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All About Tarot Cards

Ready to start learning about Tarot Cards? Here's your chance to find out how they work, what they mean, and the best way to lay them out. Be sure to read the reviews of different Tarot decks and books.

Tarot 101: A Basic Overview

If you're ready to start learning about reading Tarot cards, how they work, different spreads, and the best decks to use, this is the place to start.

The Major Arcana - 22 Tarot Cards in the Key of Life

The Major Arcana are the first 22 cards in a Tarot deck, each symbolizing some aspect of the human experience. From the Fool (Card 0) to the World (Card 21), each of these represents some step on the journey through life. Learn about the hidden meanings and symbols found on each of these 22 Tarot Cards, and how they affect a card reading.

Tarot Cards and Their Meanings

The Tarot is a great tool for guidance and advice, as well as solving problems. Each of the cards has a meaning of its own, and as you learn the cards and get to know them better, you'll become a more effective reader. Anyone can learn to read Tarot cards, but it does take some practice. It’s a highly intuitive process, so while books and charts come in handy, the best way to actually learn …

The Tarot Suit of Cups

If you're learning to read the Tarot, take some time to get to know the suit of Cups, which is tied to emotions and relationships.

The Tarot Suit of Wands

If you're learning to read the Tarot, take some time to get to know the suit of Wands, which is tied to intuition and communication.

The Tarot Suit of Pentacles

If you're learning to read the Tarot, take some time to get to know the suit of Pentacles, which is tied to careers, investments, and financial security.

The Tarot Suit of Swords

If you're learning to read the Tarot, take some time to get to know the suit of Swords, which is tied to conflicts and tough decision-making.

Choosing Your Tarot Deck

There are literally thousands of Tarot cards out there to choose from... so how do you know which one to buy?

Keep Your Tarot Cards Safe

Now that you've found the Tarot deck that's right for you, there are a few things you should do to keep your cards not only physically safe, but also to shield them from negative energy.

Make a Tarot Card Box

Want a great idea for a box to store your Tarot cards? Get crafty and turn a plain wooden box into a home for your favorite deck!

Prepare for a Tarot Reading

So you've got your Tarot deck, you've figured out how to keep it safe from negativity, and now you're ready to read for someone else. Great! Learn what you should do before you take on the responsibility of reading cards for another person.

Interpret the Tarot Cards

Once you've got a pile of Tarot cards down in front of you, how do you interpret the messages within them?

The Pentagram Tarot Spread

If you'd like to do a simple Tarot card reading, this layout is a good one for beginners or experienced readers. The pentagram's five points embody Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit, and can serve as a useful guideline in divination.

The Romany Spread

If you're reading Tarot cards, one of the easiest spreads to use is the Romany layout. This 21-card spread helps give a glimpse into the past, present and future of a situation.

The Celtic Cross Spread

The Celtic Cross is one of the best known layouts for Tarot readings. Learn how to use this in-depth spread to get answers to your questions.

What Happens When a Tarot Reading Fails?

Ever try to do a reading for someone, and nothing makes any sense? Believe it or not, this isn't uncommon - it happens to a lot of readers, for a couple of different reasons. Read on to find out why, and what to do when it does happen.

Tarot Readings from Hell

If you read Tarot cards for other people, chances are good that at some point you've done a reading that was just a nightmare. Either the cards weren't cooperating, the querent was blocking you, or worse yet, everything that came up was negative and awful. Share your stories about your worst Tarot reading experience!

Review: The Whimsical Tarot Deck

Read a review of the Whimsical Tarot Deck, designed by Dorothy Morrison and with artwork by Mary Hanson-Roberts.

Lord of the Rings Tarot Deck

Review of the Lord of the Rings Tarot Deck, by US Game Systems, with artwork based on the writings of JRR Tolkien.

Jane Austen Tarot Kit

Review of Lo Scarebeo's Jane Austen Tarot Deck by Diane Wilkes, with artwork based on the novels of 19th-century author Jane Austen, and accompanying "how to" book.
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