Tarot and How We Use it Today

The Origins of Tarot

Tarot was invented sometime in the mid-15th Century in Italy. It is thought it originated when mystics and astrologers started using ordinary playing cards to tell fortunes.

During the 15th century, special cards were added to the playing cards. Later, these became known as the Major Arcana. They are considered to be the ‘leaders’ of the tarot deck.

The remaining cards are referred to as the Minor Arcana. Usually, these cards are split into four suits: cups, wands, swords and coins (or pentacles), although decks vary greatly.

Tarot has evolved many times over since its original form, becoming more complex and rich in symbolism. The cards themselves have gained meaning over the years from the cultures that adopted their use.

Some cards have come and gone, like The Pope, The Juggler, The Arrow, etc. Many famous alchemists and prophets have used tarot, including Nostradamus and Aristotle.

It was around the 17th Century, tarot evolved into the form we know it as today.  

The Deck

The Major Arcana

The Major Arcana are considered the heart of the tarot deck. These 22 cards are known as the Trump Cards and represent life and its cycles from birth to death. They symbolize the physical, spiritual, intellectual and emotional aspects of humankind and its relationship to the universe.

In the Major Arcana, the 22 cards represent different archetypes, including a nurturing mother, a strong commanding authoritative type, a traditional religious figure, a mystic spiritual figure, and so on. These archetypes represent either real or spiritual figures in one’s life.

If you look at the artwork on a Major Arcana card, you will see a scene that has symbolic elements. Also on many decks, the cards feature a title and number, in Roman Numerals from 0 to 22. There are some decks, however, where the Major Arcana only have pictures (as they were originally). The speculation is that numbers and words weren’t on those decks because the majority of people were illiterate.

If you look closely at the pictures on the Major Arcana, you will find the pictures are indeed steeped with symbolism. The Major Arcana also relate to those things regarding one’s higher purpose. It tells of one’s journey in life especially in relation to their personal character development.

The numbers on the card, ranging from 0 to 22, depict the fool’s journey from birth to death and from innocence to wisdom to (hopefully) enlightenment. In addition to focusing on our spiritual selves, the Major Arcana also give us answers in relation to major life events. They address such things as family, social relationships, jobs and other major milestones.

The Major Arcana represents aspects of the human experience that we all go through in our lives. It looks at our spiritual selves, our hopes, our fears, our joys and sadness. 

The Minor Arcana

Most of the cards in the tarot deck are Minor Arcana cards. These cards fill out the deck, making it more balanced and complete. The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana are split into four suits. Each suit represents a different aspect of life.

Numerology can be used in conjunction with the Minor Arcana as the cards are numbered from 1 to 10, or Ace through 10. There are four nobles cards in each suit, as well: Page, Knight, Queen, and King. This makes 14 cards in each suit.

The Suits of the Minor Arcana

Wands (Staves or Spears) encompass growth, ideas and creativity. They are associated with the element of fire and the season of spring and ACTION.

Cups represent emotional desire and encompass affairs of the heart, desires and the inner self. They are associated with the element of water and the season of summer.

Pentacles (Shields or Coins) represent material possessions and encompass money, wealth, health, prosperity and property. They are associated with the element of earth and the season of autumn.

Swords (Knives or Daggers) is the suit of all things with sharp edges. They represent the intellectual self, as well as ideas, thoughts, morality and strife. They are associated with the elements of air and the season of winter.

The Noble Cards of the Minor Arcana

The Page is a bearer of messages and the harbinger of communication. This card represents youth and the beginnings of maturity.

The Knight is a traveler, who brings change and good deeds into the world. This card represents new relationships, friendship, courage and stability.

The Queen is a strong female. She has the ability to lead, listen and guide. She represents the completion of relationships, jobs and projects, also a strong emotional person who knows where they are going and what they want.

The King is a strong male figure. He is the leader of the suit, the end of it, and the highest mark. He represents a mature and wise person who knows what he can and cannot accomplish.

The Numbers of the Minor Arcana

One/Ace: Represents beginnings, action, will, new ideas, creative power, potential, first causes, primary impulses, and positive activities.

Two: Represents partnerships, relationships, polarities, balancing, duality, choices, patience, stillness, and positive and negative.

Three: Represents synthesis, growth, creativity, abundance, collaboration, friendship, artistic expression, refining plans, and preparing to take action.

Four: Represents foundations, discipline, work, order stability, solidity, tangible achievement, and practical attainment.

Five: Represents new cycles, change, progress, shifts, adjustment, fine tuning, instability, challenge, versatility, freedom, and courage.

Six: Represents balance, health, beauty, harmony, contentment, relaxation, satisfaction, equilibrium, marriage, family, and sympathy.

Seven: Represents spirituality, wisdom, perfect order, the macrocosm, religion, luck, magic, and multiple options.

Eight: Represents victory, will, success, regeneration, rebirth, reevaluating, putting things in order, and setting priorities.

Nine: Represents compassion, integration, movement, flexibility, fulfillment, attainment and benevolence.

Ten: Represents transition, renewal to a new cycle, completion, wholeness, mastery, excess, and overabundance.

How We Use Tarot Today

Many believe Tarot cards serve only to tell the future, but this is not true. When used traditionally, Tarot cards speak of the past and present, and are supposed to give clues and ideas about the future you are potentially heading into.

Tarot cards align with the energies projected onto them. As you shuffle the deck, you and your energies place the cards where they will be most beneficial for you. Some shuffle the deck until the cards feel right. Some people shuffle the cards three times, then cut. But it’s up to you.

