What are Tarot Cards? — Tarot is a set of seventy-eight cards, each with different symbolic pictures or scenes. A standard tarot deck is made up of twenty-two cards called the major arcana, and four suits of fourteen cards similar to playing cards, called the minor arcana. Tarot can be used for divination, meditation and visualization, self-improvement, path working, spiritual purposes, or as a tool of understanding and introspection. There are hundreds of tarot decks available, with a huge variety of styles and themes.

Favorite Tarot Spreads — The positions in which we lay out the cards are called spreads. A reading can consist of one card to many, depending on the topic and depth of the reading. Individual positions in a spread often has its own defined meaning that helps the reader get to the card interpretation. Many spreads are devoted to gaining greater insight and to encourage transformation. See a few examples a here.

Sources & Sites — There are many books and web sites devoted to tarot cards. Many of the sites give free readings, while others also offer card definitions, forums where you can talk to other tarot readers, and online stores to purchase cards.