What is Tarot? — Complete Tarot Reading Guide
Tarot is an ancient symbolic system of 78 cards that has helped people explore their inner world, find answers to their questions, and illuminate life's possibilities for centuries. Whether you want to get an online tarot reading or learn to read tarot cards yourself, you've come to the right place.
History and Origins of Tarot Cards
The origins of tarot cards trace back to 15th-century Northern Italy, where nobles played a card game called "tarocchi." Initially a form of entertainment, tarot gained mystical significance in the 18th century when French occultist Antoine Court de Gébelin proposed that the cards carried ancient Egyptian wisdom. While historically debated, this claim catalyzed tarot's evolution into a tool for divination and self-reflection. In the 19th century, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and Arthur Edward Waite systematically linked tarot imagery with esoteric symbolism. The Rider-Waite deck, published in 1909 with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith, remains the world's most widely used tarot deck — and it's the classic deck you can use on TarotBoard.com.
How Does a Tarot Reading Work?
A tarot reading begins when the querent sets an intention or asks a question. The cards are shuffled and drawn according to the chosen spread (layout). Each card carries different meanings depending on whether it appears upright or reversed. The reader interprets the positions, relationships between cards, and symbolic messages to provide guidance and insight. Tarot doesn't predict the future with certainty — instead, it illuminates current energies, possibilities, and areas for growth. On TarotBoard.com, you can get a free online tarot reading, choose from 7 different spread types, and learn the detailed meaning of every card.
What Are Major and Minor Arcana?
Major Arcana
The Major Arcana (Greater Secrets) consists of 22 cards representing life's grand themes, turning points, and spiritual lessons. Spanning from The Fool (0) to The World (XXI), these cards tell a universal story of spiritual evolution. When a Major Arcana card appears in a reading, it signals that the matter at hand carries deep, transformative significance. For example, The Tower signifies sudden upheaval, while The Star represents hope and healing.
Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana (Lesser Secrets) consists of 56 cards reflecting everyday life, practical matters, and temporary situations. They are divided into four suits: Wands (fire element — passion, energy, action), Cups (water element — emotions, relationships, intuition), Swords (air element — thought, communication, conflict), and Pentacles (earth element — career, money, health). Each suit contains numbered cards from Ace to 10, plus four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King.
How to Get an Online Tarot Reading
Anyone can learn to read tarot — it develops over time with intuition, knowledge of symbolism, and practice. On TarotBoard.com, you can experience tarot in two ways: With free solo tarot reading, draw your own cards from the classic 78-card deck and explore each card's detailed meaning. For deeper guidance, connect with an experienced Symbol Reader for a live video tarot session. Choose from Celtic Cross, Three Card, Aphrodite Love, Relationship Mirror, and more spread types to find answers to your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tarot reading accurate?▼
Tarot is a tool for insight, not definitive future prediction. The symbolic messages of the cards help you see your situation from different angles and make conscious, informed decisions.
Is online tarot reading free?▼
Solo tarot reading on TarotBoard.com is completely free — just create an account. Live sessions with a reader may have conditions set by the individual reader.
Do I need special abilities to read tarot?▼
No. Anyone can learn tarot reading. Developing your intuition, learning card meanings, and practicing regularly is all it takes. Use TarotBoard.com's card gallery to study all 78 cards and their meanings.
Which tarot spread should I choose?▼
For quick guidance, try the Three Card spread. For in-depth analysis, choose the Celtic Cross. For love questions, use the Aphrodite or Relationship Mirror spread. For career decisions, the Career Path spread is ideal.