What is Tarot?

The simplest answer is: Tarot is 78-illustrated cards. People have been using them for divination, fortune telling, and advice for centuries. Diving deeper, there are 22 Major Arcana cards, which represent life lessons, and 56 Minor Arcana cards that represent daily life lessons.

Each of the “suits” in the Minor Arcana represent something other than what their symbol is. There are 4 suits in every Minor Arcana. Depending on what you are seeking guidance on, the suits could be providing a direction (North, South, East, West); They also each represent the 4 main elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water); They can also represent the seasons in a year (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall); As well as the 4 main moon cycles (New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, Last/Third Quarter).

The cards, while some people see them as a fun party trick, can actually offer some valuable insight into past, present and future situations when you are uncertain.

Depending on which deck you use, determines if there is additional information you can glean from a reading, as well.

Which is the Best deck to start with?

The traditional Rider Waite Tarot deck is often referenced as the “best starter deck”. (Pictured below)

While this was one of the first decks I ever purchased in high school, I did struggle to learn on this deck. The imagery, for me, is sometimes very confusing, or difficult to read clearly. When I was first learning, back in the late 1990’s, my options were very limited. I think now, to say that this is “one of the best to learn on,” is doing a disservice to the other decks that are available. (That is my personal opinion. I think it’s important to know the history of Tarot if you are going to get into it, and in that regard you do need to understand the Rider Waite deck. I just don’t think it’s the “best” to learn on anymore.)

I think there are many factors to consider when selecting a deck of cards – specifically for your first deck. If you are able to see the cards before you purchase them and see if you feel a connection to them, even better. (Some metaphysical stores offer a Tarot class, that may be free to stop in, where they let you test out the cards, or see the decks they offer, it wouldn’t hurt to ask around if it’s something you are interested in.)

A good beginner deck to learn from should have color images, clear imagery, a full major and minor arcana (78 cards); and you should feel something when you look at the cards. It does not matter if you purchased the cards brand new; thrifted them; if they were a gift from someone, or even if you created them yourself. The point is that they resonate with you.

I could do an entire deep dive on Tarot decks and the differences and what they could best be used for, or how I use them in my practice. But I think I will reserve the rest of this post for the deck I started learning on as a teenager, and what I prefer to use now on a daily basis.

In High School, aside from the Rider Waite deck, I also had this amazing Tarot deck (I was also obsessed with the lore of King Arthur, at the time): Legend The Arthurian Tarot:

The cards all appear to be watercolored and very detailed. I spent hours trying to memorize each cards meanings; trying to memorize the symbolism. It was a lot. I still relied heavily on the book that came with the deck, any time I did a reading, because I didn’t understand that I could do an intuitive reading.

When I was 19, new to a brand new city, my roommates had introduced me to a woman who one of them had known for a very long time. She was a Tarot reader. I was extremely excited to meet her, and was eager to ask her questions and pick her brain, because I honestly didn’t have a teacher, and was hopeful that she could maybe show me something.

The response I received when my roommates said that I was a Tarot reader (which I corrected and said that I just had the cards and was learning), was not kindness. She wanted to know which deck I had and if I knew the history of the deck, and if they were gifted to me or if I had bought them. She asked rapid fire questions in a stern voice, while we were in a public setting (which I was not comfortable with), and I stammered, a lot. She told me I wasn’t serious. That I wasn’t a real Tarot reader. And I hadn’t even identified myself as one, or really answered her questions. It was really disheartening. And I did put the cards away for a long while after that because I let her get to me.

But the cards continued to call me back. And I’m glad they did. I, now, use The Light Seer’s Tarot almost exclusively. I do have some other oracle decks and a couple of other decks I will get out from time to time for in depth readings. But daily, I use The Light Seer’s Tarot.

The imagery is clear. The colors are vibrant. I can see auras, I can see chakras, I can see mood along with moon placement, seasons, religious iconography….the list goes on! This deck really makes doing an intuitive reading so easy, so thorough (for me, personally. I’m not saying it would be that way for everyone. It does take practice).

I enjoy doing Tarot. Specifically for myself – to see how my week/month is going to play out, so I can best prepare (not get worried or anxious, just anticipate the coming time and be ready). When others are interested in having an intuitive session I get really excited. I do still have times where I wonder if I’m getting it right. Especially if a client is super closed lipped about what I’m saying. But I have had really spot on readings.

Due to the roadblocks and hurtles I had in my early journey, I want to be someone who can help others who are exploring their gifts or wanting to try their hand at Tarot. If you have questions about it, feel free to reach out: [email protected]

Light and Love!