Tarot: what it is, history, cards and reading methods
The Tarot is a deck of 78 cards whose visual language is used to interpret situations, recognize influences, and explore possible future developments. Although it originated as a card game in Renaissance Italy, it eventually became one of the best-known systems of cartomancy. Its Major Arcana, symbols, and reading methods have given rise to different decks and schools of interpretation.
What is Tarot?
The Tarot is a card system composed, in its most widespread form, of 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana. Each card contains figures, objects, colors, and scenes that acquire meaning according to the question asked, its position within the spread, and its relationship to the surrounding cards.
The practice of selecting and interpreting these cards is also called Tarot. Its reading can be used to examine past events, understand a present situation, identify trends, and seek guidance when facing decisions or periods of uncertainty.
Tarot is part of cartomancy, a term that encompasses various methods of divination and interpretation using cards. However, not all cartomancy uses a Tarot deck: there are also systems based on playing cards, Spanish decks, Gypsy cards, and different oracles.
Origin and history of the Tarot
Esoteric legends have linked the Tarot to Egypt, Kabbalah, ancient schools of wisdom, and other secret knowledge. These interpretations profoundly influenced its spiritual development, but the oldest historical records place its emergence in the cities and courts of northern Italy during the 15th century.
The first tarocchi of Renaissance Italy
The earliest known references date from the 1440s and 1450s in cities such as Milan, Venice, Florence, and Urbino. Italian decks already used the suits of cups, swords, clubs, and coins, accompanied by numbered cards and court figures.
To these 56 cards were added 21 illustrated trumps and the Fool. The trumps represented religious figures, virtues, earthly powers, celestial bodies, and allegories such as Death, Justice, the Wheel of Fortune, and the World. Within the game, each trump could prevail over other cards according to the established order.
Among the oldest examples are the Visconti and Visconti-Sforza decks, made for Milanese noble families. Their cards were hand-painted and decorated with precious materials, and are therefore recognized as works of Renaissance art.
From card games to divination practices
The earliest tarot decks were not conceived as instruments of divination. For several centuries they were used primarily for games, although other forms of divination and prediction using playing cards, fortune-telling books, and various random selection methods were already circulating in Europe.
The documented use of Tarot for divination began to develop during the second half of the 18th century. Jean-Baptiste Alliette, known as Etteilla, was one of the key figures in this transformation. He developed methods of cartomancy and created one of the first decks designed specifically for divination.
During this same period, theories circulated attributing the Tarot to an ancient Egyptian origin. Although these claims lack historical support, they influenced the creation of new decks and the incorporation of astrological, hermetic, and Kabbalistic symbols.
The Tarot within European occultism
During the 19th century, the Tarot ceased to be merely a popular method of divination and came to occupy an important place within various occult traditions. Authors such as Éliphas Lévi linked its cards to Kabbalah, numerology, the elements, and other esoteric correspondences.
The terms major and minor arcana also began to be used. The traditional images were interpreted as representations of spiritual principles, stages of transformation, and human experiences. In this way, the deck acquired a much broader symbolic structure than that preserved by the ancient Italian game.
The Formation of the Modern Tarot
The development of the modern Tarot was marked by the publication of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck in 1909. The deck was designed by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, who created complete scenes for the Minor Arcana. Until then, many decks represented these cards primarily by showing the corresponding number of cups, swords, wands, or pentacles.
Pamela Colman Smith's illustrations facilitated a reading experience based on recognizable actions, characters, and situations. Her work made the Rider-Waite-Smith deck one of the most widely used decks for learning and served as a model for numerous subsequent decks.
Another influential work was the Thoth Tarot, developed by Aleister Crowley and illustrated by Frieda Harris during the 1930s and 1940s. Its cards incorporated elements of astrology, Kabbalah, alchemy, and the esoteric teachings associated with Crowley.
Since then, countless reinterpretations have appeared. Some retain the traditional 78-card structure, while others modify the names, characters, and artistic styles to express different spiritual and cultural currents.
Guides to understanding the Tarot and its cards
The study of Tarot encompasses its history, the composition of the decks, the language of the Major Arcana, and the different methods of reading. The following guides allow you to delve deeper into its main systems, learn about specific decks, and consult the meaning of its cards.
How many cards does the Tarot have?
The traditional deck contains 78 cards divided into two main groups: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. This organization is found in systems such as the Tarot of Marseille, the Rider-Waite-Smith, and the Thoth Tarot, although each has differences in its images, names, and correspondences.
| Group | Quantity | Composition: | General interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Arcana | 22 letters | The Fool and 21 numbered arcana | Important processes, changes, principles, and profound experiences. |
| Minor Arcana | 56 letters | Cups, swords, clubs, and coins | Everyday situations, relationships, decisions, projects, and material matters. |
The 22 major arcana
The Major Arcana represent figures and scenes that carry a great deal of symbolic weight. Among them are the Magician, the High Priestess, the Empress, the Emperor, the Lovers, the Hermit, Death, the Tower, the Star, the Moon, the Sun, and the World.
