Tarot Cards

    Within the last decade, tarot cards have come into popularity in mainstream culture. I remember a time when it felt like so many people were trying to learn how to read tarot cards and offered free readings to their friends. While I never took anyone up on this offer, I wish I had. 

    When you Google “Tarot Cards”, one of the first links that pop up is from Britannica. According to the site, “Tarot decks were invented in Italy in the 1430s” with some cards being called trionfi (triumphs) and others il matto (the fool). The deck is made up of 78 cards, each displaying different meanings. They consist mainly of two groups, the major arcana and the minor arcana. The minor arcana may be further broken down into:

• The Wands: about action, initiative, and invention
• The Cups: represent emotions, intuition, and relationships
• The Swords: show challenges that may arise
• The Pentacles: associated with work, finances, and cosmetic life

Additionally, the meaning of each card is reversed whenever the card is pulled upside down. For example, when upright, the card of strength represents “nature…The feminine soul-force contains a persuasive power that can nurture and induce cooperation from others” according to Tarot.com. However, when reversed, this card suggests the person is in a place where they have no power to impact behavior, not even through leadership or persuasion. 

    Traditionally, it is believed that your first deck of tarot cards should be gifted to you, a superstition that the deck of cards should choose you. Certain rituals should take place before doing a reading to ensure you are getting answers to the questions currently on your mind. First, the deck should be clear of any energy from previous readings. This can be done by burning sage while reciting a prayer, according to TheCut.com. Then, as you shuffle the cards, think of a specific question you want clarity on. A common spread for a reading is to choose three cards that will represent your past, present, and future. However, there are many other spreads one can do, such as the Celtic cross which includes ten cards. A daily card reading can also be done where only one card is pulled.

I thought it would be fun to try the practice of reading tarot cards, and Astrology.com easily allows you to do this. First, they ask you to clear your mind. The cards will be able to pick up on your energy, so a clear mindset is crucial to pick up the right reading. Then, you are prompted to select a card. The first card I selected was Temperance, and my reading was as follows:

“Patience is your secret weapon to face down all obstacles today. Take your good old time to make sure you understand what needs to be done, for whom, why, and how. This methodical approach may not be your natural or favorite one, and it might annoy someone who has a different opinion of how urgent the issue is. Nonetheless, patience will get you through the day with fewer, if any, mishaps.”

    This reading felt genuinely helpful and insightful to my life. I have been dealing with a stressor lately, and sometimes I want nothing more than time to move quickly so that conflict can get resolved! But this card felt like a reminder to be more patient with this problem, and that by doing that I may actually encounter fewer roadblocks because I am being more methodical. I’m not sure that I will make this into a daily ritual, but I can say that sometimes these occult practices (like horoscopes as well) can help provide additional perspective to one's life. Frequently I get so caught up in the day-to-day routine or my to-do list that I don't step back to see the bigger picture. I believe that's why some people are drawn to tarot because it gives them a sense of understanding of the chaos in their lives.