What is tarot?
The tarot is a set of 78 cards which originated in the 15th century in Italy where they were used to play a game called Tarocchi. Today, however, the cards are best known as a divination tool, as a way of helping people see where their lives are heading. I’m always struck by how the cards people choose reflect whatever’s on their minds. There are 78 cards in the deck, so, in theory, they could pick totally irrelevant cards, but they never do.

How does tarot work?
The images on the cards you select in a tarot reading bring the unconscious into the conscious. Your higher self already knows where you’re heading, but you can’t always see it. Consulting the tarot is a way of bringing the two planes of consciousness together to help you make decisions that are in your best interests.

Do the cards predict the future?
I prefer to say they provide signposts to the future, based on what’s in your life right now. But never forget that you have freewill - it’s up to you whether you follow the directions on the signposts or not. The cards can also shed light on the past, can help you come to terms with past issues, help you understand why something did or didn’t work out as you had hoped.

Can I read the cards for myself?
The answer is definitely “yes”, but you absolutely must resist the temptation of laying the cards until you get the ones you want. You have to go with the cards you first select, because they reflect what you need to know about a situation - which may not, of course, equate with how you want the situation to be!