The Fool may appear unnumbered or identified with the number zero. The other Major Arcana are usually numbered from I to XXI, although there are differences between decks. For example, Strength and Justice exchange positions in some systems.
In a reading, the Major Arcana point to matters of special importance. They can speak of transformations, decisions, trials, lessons learned, endings, and new beginnings. The presence of several Major Arcana cards in a spread often indicates that the matter in question is part of a significant process for the person.
The 56 Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana are divided into four suits: Cups, Swords, Wands, and Coins. Each suit contains numbered cards from Ace to Ten and four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King.
Its interpretation relates to concrete experiences of daily life. The sticks allow us to recognize the main area in which a situation manifests itself.
| Palo | Common association | Issues that may represent |
|---|---|---|
| Glasses | Water and emotions | Love, relationships, feelings, bonds, and intuition. |
| Swords | Air and thought | Decisions, ideas, conflicts, communication, and challenges. |
| Bastos | Fire and action | Willpower, work, projects, creativity and initiative. |
| Gold | Earth and matter | Money, resources, stability, health, profession, and results. |
These correspondences do not work in isolation. The card number, the scene depicted, its position within the spread, and its relationship to other Major Arcana all modify its interpretation.
How does a Tarot reading work?
A reading begins with a question or the intention to examine a situation. After shuffling the deck, a certain number of cards are selected and laid out in a pattern known as a spread.
Each position serves a purpose. A card can represent the origin of the problem, the current situation, an influence, advice, an obstacle, or the possible course of events. The final meaning arises from the relationship between the card, its position, and the spread as a whole.
The question and the preparation of the letters
The question helps to define the topic of the consultation. It can refer to a relationship, a decision, work, finances, a personal change, or any situation that requires guidance.
Some people perform a spiritual preparation before using the cards, while others focus solely on the question and the method of interpretation. There is no universal ritual: the way to prepare the deck depends on the tradition, school, and practice of the tarot reader.
The positions of the throw
A spread is the arrangement in which the cards are laid out on the table. The simplest spreads use a single card or a sequence of three. Other spreads contain a greater number of positions and allow for the observation of different aspects of the matter being consulted.
A three-card spread can represent past, present, and future; situation, obstacle, and advice; or person, relationship, and possible outcome. The function of each position must be established before interpreting the cards.
Upright and reversed cards
Some schools interpret reversed cards, while others read the entire deck upright. A reversed card can indicate blockage, delay, excess, absence, or an internal expression of your energy, but it doesn't automatically have to be understood as having a negative meaning.
The use of reversed cards is a choice made by the reading system. The important thing is to maintain a consistent approach throughout the reading and not change it after observing the result.
The relationship between the letters
A card has its own meaning, but its message changes depending on the cards that surround it. A favorable card can indicate difficulties if it appears surrounded by challenging cards, while a card considered difficult can signify overcoming a problem when it is part of a positive sequence.
Reading is not just about memorizing definitions. It also requires recognizing symbols, observing the direction of the figures, relating the sticks, and understanding the story that unfolds between the different positions.
Main Tarot decks
The general structure of the Tarot has remained unchanged for centuries, but its imagery and methods of interpretation have given rise to different families of decks. Some maintain the historical design, while others were created to develop specific esoteric systems.
Visconti-Sforza Tarot
The Visconti-Sforza deck comprises some of the oldest surviving Tarot cards. It was created in the 15th century for members of the Visconti and Sforza families of Milan. Its images, painted and decorated with gold details, reflect characters, values, and symbols typical of Renaissance courts.
Its importance is primarily historical and artistic. It allows us to observe what the first trumps were like before many of the names and numbering systems used by later decks were established.
Tarot of Marseille
The name Tarot of Marseille identifies a family of European decks that share a recognizable iconography. Their major arcana feature figures in vibrant colors, titles generally written in French, and a composition that profoundly influenced traditional schools of interpretation.
The numbered Minor Arcana primarily show the corresponding quantity of each suit. For this reason, their reading often places special emphasis on numerology, the arrangement of the symbols, and the relationships between the four suits.
Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot
The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is one of the most widely used playing cards today. It was designed by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, whose contribution was essential in establishing its visual style.
The presence of complete scenes in the 56 Minor Arcana allows for the recognition of emotions, actions, and conflicts without relying solely on numerology. This characteristic makes it a popular choice for those beginning their study of Tarot.
The meaning of their images can be found in our guide on the 78 cards of the Rider-Waite Tarot, where each card is explained in both upright and inverted positions.
Thoth Tarot
The Thoth Tarot was developed by Aleister Crowley with illustrations by Frieda Harris. Its cards have a complex composition that combines geometry, astrology, Kabbalah, alchemy, and ceremonial symbolism.
