First steps
What is tarot and how does it work?
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Tarot is a deck of 78 illustrated cards, divided into 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. Each card is a symbol you can read as an image for reflecting on a situation. In practice, tarot works as a language of self-knowledge: you shuffle, choose cards, and notice what they stir up.
Where the deck comes from
Tarot was born in northern Italy in the 15th century as a card game called tarocchi. The first decks were hand-painted for noble families. Only later, in 18th-century France, did the cards begin to be used as a symbolic tool.
To understand the origins in more depth, it is worth reading about the history of tarot and the classic decks, such as the Tarot de Marseille and the Rider-Waite-Smith.
How the deck is organized
The deck has two parts. The Major Arcana (from The Fool to The World) deal with big life themes. The Minor Arcana are split into four suits of 14 cards each and speak about everyday situations.
- Major Arcana: 22 cards, numbered from 0 to XXI.
- Minor Arcana: 56 cards, in four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles).
- Each suit has ten numbered cards (Ace to Ten) and four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen and King).
What tarot is not
Tarot does not prove predictions and does not replace medical, legal or financial decisions. A reading is a tool for reflection: it organizes questions and points to areas that deserve attention, and the final interpretation is always yours.
Frequently asked questions
- Does tarot really work?
- Tarot has no scientific proof of predictive power. It works as a symbolic tool for reflection: the images help you organize your thoughts and look at a situation from another angle.
- How many cards are in a tarot deck?
- A traditional deck has 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana, divided into four suits of 14 cards.
- Do I need to memorize the meanings to get started?
- No. Start with the images and the keywords of a few cards. The meanings become clearer with practice and with the help of a guide.
Educational content, for reflection. Tarot does not replace medical, legal or financial advice.