Tarot Cards: Structure and Tradition

1. Systematic Structure: Tarot cards have a structured system comprising 78 cards divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, each representing significant life themes and spiritual lessons, such as The Fool, The Magician, and The World. The Minor Arcana includes 56 cards, which are further divided into four suits: Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands. Each suit represents different aspects of daily life and personal experiences.

2. Traditional Symbolism: Tarot cards are steeped in tradition and symbolism. Each card has specific imagery and meanings that have been developed over centuries. This symbolism provides a rich tapestry of interpretations, and the cards are often read in combinations to offer a comprehensive understanding of a situation.

3. Structured Readings: Tarot readings often follow specific spreads or layouts, such as the Celtic Cross or Three-Card Spread. These spreads are designed to address particular questions or issues and provide a detailed analysis based on the positions of the cards. The structured nature of tarot readings can offer in-depth insights into complex situations.

4. Deep Historical Roots: The origins of tarot cards date back to the 15th century, with their use evolving from playing cards to divination tools. This long history has contributed to a rich and complex system that many practitioners find deeply meaningful.

Oracle Cards: Flexibility and Variety

1. Diverse Decks: Oracle cards, on the other hand, come in a wide variety of decks, each with its own theme, structure, and symbolism. Unlike tarot cards, oracle decks do not adhere to a fixed number of cards or a specific layout. Decks can range from as few as 30 cards to over 100, and themes can include angels, nature, mythology, or personal empowerment.

2. Personal and Intuitive: Oracle cards are often designed with more flexibility in mind. Each deck typically comes with a guidebook or instructions that provide insights into the meaning of each card, but the interpretations can be more open to personal intuition. This allows readers to connect with the cards in a way that feels right for them.

3. Varied Readings: Oracle card readings are less structured compared to tarot. While some readers use specific spreads, many simply draw a single card or a few cards for guidance. The focus is often on providing inspiration, affirmation, or a general sense of direction rather than a detailed analysis of a situation.

4. Modern Origins: Oracle cards have a more contemporary history compared to tarot. Many modern oracle decks have been created by artists, spiritual practitioners, and authors in recent decades. This has led to a diverse array of decks that cater to various interests and spiritual practices.

Key Differences Summarized

The universal language of Earth is symbology. Symbols, and pictures are the only way to communicate that everyone on earth understands. 

The creator of our universe is unbiased, and while utilizing the many languages of mankind, mostly uses symbolism to communicate because it cannot be misinterpreted. 

From animals and their attributes, to pictures and symbols - we can communicate through the aether by observing and connecting to the original foundations of Earth.

Tarot is technically the creator's language. And people who wanted to separate man from his creator made us feel as though it's bad.

Many people are afraid of the tarot, but don't realize that playing cards are based upon the tarot, with the joker being the fool and the 4 suits correlating with the four elements of the tarot.

This is an esoteric truth, and the tarot was hidden within playing cards during an era (victorian predominantly) when tarot readings were illegal.

The fears of the tarot still continue to this day in many people, though it truly is an illogical fear. As if a creator would be so immature as to ban images on a card.

The fear comes mostly from the tarot being accurate. "How can the tarot be so accurate? It must be demonic!", is what many people feel. But this can be easily explained.

The tarot works by a psychic using their gifts of connection to the divine and channelling that connection through the cards on behalf. This connection is invisible in the same way that wifi is. It works along electromagnetic fields. The information comes from the field of the individual seeking a reading. This field is then "shuffled" (transmuted) into the symbology of the cards to be read. 

There is nothing demonic about it. It comes from an understanding that everything is connected and is ultimately energy. Those seeking answers will find them, and that can come personally or through another (in this case a tarot reader).

Symbology is used in all cultures and has been around since the dawn of humanity. 

There is nothing to fear and everything to gain from receiving a tarot reading.

Written by Karissa

We also have a great book in our store that we highly recommend if you're interested in exploring Tarot even further - Advanced Tarot: An in-Depth Guide to Practical & Intuitive Tarot Reading

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