Frequently Asked Questions

Most of the information that follows is based upon current Tarot standards which follow the sequence of the cards as laid out by Aleister Crowley with The Fool card coming to the front of the deck with the number 0, and the graphics and meanings of the cards as portrayed by Arthur Waite and Pamela Coleman Smith in the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck (hereafter referred to as RW, or the standard style). There is much history that pre-dates this deck, and you can find a lot of it on the net. I have even included some links to historical information for you to ponder. We are not going to delve into the historical background of the Tarot. For most of us the graphics, and the key meanings, used in the RW deck are the standard to which we hold all other decks. We look at it this way - everything evolves. This includes our intuitive abilities. What we want is to be able to provide the best information we can to those who seek knowledge. Arguing about what card should go where defeats that purpose.

We believe in the evolution of the cards, and we need to remember that they are a conduit, not a law. The information obtained is not set in stone or absolute. It is information meant for the querant and once provided will allow that person to move forward forearmed. Setting a baseline for the system we use to gather this information can only help up become a better medium for this information to get where it needs to go. Our certification process is based on these standards.

What is a Tarot Deck?
What are the graphics and where do they come from?
What do I look for in a Tarot Deck?
What does it mean to read in reverse?
Where can I find deck reviews?
What books would you recommend?
Is it okay to buy used decks?
How do I store my deck?
Where can I go to learn more about the cards?
Are there other types of divination decks?
How do I find an ethical reader?

What is a Tarot Deck?

The majority of today's Tarot decks are standardized at 78 cards. The deck is broken down into two sections, the Major Arcana, and the Minors Arcana. The majors consist of 22 cards starting with The Fool (0) and ending with The World (XXII). These cards represent your higher self, your path, and information you need. I think of these cards as whispers from the divine.

The 56 minors are separated into four suits - wands, cups, swords and pentacles. These four suits resemble a standard card deck, which is what they were based on! The difference is that the Ace of the suit is the first card, cards 2 - 10 follow, with four court cards finishing the suit. Each suit represents elements of the physical world. Wands: energy, travel, information, careers and movement. Cups: love, emotions and relationships. Swords: intellect, justice, conflict and communication. Pentacles: home, health and money.

The site, The Lost Found gives more attributes to these suits.

Wands usually refer to events in their idea stage, Cups refer to the planning stage, Swords the action stage, and Pentacles the fruition stage.


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What are the graphics and where do they come from?

This is actually an interesting question. There are two types of decks; Marseilles, which only have full graphics on the Major Arcana, and non-Marseilles, which have graphics on all of the cards. You will find that many of today's non-Marseilles decks are either based upon, or loosely based upon, the RW graphics. These are described as Rider-Waite clones. In no way does this deter from their individuality, or the voice each deck speaks with. What it does is add credence to the fact that most of us use Pamela Coleman-Smith's graphics from the RW deck as a common language. We build upon that language much as ancient civilizations built upon their symbols. Think of the RW style as our Rosetta Stone.

Do not, however, think that all of the standard graphic styles look exactly alike. The differences are a vast and unique as individual snowflakes. The three cards below illustrate different styles of the same card. Notice that they all have a similar foundation, but they tell a slightly different story. The artist's interpretation leads to the voice, or personality, of the deck.

Ha! Sorry, I couldn't help myself. The Death card is my favorite card in the entire deck. The one on the far right, from the Nigel Jackson Tarot, actually saved my life. The Death card does not mean that you are going to get hit by the Divine Bus on your way home. There are many ways to look at this card; spiritual rebirth, abrupt endings, startling discoveries - it all depends on you and your questions.

What we do find is that there are two basic types of decks. Decks with full graphics on all of the cards, and decks that only have full graphics on the Major Arcana. The decks that do not have graphics on the minors simply have a depiction of the suite and the number of the card they represent. Thus, a three of swords would simply show three swords. We call these depictions pips. I prefer the full graphic decks.

While there are two basic types of decks, there are many styles of decks. Those not of the RW variety may be themed decks that deal directly with a certain religious or spiritual tradition, animals, life styles, or even works of art. There are some that have very little in common with the RW deck. Not only are the graphics completely different, the meanings behind them, the number of cards, and the order of the majors are all changed.



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What do I look for in a Tarot Deck?

It may come down to your personality or your likes and dislikes - and how long you have been reading. There are several decks that are good if you are just starting to learn. The Rider-Waite (Standard) deck tops the list as the best known. I have some issues with the colors used in the standard deck and prefer the Original Rider-Waite deck because the colors are not as harsh. There are literally dozens of RW clone decks out there where the only thing that has changed is the style of the graphic.

Each deck has a personal voice or flavor, and you may find that all decks speak with different intonations. All decks have a personality unique to that deck. That may be why many of us end up with so many decks! At one point I had over 50 decks. There are others in C.A.T.S. who have been bitten by the Tarot bug and have far more than that. I have given away many decks that I thought I wanted, but for one reason or another, found that I didn't like the style of the cards, or the colors, or I found that the minors were pips. This is a usually a problem with newer decks that have not been reviewed, or if I buy a deck because I am in a store and don't have access to more information about the deck. New decks are almost always sealed. This stops you from looking at more than the few cards you see on the box, or, if you are lucky, in the little example book that some stores put out. The problem with these sample books is that they tend only to show you the graphics for the Major Arcana. That means that if the minors are pips you have just purchased a deck you probably will not use.

