Let’s be honest. Tarot decks are subjective, how can you have a ‘best?’ one? Popularity, quality of illustration and style are all things to take into account when choosing a new deck. This article exists to inform the reader of other decks which might take their fancy, from a selection of high quality decks.
Rider Waite Deck
Probably the most well known, though not the original, tarot deck in use. The Rider Waite deck is a brilliant starter set, as well as being perfect for advanced use. Every tarot reader should own a set of the Rider Waite tarot cards.
The Hermetic Tarot
The Hermetic tarot draws from hermetic and alchemical symbology. A beautiful deck, the Hermetic tarot deck can give you a different, more esoteric perspective on the questions you’re seeking answers for.
The Cosmic Tarot
The Cosmic Tarot is intended to make tarot more approachable, and helps by making the symbology of the cards easier to interpret. A fresh design and highly reviewed, one to check out if you haven’t had a look yet.
The Wildwood Tarot
The Wild Wood tarot is as well known alternate deck, using neo-pagan symbology to tell the story of the cards. Beautifully detailed, it’s one to check out, especially if you are this way inclined.
The Druid craft Tarot
Created by practising druids, notably those of OBOD fame (Carr-Gomm), the Druid craft tarot is similar in some respects to the Wild Wood deck, but focuses on Druidism over other neo-pagan practices. Featuring fresh illustrations, it’s one to take a look at if the designs appeal.
I’ve recently started offering tarot readings on fiverr. The experience has been uplifting, and I’ve been able to help a number of people so far. It’s very different from offering readings in person, and there are certain pros and cons of distance reading. You’re unable to discuss the reading as it’s taking place, and can only offer the final product. I quite enjoy this aspect, you can stay focused on the initial query and there is no distraction from further questions. You also perform a purer reading, untainted by unconscious hints and body language the querent offers. You can have a look at the fiverr page here.
How I perform an online tarot reading
Getting an order
As soon as somebody orders though the gig page on fiverr, I get an email. I reply as soon as possible to say that I have received the request, and to give a rough timeframe. Fiverr allows extras, so if the querent has selected 1-day Delivery, I will make that reading my priority. Once this reply is set, I try to find a good period of time in the day I can dedicate to the reading.
Performing the reading
Finding time to fit readings in can be tough, but so far I have managed every reading on time. It is so much more than shuffling, dealing cards, laying them out, then typing up the reading. I like to get into a good receptive mental state before performing the reading, and I always perform readings when I am alone. Usually, the readings are simple, one or two cards, as described on the gig page. I perform my readings while sitting on the floor, though this is mainly because I do not have a table! Once the cards are dealt, I simply look at them. Intuition and knowledge of tarot cards plays it’s part here. Once the cards are dealt, an image will start to form. At this stage, I’ll start typing up the report.
Clearing and editing and presenting
Once the report is typed up, I’ll leave it for an hour or so, and then come back to it. The reading is still in my mind, even after it has been performed, and sometimes taking a step back to observe the situation can help you see things from a new angle. At this stage, I’ll edit the report and review it, as an editor would review a book. The reports I type follow a set pattern, shown below in a censored, but actual report.
First I greet the querent, and then get started with the reading. I like to jump straight in. I make it clean I know their question, and then type how each card I draw relates to it. One thing I like to add, are missing cards or suits (if many cards are drawn). At the end, I summarise the reading into actionable steps for the querent. I like to give a sense of closure to the question.
Delivering the report and followups
I send the typed up and formatted report as an image or PDF file. It’s as simple as that. For once, the technological part of something is the easiest! I like to be open to communication afetrwards and I’m always happy to discuss the reading afterwards.
Should you perform online tarot readings?
It’s really up to you. If you have a tight schedule like I do, then it’s a very good idea. You can still practice tarotology for real people, on your own time. I’ve found it to be just as good as a face to face reading, and my feedback so far has been very positive!
Check out tumblr! There are a lot of brilliant alternative blogs on tumblr, so it’s a great way to find like-minded people. within the first hour, I was liking and following many different blogs. This particular piece really struck me, it’s a commission from http://spring-forth-from-my-mind.tumblr.com. I hope you all like it! Be sure to follow us too. If you send us a message, we’ll be sure to follow you back!
(Permission was gained from the artist to share her work)
This spread shows a tarot card which represents each of the zodiacal star signs for the coming year, January 2018 to December 2018. One card per star sign, they should give you the general theme of how the year is going to progress and end. To use this Zodiacal reading, scroll to your Star sign, and read what is in store. Click the card for more information. If you would like a more in-depth personal reading, or you’d like to expand on this, considering a reading from Tarot-Explained.
Aries – 21 March to 20 April
The Six of Wands. This will be a good year. Expect goals to be completed. Go out of your way to make good memories this year.
