Welcome to Tarot Nova

Welcome to Tarot Nova! This is the first post. Exciting, isn’t it? Tarot Nova began in Spring 2019, with the aim to be the #1 free resource for Tarot online. Let’s start with a bit of history first!

Back when I was learning to read Tarot cards, I felt there were too many resources to learn and I wasn’t sure which I could trust. The little white book which came with my first deck, the Rider-Waite, was helpful, but honestly, I just didn’t like it. It was very vague and it didn’t give me what I needed.

Further searching took me to a number of resources; some good websites, some great books, but something bothered me. Why were there so many differences between these? Surely if Tarot were an actual practice, there would be some set guidelines? It’s frustrating to see the definitions for a card in one place are completely different to a definition present elsewhere.

With this in mind, I decided to start a website to pool all the knowledge I had gathered into one place to try to create a ‘definitive’ guide to tarot. That turned into my website; Tarot-Explained. Tarot-Explained was a great experience. I spent years creating and curating the content in order to have a base resource for those learning tarot, and also for others more experienced to check back to.

In January of this year, I felt it was time to let go of Tarot-Explained and start a new journey. ( See the final post here! ). Tarot Nova is that journey. Tarot-Explained was a lumbering beast, and I feel now that a more streamlined approach is needed. Tarot Nova is going to be an easy to read yet concise reference for Tarot cards, meanings, spreads, associations and other relation divinatory techniques.

There will still be card meanings, and spread layouts, but I also want to grow a community and open up the website to other contributors to have a more well rounded view of Tarot as a hobby, lifestyle and profession.

Currently, I’m writing every card description to make them easier to read and easier to interpret. As these are being built, I’ll be reworking the spreads and writing frequent blog posts, and hopefully inviting contributors to do the same!

For now, The Fool and The Magician have been written, so be sure to check them out. The Major Arcana will be finished in order, and then onto the Minor Arcana. It’s going to be quite a feat. I hope you stick around and see this site grow. For now there is a lot empty, and likely a lot of missing links!

If you’d like to contribute, then by all means get in touch via Facebook

–

Kali

Tarot readings for yourself

Recently, I haven’t been feeling so great. A major upheaval in life (although a positive one for sure) has left me on a plateau. Achieving goals is a double edged sword. I feel achieved, but I at a loss, what do I aim for now? These are the sorts of questions that you can ask a Tarot deck.

I would argue that there is nothing magical or mystical about using a Tarot deck this way. You can use a tarot deck purely for inspiration. Honestly? That is really the sole purpose of my deck. I use it when I am stuck and want to create a fake persona to seek advice from.

This post is going to go through a reading I did for myself, oh about five minutes ago! I’ll go over the process I use to read Tarot cards and maybe it’ll help you out.

I bought a house. It was my goal for a while. I’m sitting in it now, writing this. My problem though, I have no idea what to aim for now. I like working on project,s there is a lot of life to experience, and I am feeling overwhelmed with choice. Despite not using my tarot deck once since I moved in, I decided to draw a spread solely to try and get a different perspective on life. Look at the “wonderful” cards I drew.

First impressions? I don’t particularly like any of the cards to be honest. The Six of Swords can be positive, but the Ten of Swords is right there too. This isn’t the order I drew them in either, I am treating them all as equal.

When I place a spread, I often try to run on first impressions to start with. The Ten of Swords here does represent how I feel in some respects; somewhat defeated. The Page of Cups is a nice card to see, and much inspiration can be gained form your past and childhood. The Moon and The High Priestess both have personal meanings for me, but I don’t see them playing out here, so it’s best to look to the established meanings for those.

Ultimately here I see a spread of resignation, followed by looking to the past for inspiration, and then possibly some journey involved with finding knowledge and spreading it. Things may be getting better if i can find the correct route to travel on.

My problem, personally, is that I do not feel too passionate about what I am doing in life. This is a common element in those who question the Tarot. We do feel powerless, uninspired or generally unhappy. We are looking for a way out, or a sign that things will improve. Personally, I do not enjoy my job, and I spend much of my spare time alone. I am becoming bored and disillusioned with my hobbies.

As a Tarot reader, I am not sure that it’s ethical to tell somebody ‘everything will be okay’ because that is what you’re seeing from the cards. You can tell them the meanings of the cards suggests a positive outcome, but to say that the cards dictate the future is not correct. Tarot cards are a creation of man, and divination is a practice created by man (unless, you believe the story of Hermes Tris’). As a tarot reader, you sometimes walk this fine line. A querent can have a lot of trust in you, and that is a burden to bear, not a weakness to exploit.

How would you interpret that spread? Do you read for yourself? Was this post even informative or helpful? Let me know if you feel so inclined.

Dear Pixie

Tarot Reader Rebecca, 36, from England, writes an open letter to her heroine, RWS artist Pamela Colman Smith.