For centuries, people have been using symbols as a type of divination. Tarot is no different. Each of the 78 cards has an individual meaning. Tarot is an interactive Divination Art. The cards interact with each other, giving them new and more complex meaning. A card representing the past will influence a card representing the present and the future and so on.

Intuition

Intuition plays a big part in reading Tarot. Each card has a standard meaning, but the difference between a good card reader and an ordinary one is how well their intuition is developed.

An intuitive card reader will use their senses and intuition, as well as the literal interpretation of a card, to get the full essence of the card’s meaning. Like everything else, the more we use our intuition the sharper it becomes. 

The stronger our intuition develops, the more accurate our readings become. Tarot cards are tools that help focus the intuition for those with intuitive skills. 

Those who are not open to the idea of the Tarot and intuition dismiss the idea of the cards as a cheap parlor trick. The truth is most people have a misconception of what a reading is. It’s the intuitive gifts the reader has and how he or she applies them to the cards that makes a reading effective. 

Many people who read cards are already intuitive from a very early state in in their lives, which is what made them gravitate to tarot in the first place. The cards are not magic. It’s the person’s energy that is used to create a powerful interaction. The reader’s connection to the cards, intuition and interpretation make the magic happen during a reading. 

When done traditionally, a Tarot reading can put everything into perspective in a clear and understandable way. Every reading is prefaced by a question.

Oftentimes, each card will then come up in the past, present, or future position and will shed some light on the topic of your question.


Witchy Women Magic Shoppe is a woman-owned, ethical, sustainable and philanthropic metaphysical supply shoppe. Our mission is to support healing, growth and restoration of people and the planet.

All our handmade products are infused with frequency 528Hz – the frequency of miracles and love – thought to resonate at the core of everything. It connects the heart and spirit with Divine Harmony.

This sound has been used since ancient civilizations to manifest miracles, bring blessings, and harness a healing property. It is now available to you in every candle, oil, potion, herbal blend, spray, soap or salt.

The Power of Protection in Crystals

Crystals have been used by civilizations for centuries. They harness powerful vibrations and energy fields to support health, mood, divine connection, protection and more. 

They can be used to protect you from outside sources and negative energies, but also to help you harness the strength to protect yourself. If you are dealing with self-sabotage, toxic relationships or negativity from others, check these out…

You can harness the energy and power of crystals by holding them in your hand during meditation or by wearing them on your person throughout the day. (I put mine in my bra.)

  1. Hematite is very helpful when used during a transitional or transformational period. Use it for grounding and balancing energies and cultivating a solid foundation during challenging times. Hematite is represented by the element Earth, the zodiac signs of Aquarius and Leo, and by the Root Chakra. (Found in our Lilith Candle, too.)
  2. Black Onyx can be used for calling in strength and self-confidence, two of the tools you need to protect yourself. With the energy of this powerful crystal, you can handle whatever life throws at you. It is represented by the element of Earth, the Zodiac signs Gemini and Scorpio, and the Root Chakra.
  3. Malachite is perfect for repelling negative energy. Whether this energy is external or internal, this crystal works to ward off all negativity. Malachite is represented by the element of Water, the zodiac signs Taurus and Scorpio, and the Heart Chakra.
  4. Amethyst is one of the best crystals for psychic protection. It has stabilizing and balancing properties and can be used for both your emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Use this crystal to help clear irrational, negative or anxious thoughts. It resonates with both the Third Eye and Crown Chakra. It can be especially powerful for those born under the signs of Virgo, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. (Also found in our Dream, Twin Flame, and Seer candles.)

Crystals are also a potentially powerful way to combat anxiety. Simply hold them in the palm of your hand during meditation, wear them on your person throughout the day, or place a crystal on or under your pillow as you sleep. They work by adjusting internal energy frequencies, bringing us back into harmony.

Here are the top five crystals that relieve anxiety

  1. Amethyst is especially known for its peaceful, stabilizing, calming, balancing and relaxing effects. It is a powerful crystal for cleansing negative energy, including anxiety. It is an especially psychic gemstone and works well for banishing the irrational thoughts anxiety may cause. (Also found in our Dream, Twin Flame, and Seer candles.)
  2. Snowflake Obsidian is a crystal known for optimism, purity, balance, insight, protection and truth. Since it works well at lifting the spirit and providing powerful doses of optimism, it can help with anxiety as well.
  3. Sodalite harnesses the power of harmony, truth, intuition, order, self-esteem and logic. It is wonderful at boosting intuition and strengthening your resolve to live authentically. When we are at harmony and peace and feel truly comfortable with ourselves, we are in an empowered state to combat anxiety. With less insecurity and doubt you will certainly experience a decrease in anxiety, as well. (This crystal is also found in our Sorceress candle.)
  4. Labradorite is a wonderful crystal to use for protection. It promotes awareness, intuition, transformation and support. It works to protect you from negative energy and anxiety. It can also give you a helpful boost of positive, healing energy. (Get yours here.)
  5. Tiger’s Eye is another crystal that combats anxiety. It can give you a boost of confidence, courage and strength. Its other qualities include a calming effect, strength to persevere, a sense of resilience and increasing prosperity. (Can be found in our Money and Seer candles.)

Use the power of crystals to find peace, love and balance.


Witchy Women Magic Shoppe is a woman-owned, ethical, sustainable and philanthropic metaphysical supply shoppe. Our mission is to support healing, growth and restoration of people and the planet.

All our handmade products are infused with frequency 528Hz – the frequency of miracles and love – thought to resonate at the core of everything. It connects the heart and spirit with Divine Harmony.

This sound has been used since ancient civilizations to manifest miracles, bring blessings, and harness a healing property. It is now available to you in every candle, oil, potion, herbal blend, spray, soap or salt.