Tarot has fascinated people for centuries, offering insight, guidance, and a deeper understanding of life’s mysteries. Whether you’re a seasoned tarot reader or just beginning to explore this mystical practice, understanding the structure of a tarot deck is crucial. This article will dive into the basics of tarot, explaining how many cards are in a tarot deck, the purpose of these cards, and what you need to know to get started on your tarot journey.

How Many Cards Are in a Tarot Deck

A traditional tarot deck contains 78 cards. These 78 cards are divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Each card holds a specific meaning and symbolism, contributing to the overall narrative of a tarot reading.

The Major Arcana: 22 Cards

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, each representing significant life events, spiritual lessons, or powerful energies. These cards are often considered the most important in a tarot reading, as they signify major influences or themes in a person’s life. The Major Arcana cards are numbered from 0 to 21, starting with The Fool (0) and ending with The World (21).

Here’s a quick overview of some key Major Arcana cards:

The Fool (0): Symbolizes new beginnings, spontaneity, and taking a leap of faith.

The Magician (1): Represents manifestation, resourcefulness, and using one’s skills to achieve goals.

The High Priestess (2): Signifies intuition, mystery, and inner knowledge.

The Empress (3): Embodies nurturing, abundance, and creativity.

The Emperor (4): Represents authority, structure, and leadership.

The Lovers (6): Symbolizes love, relationships, and choices.

The Wheel of Fortune (10): Signifies change, cycles, and destiny.

Death (13): Represents transformation, endings, and new beginnings.

The Tower (16): Signifies sudden upheaval, chaos, and revelation.

The World (21): Symbolizes completion, wholeness, and fulfillment.

Each Major Arcana card tells a part of the “Fool’s Journey,” a metaphorical path representing personal growth and self-discovery.

The Minor Arcana: 56 Cards

The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards, divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit represents different aspects of life and is similar to a deck of playing cards, with numbers from Ace to 10 and four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King).

The Four Suits:

Wands:

Element: Fire

Represents: Action, ambition, creativity, and passion.

Keywords: Energy, drive, willpower.

Cups:

Element: Water

Represents: Emotions, relationships, intuition, and love.

Keywords: Feelings, compassion, emotional fulfillment.

Swords:

Element: Air

Represents: Intellect, communication, conflict, and challenges.

Keywords: Thoughts, clarity, decision-making.

Pentacles:

Element: Earth

Represents: Material aspects, work, finances, and physical health.

Keywords: Security, stability, prosperity.

The Purpose of Tarot Cards

Tarot cards are used for divination, self-reflection, and spiritual guidance. They offer insights into various aspects of life, helping people understand their current situation, explore potential outcomes, and gain clarity on personal challenges. Tarot readings can be done for oneself or others and can range from simple one-card pulls to complex spreads that examine multiple facets of a question or issue.

How to Start with Tarot

Choose Your Deck: There are many tarot decks available, each with unique artwork and themes. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is one of the most popular and a great starting point for beginners.

Learn the Meanings: Familiarize yourself with the meanings of the Major and Minor Arcana. While each card has traditional interpretations, your personal intuition and experiences will also shape how you read the cards.

Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become with reading tarot. Start with simple spreads, like a three-card spread for past, present, and future, and gradually work your way up to more complex layouts.

Trust Your Intuition: Tarot is as much about intuition as it is about memorizing card meanings. Pay attention to the images, symbols, and feelings that arise during a reading—they often hold valuable insights.

Keep a Tarot Journal: Document your readings, thoughts, and interpretations in a tarot journal. Over time, this will help you track your progress and deepen your understanding of the cards.