The Timeless Appeal Of Tarot Divination

I have yet to meet a spiritually-minded person who does not like the Tarot, or at least is not a little intrigued by this famous deck of cards.

The Tarot is arguably the world’s most popular and widely used divination tool, renowned for its rich symbolism and the depth of insight it offers. As an esoteric tradition dating back centuries, the Tarot has evolved into a diverse, sophisticated system of divination used by people from all walks of life to explore the mysteries of the mind, spirit, and the future.

Unlike some other forms of divination that require specialized knowledge or tools, the Tarot is accessible to both beginners and seasoned practitioners, offering a unique blend of art, intuition, mysticism, and storytelling. Its versatility allows it to address a wide range of questions, from personal and spiritual dilemmas to broader societal issues, making it a go-to resource for those seeking guidance, clarity, and self-discovery in an ever-changing world.

Each of the 78 cards in a Tarot deck is loaded with symbolic imagery and archetypal meanings that can be interpreted on multiple levels, from the deeply psychological to the spiritual and mystical. This layered symbolism allows diviners to explore personal dilemmas, spiritual growth, and the mysteries of life.

Unlike other divination tools that may rely on more rigid systems, Tarot offers a fluid framework that adapts to the reader’s intuition, personal beliefs, and level of psychic ability, making it accessible to people of diverse backgrounds and spiritual practices.

The accessibility and evolution of tarot has contributed to its widespread use. Today, there are countless Tarot decks available, each with unique themes, artwork, and interpretations that appeal to a wide audience. From the traditional Rider-Waite deck to modern, culturally diverse interpretations, there’s a deck for almost every taste and theme. Today’s tarot includes a wide variety of unconventional themes that resonate with contemporary interests and subcultures.

The Tarot helps you meet whatever is around the corner in the best possible way ~ Mary K. Greer

These decks exemplify how Tarot can be adapted to reflect diverse interests, making the practice more accessible and personalized for a modern audience. One example is the Cat Tarot, where each card features whimsical and expressive illustrations of cats that embody the meanings of traditional Tarot archetypes. This deck adds a playful and lighthearted approach to the reading, appealing to cat lovers who want a familiar and fun way to engage with the Tarot.

Another example is the Tarot of the Silicon Dawn which is a more avant-garde take, blending futuristic, cyberpunk aesthetics with classic Tarot symbolism. This deck features non-standard cards and incorporates modern themes of technology, science fiction, and postmodern philosophy, appealing to those drawn to the intersection of Tarot and contemporary digital culture.

In addition, the rise of digital technology has made Tarot more accessible than ever, with online readings, apps, and communities connecting enthusiasts worldwide. This adaptability and ability to remain relevant to today’s spiritual and psychological needs ensures that Tarot will continue to be a popular tool for divination and personal growth.

Storytelling & Self-Reflection

Another reason for Tarot’s enduring popularity is its capacity for storytelling and self-reflection. Tarot readings often involve the interpretation of a narrative woven through the spread of the cards, creating a story that reflects the querent’s current life situation, challenges, and possible future paths.

This storytelling aspect makes Tarot not only a tool for divination, but also a means of exploring one’s inner landscape, encouraging self-awareness and introspection. In an increasingly complex world, people are looking for tools to help them make sense of their experiences, and Tarot offers a structured yet flexible approach to exploring the self and navigating life’s uncertainties.

Throughout history the Tarot tends to rise in popularity during times of great transition here on Earth. Many people turn to the Tarot during times of uncertainty, upheaval, and societal transition because it offers a sense of clarity and guidance when the future feels unpredictable. During such times, individuals often seek meaning and understanding beyond the conventional explanations offered by society.

For example, during the 1960s with the hippie movement and the rise of American counterculture, more people started buying tarot decks. At the turn of the century and the dawn of the new millennium, there was also a marked increase in tarot deck sales, with people from all walks of life purchasing them. It is during these times of transition that humanity has the greatest leaps of growth, expansion, new visions and shifts that cause an acceleration in the evolution of our species.

Tarot provides a symbolic language through which people can explore their emotions, fears, and hopes, offering a structured yet intuitive means of navigating change. The cards encourage self-reflection and provide a framework for contemplating life’s complexities, helping people find inner strength and a sense of direction. In addition, Tarot readings can provide comfort by suggesting possible outcomes or revealing unseen influences, giving people a greater sense of agency and perspective in situations where they might otherwise feel powerless.

Tarot is always whispering to you. Tarot weaves truth, stories, secrets, and tales. All you need to do is slow down and listen ~ Sasha Graham

Versatility & Outcomes

Another cool benefit of the Tarot is that it can be used in many ways. You can consult the cards for greater insight into just about anything using an array of spreads and reading approaches. There are a variety of card spreads that provide deeper and broader meanings by the meaning the card takes in certain positions in the layout. For example, the classic Celtic Cross is one of my favorite spreads to do because it gives a broad overview of the sitter’s life and covers many themes. However, the basic three or five card spread can help pinpoint answers to a question and reveal hidden factors, advice, and possible future outcomes.

