Article Topic: Tarot

About a fifth of the cards in a standard tarot deck are court cards, and these are commonly used to designate personalities. But being that we have to be many different things to many people over the course of our lives--and even over the course of a day--how can we use the tarot to better understand ourselves? Janina Renée, author of Tarot for a New Generation and Tarot Spells, illustrates how we can use the court cards to gain insight into the many facets of our personalities.

Tarot communicates through symbols and through images. By doing so, it creates a bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind. In this way, by manifesting this world between worlds, tarot allows a unique divinatory experience, accessing our subconscious. Often, however, our consciousness plays just a big a role in how we interpret the cards. Acclaimed tarot writer Barbara Moore explains how the representation of gender and age in tarot decks can affect a reading.

Most people fear the Death card. They don’t like coming face to face with the Grim Reaper, and they feel nothing but pity for the mortal victims who stand in his path. Writers, however, can recognize a kindred spirit in the card. Corrine Kenner, author of the new Tarot for Writers details just what the Death card means—and why we need not fear it.

Spring is a time when possibilities abound and seeds, both literal and metaphorical, are planted with high hopes. What cards in the tarot represent the energy of spring better than the Aces? Tarot expert Barbara Moore details three spreads to use the Aces to their full potential.