Taurus – 21 April to 21 May
Eight of Cups. You might give up on a long held belief this year, but remember it is for the best. Something might go wrong this year to change you, but you will recover and grow.
Gemini – 22 May to 21 June
The Fool. New beginnings and new starts. Come into this year with a fresh perspective; New Year, New you. You’re only at the start of your journey.
Cancer – 22 June to 22 July
Nine of Pentacles. It’s likely that things are coming to a happy ending. All that which you’ve worked for is going to pay off in the coming year. Be sure to congratulate yourself as you ascend to a better state of being.
Leo – 23 July to 22 August
Ace of Swords. If you’re willing to put the effort in, this will be your best year yet. Be strong and decisive. There’s no need to rush, you’re only at the start of it.
Virgo – 23 August to 23 September
The World. You’ll accomplish much this year. If you believe you have a life goal, then 2018 is going to be either completing it, or getting very close. If you have set new years resolutions, then you’re sure to complete them in 2018.
Libra – 24 September to 23 October
The Emperor. You will take charge of your life this year. If you are feeling stifled and constrained, then 2018 is the year when you will break free.
Scorpio – 24 October to 22 November
The Devil. Be sure to look out for traps and pitfalls this year. There will be many choices presented to you which are not the right thing to do. Try not to give into past weakness,
Sagittarius – 23 November to 21 December
The Moon.You might be feeling lost and directionless right now, but 2018 is the year when things pick up if you make them. Stop worrying about the little things.
Capricorn – 22 December to 20 January
The Magician. Don’t lose sight of your goals. You have a lot of ambition and there are many ways to apply your skills, don’t get overwhelmed, just focus.
Aquarius – 21 January to 19 February
Ten of Pentacles. Money might be tough this year, but you will end the year in a good state. You’re going to mature and grow a lot this year in an area you weren’t aware of.
Pisces – 20 February to 20 March
Five of Swords. This will be a tough year for you. Expect adversity. Be prepared for it, what are people going to challenge you over this year?
I hope you’ve all been having a good year so far, a number of cool new things have happened on Tarot-Explained this year, most notably our readings! We’er offering readings, both Free and premium readings through Fiverr, and we’ve got loads of cool website features planned for 2018, read on for more info.
Tarot Readings
We’re now offering tarot readings and they’re proving to be exceptionally popular. Find out more at the tarot reading page here. For no obligation, you can request a free reading, this includes on card and an email response. A premium reading can answer three questions and will be delivered promptly. They have proven to be much more popular than I’d imagined so there are only limited slots open for each. I really want to add value for premium readings so first of all, they are very low cost.
Newsletter
The newsletter is now live. You can sign up with the widget on the sidebar. Simply enter your email address and you’ll be subscribed. In future, there will be a tarot card of the week, as well as special newsletter only offers. You’ll hear about things first on the newsletter!
Website features
The site is complete, but that doesn’t mean more bonus features can be added! We’ve been requested a number of times to add inverted card meanings to each page. These will be added as soon as they have been thoroughly researched. Symbology for each card will be finished this year too!
Stickers and phone cases
Finally, designs for each card will be added to the redbubble store. You can view the store here. These stickers have been so so popular. It’s quite a bit of work to touch up each card and get it ready for print. Redbubble frequently have savings so these stickers and phone cases, so be sure to check back frequently.
That’s all for now, expect an update mid-February. As always, thank you for visiting Tarot-Explained!
I hope you’ve all had a merry festive season, and are all looking forward to the new year. January 2nd 2018 marks the third birthday for Tarot-Explained.com. It doesn’t feel like our second birthday was too long ago, how time flies! The site has come a long way and I love seeing it grow. The road map for the new year involves video descriptions, in depth symbology of the Rider-Waite deck, card keywords, and much much more.
Thanks so much for sticking around, and see you in 2018!
It’s Halloween again, arguably the best time of the year. Last year, we introduced a Halloween spread for you all to try out. If you weren’t here for it, give it a go this Halloween! Tarot-Explained.com has seen a number of updates recently, so we’ll summarise them in this post.
Sometimes a written definition isn’t enough for a tarot card description. Maybe it doesn’t seem relevant enough or fit just right. We’ve started adding keywords to each card description, starting with all of the Major Arcana. You can find them on the card description pages, near the bottom. Sometimes a keyword can help more than a given description, it gives you a different perspective and a more open starting place to draw connections from. Soon, all of the cards will have keywords attached.
We’ve also drawn up a road map of new features to add to each card; symbology, astrological ties and card connections to name a few. It’s exciting to work on and I’ve loved seeing this site grow. In January, Tarot-Explained will be three years old! Thanks for sticking around, and thanks for the nice comments I’m receiving through email.