Dear Pixie,

You know that project that you inked for Arthur, Tarot Cards, back in 1909? Well, you won’t believe this, but they’re a worldwide phenomenon now!!! No, honestly, I’m not making it up! You’re worshipped by thousands of fans around the world, I swear to God! Books have been written about your life, mate! Somehow, still no one’s quite sure what your exact race or sexual identity are, but I kinda love it that you’ve left us with some mystery there; you’re as enigmatic in death as you were in life – perfectly fitting, wouldn’t you say?

Okay, so I’ll tell you what’s out there on the Internet about you (don’t worry about what the Internet is – that’s a whole other letter)…

You were born in London in the February of 1878 as Corinne Pamela Colman Smith – although always informally referred to as ‘Pamela’ by your parents – and you travelled extensively from a young age, living in Manchester, Kingston, London and New York, the latter of which being where you began studying art at the Pratt Institute at the age of 15.
I’m so sorry to hear that you lost your mum and dad within a three-year period not long after. They come across as really loving, supportive parents and it must have been beyond devastating for you.

Without graduating, you moved back to London alone at the age of 21, in 1899. There, you quickly integrated yourself within the artistic community, working as a book illustrator and touring with Bram Stoker as a set designer for the Lyceum Theatre Group (FYI: Bram Stoker is still massive to this day too. You must tell him to pop in on Whitby, Yorkshire, and he’ll see the proof for himself). I’ve heard it was during your theatre days when Ellen Terry gave you your nickname, ‘Pixie’, which loads of your fans refer to you as still! I know, this is a lot to take in.

To an outsider such as myself, I can’t help but think you must have been absolutely high on life at this point, living in theatres, becoming an enthralled knowledge-seeker of the Occult arts, writing and illustrating your own Jamaican folklore books – your mum would have been so proud – as well as illustrating the books of your friends Ellen Terry and Bram Stoker, amongst various other professional projects including working with the Yeats brothers. I mean, that’s all pretty outstanding stuff, and then there was more…. by your late-20s, you had established yourself as a well-respected and well-known part of the Bohemian scene, hosting regular events at your own studio in London. Remember that magazine you started up, and the three painting exhibitions in New York? God, you must have been buzzing (as we say in Yorkshire). You even aided both the Suffragette movement and WWI efforts through your poster art.

At the age of 31, you drew and inked the 78 RWS Tarot cards that I’ll talk to you a bit more about in a sec’, but I just want to acknowledge that despite leading such a free-spirited and exciting life, you never made the income you deserved. It’s probably a bit grating to hear you’d have been a multi-millionaire now, as it seems you could have really done with the cash at the time.

You converted to Catholicism in 1911 and WWI signalled the death knoll of the arts & crafts movement that you so loved soon after. When you inherited the money from your uncle, you bought a property in Bude, Cornwall, and rented out another to holidaying Catholic priests, as a means of income. You lived there with Nora Lake for years, and in 1951, when you passed away at the age of 73, you left your estate to her (although much of it had to be auctioned to cover debts, sadly).

Phew! So, that was a lot to write, and that’s just skimming the surface! Why are you laughing? Oh, go on then, how much of it is wrong? The bones are there though, right?!

Anyway, here’s the goss’… you should probably sit down for this… In 1971, 20-years after your death, Stuart R Kaplan brought those forgotten Tarot Cards back to life! He copyrighted them to US Games Systems Inc. and re-named them ‘Rider Tarot’, thus birthing the iconic ‘Rider-Waite’ version used the world over today. Okay, don’t panic – although the official title is named after William Rider, the deck’s first publisher, and its brainchild, your friend Arthur Edward Waite, who commissioned you to draw the deck’s 78 illustrations all those years ago, most – and many new offshoot decks – call it ‘Rider-Waite-Smith’ (RWS) anyway. Trust me, Pixie, your contribution is beyond recognised and validated now, more than what your wildest dreams could ever imagine (WOW, it felt good to tell you that!). There is some discussion speculating that you were left out of the original accolade simply because you were female, and trust me, that hasn’t gone down well in this day and age, you’ll be pleased to hear!

Oh Pixie, you’d love it here now! You’d be so energised by the freedom we have to do all the things you did, without it going against expected social norms: without the adversity. You are indeed ‘the Original Bohemian’; you are a source of fascination and inspiration to many and your art, spirit and strength live on. You are not only my heroine, but the heroine of many. Thank you for being you, and for all you did… and continue to do.

A loyal fan,

Rebecca
x

PS: Sorry if you think me displaying photos of you in my wallet and in my garden room is a little up there on the fanboi scale… it’s just, whenever I look at them, they give me strength to just be me, because if you could do it in the Victorian and Edwardian years, then I sure as heck can do it now.

Rebecca is a Court Member of ’The Tarot Server’ on Discord, under the handle @CraggyIslandTea. ‘Our server is a friendly, active and knowledgeable safe space to enjoy Tarot discussion, games, raffles, reading swaps and much more. A warm welcome awaits you!’

