DURING TIMES of uncertainty, some people turn to tarot cards for answers to their questions, and to regain a sense of security. These cards are believed by some to possess the power to access the deepest corners of the soul and reveal information about the future[1]. Although tarot card reading is quite popular, its appeal may be hard to grasp for those who are less familiar with occult practices. 

A brief history of tarot

   The origins of tarot cards are traced back to northern Italy between the 14th and 15th centuries. The cards were first used as a parlor game named tarocchi, a popular leisure activity among nobles. The images on the cards were initially used to depict biblical characters or ancient gods. Later, tarot cards began to include glorified portrayals of the Italian aristocracy. Eventually, the game spread to other European countries, where they came up with their own names for the game. The French called it “tarot,” which stuck and is the name for the cards today[2].

   It was not until the 18th century that tarot was associated with occultism, being used as a divinity tool. A French pastor, Antoine Court de Gebelin, claimed that tarot was connected to the Egyptian Book of Thoth and could unlock the secret of human existence[3]. The cards ceased being a mere entertainment and were viewed as credible sources of wisdom. However, at the time, the Egyptian theme was prevalent among European elite and was often used for commercial objectives. It was later revealed that Gebelin was wrong, but his theory had already captured public interest. Then, France was overtaken by an occultist movement led by Jean-Baptiste Alliette, who pushed the idea of using cards for divination purposes[4]. Under the pseudonym “Etteilla,” he even created a revised version of the deck intended only for spiritual insight. As interest in occultism grew, the popularity of tarot grew as well. Throughout history, the interpretation of tarot cards continued to evolve into the modern version of the cards people know nowadays.

The basics of tarot reading

   Although each tarot card reader adds their own flair to the routine, the traditional reading method is straightforward. The first step is to ask the deck, consisting of 78 cards, a specific question. It is better to repeat the question a few times to send the cards a clearer message. Once the question is set, the cards are ready to be pulled from the deck after a thorough shuffle[5]. “There is no correct way to go about this. You can pull the cards you feel most drawn to and trust your intuition,” says Anara Jumabayeva, a tarot card reader in an interview with The Yonsei Annals. She has been practicing tarot card reading for almost seven years and even gives online lectures on tarot. She advised that the best way to perfect tarot reading ability is through continuous practice.

   A basic understanding of the cards, which can be laid out in many variations, is the first step to improving tarot-reading abilities. The cards are separated into two groups known as major and minor arcana. Cards from the major arcana represent important life events, whereas cards from the minor arcana represent everyday matters[6]. While each card has a unique meaning, its orientation can significantly affect its message. For instance, if “The Sun” card is pulled in an upright position, it will keep its usual meaning of success and triumph. However, if the card is reversed, it represents over-confidence and sadness[7].

   The way the cards are spread depends on the reader’s preferences and level of knowledge. Typically, beginner readers are recommended to start their first tarot-reading by pulling only three cards. Each card represents separate parts of the prediction. For instance, if the card reader is looking for a solution to a problem, the first card would represent the state of the situation, while the second and third cards would show what the obstacle is and how to resolve it. The placement of the cards and how they connect to each other certainly matter, but the accuracy of prediction ultimately depends on the tarot reader’s ability to properly interpret the message the cards are sending.

The appeal of tarot

   Jumabayeva opened up about how she ended up doing readings for herself and other people: “Initially, I was interested in tarot out of sheer curiosity. But as I became more familiar with the practice, I began to turn to tarot whenever I needed guidance.” She expressed how current generations tend to feel more insecure about their future, especially in regard to job placement. Many of her clients also turn to tarot card reading to reclaim a sense of control over their lives and feel more confident when faced with obstacles in the future.

   Aside from fortune-telling, some people do tarot card readings out of pure entertainment or even therapy. “Not everyone believes in tarot predictions. Some people simply take it as a game of sorts,” Jumabayeva remarked. As for therapy, those suffering from extreme stress or anxiety can certainly use tarot as a coping device and sessions to vent their concerns and stress. Jumabayeva explained, “I have heard all kinds of stories from my clients, but most of them were quite sad.” One of her clients was amid a divorce procedure. While the client wanted to find out how the divorce would go, they also wanted someone to simply listen to their worries. “On top of having a card reading, clients also get a good listener in the form of a total stranger. During my session, they can expect no judgment.”

   The main misconception about tarot cards is that they can predict a definite future; this is not entirely true. “Many people put emphasis on the fortune-telling aspect, but tarot is not exactly about that. The cards cannot dictate what will undoubtedly happen. Rather, the cards will tell you a possible scenario and how you can approach it,” Jumabayeva told the Annals. In other words, tarot cards can stimulate people’s intuition to find the best possible outcome for a situation. However, on some occasions, the cards certainly can make an accurate prediction. “I definitely had cases when my predictions came true. One time, the cards told one of my clients she would run into legal issues six months from our session. In exactly six months, she got into a legal battle with her relatives over an inheritance.”

   Lastly, Jumabayeva wanted to give advice to people interested in tarot. “I believe the most important thing to keep in mind is that tarot does not hold power over you. Yes, it can aid you in your quest for answers, but do not let it get a hold of your life.”

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   The meaning of tarot cards can vary for different people. While card reading is mainly seen as a method of fortune-telling, it can also serve as a source of entertainment or a healing tool. The history of the cards themselves shows that tarot is adaptable to the user. In the end, no matter the preference, people can use tarot cards as an interesting way to spend time or to discover new parts of themselves.

[1]Insider

[2]Slate

[3]Mental Floss

[4]Tarocks

[5]Vogue

[6]The Cut

[7]Labyrinthos