Tarot Basics

Lesson 1 of 10 · beginner

What Tarot Is (and Isn't)

Discover the true nature and history of tarot cards beyond the myths.

3 min readHistory, decks, and what the cards actually do
Sync across devices
Course outline · lesson 1 of 10
  1. 01What Tarot Is (and Isn't)
  2. 02The Major Arcana Map
  3. 03The Four Suits
  4. 04The Court Cards
  5. 05Reversals — Should You Use Them?
  6. 06Asking a Good Question
  7. 07The Three-Card Spread
  8. 08Single-Card Practice
  9. 09Reading Patterns Across a Spread
  10. 10The Ethics of Reading for Others

What you’ll be able to do

  • Explain what tarot is (and isn't) in plain language.
  • Recognize the role of history, decks, and what the cards actually do without collapsing it into a stereotype.
  • Use what you learned to read one clear example.
Prerequisite: None. This is the beginning of the track.

What is Tarot?

At its core, tarot is a deck of cards used for introspection, storytelling, and reflection. It’s not a crystal ball or a fortune-telling device, but rather a tool for exploring the human experience and our place within it. Tarot decks typically consist of 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.

  • **Major Arcana**: This set of 22 cards, like The Fool or The Lovers, represents significant life themes and archetypes.
  • **Minor Arcana**: Comprising 56 cards, these are divided into four suits (Cups, Pentacles, Swords, Wands) and reflect everyday experiences and challenges.

A Brief History

The origins of tarot trace back to the late 14th century in Europe, where it began as a card game known as "trionfi" or "tarocchi." It wasn't until the 18th century that tarot started to be used for divination and introspection. This shift was largely influenced by occultists and mystics, who saw the symbolic potential in the cards.

What Tarot Isn't

Despite popular belief, tarot isn't about predicting a set-in-stone future. It's not magic, nor does it hold mystical powers. Instead, tarot offers a mirror to our inner selves, helping us understand our thoughts, feelings, and potential paths forward.

How Tarot Works

Think of tarot as a conversation with yourself, facilitated by the cards. When you draw a card, you're not uncovering a hidden truth but rather engaging with symbols that encourage reflection. For example, pulling The Hermit might prompt you to consider areas in your life where solitude or introspection could be beneficial.

Example of a Tarot Reading

Imagine you draw three cards for a simple spread: The Fool, The Three of Swords, and The Sun. Rather than predicting doom or success, consider: - **The Fool**: Where are new beginnings possible? - **The Three of Swords**: What past pain might still be influencing you? - **The Sun**: What joys can you embrace or cultivate?

This process invites you to interpret and reflect based on your unique context and experiences.

In essence, tarot is a tool for introspection and narrative creation, offering a lens through which we can better understand our lives.

Check your understanding

Five questions, with explanations.

This check is optional. Use it to remember the key idea, or continue whenever you’re ready.

01What are the two main categories of tarot cards?
02What was the original use of tarot cards?
03If you draw The Hermit in a tarot reading, what might it suggest?
04What should you NOT expect from a tarot reading?
05How did tarot's use evolve in the 18th century?