There are many places now that have great deck reviews that include a description of the minors, and even examples of the graphics. This is a huge help if you want to see if the story of the cards is right for you. The bottom line is that you need to find a deck that is easy for you to look at and understand. The graphics should tell you a story. If they don't, you probably should not waste your money.



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What does it mean to read in reverse?

It would be simple, yet inaccurate, to say that a card that comes up in reverse is the opposite of what it means upright. While it may be true in some circumstances, it depends on the relationship of that particular reversal to the cards around it, and the question that is being asked.

I started out learning the cards with reversals and have found that this system works best for me. Some readers believe that all of the information they need to give will come across and that reversals are distracting. You have to find what works best for you. If you feel that you need to learn reversals then do it! Your intuition should guide you in all things that have to do with readings. Really. If you don't listen to that little voice here how are you going to be able to hear it when you go to read?

Look at the back of the decks that come into your possession. With some decks you can tell if a card is reversed by the way the graphic looks.



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Where can I find deck reviews?

These are a few of my favorite review sites:

Aeclectic Tarot

Wicce's Tarot Collection

Tarot Passages



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What books would you recommend?

This is by no means a complete list. These are, however, some very good reference books.

Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners by Joan Bunning
The Tarot - A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages by Paul Foster Case
Tarot For Your Self by Mary Greer
The Compete Book of Tarot Reversals by Mary K. Greer
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by A.E. Waite
78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Tarot by Rachel Pollack
Designing Your Own Tarot Spreads by Teresa Michelsen
Tarot Made Easy by Nancy Garen
Tarot Celebrations: Honoring the Inner Voice by Geraldine Amaral and Nancy Brady Cunningham



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Is it okay to buy used decks?

Yes, and no. I buy used decks all of the time - from trusted sources. It is not going to do me any good to buy a deck from an auction just to find out that it is missing cards. If you run across a deck at a yard sale that interests you, take the time to put the deck in order to make sure that all of the cards are there. I have seen people mix decks together because they didn't know any better, and then sell them as one deck. "Almost" does not work with a Tarot deck.

You will find many sites that tell you to smudge, or cleanse, a used deck to dispel negative vibrations. If that makes you feel closer to the deck then by all means do it. I find that by putting the deck in order and then shuffling for awhile to have the same effect. What you are trying to do is become aware of the personality of that deck, and have it become aware of you! Decks want to be used. The more you work with a deck, the easier it should be for the information to come through. Handling a deck, even a used one, infuses the deck with your energies. Sometimes I give away a deck that I love, to somebody who is attracted to the deck because there is so much of my energy in it. That is really quite a compliment!

Don't let decks you don't use waste away in a closet someplace. I think that is quite sad. Find them a good home and let them do what they were born to do. Not using them is a bit insulting. Having said that, please take a look here to see if there are any of these used decks (coming soon) that you would be interested in.



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How do I store my deck?

I have to tell you that when I first started my collection I bought each and every deck a beautiful wooden box into which I placed the silk wrapped the deck. Try traveling to a reading with five or six of these boxes! I soon found that I could make, or buy, soft pouches that fit the decks beautifully which made them much easier to travel with. I do have one box that I still use for two special decks. All of the rest live in pretty pouches.

If you are interested, I have an beautiful collection of boxes for sale too!



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Where can I go to learn more about the cards?

This is probably the easiest question there is. There are two answers. If you are local to the Lowcountry, I recommend coming to the next C.A.T.S. meeting. We are all in different stages of learning and everybody is welcome. We promise to throw you on the Divination Bus with all the rest of us as we weave our way through the learning process.

The second way is truly a gift from the divine. Go to Joan Bunnings site: http://www.learntarot.com/. It is the most complete site out there and it has helped tens of thousands of people learn the Tarot. What's more, it's free! You can even download the site and work off-line. Somewhere in my stack of books is my original notebook with my downloaded pages and volumes of notes. Joan also has a workbook with the same information that is available at most bookstores or on-line venues.

Would you like some basic tarot card meanings? Try this site: Basic Tarot Card Meanings.



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Are there other types of divination decks?

Oh my yes. I-Ching, oracle decks, Gypsy Witch Cards, Runes, (which are not really decks, but deserve mentioning) just to name a few. People have been using all sorts of items for divination including bones, sticks, palms and tea leaves. I have acquaintances in the metaphysical community who are able to do divination work with an article of clothing, or a picture. As you become more accustomed to working with the Tarot, you will find that your psychic abilities become honed to a point where you stop thinking about what the card's key attributes are, and just let the information flow.



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How do I find an ethical reader?

That's where we come in. Our readers adhere to our Code of Ethics. Any reader who does not will not be allowed in this organization.