How Tarot Works
Tarot uses a structured deck of symbolic cards arranged in spreads. Readers interpret the imagery, card meanings, positions and relationships between cards.
The deck
A traditional tarot deck contains 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. Different decks reinterpret the imagery while retaining that broad structure.
The spread
A spread assigns positions to cards. A simple three-card spread might use positions such as situation, challenge and next consideration.
The interpretation
Interpretation is not a scientifically validated forecasting method. Many people instead use tarot as entertainment, a symbolic language or a prompt for reflection.