End of May Update

What a month it has been! The site has grown a lot recently. I’ve been busy redoing my notes in order to finish the tarot card descriptions, and we’ve had some outside help from a contributor. Lets dig into it!

Card meanings added

All of the Major Arcana cards have been finished! You’ll see that all of the cards from the Major Arcana and Cups suit have been added. While you’ll see in the previous post, I aimed for the 8th of July to finish each card description. I think it’s doable, we are certainly on track!

A new article has been posted

A writer and tarot reader, Rebecca (from the Tarot server!), contributed a lovely article about Pamella Colman Smith. You can read the article here. It’s a nice unique way to read about a biography of an influential artist and how she has influenced the writer.

We made it to 600 likes on our Facebook page

We’ve got a Facebook page (if you didn’t know!) I’m happy to say it’s up to 600 likes now. That’s a lot of fans of tarot cards, wow! If you’d like to stay up to date with the site but don’t want to check in too often, everything that is posted here will be posted there too. You can find the Facebook page by clicking here. I’m also down to chat if you’d like to send a message!

Write with us!

If you liked the article above, then consider writing with us. We’ll be happy to host an article with a link to your website, store, Instagram, etc. just get in touch on the Contact page. One of the goals of Tarot Nova is to have a new fresh place to talk about tarot as a community. I want to be able to promote others and help them find an audience too. There are guidelines for articles on the Contact page.

Can AI Perform Tarot Readings?

Tarot readings have been a popular way for people to gain insight into their lives and make decisions for centuries. Traditionally, tarot readings are performed by a human tarot reader, who interprets the meanings of the cards and provides guidance and advice to the person receiving the reading. However, with the advancements in artificial intelligence, it’s now possible for AI to perform tarot readings as well.

One of the most well-known AI tarot readers is ChatGPT, a chatbot powered by the GPT-3 language model. ChatGPT can engage in conversations with users and provide tarot readings based on their responses. ChatGPT uses a combination of machine learning and natural language processing to interpret the meanings of the tarot cards and provide personalized readings to users.

But can ChatGPT truly provide the same level of insight and guidance as a human tarot reader? Some people are skeptical of the ability of AI to accurately interpret the nuances of tarot readings. Tarot readings are often deeply personal and can be influenced by the personality and beliefs of the person receiving the reading. It’s possible that ChatGPT may not be able to fully understand and take into account the unique experiences and perspectives of each individual user.

On the other hand, ChatGPT and other AI tarot readers have the potential to provide more objective and unbiased readings compared to human tarot readers. Human tarot readers may be influenced by their own biases and personal beliefs, which can affect the interpretation of the cards and the guidance they provide to users. AI tarot readers, on the other hand, do not have personal beliefs or biases and can provide more objective readings.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that ChatGPT and other AI tarot readers are still limited by the data they were trained on. ChatGPT may not have the same level of understanding and knowledge of tarot readings as a human tarot reader who has years of experience and training. As with any AI system, ChatGPT can only provide readings based on the information it has been fed and may not be able to fully understand the context and significance of certain cards in a reading.

While AI tarot readers like ChatGPT have the potential to provide objective and unbiased readings, they are still limited by the data they were trained on and may not have the same level of understanding and insight as a human tarot reader. Whether or not you choose to use an AI tarot reader is a personal decision and ultimately depends on your own beliefs and preferences. It’s important to keep in mind that tarot readings, whether performed by a human or AI, are meant to provide guidance and insight and should not be used as a substitute for professional therapy or medical advice.

ai generated tarot reader

One of the key ethical considerations when it comes to using AI for tarot readings is the potential for it to replace human tarot readers. While AI tarot readers may be able to provide objective and unbiased readings, they may also take business away from human tarot readers who rely on tarot readings as their primary source of income. This raises concerns about the impact of AI on employment and the potential for it to displace human workers.

Another ethical consideration is the potential for AI tarot readers to exploit vulnerable individuals. Some people may turn to tarot readings in times of distress or uncertainty, and AI tarot readers may not have the ability to fully understand and address the emotional needs of these individuals. There is also the risk that AI tarot readers could potentially manipulate or exploit users by providing biased or misleading readings.

Despite these concerns, it’s important to note that AI tarot readers can also have positive impacts. They may be able to provide more accessible and affordable tarot readings to people who may not have the means to see a human tarot reader in person. AI tarot readers can also be available around the clock, making them a convenient option for people who may not have the time or resources to schedule a reading with a human tarot reader.

In conclusion, the use of AI for tarot readings raises a number of ethical considerations that need to be carefully weighed. On the one hand, AI tarot readers may be able to provide more objective and unbiased readings and be more accessible and convenient for users. On the other hand, there are concerns about the potential for AI to replace human tarot readers and exploit vulnerable individuals. Ultimately, the decision to use an AI tarot reader should be based on a careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits, and it’s important to keep in mind that tarot readings, whether performed by a human or AI, are meant to provide guidance and insight and should not be used as a substitute for professional therapy or medical advice.