Tarot By Olympias
FAQ

What is the difference between Tarot and Oracle decks? 

A standard Tarot deck has 78 cards while an Oracle deck can have anywhere from 25 - 52 (or more) cards.  Oracle decks are generally not used in the same manner as Tarot for readings.  Oracle decks are excellent methods of self help and/or self realization (having an esoteric talk with your inner self).  Tarot readings are typically more event driven and require familiarity with the cards’ meaning, suits, trumps, pips, numerology and spreads. 

I often travel with an Oracle deck (the Goddess Oracle) and I invite people to try for their selves.  The deck is separated into 3 areas and therefore 3 piles.  A person picks a card from each pile and reads the interpretation, affirmation and suggested action from the deck book.  It is often a first experience in my world, and they did it on their own.

Can someone read with regular playing cards?

Absolutely!  There is one deck in particular known as the ‘Gypsy Fortune Telling’ which is based upon a standard, regular playing deck of cards.  Cartomancy, reading of cards, was done before the modern Tarot decks.  As a matter of fact, the historical evidence suggests that playing cards are the parent of the Tarot deck.  The magick of divination is based upon the reader (not the medium; no pun intended).  Cards, like other methods, are only tools.

What is the difference in reading the Trumps and Pips? 
 

The 21 trumps of a standard Tarot deck are known as the Major Arcana.  The remaining 57 cards are the suits and court cards.  Some find using the complete deck of 78 cards a bit intimidating when they first start especially trying to relate cards in a spread. 

I read the trumps as being  directly connected to the seeker (one being read) and their ‘life cycle’ with regards to general outlook or the question being asked.  Many decks begin the trumps with the Fool – choices.  The remaining trumps define where the seeker is in the cycle, their actions/reactions, consequences; adaptation, review and conclusion which takes one back to the beginning – choices.  The Minor Arcana defines the ‘whats’ & ‘hows’ of a reading and fleshes out the statement of the Trump cards.

Is it “bad” to buy your first or any deck for yourself? 

Absolutely not!  I am not sure where the idea came from; probably along with the other erroneous notion that you shouldn’t buy a used deck.  With the plethora of decks on the market (literally over a thousand), choose a deck that expresses you.  I do encourage examining a deck to ensure the quality (as well as count and make sure all the cards are present, especially with used or opened decks).   When I buy new socks, I wash them.  So too I cleanse a deck prior to using it for readings.  There are numerous ways to do this and you can individualize for connection. Make the deck an extension of you.  I encourage carrying the deck with you when you are out and about.  Like one commercial says, I never leave home without at least one deck with me.  Never know when you may be asked to read.

Why do readers read the same spreads differently?  And why so many spreads at all?

I had a devil of a time with spreads when I first started with Tarot.  It seemed way too hard to interpret a card and apply it to a defined position in a spread.  What worked for me was simply starting with the first card (regardless of spread) and begin telling the story the cards showed; allowing one card to thread and relate to another. 

While there are many different spreads (and you can make your own up too), I find spreads useful for answering questions in a specific are after a reading.  If someone wants to know about relationships after I have delivered the reading, I go to that position in the spread and read the card just for that issue.  I’m also not opposed to laying a second row of cards for more information at that position.

Can anyone read with Tarot?

I personally believe the answer is yes.  I believe we all have the talent of diving signs and such within each of us.  I consider this a natural state for people and not supernatural.  How this works can be very personal.  Isn’t it nice we’re not all alike?  We’re unique, just like everyone else.  Any ability requires study and practice through usage.  Did I mention LOTS of practice??  Excellence comes from study and usage.  Be prepared to make a journey of years with Tarot (or any other divination tool). 

The hardest part of divination is learning to believe in you, to trust yourself and act (or speak) about what you see or are shown.  We are so quick to trust strangers or the media, and so damn slow to extend trust to the one person who really matters in a life – yourself!  The best readers I know believe in their self, the work they are doing, and the divine (whatever you personally know that to be).  Gift yourself with trust and see what wonderful, personal rewards come your way.