when you’re reading for someone else and pick up that they’re dating someone twenty years their junior and have told no one about it (true story!). What’s happening there?
Our Universal And Inner Wisdom

Well, here is where things might be a little more “out there” and magical. You see, we are all connected to a collective, universal wisdom and our inner wisdom. And when we read the Tarot cards—and connect with our intuition—we can tap into this universal wisdom. It's a little like connecting in with the collective mind, not just the individual mind. 

Asking Questions For Others
When you ask the Tarot cards a question on behalf of someone else (who has given permission for the reading and whose energy is invested in the reading), you are tapping into this collective wisdom. You are picking up all sorts of intuitive messages through the Tarot cards and through your connection with the collective wisdom. And those insights are channeled through you to the person you're reading for, often in a very powerful way.

So, just imagine what might be possible for you – and the people you read for – with this limitless, timeless knowledge at your fingertips!

Link to printable full deck

Reading tarot without the books! What, wait, no way, we can do that?

Yes! Tell story of what you want to see in the cards, describe what you see and pay attention to little details. Ask yourself how that story might be playing out in your life right now? What is it a metaphor for?

we are all intuitive listen to the guidance within yourself

Here is a list of the 22 Major Arcana cards that represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons

and the 56 Minor Arcana cards reflect the trials and tribulations that we experience on a daily basis.

Basic numerology

1 new Beginnings 

2 partnership 

3 creation 

4 stability and Foundation 

5 conflict and change quotations middle 

6 Harmony and growth 

7 spirituality and knowledge 

8 action

9 fulfillment

10 completion and ending

Suits and Elements 

Cups - Water 

Relationships feelings and emotions and creativity

Pentacles - Earth 

Finance work material possessions 

Swords - Air

Intellect mindset thoughts and communication 

Wands - Fire

Passion energy and motivation

Major Arcana cards 

YES NO NEUTRAL MAYBE for answers to questions

I juggler or magician YES

upright willpower creation manifest 

reversed manipulation and illusions

II poppes or female pope YES

upright intuitive unconscious divine feminine 

reversed repressed feelings with withdrawal and silence

III empress YES

upright femininity nurturing fertility abundance 

reversed dependents smothering emptiness

IV emperor YES

upright Authority structure a father figure 

reversed excessive control rigidity and domination

V pope NEUTRAL

upright spiritual wisdom tradition conformity morality ethics

reversed rebellion subversiveness freedom personal belief

VI lovers YES

upright love Harmony partnership choices 

reversed this balance one-sidedness disharmony

VII chariot YES

upright direction control willpower determination success action 

reversed lack of control opposition like a directions self discipline

VIII justice YES

upright strength courage compassion focus persuasion influence 

reversed self-doubt weakness in security low-energy raw emotion

IX hermit YES

upright wisdom soul-searching Solitude spiritual enlightenment receiving or giving guidance 

reversed loneliness isolation paranoia sadness become overwhelmed or paralyzed by fear

X wheel YES

upright chance destiny & fate turning point life cycle 

reversed on heavy lousy luck unwelcome change setback external forces

XI strength NEUTRAL

upright fairness and integrity law disputes cause and effect life lessons 

reversed injustice dishonesty failure to take responsibility deceit negative Karma

XII hanged man MAYBE

upright Letting go sacrificing pausing to reflect uncertainty Spiritual Development 

reversed discontentment stagnation negative patterns no solution fear of sacrifice

XIII death YES

ending of a cycle transitions getting rid of excess powerful movement resolutions 

reversed resisting change fear of new beginnings dependency repetitiveness negative patterns

XIV temperance YES

upright balance moderation good health finding solutions 

reversed imbalance risky behavior hastiness

XV devil NO

upright material focus addictions and depression negative thinking betrayal 

reversed overcoming addiction and dependence reclaiming power Detachment and freedom

XVI tower NO

upright intense and sudden change release painful loss tragedy revelation 

reverse resisting change avoid tragedy a narrow escape delaying what is inevitable

XVII star YES

upright hope renewal creativity inspiration generosity healing 

reverse despair like of ope creative block boredom focusing on negativity

XVIII moon NO

upright fear anxiety confusion delusion risk 

reversed overcoming fear finding the truth conquering anxiety gaining clarity

XIX sun YES

upright happiness fertility success optimism truth 

reverse sadness procrastination pessimism lies failure

XX judgement YES NEUTRAL

upright reflection inner calling reckoning awakening rebirth absolution 

reversed feeling down self-doubt missing the call fearlessness

XXI universe YES

nope right fulfillment Harmony completion 

reversed in completion no closure

O fool or non numbered card YES

upright new beginnings innocence adventure 

reverse recklessness fearlessness risk

NOW