There is such a vast selection of Tarot cards on the market that choosing your own deck can be a daunting process. Often the retailer will have a display deck and images are always available online so you can have a good look at each card. Hunt around until you find a deck that you are drawn to.

Whether you prefer a traditional deck like Rider-Waite or a more contemporary style there are hundreds to choose from.

I’ve found myself drawn to many different decks and bought at least 4 or 5 different decks over the years, yet I still tend to stick with 1 particular deck – the Mythic Tarot which is the first deck I bought.

Another option is to make your own Tarot cards. In fact to make your own deck would be a fantastic way to stimulate your imagination and help to learn and understand the many meanings. You could make a collage using magazine cuttings, photos and drawings of things or people that stimulate your imagination and evoke particular emotions.

I never seem to have the time but making my own deck is something I really want to do.

The Minor Arcana cards represent the events we experience as we journey through life. Different decks depict different stories but the symbolism, lesson learned or moral of the story is carried from deck to deck with only a few minor variations.

There are fourteen cards in each of the four suits, wands, cups, swords and pentacles; which are numbered 1-10 and followed by the court cards Page, Knight, Queen and King.

Tarot decks do vary and sometimes you’ll find that the suit of wands is called batons, cups referred to as chalices and pentacles are often called coins or discs.

There are many highs and lows depicted in the suit cards, which is an honest reflection of most people’s lives. Associating a story or a memory to a card is good way to remember its meaning and it also gives us a better understanding of the symbolism in the card rather than just memorising the keywords.

The Major Arcana cards signify major changes and karmic lessons. If we see many of these in the same spread then we can guarantee that there’ll be major changes going on in our life.

The Major Arcana cards force us to analyse ourselves, they delve into our psyche, test our strength and our values and guide us towards the next level of growth. These cards lead us along our journey and teach us the valuable lessons that we need to learn and understand in order for us to progress.

• Completion
• Success/Achievement
• Joy/Happiness

The World card is a symbol of completion, all our ambitions manifest and we taste the sweetness of success. A cycle has ended with joy and high spirits, everything has come together as planned and we can enjoy the good times. The end of one cycle leads to the beginning of another and so The World can bring about big positive changes .

This card can also indicate overseas connections or travel.

• Big Decisions
• Realisation
• Change

The Judgement card represents a time when we must assess the whole picture and take everything into consideration so we can make a well thought out and clear decision. We mustn’t be biased or subjective, instead we have to make a judgement using rationale and clear logical thinking.

The Judgement card brings promise and changes for the better but the catalyst for change is realisation and big decision making. Without making this decision we cannot progress.