The Tarot deck consists of 78 cards divided into two sections known as the Major and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana has 22 cards numbered 0-21 each with a picture illustrating an archetypal symbol. Every card has a name , some of which may be familiar to you e.g. The Lovers, Death, The Fool etc. Taken in sequence they can be seen to represent man's journey through life. Each card describes some important aspect or stage in life.

The Minor Arcana contains 56 cards which are divided into four suits (like normal playing cards). The suits are named: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles and each suit represents particular areas of life as follows:

• Wands are the suit of enterprise, growth and spiritual development.
• Cups are the cards of emotions, sensitivity, love and relationships.
• Swords are the cards of mental activity and actions.
• Pentacles are the cards that represent the world of money, career and possessions.

Anybody who has had a reading from a competent Tarot reader will undoubtedly answer yes. Life can be difficult, and the Tarot really comes into its own when we feel indecisive or feel that we have become stuck in a rut for whatever reason. Tarot can highlight areas of our lives that have been neglected. It can put us back on track on an intellectual, emotional and spiritual level. Tarot cards are a wonderful tool, but they are not so good at giving orders, pronouncing ultimatums, and should not be used for personal gain, so don't go asking for next week's lottery numbers !

Some people believe an external force controls their apparently random choice of cards in a Tarot spread, whether it be their own spirit or angelic guide, or that of the person who is reading for them. I believe that the secret lies somewhere within us all, and that we use our powers of intuition and inspiration that we possess to a greater or lesser extent.

There are many theories. For example, Carl Jung, the Swiss psychologist, suggested that our 'collective unconscious' gives us access to the experiences and accumulated wisdom of all humanity. The Tarot cards act as a bridge between our conscious and unconscious knowledge. Interacting with or tuning in to this 'energy' or knowledge seems to give us the ability to glimpse, not into a fixed future, but a future of possibilities that are waiting just beyond the horizon.

Initially the client will be asked to shuffle and select seven cards. These cards are laid out in a formation called a spread. There are a variety of spreads but the one I most commonly use is a 'seven card spread'. From my interpretation of the cards chosen, I will be able to establish whether are not the reading will be successful. From this point I can move in various directions and compile different spreads depending on the client's requirement.

The simple answer is that there is no such thing as a negative card. Often clients give me a very worried look when I pick out the 'Death' or 'Devil' card. It is important to remember that tarot is symbolic, not literal. The 'Death' card for example is a powerful omen of change and rebirth. This card is about cleansing away the old energies and possibly letting go of old hurts. Each card is personal to each person in each reading. Never assume that a card means something until the psychic interpretation comes forth from the reader.

As with any form of professional interaction between two people, it is good practice to establish and work within set boundaries.

Below I have compiled a list that should prove useful for anyone seeking help from a Tarot reader or clairvoyant who charges a set fee for an agreed reading time.

There are thousands of books and articles on the subject. If you want to further your knowledge of the Tarot there is plenty of choice. These days people are writing about the Tarot from a wide range of view points and magical and philosophical systems so it can be rather daunting, even confusing, especially for the beginner. It should be noted that not all of these approaches are useful and some are just plain gimmicky, so a little caution and discrimination will need to be applied. Ideally, you should seek advice from someone who already knows about the Tarot or from a knowledgeable bookseller.