The Tarot is a divination tool as ancient as Egypt yet as fresh as the interpretations you bring to each card. If you approach Tarot readings as a parlor game—something like a Gypsy fortuneteller would do in a movie—the responses you get will mirror your mindset! And there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you understand that the deck picks up your attitude and energy. I took up the Tarot as research for a character several years ago and discovered a way to deepen my spiritual life and better understand WHO I AM and WHY I’M HERE.

Lenore St. Claire, a central character in my new “Love Secret” series, inspired this page, so I hope you’ll enjoy it! I’ll share information about everything from choosing a deck to understanding how the Tarot can deepen your intuitive powers.

Post a Tarot question on my blog! If I feature it on this page, you’ll win a copy of one of my books! Let’s learn about this journey we’re on—together!

Tarot Tips

An Ace signifies a new beginning or direction and vibrates with the energy of ONE. This corresponds to numerology, where a ONE is all about leadership and singular focus and knowing oneself. It reflects the power of new projects (Ace of Wands), new love or creativity (Ace of Cups), new ideas (Ace of Swords), or new ways to make money or get healthy (Ace of Pentacles).

Unlike the old Three Dog Night song, ONE is not the loneliest number! It’s the basis for everything that follows. Somebody has to go first—it might as well be you!

If you’re new to the Tarot, I suggest browsing a New Age shop or a large bookstore where you can see and handle the decks—or you can choose from a selection of book and deck sets. I also suggest you choose a deck with illustrated pip cards (numbered 1-10): a picture’s worth more than a thousands words as you learn the cards’ meanings, and will tell you a lot more than, say, an 8 of Swords card that shows only eight fancy swords!

HUNDREDS of decks are out there! One of the most basic, the Rider-Waite or Universal Waite, has been around for a century now and is featured in many learn-the-

Tarot books. It was my first deck, and as I felt the need to explore other decks—or saw others that jumped out at me—I acquired them. For me, the pictures provide endless help when I interpret spreads for myself or for friends: I see different details each time, even though they’ve been there all along! I’ve found that while some decks are spot-on for readings, others are better when I’m plotting my books and creating their characters.

Another suggestion: go to www.aeclectic.net/tarot or look at www.tarot.com to preview decks of every theme and design! You’ll be astounded. You’ll want to click on dozens of the decks and see the selected cards—something for every taste and mindset!

Let your heart, your eye, and your instinct be your guides. When you find a deck that draws you in and excites you with its color, design, and details—go with it!