The meaning of the cards that fall into the “outcome” position in a spread can really help us to better focus our energy and intentions to achieve our desired goals. Outcomes are not set in stone. We are given a variety of choices in life, and the Tarot can help us connect with a part of ourselves that can be buried by the opinions of others, and unblock the ways in which we have strayed from our intuition and spiritual guidance.

The outcome card threfore reveals the unknown and helps us see what path we’re on and what is most likely to happen if we stay on that path. It’s up to us to decide if it’s right for us. If you don’t like the outcome card you see, I suggest you draw a ‘clarity’ card to the side to get advice on how to change that outcome.

The Universe will always guide us to what is in our highest and best interest. The lesson for us is to listen and follow the steps that the cards suggest. This requires a good reader. Choose a tarot reader with whom you feel comfortable and with whom you can communicate easily.

The direction in which some readers actually read the cards is also interesting. In certain ancient texts and languages, words and phrases were and still are read from right to left. However, there are Tarot readers who like to read the cards from right to left.

There is no right or wrong way to read the Tarot, and although there are general meanings that cards tend to have, trust your gut feeling when you look at the card. Notice the colors. Are they more solar or lunar? Is there an object that jumps out at you? Your meaning is most important and will begin to form your own psychic dictionary for each card.

Structure & Symbolism

A standard Tarot deck consists of 78 cards. The first 22 are the Major Arcana. Arcana is a Latin word meaning “hidden knowledge” or “sacred information.” These first 22 cards are considered more significant in a reading and represent the 5th element, which is Spirit.

The other four suits belong to the other four elements, most commonly known as the Minor Arcana, and make up the remaining 56 cards in a deck. The four suits in traditional decks are Swords (Air), Wands (Fire), Cups (Water), and Pentacles (Earth). The tools and their names can vary from deck to deck. For example, wands can be batons or staffs, cups are goblets, and I’ve seen pentacles as discs, shields, and coins. There are some decks that just use the name of the element itself, like “Two of Fire” for the Two of Wands.

There are so many books written about the Tarot. Some of the best are by author and teacher Mary K. Greer. It is good to have a general idea of some possible card meanings and the symbology of the card. Symbology works in conjunction with our Spirit Guides, and we actually begin to form our own psychic dictionary of symbols as we develop a new language and way of communicating with Spirit through the Tarot.

The symbols on the cards are said to open neuropathways to the divine. There is so much about the brain and the mind that science has yet to discover. The intuitive and subconscious minds are accessed through the images on the cards. A picture is worth a thousand words. So in learning the Tarot, you are actually opening up parts of the mind that have been dormant and connecting with a higher intelligence.

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

Selection & Care

To get started, you’ll want to choose a deck that’s easy to learn, such as the 1909 Rider-Waite-Smith deck. Rider was the original London publisher, Arthur Edward Waite was the creator of the deck, and Pamela Coleman Smith, aka “Pixie,” was the artist. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is the most widely used deck in the world. Many decks that followed the creation of this deck have mimicked the artwork, so it’s a very good starter deck to learn from. When the time comes, you can branch out to other decks that you feel drawn to. It is an intuitive process, try not to overthink it. Sometimes someone will even give you a deck that is particularly auspicious!

There are many ways to store your deck and many tarot carrying cases. If you plan to take your deck with you when you go out, there are drawstring and Velcro covers in a variety of patterns and sizes to choose from. Some believe that keeping your deck wrapped in black silk will hold in the magical energies, and others feel that you should keep your deck in the box it came in. The preference is entirely up to you how you store your deck.

When I buy a deck, I like to consecrate it and align it with my energy. I do this by taking a small amount of patchouli or frankincense oil and rubbing it into my hands. I then spread the cards out on the floor and gently press my hands along the cards, infusing them with the oils and a blessing.

I ask that the cards be aligned in perfect harmony with me and be used for the highest and best good of whomever I am reading for. I also ask for a seal of protection and that into whose hands these cards fall after they leave me, that they only fall into the right hands of someone who will use them with good intentions and in the name of holy truth.

After I’ve aligned the cards with my energy, consecrated and blessed them, I hold the deck to my heart and then tap the top of the deck three times to clear it and awaken the cards. After that, I’m ready to go!

The Tarot can not only be used to gain clarity and insight into any situation, but it can also serve as a reflective tool to help you grow spiritually. There is a saying that the Tarot has been left to us as a roadmap to enlightenment. I have been reading the cards for over 25 years and have found that you can never know the Tarot as it continues to grow with you.