WHAT IS TAROT READING?
Everything you need to know
Tarot has a way of drawing people in. Maybe it is the imagery on the cards. Maybe it is the feeling that answers exist to questions you have not yet dared to ask out loud. Or perhaps a part of you already knows exactly what it is looking for.
Tarot reading is not magic that locks in your future. It is an instrument that helps you see what is already present, within yourself, within your situation, within the energy you carry.
What Is Tarot Reading, exactly?
A tarot reading uses a deck of 78 cards as a mirror for your inner world. Each card carries rich symbolism: archetypes, elements, seasons, and human experiences. Together, they tell a story, your story.
Tarot is not fortune telling. It is a conversation. A conversation between you, the cards, and the energy you bring to the table.
Think of tarot as:
- A mirror that makes hidden patterns visible
- A guide that offers direction when life feels unclear
- An honest compass that shows you what you may not want to see, but what you truly need
The cards do not tell you what to do. They show you what you already feel but may not have fully acknowledged yet.
The history of Tarot: older than you think
The exact origins of tarot are shrouded in mystery, and that fits its nature. Historical records place the first tarot cards in 15th-century Italy, where they were used as a card game called Tarocchi. Only later did the cards evolve into a spiritual practice.
Some traditions connect tarot to ancient Egypt and the Kabbalah. Others see links with Chinese oracle systems or medieval European mysticism. What is certain: tarot has survived across centuries because it touches something timeless.
The most widely recognised deck in the world — the Rider-Waite deck — appeared in 1909 and established the visual language that remains the standard today. Its symbolism is deeply rooted in astrology, numerology, and archetypal psychology.
What is inside a Tarot Deck?
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, divided into two major groups.
The Major Arcana (22 cards)
The Major Arcana represents the great themes of human existence. These are the cards that touch the deepest layers of your situation: life lessons, turning points, spiritual growth.
Well-known cards from the Major Arcana include:
- The Fool (0): new beginnings, trust, stepping into the unknown
- The High Priestess (II): inner wisdom, intuition, hidden knowing
- The Wheel of Fortune (X): change, cycles, what lies beyond your control
- The Star (XVII): hope, healing, connection with the higher
- The World (XXI): completion, integration, coming home to yourself
The Minor Arcana (56 cards)
The Minor Arcana reflects everyday reality: your thoughts, feelings, relationships, and practical matters. The 56 cards are divided into four suits:
- Wands: fire, energy, ambition, creativity, life force
- Cups: water, emotions, love, intuition, dreams
- Swords: air, thoughts, communication, conflict, clarity
- Pentacles: earth, matter, work, money, the body
Each suit contains 14 cards: numbers 1 through 10, plus four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King).
Together, the Major and Minor Arcana form a complete map of the human experience.
How does a Tarot Reading work?
A reading always begins with an intention or a question, spoken or unspoken. The cards are shuffled, laid out, and interpreted in relation to your situation.
Common Tarot Spreads
One card: the most direct reading. Ideal for daily reflection or a clear message around one specific question.
Three cards: past — present — future. Or: situation — action — outcome. A powerful spread for insight and direction.
Celtic Cross (10 cards): the classic in-depth reading. Provides a full picture of your situation, the underlying energy, obstacles, and possible outcomes.
At SacredShe, every tarot reading begins by allowing the spirit world to speak freely. This intuitive opening reveals where you currently stand across four key areas of life: the personal, relationships, work, and the spiritual. After that, there is space for your own questions.
What can you expect from a Tarot Reading?
A tarot reading at SacredShe is not a performance and not a predictable ritual. It is a real encounter, with the cards, with the energy present, and with yourself.
People come to tarot when they:
- Seek clarity in a moment of confusion or doubt
- Face a significant decision and want to explore the possibilities
- Want to understand patterns in relationships, work, or wellbeing
- Wish to connect with their intuition and spiritual energy
- Look for confirmation of something they already sense deeply within
Tarot does not give you guarantees. It gives you perspective. And sometimes perspective is exactly what you need to take the next step.
Live or online: both work
At Sacred She, you can choose between a live tarot reading or an online session, in English, Dutch, or Spanish. Energy knows no distance. An online reading is just as powerful and personal as an in-person session.
Read more about the tarot sessions at SacredShe and what to expect.
Learning Tarot: From beginner to confident reader
Tarot is a language you can learn. SacredShe offers the course Discover the Art of Tarot for women who want not only to receive readings but also to learn to work with the cards themselves. From understanding all 78 cards to developing your own intuitive style, the course guides you step by step.
Tarot and Intuition: The connection with the Sacred feminine
At Sacred She, Tarot never stands alone. It is one of the mystical arts through which women are guided on their journey of remembering, reconnecting with the ancient wisdom of the sacred feminine.
Tarot reading in this context is not entertainment. It is a sacred practice. A way of listening to what your soul wants to tell you, of unfolding the layers you have carried with you for so long.
New to Tarot? Start here.
New to Tarot and want to take a gentle first step? Download the free SacredShe workbook — your introduction to connecting with your own wisdom.
Ready to start your journey?
Whether you are exploring Tarot for the first time or have been drawn to the cards for years, there is always a moment when a reading shows you something new.
Book your tarot reading at Sacred She and discover what the cards have to say to you.
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SacredShe is a sanctuary for the sacred feminine, a mystical academy in Amsterdam devoted to healing, transformation, and the reclaiming of ancient feminine wisdom.
