Divination of many types, including the tarot, plays a key role in my paranormal romantica Sex Magic. But if you’re not a member of the mystic Guardians, you might be wondering how to learn more about this fascinating subject. Here are the basics.

Obviously, if you really want to learn about the meanings of the tarot cards and use them well, you’ll spend time studying them and understanding the nuances of each card’s interpretation.  If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a cool party game and want to impress your friends, this “cheat sheet” should provide you enough of a clue about each card’s meaning that you can fake your way through a reading.  And who knows — once you loosen up and relax, you may surprise yourself!

If you’re already familiar with the meanings of the cards, skip to three interesting tarot spreads I’ve included for answering specific types of inquiries.

The Major Arcana

The Major Arcana consists of cards that have an individual name (such as “The Fool”) as opposed to simply a suit designation (such as “3 of Cups”).

The Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana consists of cards that have a rank (such as “3″ or “Queen”) and a suit (such as “Cups”).

Spreads

(how to lay the cards on the table)

The most common spread is called a Celtic Cross. A diagram for that has most likely been included with your tarot cards, so there’s no need to repeat the information. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, try one of these spreads.

Planetary Spread, to give insight into a personality:

Lay out the cards as numbered, and read each card individually.

1. The Sun. This is your ego card, showing how you view yourself.
2. Mercury. This card represents how you communicate.
3. Venus. This card represents what you love and value, and how you act toward what you love and value.
4. Earth. This card represents what you consider your possessions and treasures, and how you act toward your possessions and treasures.
5. Mars. This card represents what gives you your energy and drive.
6. Jupiter. This card respresents your luck and skill.
7. Saturn. This card represents how you deal with traditions.
8. Uranus. This card represents how you rebel against those traditions.
9. Neptune. This card represents your unconscious self.
10. The Moon. This card represents your dreams, hopes and fears.
11. Pluto. This card represents how you transform yourself.

Torn Between Two Choices Spread #1, to give insight into two possibilities

As fitting for spreads about making a choice, there is a choice of two spreads to use. The first is more general, and can apply to any choice between two people, places, things or actions. For this spread, you will deal eighteen (18) cards into two squares of nine (9). The first square will represent your first choice, and the second square will represent your second choice. Deal the top row of three cards in the first square, then the top row of three cards in the second square, the middle row of three cards in the first square, then the middle row of three cards in the second square, the bottom row of three cards in the first square, then the bottom row of three cards in the second square. Finally, deal a nineteenth card between the two squares, to represent the person making the choice. Read each row of three cards together. The top rows represent your insights in the realm of the body. The middle row represents your insights in the realm of the mind. And the bottom row represents your insights in the realm of the spirit. Then read each square of nine cards together, for an overall insight regarding that choice.

Torn Between Two Choices Spread #2, for choosing between two possible courses of action.

The first two cards represent you and your current situation. The remainder of the bottom row represents your most likely option, and its outcome. The top row represents your alternative option, and its outcome.

1. You.
2. Your present situation.
3. The current direction of your actions.
4. What you expect to happen if you take that action.
5. An unexpected thing that will happen if you take that action.
6. The most likely outcome if you take that action.
7. An alternate direction of your actions.
8. What you expect to happen if you take that alternate action.
9. An unexpected thing that will happen if you take that alternate action.
10. The most likely outcome if you take that alternate action.