Tarot FAQ

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions relating to the Tarot. If you want to know more or feel there is something we should add, then please e-mail us

What is Tarot?
The Tarot is a set of 78 pictoral cards consisting of 22 Major and 56 Minor Arcana.

What is the origin of the Tarot?
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Tarot is that its very origins are shrouded in mystery. Whilst some believe that it originated in India and was brought to England by travellers and gypsies, others claim ancient Egyptian origins.

Yet more writers have asserted its beginnings were in the Far East, Spain or Southern France. No particular school of thought has triumphed as conclusive proof has remained elusive.

Tarot does seem to have begun as an early type of playing cards, and the earliest deck seems to have appeared around the 14th century in Northern Italy. The game then played was named Tarocchi.

How does Tarot work?
A tarot deck consists of 78 cards that you lay out in any one of a number of spreads. Each card is symbolic of an energy or spiritual truth, its relevance depending upon its position in the spread. There are so many possible outcomes that tarot readers spend decades mastering the meanings of all the cards in all the different combinations. Books are one resource, but can only help so much.

How do Tarot decks differ?
The obvious answer is that they look different, and many artists have brought their skills to bear on the Tarot to stunningly beautiful effect. Some artists’ interpretations have brought about different symbolic interpretational slants for the cards.

How do you decide on the meanings of the cards?
The Tarot is a skill which can be learned from books and booklets, and there is a generally accepted meaning for all the cards. As the Tarot reader gains experience he/she will keep their own notes as they learn how their own instincts dictate their interpretations. Meanings of cards change according to their positions in a spread and the experienced reader will appreciate this.

Do you have to be psychic or have special gifts to read Tarot?
Psychic powers are not necessary to be a good Tarot interpreter, but they may well enhance the reading. The best readers tend to be people who are open to emotions and feelings (although not personally emotional at the time of reading) and have an intuitive flair. The combination of a true psychic and the Tarot can be very powerful.

Can Tarot tell the future?
A large enough Tarot spread can give you a very keen sense of the probabilities inherent in a situation, but the specific way that things turn out are, in the final analysis, up to you — how well you adapt to the ever-changing conditions that your Tarot reading reflects. A Tarot reading gives a snapshot of what is going on in the Present, the time you are picking the cards. It can help you see aspects of a situation that have been invisible to your ego. In contrast to popular opinion, Tarot is a valuable form of meditation on the Present moment that returns insight and advice. Although it does reflect probabilities, it is NOT a form of fortune-telling.

What kinds of questions is Tarot well suited for?
Tarot is excellent for receiving clarity on problems or issues that logic by itself simply can’t handle (most of the important ones in life!). Relationships, negotiations, work dynamics, office politics, family matters, spiritual well-being. To give you more of an idea look at our ‘How can Tarot help you‘ guide.

How should I phrase my question and what type of spread should I request?
It depends what you are looking for. If you want a general answer, ask a generalised question. If you are looking for something more specific, ask accordingly. The Tarot is not good at simple yes-no answers to basic questions like “Will I win the lottery? Consult the Tarot as if you were asking the advice of a wise friend or teacher.