What this tool does

This is a free tarot reading. You ask a question, or leave it open, choose a spread, and the cards are shuffled and drawn for you from a full 78 card deck. Each card is shown face up, using the original 1909 Rider Waite Smith artwork by Pamela Colman Smith, and explained in the context of your question, followed by how the cards fit together and something to reflect on.

It is meant as a prompt for reflection, not a prediction of what will happen.

When to use it

Use it when you are mulling something over and want a fresh way to look at it: a decision at work, a relationship, a change you are weighing up, or simply a question of where you are right now. The three card past, present and future spread shows how a situation has developed and where it seems to be heading. The situation, challenge and advice spread suits a specific problem. A single card gives one clear message for the day.

Questions that start with "what" or "how" usually give more useful readings than yes or no questions.

How it works

The deck has 22 Major Arcana cards, for the big themes of life, and 56 Minor Arcana cards in four suits: Wands for energy and ambition, Cups for feelings and relationships, Swords for thoughts and conflict, and Pentacles for money, work and home. The cards are drawn genuinely at random each time, and some come out reversed, which softens, blocks or turns inward the card's usual meaning. The reading is built from each card's traditional meaning in its position. To learn more about the cards, see Understanding Tarot Readings.

Nothing you type is saved against your name, and you do not need to give your name or email to use it.