Tarot is often seen as a mysterious tool used for fortune-telling or predicting the future. But beneath the surface, it’s much more than that. Tarot is a rich symbolic system designed to explore the inner self, navigate personal challenges, and support spiritual and emotional growth.
In this article, we’ll explore what tarot really is, how it works, and why it continues to captivate people around the world after centuries of use.
A Brief History of Tarot
The exact origins of tarot remain unclear. The earliest surviving tarot cards date back to 15thcentury Italy, where they were originally used for playing card games. It wasn’t until the 18th and 19th centuries that tarot began to be used as a spiritual and divinatory tool by occultists.
Figures like Éliphas Lévi in France and later Arthur Edward Waite in England played key roles in shaping how tarot is interpreted today. The Rider-Waite Tarot, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and published in 1909, became the blueprint for most modern decks.
The Structure of a Tarot Deck
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, divided into two main categories:
1. Major Arcana (22 cards)
These cards represent significant life lessons, spiritual themes, and archetypal energies. Cards like The Fool, The High Priestess, Death, or The World speak to deep personal and collective journeys.
2. Minor Arcana (56 cards)
These reflect everyday experiences and are divided into four suits—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit has 10 numbered cards and 4 court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King).
Each suit relates to a different area of life:
• Wands: creativity, drive, and action
• Cups: emotions, relationships, intuition
• Swords: thoughts, conflict, decision-making
• Pentacles: the physical world, work, health, and money
How Does a Tarot Reading Work?
A tarot reading isn’t about seeing a fixed future—it’s about gaining insight into the present moment and the energies influencing your situation. Tarot is a tool for reflection, not prediction.
Here’s a typical process:
1. Ask a question – The more specific and open-ended the question, the more helpful the reading.
2. Pull the cards – The reader shuffles and draws a set number of cards, often following a spread (a layout with specific positions).
3. Interpret the message – The cards are read in relation to the question, their position in the spread, and how they interact with one another.
Popular spreads include:
•A single daily card for guidance
•A five-card cross for exploring a challenge
•The Celtic Cross (10 cards) for deep insights into a complex situation
Tarot as a Tool for Self-Awareness
Used with care and intention, tarot is less about magic and more about mindfulness. It can help you:
•Identify emotional and mental patterns
•Tune into your intuition
•Understand your internal blocks
•Clarify decisions and next steps
•Face hidden fears or limiting beliefs
Many contemporary readers blend tarot with coaching, psychology, or energy work. The focus shifts from “What’s going to happen?” to “What am I being invited to see,
Strengthening Your Intuition Through Tarot
One of tarot’s greatest gifts is its ability to awaken and strengthen intuitive awareness. The imagery speaks directly to the subconscious. With regular use, you begin to develop a deeper connection with your inner voice and a greater sensitivity to subtle energies around you.
You don’t need to be psychic to use tarot. What matters most is openness, curiosity, and respect for the process.
Common Myths About Tarot
Despite its popularity, tarot is still surrounded by misconceptions. Here are a few common ones:
• “Tarot is dangerous.”
→ Tarot is just a tool. It’s how you use it that matters.
• “Only gifted people can read the cards.”
→ Anyone can learn tarot with patience, practice, and a willingness to grow.
• “The cards predict the future with certainty.”
→ Tarot reveals tendencies, possibilities, and influences—not fate set in stone.
• “The Death card means something bad will happen.”
→ In reality, Death symbolizes transformation, letting go, and rebirth—not physical death.
Tarot in the Digital Age
Today, tarot is more accessible than ever. From mobile apps and YouTube readings to podcasts and virtual workshops, people are finding new ways to engage with the cards.
Some use tarot as a daily ritual, a journaling prompt, or even a meditation tool. In therapeutic settings, it’s being explored as a means of self-reflection and emotional processing.