Divination Dialogue: Oracle and Tarot Cards – Complementary Paths to Insight?

Learningtarot.net, as the name implies is predominantly focused on the subject of Tarot, however this is not the only method of divination. Another form of cartomancy is ‘Oracle Cards’ which have become popular within the wider community. Perhaps these have less occult associations than tarot, or perhaps they are simply easier to read as no underlying systems need to be studied. Either way, they provide an easily accessible path to cartomancy, either as a tool in their own right, or perhaps a gateway drug into the deeper world of tarot and associated mysteries.

In this article, I invite our new authors Celeste Arcana and Alex Grayson to provide their own insight into these two systems of cartomancy. I’m particularly interested to hear our author’s thoughts regarding the history, perceived differences, depth of interpretation possible, learning curves and ideas on how to integrate the two systems if they see fit; are they complimentary systems or does tarot negate the need for oracles? I invite the authors to be open and honest in their personal opinions.

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The Spirited Tarot: A Light-hearted Look at Alcohol and Tarot

Dear Seekers of the Mysterious and the Merry,

Today, we embark on a journey not into the realm of spirits that you might expect in our usual tarot discourse but rather, into the world of spirits that come bottled and brewed. Yes, my friends, we’re talking about alcohol and its curious relationship with the practice of tarot reading.

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Tarot and Our Furry Friends: Exploring the Mystical Connection Between Pets and The Cards

Have you ever caught your furry companion gazing into the distance, and wondered what profound thoughts are whirling through their mind? While our pets’ thoughts might be simpler than ours, they are no less significant. They, too, experience a rich tapestry of wants, needs, and feelings, communicating in their unique, often non-verbal ways. Interestingly, the universal language of Tarot offers a bridge to understanding these silent conversations, providing insights into the inner lives of our beloved pets.

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Exploring Sexuality and Gender Dynamics in Tarot and British Traditional Witchcraft: A Modern Perspective

Exploring Sexuality and Gender Dynamics in Tarot and British Traditional Witchcraft: A Modern Perspective

In both Tarot and British Traditional Witchcraft (BTW), traditional male and female roles have been long established, based on perceived energies of the sexes, intertwined with god/goddess and sun/moon energies. However, as society’s understanding of gender and sexuality evolves, questions arise about how these paths can adapt or maintain tradition in the face of changing views on gender identity.

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The Role of Tarot in Traditional British Witchcraft

The roots of modern Wicca and its connection to historical witchcraft demonstrate a deep engagement with various forms of magic, symbolism, and Pagan religious practices. The emergence of modern Wicca is credited to figures like Gerald Gardner, who, inspired by existing traditions and possibly connected to older covens, developed Wicca into the structured form we recognise today. This included influences from ceremonial magic, the Kabbalah, and indeed, the symbolic systems like those found in the Tarot​​.

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The Best Tarot Podcasts – 2024 Edition

As we navigate the complexities of modern life, the wisdom of the tarot offers guidance, reflection, and a deeper understanding of our personal journeys. In this digital age, podcasts have emerged as a valuable resource for learning, entertainment, and connection, making the ancient practice of tarot more accessible than ever before.

In the “Best Tarot Podcasts – 2024 Edition,” we dive into the vibrant world of tarot podcasts that have captivated listeners worldwide. Whether you are a seasoned tarot reader or new to the cards, this curated list promises to enhance your understanding, intuition, and love for tarot. From insightful discussions to mystical storytelling, each podcast offers a unique perspective on tarot reading, spiritual growth, and metaphysical exploration.

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tarot cards

Buying your first deck – Which deck should you chose?

One of the most glorious things about tarot, is the huge number of beautiful decks available and the wonderful artists that create them. If you’re not careful, you could spend an awful lot of money collecting all the ones you love best!

However, when you’ve just decided to learn tarot and your browsing for your first deck, the choice can seem truly overwhelming. It’s not unusual for people get analysis paralysis and put off buying a deck because they just don’t know which to choose. For some people, this means they never buy one at all.
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Tarot and the Planets

When Arthur Waite and Pamela Coleman-Smith designed the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck, between them they managed to include symbology from pretty much every esoteric system available. Therefore it should come as no surprise that astrology and the planets play a large part in the design of the RWS deck.

If you’ve been reading the other posts on this page, you should know by now that the minor arcana cards represent the astrological elements of air (Swords), Earth (Pentacles), fire (Wands) and water (Cups). The major arcana also has specific cards for each astrological sign and therefore, that signs ruling planet as well.

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The Four Aces of RWS

Learn Tarot – Introduction

On the many Facebook groups and forums you’ll regularly see people recommending the study of each individual card, using a mix of artwork interpretation and other references, over many, many months.  With 78 cards this is a considerable challenge;  if others learnt the hard way then you should too!  Right?

Wrong!  Let us show you not only the easy way – but the best way to learn the underlying associations.

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Learn Tarot – The Elements

Tarot, like all Western Magical Traditions has 4 core elements;  Earth, Air, Fire and Water.  Below we’ll not only outline the element/suite associations but also provide clues on how to commit them to memory.

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Learn Tarot – The Numbers

Now you know what the elements represent, let’s take a look at the number associations (1-10) then combine this with what we’ve already learnt to perform our first readings/interpretations.  See, we said this would be easy!

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