Insight and Clarity
Card and Tarot Decks
Are You Seeking Answers or Direction?
As we approach the end of another year and the beginning of a new decade, many of us are seeking direction and ready to make changes through this time of transition. Tarot and Oracle cards have been assisting people to find answers to questions they seek and gain clarity on their path.
All of us are able to tune in and sit with a chosen deck of cards for reading purposes to gain insight. Each boxed Tarot or Oracle card set includes instructions and suggestions for card layouts and the process of reading specific to that deck.
History of Tarot and Card Decks
The oldest known Tarot deck dates back to the fourteenth century in Italy. Initially, the tarot card deck was used for playing games between nobles. Over the next few centuries using the cards to gain insight, answers to questions and overall readings and direction on life developed. Originally called trionfi, meaning trump cards the tarot decks evolved from the Italian Tarocchi cards or foolish cards. To give belief or recognition to these cards could be a sign of witchcraft. The cards were based on images and evolved into being called the French word Tarot in the sixteenth century.
It wasn’t until the eighteenth century in France and England when the occult recognised symbolism in the images of the cards and saw them as more than just a game of trump cards.
The Difference Between Tarot and Card Decks
Tarot cards were designed to be read to interpret a persons life story. There are 78 cards in a traditional Tarot deck, consisting of 22 Arcana cards representing the physical world, intuition, and transformation. The rest of the cards are divided into Swords, Pentacles, Wands, and Cups and are considered minor Arcana.
Oracle Cards and other card decks don’t necessarily hold to 78 cards or the same card spreads. Each card pack has it’s own layouts and focus.
How to Choose the Best Deck for Yourself or as a Gift
Tarot cards make great gifts, there existed a belief that a person’s first tarot deck should be a gift from someone. A recognition that others saw the sight within you. For this reason, the gift of tarot remains a popular gift during all seasons. It is a particularly sought after gift to give those coming of age or looking for direction during a time of transition.
Both Tarot and Oracle Cards are designed as tools to support you to connect with your own inner knowing, guides and interpretation skills. They bring comfort to many.
When you are choosing your deck of cards, tune in to who you are buying for and trust your intuition to guide you. Some feel the way, others, see, or hear, or just know.
Complimentary Crystals, Candles & Scents
Crystals for Tarot and Oracle Card Readings
Crystal are often used to prepare, protect and raise the vibration and connection of the space where you may choose to conduct your card readings.
Amethyst is often used to heighten and connect with our intuition for clearer reading.
Clear Quartz can be used to increase focus and amplify intention.
Selenite maintains a clear and uplifting space.
Rose Quartz can assist you to remain heart-centered and connected throughout the reading.
Candles for Tarot and Oracle Card Readings
Candles are often during readings to ground a reader’s focus. Colour therapy is often referenced when choosing a candle colour.
Silver candles are often burnt to raise one’s intuition and clairvoyance skills.
White candles invite purity of thought.
Violet candles transmute negative energies
Scents for Tarot and Oracle Card Readings
Scents have meanings and influence on our bodies and the space around us, you may use essential oils, incense or smudge sticks.
Lavender Oil is used to support relaxation and comfort.
Sage Smudge Sticks are often used to prepare a room and a person by transmuting unwanted energies.
If readings become a regular practice for you, you may wish to create your own signature blend of essential oils to burn and to spray into the room.
My Favourite Deck
I have a couple of decks that I like to use regularly, one being Russian Gypsy Fortune Telling Cards which has become a firm favourite. I love the ole ways and this deck is completely different to any other I have encountered, written by a Russian lady back in the early 1990s. I have been using them for at least 10 years now and find them to be fairly accurate, giving me sufficient information to help steer the way.
Using Cards with Intention
I always call in my Guides, Angels, Higher Beings and any Ancestors who would like to help and I set the scene with Clear Quartz, Rose Quartz and a candle. I used Clear Quartz to clear my way forward and protect and the Rose Quartz was for bringing in the love.
Then I ask my question: What would you like to tell me all for my highest and best good about … eg. my future for the remainder of 2019 and 2020?
The Russian Gypsy Fortune Telling Cards
This deck works on a numbering and picture system, placed in a certain direction and depending on the direction the card will have a different meaning, within a certain time frame. The time frame is certainly valuable information.
I have to say and much to my better judgment, this Aries is learning patience. Sometimes I have done a spread and particular cards have come up and said that it will happen immediately and immediate can mean it has just happened or about to happen. Other times I have done the spread and forgotten and then something happens and I will remember áh that appeared in my last spread.
Frequency of Card and Tarot Use
The creator of the deck recommends not to use this deck frequently, following this suggestion means it an occasional deck and for this reason, I substitute my other favourite card decks for more frequent use.
Sometimes if you ask a specific question and do not feel an answer this in itself is the answer.
Giving Thanks
Remember when you have completed your reading to give thanks to all your Angels, Guides, Higher Beings and anyone else you have called in, as we would love them to continue helping steer the way.
Keep playing with your cards and crystals and see how your world changes and how your intuition strengthens. Enjoy your cards and perhaps after you are familiar with one deck you can explore other decks and build a repertoire of decks to allow yourself to use the best one for a number of situations.
Choose a deck for a friend who is looking for answers, at a crossroads or coming of age as a gift or choose a deck to treat yourself, reconnect and watch your intuition grow. We have a vast array of decks within the crystal warehouse, come and choose your deck today and find the supporting crystals, and smudge sticks. If you can’t make it to Byron Bay, please feel free to give me a call or check us out online.
Enjoy the ride
Heart of the Bay 