Happy Autumn, and now that the autumn equinox has passed, it’s all downhill from here! I’m only joking. Autumn is a time to calm down and start finishing the things you started earlier in the year. In this case, I wanted to write about tarot in popular culture months ago, and I’ve only really just gotten around to it. To start with, we’ll briefly discuss the tarot symbolism of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s ‘The Holy Mountain’.
If you are one for spotting hidden symbolism and meanings, the Alejandro Jodorowsky’s ‘The Holy Mountain’ is a brilliant film to watch. Tarot plays a prominent role in the film both as an element of the story as well as clearly inspiring the designs of the characters. To try and actually describe The Holy Mountain is difficult; as a surrealist film the narrative is rather disjointed and sometimes difficult to watch, but it’s sprinkled with extremely memorable scenes which you’ll think about for days.
In the above scene, The Alchemist character uses the tarot deck as an allegorical tool of transformation for the story of the fool figure, whom eventually grows into a Christ-like figure, following the journey of the fool. The meaning of the Magician card and Hermetic concepts are described effortlessly in one line, with the bull and the vulture. This is one of the earlier scenes in the film, and forms a basis for the following story, introducing ten characters that are all essentially aspects of the whole main character.
Alejandro Jodorowsky still studies the tarot; he wrote a book on it and saw it differently to how it is usually portrayed. Not happy with the tarots use as a divination tool, he treated it more as a psychological aid. Interestingly, he combine cards in order to better understand them. Jodorowsky considers only one deck to be pure, the Tarot de Marseille, and all others to be derivative, each new tarot deck release losing the original meaning of the cards, until you end up with something like a tarot deck based off a TV show. It’s true that this opinion is shared by many, but as with many aspects of tarot, there is no objective truth.
In future we’ll be looking at more tarot inspired films, music and books! Have you read a book or seen a good film that features Tarot symbology? Comment below!
I recently read an article on the telegraph about the financial situation in Italy, and how many are now consulting the tarot to get a glimpse of their potential financial future. In this case, the situation has gotten so bad that people are turning to Tarot and other divinationary methods to try and find hope in what looks like a bleak future. It seems around a quarter of Italians re now using the services of Tarot readers and other similar practitioners. For any country, that’s quite a lot! Is this a good idea though?
When should you use Tarot to predict your finances?
You should treat the Tarot as a message form something greater than you; the Universe. You don’t necessarily have to bend to the will of the messages presented, they are just given as a potential outcome if you continue what you are doing. If you draw a good card in relation to finances, say, The Ace of Pentacles, you should always analyse it yourself rather than take it at face value. You may very likely have to put some action in place to make this eventuality come around. Have you been losing money hand over fist recently? Don’t expect this to change if you don’t change.
The important part here is the free will you possess. Even though it might feel like it, life isn’t a roller-coaster than you are strapped into. You are driving, and you can choose to go the wrong direction that your sat-nav takes you. Take the advice of the tarot cards and use them if they feel they will help you, and this applies to any aspect of your life.
If you are having trouble with your finances; Money is mundane, so a more mundane approach is likely going to be more useful than a spiritual one. Divide your expenses into wants and needs and then analyse it. Are your needs actually needs, or are they just disguised wants? You’ll be surprised how easy it is to save money and fix financial problems if you can see the benefit and overall positive impact that comes from sacrifice.
Tarot is a great divinatory tool as we all know. What you may not know is that it can be combined with so many other magical and divination methods and techniques. Stichomancy is the art of divination through interpreting seemingly randomly chosen words.
Can I perform Stichomancy?
Yes, anyone can do it, and it makes a great addition to any tarot reading! You simply think of a question, open a book at random , close your eyes and put your finger down on the page. The sentence you put your finger on should answer your question! Let’s look into how to perform a Stichomancy reading in depth.
How do I perform a Stichomancy reading?
Find a book which you believe to contain truth. Traditionally religious texts were used but you can choose a book that you feel drawn to or have a connection with
Clear your mind and think of a question you wish to ask, focus on the question
Close your eyes and hold the book by it’s spine
Allow the book to fall open on any page
With your eyes still closed, place your finger on the page
Open your eyes and read the sentence that your finger has fallen on
Understand the sentence and interpret it in relation to your question
Stichomancy is a lesser known divination technique but has actually been in use for over 3000 years. Sometimes it is called Bibliomancy. There are many methods of performing a reading but the steps above are a good place to start from. You can use it in a reading in many ways. For yourself, Stichomancy can give you another valuable insight into your initial question in a wider way than a single card or spread of cards can. For others, Stichomancy is a fun and easy to understand technique. It almost turns divination into a fun game!
Give Stichomancy a try in your next reading and let us know how you got on. Comment below or visit out Facebook page to discuss Stichomancy along with Tarot!
The Hermetic Tarot
The Cosmic Tarot
The Druid craft Tarot
