What exactly are Tarot Cards?

Tarot Cards have been around for quite some time. Although, the exact origins aren’t documented, it’s thought to come from the 1500’s. They were thought to be playing cards at first, but somehow turned into a form of fortune telling. When one thinks of tarot cards, they think of  a fortune teller spilling the tea about one’s future. Or, even worse, the con-artist who drives fear into you and convinces you that you need their help and only they can help you. There’s a lot of misunderstanding around Tarot Readings and the true power that they have. Tarot Cards can help you unlock your greatest dreams and desires. They are a mirror of your subconscious and a way to tap into your inner wisdom. They tell a story of our lives, representing life’s lessons, struggles and triumphs. Sure, they can be a quick glimpse of our future, but they remind us that we are the authors of our lives.

Traditional Tarot Cards have two sections. The first is the Major Arcana, which tells the bigger life events one may experience. It’s like a story, starting with the Fool and ending with the World. Life is a spiral, always coming back to certain aspects and themes. The Major Arcana captures these experiences. It’s like the broader, bigger picture. It’s like taking a step back and looking at a painting. The Minor Arcana is like the smaller life lessons, the more detailed, fine brush strokes of a painting. It’s the nitty-gritty things that happen in our life. A reading combines these two and creates a beautiful painting of what is going on in that person’s life. It tells a story, driven by the beautiful imagery on each card. These cards seem to connect our life experiences together, each reading just as unique and special as the person who it’s intended for.

“We pursue a world of endless possibility!
We pursue it to blow this one away.
We follow the trumps or irrevocability
and we love very card we play…
And how we play! “

-Tarot Americaine

by World Inferno Friendship Society

The song lyric I posted was my first exposure to Tarot. It’s from a band that can only be described as a cabaret punk rock band. Shortly after listening to that song, I received my first tarot deck. I remember the mystery and awe of the first tarot deck I owned. It was like I held life’s deepest mysteries in my hand. I somehow could connect with people on a level and bring them understanding of their life, including mine. Through my journey Tarot showed me my power, my weakness, my truth and my heart. Tarot has guided me through life helping me with addiction, abusive relationships, spiritual growth and helped me change the paths I was on. It helps me get back into alignment when I am lost. I learned how to use Tarot Cards as a form of Spiritual Life Coaching.

So how exactly can Tarot transform our lives?

When used properly Tarot Cards can be a Life Coaching tool. It’s a way to connect with a client on a deep, personal and unique level. It’s like taking a snapshot of one’s life at that moment. It helps identify what is going on, what blocks or advantages one has and any obstacles that may appear. Once these are identified, a client can open and talk about their unique experience. You can talk and give them a fresh perspective. You can give them advice on how to work around and have breakthroughs. By asking questions based around the cards, you can help other’s dig deep into their experience and help them tap into their inner wisdom. Although there are some things in life that seem to be “destined” our future is not carved in stone. Tarot is an amazing way to see how we can change our lives for the better.

I recommend to start with an open-ended question. This opens the door for an in-depth reading, it keeps your mind open and helps you see the options and possibilities in your situation. Secondly, talk or write out your situation as the cards unfold. How does it apply to your life or your client’s life directly? It helps you see how the cards are relevant to your life. As a reader, don’t be scared to ask questions around the cards. It helps the client open and talk things through. This is how you get a breakthrough, by digging deep and journaling or talking about what is going on. By seeing how the cards interweave and connects personally. By talking about how to overcome the obstacles, the “difficult” cards and how to see that there is no such thing as a bad reading. Sometimes painful truths are delivered, but this isn’t to hurt or punish. I know I can easily fool myself when I am delusional or wanting something so bad I become blind to reality. Transformation isn’t always pretty, and when we are avoiding the truth, ourselves and the reality of our situation. Tarot Cards can be the catalyst and the truth bearer. It’s important to keep an open mind, and not have one’s heart set on a specific outcome, for this reason. Therefore “Yes or No” questions can be dangerous. It closes us off to the truth and potential. It leaves us with no real closure, answers, clarity and options. It’s a short-term relief, but it leaves us unsatisfied on how to transform our lives. Although, they are good at what they do, it’s just not my style. One thing I have learned when it comes to Tarot Readers, is they all have their own style and flavor.  Once you find the one that rings true to you, that’s something special and the true “magic” can begin.