Hai Beautiful!

I’m so excited to talk about this!

Disclaimer: I am in no way a witch, but I am very curious about tarot, always have been. This book I’m writing has allowed me to delve deeper into this curiosity and learn about tarot in an interactive way.

I’ve been able to chat with people who are into tarot and the witchy side of TikTok has been a huge help in terms of research. I also want to make it aware that I am only researching tarot at a very high level, gaining basic knowledge to fill the blanks and complete this first draft.

In editing, I hope to get my own deck of tarot cards (hopefully a pink set) and learn more about the art of tarot to further develop my witchy character/s and my own learning.

Now, here’s what you came for! All facts are from multiple sources and every person/ site that I have consulted for this information is linked beside the corresponding fact.

Tarot Facts I Learnt For My WIP!

This list will be split into three sections; tarot cards, crystals and card spreads.

The Tarot Cards

When I reached the tarot part of my story, I asked on Twitter if anyone knows anything about the topic and if they’d like to answer some questions I have. The wonderful Sarah @farfromsarah answered my call and all the questions I have. A few of the facts in this list are her answers and I am so grateful for her help.

• The Meaning Behind The Cards
  Since I don’t own a deck, I found a site that details the basic meaning of each of the cards in a full tarot deck. Labyrinthos.co includes all the upright and reversed meanings of each of the cards in the major and all four suits of the minor arcana with images.
  • Major Arcana
    This includes 22 cards: The World, Judgement, The Sun, The Moon, The Star, The Tower, The Devil, Temperance, Death, The Hanged Man, Justice, The Wheel of Fortune, The Hermit, Strength, The Chariot, The Lovers, THe Hierophant, The Emperor, The Empress, The High Priestess, The Magician & The Fool.
  • Minor Arcana
    There are 4 suits – Wands, Cups, Suites & Pentacles – each containing 14 cards.

• Connection to a Deck
  I have been informed by Sarah that tarot decks are more often than not, gifted to the user and the user must bond with the deck before using it. Although, decks do not have to be a gift and the manner in which someone bonds with a deck may differ from person to person.
  • Bonding with a Tarot Deck
    There are a few ways to bond with a tarot deck.
    • Sleep with it. Whether that be placing it under your pillow or on your nightstand while you sleep, apparently this helps create a connection.
    • Carry it with you everywhere. For how long depends on the person. I’ve read that it can range from a few days to a week but whatever feels right.
    • Get stuck into using them! I like this one the most because we’ve all have that feeling of getting a new toy and immediately wanting to play with it and make it ours.

Crystals

I’ve always had a connection with Rose Quartz. Maybe it’s my love for the colour pink or the fact that I’ve been gifted multiple Rose Quartz stones but I’ve started researching more into the stone and its uses as well as others.

• Crystals To Put With Your Deck
  Clear Quartz is the most common crystal to keep with a tarot deck. I read somewhere (not sure of the source) that it can be a substitute for any other crystal. It helps to strengthen and clarify readings.
  Although, as with all tarot rules, it is not necessary to have a clear quartz crystal with your deck. The deck will still work without the crystal.
• Crystals For Beginners
  I found a post on Pinterest, the source of all of my information, that briefly sum up the uses of certain crystals good for beginners. Here are some of my favourite crystals visually and what I learnt about them:
  • Rose Quartz
    This crystal speaks of love (romantic, familial, self). It is common in homes and used to strengthen relationships.
    On a personal level, it can help heal negative emotions/ feelings towards oneself, build up self-love and aid in feelings of respect and peacefulness.
  • Amethyst
    Helps with to heal a lack of energy and headache pains, especially from a hangover.
    Also is used to improve spiritual connection.
  • Clear Quartz
    Used to improve focus. alertness and stimulate brain function. Also helps to generally provide positive energy and aid with consciousness during work and school.

Cleansing A Tarot Deck

This post I found on Pinterest (yet again), is a screenshot from an Instagram account I cannot locate. It informs me that this is essential after purchasing or receiving a new deck as to rid it of any residual energy (bad or otherwise) that may interfere with or hinder your readings.

It is always best to start working with your deck with a new energy.

Cleansing a deck can be done in many ways. Sarah @farfromsarah suggested some of these and others I researched. Again, these are just examples and you can do whatever feels right for you.

• Moonlight
• Smudge sticks
• Knocking the deck against something
• Screaming, yelling or using sound
• Visualisation
• Incense (specific to cleansing)
• Crystals (specific to cleansing)
• Sorting, shuffling and/ or ordering the deck

Tarot Card Spreads

To make it clear, there seems to be no right answer when it comes to tarot and tarot card readings. These are facts, more like guidelines and in no way dictate how one should perform a tarot reading or use their cards.

• Spread Ideas
  My favourite site right now is My Wandering Fool Tarot. It has been my go-to for tarot spread ideas (especially for my WIP), decks and all things tarot related. I can scroll through this site for hours!
• For Fun
  Interpreting the cards don’t have to have a specific purpose. A spread can just be for fun, as in Ariel Bissett’s Tarot & Books Video where she chooses three cards and gives a book recommendation based off of the meaning of the card.

The entire art of tarot is all about how you feel and how you interpret the cards and that’s what I love about the art!

Thank You!

I had so much fun writing this post and I hope you learnt something here. If you would like to add something to this list, or maybe correct a fact that I have listed, please feel free to drop a comment below xxx

I truly love the art of tarot and would love to dive into it further. Not just in a research way but also physically. If you know any good tarot decks for beginners, please let me know or drop a link in the comments so I can check them out.

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See you back here on Monday’s (book reviews), Wednesday’s (storytime/ writing updates) and Saturday’s (other bookish content).