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In the Cards: Tarot for Connection, Reflection, and Inspiration

Mary McCoy, Senior Librarian, Art, Music, & Recreation Department,
Tarot cards
An assortment of cards from The New Palladini Tarot by David Palladini (1996)

I remember when tarot cards would come out at parties at my house, back when I had parties at my house.

At some point in the evening, a little group of people would peel off and you’d find us sitting in a corner, poring over cards. Someone would come over to watch, possibly to scoff, and then eventually to ask, “Will you do mine next?”

Whether you think of tarot cards as a silly game or a mystical ritual, they’re pretty great at bringing people together. There’s something irresistible about having someone focus their attention on you, and make an effort to tell your story through the images on a set of cards.

Tarot cards aren’t great because they tell us the future (they don’t do that). They’re great because they tell us about ourselves and each other. They encourage self-reflection, introspection, meditation, and thoughtfulness. I think of tarot reading as storytelling mixed with self-help, art history, and a healthy dose of compassion.

Tarot readings also translate well to video calls, texting, email, and other online correspondence and can be a creative and fun way to keep in touch with friends during the pandemic.

Here are some resources you can use to beef up your tarot reading skills and a simple library-themed tarot spread to try out.

gold and white tarot spread


Recommended Reading


Book cover for Modern Tarot
Modern Tarot
Tea, Michelle

Book cover for Kitchen Table Tarot
Kitchen Table Tarot
Cynova, Melissa

Book cover for Tarot For Life
Tarot For Life
Quinn, Paul

Book cover for Queering The Tarot
Queering The Tarot
Snow, Cassandra

Book cover for Tarot For Your Self
Tarot For Your Self
Greer, K. Mary

Book cover for The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings
The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings
Esselmont, Brigit

Book cover for Tarot for Beginners
Tarot for Beginners
Moore, Barbara

Book cover for Learning The Tarot
Learning The Tarot
Bunning, Joan

Book cover for The Creative Tarot
The Creative Tarot
Crispin, Jessa

Book cover for How to Deal
How to Deal
Main, Sami

Book cover for The Only Tarot Book You'll Ever Need
The Only Tarot Book You'll Ever Need
Alexander, Skye & Shannon, Mary


 

 

 

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