There is a wealth of information about the tarot and some may seem conflicting and confusing but the tarot itself is simple to use. Its most common use is to give readings and answer questions or provide greater insight into a situation. In short it is a tool which can help us understand ourselves and our inner nature and help bring our unconscious processes into conscious thought.

We are all capable of reading the Tarot if we are willing to take the risk of trusting our inner guide. The Tarot can be a mirror of our inner wisdom.

Choosing a Deck There are many different Tarot decks of cards each with different images.While the main meanings are similar, each is open to slightly different interpretations due to their different nature and symbols.

When selecting a deck, look carefully at the cards in different decks and select the images you feel drawn to. These will be right for you.

Reading When reading cards I believe it is important to listen to your first impressions of a card and your feelings the card evokes.This may mean the same card may have different meanings to you at different times.Consulting books and guides is a great way to get started and it can save a lot of time and help you understand the cards. When you have more experience and are more willing to listen to your inner voice, you can start building your own meanings and interpretations.

Also remember that interpretations of cards may change depending on the type of deck you have and the symbols shown on the cards.

It helps to use the tarot in a quiet meditative state. Some suggest keeping your cards in a special box or wrapped in a special cloth. The cards can then be laid on the spread out cloth. Some people like to have flowers and other objects special to them present.The main purpose is to be as open as possible to listening to our intuition.

When doing a reading you may like to dedicate it for the highest and greatest good for all concerned. This is one way to keep the reading positive and can be helpful when doing readings for others. At least it will be a reminder that readings are meant to be helpful and supportive.

I prefer to draw cards with my left hand, the one traditionally associated with our intuitive nature. Take a few deep breaths, relax, breathe out all tension and then focus on your question as you mix the cards.

Tarot Cards The Tarot consists of 78 cards divided into two parts, known as the Major Arcana (cards 0-21) and the Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana consists of 4 suits each with 4 Court Cards and cards numbered 1 to 10, similar to a normal playing card deck.

The Major Arcana traditionally take precidence over Minor Arcana cards and refer to higher spiritual issues or major changes and challenges in life while Minor Arcana cards are said to relate to smaller everday life issues.

Court cards Knight, Queen, Prince and Princess relate in some way to people important in our lives.They may also show us what we have to learn, aspects of our personality or special talents. The four suits are Swords, Wands, Cups and Discs/ Coins. These relate to the four elements Air, Fire, Water and Earth.

Swords reflect spiritual or mental conditions; Wands, energy, perception and intuition; Cups, our emotions, and Discs; the external, physical reality.

Some people will read a card in a reversed or upside down position as having different "negative" meanings. I don't read use "reversed" card meanings as I find I get all the information I need in a normal reading.

Meaning of Major Arcana-

Remember your interpretation will depend upon the deck and the layout and question or type of reading. Here are some brief interpretations. The deck you have chosen may lead you to different meanings.

0 THE FOOL - ready for a new beginning, trust yourself, follow your heart even if you are afraid.

1 THE MAGUS/MAGICIAN- Mercury, communication, skill, creative potential

2 THE PRIESTESS-Moon, intuitive abilities ,inner balance, harmony

3 THE EMPRESS-Venus, motherliness, feminity, nourishing the new

4 THE EMPEROR-Aries, fatherhood, leader, urge for new beginning

5 THE HIEROPHANT-Taurus, spiritual teacher/advisor, inner guide, highest transformation

6 THE LOVERS-Gemini, love, union of opposites through Love

7 THE CHARIOT-Cancer, new beginning, change for good,spiritual path

8 ADJUSTMENT /JUSTICE -Libra, learning to be balanced,be centered, justice

9 THE HERMIT-Virgo, finding and listening to your inner voice, accepting your aloneness

10 FORTUNE- Jupiter, self realisation, unexpected fortune, creativity, recognising opportunities

11 LUST/STRENGTH -Leo, passion and energy, letting go of self judgements and accepting all aspects of yourself fully with compassion, personal growth through self acceptance, living fully

12 THE HANGED MAN- being stuck and recognising a deadend, willingness to surrender and change

13 DEATH- Scorpio, this is not an actual physical death, rather an indication of a major external change, the need to accept the loss and let go, freedom from old relationships, transformation

14 ART/TEMPERANCE -Saggittarius, looking within to find balance, integrating opposites,

15 THE DEVIL- Capricorn, relates to the god Pan, the god of vitality and creative sensual energy who accepts all life with humor, and sees all restrictions or excesses as our own choices, live life fully with humor and stay centered

16 THE TOWER - Mars, similar to Death but referring to inner transformations and changes, something may seem lost or destroyed but it was false and its loss can lead to transformations, healing, and spiritual renewal

17 THE STAR - Aquarius, a beautiful card, suggesting inspirituation, clarity of vision and recognition of your amazing potential

18 THE MOON- Pisces, final testing before a new life or transformation, need to follow your intuition to turn all mistakes to positive learnings, listen to your dreams, take care to examine all offers of support and guidance and choose wisely

19 THE SUN -Sun,a positive card, fulfillment of your goals right now, creativity, everything going right, fulfilled relationships, spiritual wisdom and transformation

20 THE AEON - the need to critically examine, seeing all sides at once, to learn to let go of biased judgement and any belief in injustice, to let go of things we have not forgiven

21 THE UNIVERSE - Saturn,successful completion and a new beginning, harmony and success, personal transformation and return to oneness

Learning about tarot cards can be a rich and fulfilling activity that is fun and exciting to share with your friends. It may even become a rewarding career.