Frequently Asked Questions About Tarot, Astrology, Numerology and Psychology

A classical deck consists of 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana, reflecting archetypal life lessons, and 56 Minor Arcana, divided into four suits — Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles, which describe everyday situations. A detailed analysis of the deck structure was provided in my material on the composition of the Tarot deck →

Major Arcana — from the Fool to the World — show global life themes and fateful turns. Minor Arcana reflect specific events, emotions, and actions within one of the four elements.

Wands (element of Fire) represent energy, will, and ambition, Cups (Water) — feelings, emotions, and intuition, Swords (Air) — thoughts, words, and decisions, and Pentacles (Earth) — money, the physical and material plane.

The first decks were used in 15th-century Italy as a card game, and only later did the system acquire esoteric significance. The modern canon of symbolism was largely shaped by Arthur Edward Waite in the book «The Pictorial Key to the Tarot», creating, along with artist Pamela Colman-Smith, the most recognizable deck in the world. Read more in the article «What are Tarot Cards» →

For starters, the classical Rider-Waite-Smith deck is most often recommended — it has the clearest symbolism and forms the basis of most modern decks. It is also important that the deck resonates with you personally, making working with it more comfortable. See a comparison of popular versions in the article «Tarot Deck Versions» →

Yes, before working with a new deck, it is important to establish an energetic connection with it so it «responds» more accurately to questions. Read more about why cards sometimes make mistakes for this exact reason in my article «What is the Secret of Tarot Cards» →

It is recommended to cleanse the deck after each consultation, as well as when changing owners or feeling a sense of «heavy weight» in the cards. This helps avoid the influence of past readings' energies on a new question. During consultations, I also use beeswax ritual candles for this purpose — including special candles for cleansing and protection →

Yes, but it requires emotional detachment and honesty with yourself, which is difficult to maintain when the question concerns you personally. For important decisions, I recommend turning to a practicing Tarot reader — an outside perspective is always more objective. If the question is not urgent, you can start with the free Card of the Day →

The concept of the archetype was introduced by psychiatrist Carl Jung, who described universal images of the collective unconscious in the book «The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious». Each Major Arcanum is precisely such an archetype: the Fool, the Magician, the Empress, and others reflect recognizable stages of the human journey.

Cards show trends and likely scenarios more accurately than specific calendar dates. An experienced Tarot reader can roughly determine a period based on card symbolism, but date accuracy always depends on a person's free will and choices.

The modern approach to Tarot relies heavily on psychology: cards act as a projective tool, similar to the Rorschach test, helping to reveal hidden parts of the psyche through symbols. This psychological perspective on cards is detailed by Tarot reader Rachel Pollack in her book «Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom». Read more in the article «Tarot and Psychology» →

Imagery on cards triggers associations and emotions that a person does not always consciously recognize directly, making the spread a mirror of their inner state. Combined with the psychological knowledge I apply in my work, this helps uncover hidden fears and the real causes of recurring situations. Read more: «Tarot and Psychology» →

Tarot can help reveal and recognize a traumatic pattern, but by itself, it does not replace psychotherapy. I combine card work with psychological training to not only show the situation but also offer concrete steps for working through it. Seeking professional psychological help after a Tarot consultation is the best decision for trauma recovery.

Projective techniques are based on the premise that a person interpreting an ambiguous image involuntarily projects their own experiences onto it — a principle of the collective unconscious insisted upon by Carl Jung. Tarot cards work similarly: their multi-meaning symbols «read» a person's current state.

Each Arcanum has multiple meanings and contexts, and a Tarot reader's skill lies in selecting the exact interpretation that accurately reflects your personal situation rather than a generic textbook meaning. This is why a preliminary conversation with the client and understanding the context of the question are so important. On how to choose a specialist, see the article «How to Choose a Tarot Reader» →

Anxiety before a significant question is normal. Before the consultation, it is helpful to clearly formulate your query and reach a calm state — this makes it easier to receive an accurate and useful answer from the cards.

No, the cards show a likely scenario under the current alignment of circumstances, not a sentence. Psychologically, it is important to perceive a «difficult» card as a signal for action or a revision of decisions rather than a fatal prediction — a person always retains free will and the right to «change route».

A psychologist works with your inner world through conversation and reflection, while a Tarot reader uses cards as an additional diagnostic and forecasting tool. Thanks to my psychological background, I combine both approaches — giving you not just the answer to «what will happen», but also an understanding of «why this is happening». Read more about my approach on the «About Me» page →

Media horoscopes are compiled based solely on the Sun sign and averaged for millions of people, whereas a natal chart is built using exact birth date, time, and location, factoring in the positions of all planets, houses, and aspects of your unique individual map. You can calculate your natal chart online here →

The Ascendant is the zodiac sign rising on the horizon at the moment of your birth; it shapes your image to others, the first impression you make, and your behavioral style in the outer world. Unlike the sun sign, the Ascendant governs how you are perceived by those around you.

The Sun reflects conscious personality, willpower, and life purpose, while the Moon reflects emotional needs, care-giving expressions, and subconscious reactions. The harmonious interaction of these luminaries in the chart is considered a key indicator of psychological well-being.

The 12 astrological houses describe specific life spheres — from personality and finances to relationships and career. A planet falling into a specific house shows the area where its energy manifests.

Synastry is a comparison of two partners' natal charts to analyze the actual dynamics of a couple, whereas sign compatibility is a simplified guideline that disregards individual traits. You can calculate compatibility online here →

A Solar Return is a chart calculated for the exact moment the Sun returns to the exact same point it held at birth; it highlights key themes for the upcoming year of life.

A Void of Course Moon period occurs when the Moon makes no further major aspects before entering the next sign; traditionally, starting important matters and signing documents is not recommended during this time.

Each lunar day has its own energy — some days favor new beginnings, while others suit wrapping up tasks. Knowing the current lunar day makes scheduling important meetings easier. Check today's Moon phase →

Personal planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars) reflect character traits and daily behavior, whereas slow planets shape the background of an entire generation. This idea is detailed by astrologer Liz Greene in her book «Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil».

A ruler is a planet that «oversees» a specific sign and enhances its characteristics. Understanding rulers helps analyze the natal chart more deeply through connections between life spheres.

The lunar nodes (North and South) point to a person's karmic task and developmental path — transitioning from what has already been processed in the past to what needs to be mastered.

Yes, combining Tarot and astrology provides a more comprehensive picture: the natal chart reveals long-term potential, while a Tarot spread shows the current dynamics of the situation here and now. Such a comprehensive approach is one of the pillars of my work. Read more in the article «Astrology and Tarot» →