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A Tarot deck consists of 78 cards, each one richly endowed with symbols that come together to create an image. Every detail in an image on a Tarot card is representative of a quality, idea or intention that is, in turn, reflective of human experience. Tarot cards work because they comprehensively mirror life.

The anatomy of a true Tarot deck is as precise as it is complex. It is first divided into two distinct sections called the Major and Minor Arcana. An arcanum is a vessel or container in which knowledge and wisdom are stored. The Ark of the Covenant is an example of an arcanum. (Arcana is the plural form of Arcanum.) The Major Arcana are 22 cards numbered 0 through 21 and represent the qualities of fate or destiny. The Minor Arcana are the remaining 56 cards and represent the more basic necessities of life. It is further divided into four suits and each suit is made up of four court cards and 10 numbered cards.

Traditionally, every card has a specific meaning assigned to it. A broader meaning is assigned to each suit in the Minor Arcana. The numbered and court cards are deeper divisions, each serving a different aspect of life as it pertains to the larger significance of the suit. The elements, numerology and astrology are deeply rooted in the symbolism of the Tarot. Each of these layers adds to the intensity and detail of a reading with Tarot cards by bringing further insight to the messages.

Tarot cards are only as effective as the reader who uses them. Once a Tarot reader has a good understanding of the anatomy of the deck and how it is designed, she can then utilize them in a wide variety of ways. Divination is, of course, the most commonly known purpose of Tarot cards and in the hands of a well-trained reader they help provide amazing insight for the person having the reading done.

The Tarot cards are only a tool, however. They form a bridge between the reader and the person having the reading done by triggering the reader's intuitive senses. An energetic connection is made as the cards are laid out. The images and symbols on the Tarot cards draw the attention of the reader, who then interprets them and provides the messages that are needed at the moment. This is not accomplished by rote. Simply reciting the designated meanings of the cards is not an effective use the Tarot in divination.

To get the most out of the Tarot, one must delve deeper than that and be willing to explore the many layers of possibility

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