Some of the Major Arcana have different names than those used in the Tarot of Marseille and the Rider-Waite-Smith. Their interpretation usually requires knowledge of the esoteric correspondences upon which they were constructed.
Contemporary tarot decks and themed decks
Numerous artists have reinterpreted the Tarot using imagery related to nature, animals, mythology, spiritual traditions, and various cultural expressions. A deck can modify its appearance while retaining the structure of 78 cards, the four suits, and the sequence of the Major Arcana.
There are also proposals such as the Tarot of the angelsThese decks incorporate celestial beings and spiritual messages. They should be distinguished from free-form oracle decks, whose number of cards and organization do not necessarily follow the traditional Tarot structure.
How to choose a Tarot deck?
The choice of deck depends on the system you wish to study and your affinity for its imagery. A clear deck makes it easier to recognize characters, actions, symbols, and relationships between the cards.
Before choosing a deck, it's a good idea to look at several of the Major Arcana, check the size of the cards, and see if it includes an instruction booklet. It's also important to know if it follows the structure of the Tarot of Marseille, the Rider-Waite-Smith, the Thoth, or its own unique system.
The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is often recommended for beginners because all its cards are illustrated and there is abundant material dedicated to their interpretation. The Tarot of Marseille allows for a reading more supported by numerology and visual composition, while the Thoth deck requires familiarity with a more complex esoteric system.
Personal affinity also plays an important role. The images should spark interest and allow the reader to easily recognize the deck's symbolic language.
Differences between Tarot, cartomancy and oracles
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they identify different systems.
| System | Features |
|---|---|
| Tarot | A deck typically structured in 78 cards, with major and minor arcana. |
| Cartomancy | The practice of interpretation or divination using any type of cards. |
| Oracle | A deck of cards with a free structure whose number of cards, themes, and meanings depend on its creator. |
All divinatory uses of the Tarot are part of cartomancy, but not all cartomancy uses the Tarot. Similarly, a deck illustrated with spiritual messages does not automatically become a Tarot if it does not retain its fundamental composition.
Is Tarot part of spiritualism?
Tarot and spiritualism are different practices. Spiritualism believes in the survival of the soul and studies communication with spirits through mediumistic abilities. Tarot, on the other hand, is a system of cards used in cartomancy.
Some people may combine a reading with mediumship, prayer, or communication with their spirit guides, but this combination depends on individual practice. The cards do not need to be part of a séance, and spiritism can be practiced without using the Tarot.
Is it possible to learn to read Tarot cards?
Tarot interpretation can be learned through studying the cards, observing their symbols, and consistent practice. When starting out, it's helpful to first familiarize yourself with the deck's structure, the Major Arcana, the four suits, and the basic meanings of the court cards and numbers.
Later, spreads and combinations are incorporated. Recording the readings allows one to recognize how each card manifests in different situations and to develop one's own judgment without abandoning the fundamentals of the system used.
Intuition can contribute to reading, but it must be accompanied by knowledge. Interpreting an image freely without understanding the structure of the deck can lead to contradictory messages or messages unrelated to the question.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tarot
How many cards are in a Tarot deck?
The traditional deck contains 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. Some contemporary decks add or modify cards, but classic systems maintain this composition.
Which Tarot deck is best to start with?
The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is one of the most popular choices for learning because its Minor Arcana cards contain complete scenes. The Tarot of Marseille can also be used from the beginning, especially when studying numerology and traditional symbolism.
Is it mandatory to read reversed cards?
No. There are methods that use upright and reversed cards, and others that read the entire deck vertically. Difficulties and blockages can also be identified by the position of the spread and the relationship between the cards.
Does the Tarot predict the future?
In divination, cards are used to identify trends, influences, and potential outcomes. The reading shows the likely development of a situation based on current conditions, but subsequent decisions and changes can alter that course.
Are tarot and oracle the same thing?
No. The Tarot has a recognizable structure of major and minor arcana. Oracles can have any number of cards, and their meanings depend on the system created for each deck.
Is it necessary to perform a ritual before reading the cards?
There is no single ritual that is mandatory for all schools of tarot readings. Some tarot readers pray, light a candle, or prepare the space before the reading, while others simply shuffle the cards and concentrate on the question. The preparation depends on the tradition and the reader's beliefs.
Sources and editorial criteria
To reconstruct the history of the Tarot, museum collections and studies dedicated to the conservation of historical decks were consulted. A distinction was made between documented antecedents and esoteric interpretations developed from the 18th century onward.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Before Fortune-Telling: The History and Structure of Tarot Cards.
- Victoria and Albert Museum, A History of Tarot Cards.
- The Warburg Institute, Tarot: Origins and Afterlives.
- The British Museum, historical collections dedicated to the Tarot of Marseille and the Etteilla decks.
The meanings and reading procedures can vary between decks, schools, and traditions. The content describes the structure shared by the most widespread systems and points out the differences that influence their interpretation.