Tarot Basics - Blog Posts

A lovely little Tarot Cheat Sheet I put together.

Tarot Basics

What is tarot?

Tarot is a method of divination. It is used as a tool to project and unravel our inner self, our thoughts and feelings. Each tarot card symbolises something different. When seen together in a reading, they tell a story. This story relates to our lives and can influence the way we see our future.

How do the cards work?

There are 78 cards in a tarot deck. 56 of the cards are part of the ‘Minor Arcana’ and the other 22 are part of the ‘Major Arcana’.

Each card in the Major Arcana represents a stage in the journey from ignorance to wisdom. They represent different archetypes and which archetypes are in play for each reading. The cards are part of a progression and therefore it’s important to remember where each card comes from and where it goes.

The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana deal with specifics rather than the big picture. Once again, each card represents a point in a pathway. However, unlike the Major Arcana, the Minor Arcana is spilt into 4 suits and therefore there are 4 paths.

What are the cards of the Major Arcana?

The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, The Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement and The World.

What are the cards of the Minor Arcana?

There are four suits in the Minor Arcana. They are the Wands, the Cups, the Swords and the Pentacles. Each suit has the cards 2-10 as well as an Ace, a Page, a Knave/Knight, a Queen and a King.

What do the suits represent?

The Wands represent creativity, desire and will. Their realm is physical. Their element is fire. They are active.

The Cups deal with emotions, relationships and love. Their realm is spiritual. Their element is water. They are receptive.

The Swords represent reason, logic, action and intellectual endeavours. Their realm is spiritual. Their element is air. They are active.

The Pentacles relate to worldly things: the body, finances, sensuality. Their realm is physical. Their element is earth. They are receptive.

How do I get a tarot deck?

You can be gifted one, you can buy one or you can make one. It’s up to you.

Are tarot decks oracle decks?

No. Tarot decks and oracles decks are both methods of divination but they are not the same. Neither is better than the other; you’ll just have to see what you prefer.

How do I bond with a deck?

You can sleep with it, interview it, shuffle it or just use it.

What do I do if I have more questions?

You can google them, message me, travel half way around the world to find the answer, climb onto my window ledge at 3 am etc etc. Basically, do whatever works for you to find the answer.

What do I do if I want a version of this post but on Instagram?

Never fear! I admin on a witchy Instagram account so if you go to @witchbitchditch on Instagram and scroll to 6th February 2018, you will find all the info in this post PLUS some tips and more info. :))