Is Tarot Only For Divination?

This month, I’m answering some of your biggest, gnarliest (and most common) questions about tarot.

Today’s question: is tarot only for divination?

Short answer: nope.

Long answer: tarot cards were originally created in the early 15th century as a game (tarocchi, trionfi, tarot, tarock) and it is still played as a game all over the world to this day, particularly in Europe.

The divination part didn’t start until the late 18th century.

If you’d like to learn how to play tarot, this is a great site worth checking out:

Pagat.com

Tarot is also used as a creative prompt. Corrine Kenner wrote a fantastic book, Tarot For Writers.

Tarot is also being used in therapeutic situations. Andy Matzner just released his book, The Tarot Activity Book, which has many unique and therapeutic approaches to working with tarot.

The uses for tarot are endless – I’ve seen it used in ritual magic, crafts, poetry slams, new tarot games and more. So when you think of tarot and think of divination – look further. You might be surprised to see that the fortune telling, even though perhaps the most well known aspect, is only part of the tarot picture.

Blessings!

Theresa

Want to learn more about tarot history? Here is some stuff worth reading:

Mary Greer: What Every Newbie Tarot Reader Should Know About The History Of Tarot

THE TarotL HISTORY INFORMATION SHEET