Tarot Cards

Tarot cards are special card games, generally containing 78 cards divided into a Major Arcana and a Minor Arcana. Today, the cards are often used for fortune-telling, self-reflection, or to assist with various decisions. However, they can also be a fantastic tool in a role-playing campaign as a central part of the plot or as help to plan encounters, etc.

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Structure of a Tarot Deck

A tarot deck generally consists of 78 cards, which are divided into two categories: Major and Minor Arcana. Major Arcana itself consists of 22 cards without a fixed suit, and their names and numbers can vary quite a bit. They are often marked with Roman numerals and include a "The Fool" card.

Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards divided into 4 suits with 14 cards each. The four suits vary from deck to deck but most often consist of swords, wands, coins, and cups. Each suit consists of the numbers 1-10 plus a king, queen, knight, and page. This part of the deck thus resembles what we know from a regular set of playing cards.

Reading Tarot Cards

There are many ways to perform a tarot reading. Which variation one uses often depends on the purpose of the reading, but this can also make it overwhelming to start reading tarot cards. Below you will find some tips to get started:

• Get to know your deck. There are many different types of tarot cards, so make sure to choose some that suit your purpose and that you like the look of. Many decks also come with a handbook that helps you interpret the symbols on the cards. It's a good idea to become familiar with these before you start in earnest.
  
  
• What is your purpose? Before you start a reading, take a moment to focus on what you want to get out of the reading.
  
  
• Ask questions. Tarot cards can be used to answer specific questions, so it's a good idea to have a clear idea of what you want answered when you start.
  
  
• Shuffle the cards. Focus on your question and shuffle the cards until you feel they are sufficiently mixed.
  
  
• Lay out the cards. As mentioned, there are many variations of tarot reading. We recommend starting with a simple 3-card reading. Here, 3 cards are laid out in a row on the table from left to right. The cards represent 3 aspects e.g., Past – Present – Future, but can also be read in other ways depending on your purpose e.g., as Opportunities – Challenges – Advice or Strengths – Weaknesses – Growth.
  
  
• Interpret the cards. Look at the cards you have drawn and consider their position in the row, as well as the individual cards' meanings. If a card is facing correctly towards the person you are reading for, it usually has a positive meaning, while it has a negative meaning if it is upside down.
  
  
• Trust yourself. See the tarot cards as a tool that helps you interpret your own instincts and go with what feels right for you during a reading. Remember that like anything else, it takes time and practice to become good at reading tarot cards.

Tarot Cards in Role-Playing Games

Tarot cards for use in role-playing games have become increasingly popular. This is partly because the cards offer a unique way to enhance storytelling and character development, while also being highly engaging for the players. The images and symbolism of the cards can provide insight into characters' motivations and personality, but can also just be used to add a little extra flair. Thus, they are a very versatile addition to any RPG.

If you are about to create a new character, the cards can be used for inspiration or to deepen their existing characters. If you sit as a game master, tarot cards can be used to find inspiration for exciting encounters or other aspects of the game's story.

Whether you are a veteran within role-playing games or a beginner, tarot cards can add a new depth to your role-playing. So why not try incorporating tarot cards into your next RPG adventure and see what value it adds to your game?