How to Make Your Tarot Cards?

Tarot cards have captivated individuals for centuries, offering past, present, and future insights. Creating your tarot cards can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to infuse your unique energy and symbolism into the deck. This guide takes you through a step-by-step process of crafting your personalized tarot cards. Whether you’re a tarot enthusiast, a spiritual seeker, or a creative soul, making your tarot cards will be fascinating and enlightening.

This section will delve into the step-by-step process of creating your very own tarot cards. From choosing suitable materials to designing and interpreting the cards, here’s everything you need to know.

Before you embark on your creative journey, you must have a solid understanding of the traditional tarot deck. Please familiarize yourself with the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana cards, each with unique meanings and symbolism. This foundational knowledge will serve as a compass during the creation process.

Gathering the Necessary Materials

You’ll need a few essential materials to bring your tarot cards to life. Here’s a list of what you’ll require:

Cardstock or Quality Paper: Choose durable, smooth, or quality paper for your cards’ base.

Art Supplies: Gather your favourite art supplies, such as coloured pencils, markers, watercolours, or acrylics.
Templates or Stencils: Consider using templates or stencils to ensure card size and shape consistency.
Reference Books: Keep tarot reference books on hand to aid in the design and symbolism of each card.

Protection Spray: Optionally, have a spray to consecrate and empower your finished cards.

Designing Your Tarot Cards

The design process is the heart of making your tarot cards. Allow your creativity to flow as you infuse your meaning into each card. Here’s how to approach the design phase:

Brainstorming: Brainstorm the themes and symbols you want to include in your deck.

Sketching: Create rough sketches for each card to visualize your ideas before finalizing the design.
Symbolism: Incorporate symbols, colours, and images that resonate with your spiritual journey and beliefs.
Personal Touch: Add individual elements that reflect your experiences and emotions, making the deck uniquely yours.

Creating the Major Arcana

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards representing significant life events and spiritual lessons. Devote special attention to this part of the deck, as these cards carry profound meanings. Consider including the following Major Arcana cards:

The Fool: Represents new beginnings, spontaneity, and taking a leap of faith.

The Magician: Symbolizes manifestation, creativity, and the power of transformation.
The High Priestess: Signifies intuition, inner wisdom, and subconscious mysteries.
The Empress: Represents nurturing, fertility, and the abundance of Mother Earth.

Continue designing each card in the Major Arcana with intention and purpose.

Crafting the Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana comprises 56 cards divided into four suits: Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles. Each case carries its symbolism and energy. Design the Minor Arcana with these elements in mind:

Cups: Represent emotions, relationships, and matters of the heart.

Wands: Symbolize creativity, passion, and pursuing goals and ambitions.
Swords: Signify intellect, challenges, and the power of the mind.
Pentacles: Reflect material aspects, finances, and earthly abundance.

Adding Interpretive Meanings

Each card in your tarot deck should have a clear and unique meaning. Draw from your knowledge of traditional tarot interpretations, but also trust your intuition and insights. Write down the implications of each card to create a guidebook for yourself and others who may use your deck.

Choosing a Layout for Printing

Once you have completed the rewarding process of designing and consecrating your tarot deck, the next step is selecting a suitable layout for printing your cards. The structure plays a crucial role in how your cards will be presented and experienced by yourself and others. Here’s a guide to help you make the right choice:

Standard Tarot Card Size: Before you settle on a layout, ensure that your tarot cards adhere to the standard size. Most tarot decks have cards that measure approximately 2.75 inches x 4.75 inches (70 mm x 121 mm). Sticking to this size ensures compatibility with standard tarot card accessories, such as tarot bags and storage boxes.
Custom or Professional Printing: You have two main options for printing your tarot cards – business or professional printing services. Custom printing allows you to print the cards using your printer and cardstock. On the other hand, professional printing services offer high-quality printing with options for card finishes and additional features like gilt edges.
DIY Printing: If you choose the DIY route, ensure you have a high-quality printer capable of printing on cardstock or quality paper. Test the printing settings beforehand for the best colour accuracy and alignment results.

Printing at Home: Printing at home allows for flexibility in making adjustments to the design, but it may not produce the same level of professional finish as commercial printing services.
Professional Printing Services: If you decide to use professional printing services, research local or online companies specializing in printing custom tarot decks. Request samples and compare prices and printing options to find the best fit for your needs.
Cardstock Options: Whether you choose custom or professional printing, consider the cardstock options available. Opt for a sturdy, high-quality cardstock that can withstand frequent use without showing wear and tear.

Card Finishes: Professional printing services often offer a range of finishes, such as glossy, matte, or linen. Each finish has its unique texture and appearance, so select the one that complements your tarot deck’s theme and aesthetics.
Borders or Borderless: Decide whether you want your tarot cards to have walls or be borderless. Fences can provide a neat and consistent look, while borderless cards allow the artwork to extend to the edges, creating a more immersive experience during readings.
Instruction Booklet: If you plan to sell or gift your tarot deck, consider including an instruction booklet or guide explaining each card’s meanings and interpretations. This adds value to your deck and helps users connect with the cards more effectively.

Sample Prints: Before proceeding with an entire print run, request a sample print of a few cards to check the colours, alignment, and overall quality. Make any necessary adjustments before printing the entire deck.

Printing and Assembling Your Tarot Deck

When printing your cards, ensure the colours and images are accurately represented. After printing, cut each card to size and consider laminating them for durability. Assemble your deck in the order you designed, starting with the Fool card and concluding with the last card of the Minor Arcana.

Consecrating Your Tarot Deck

Consecrating your tarot deck is a sacred and essential step in making your tarot cards. This ritual imbues your deck with positive energy, intentions, and spiritual connections, making it a powerful tool for divination and self-discovery. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to consecrate your tarot deck:

Cleanse Your Sacred Space: Before you begin, find a quiet and peaceful space to perform the consecration without interruptions. Cleanse the area with a smudging ritual using sage, palo santo, or incense to purify the space.
Center Yourself: Take a few deep breaths and ground yourself. Close your eyes and focus on your intention for the consecration – to infuse your deck with positive and divine energy.
Set Your Intention: Hold the deck in your hands and visualize a bright, white light surrounding it. State your intention aloud or silently, expressing your desire to create a sacred tool for guidance and insight.

Invoke Divine Guidance: Call upon spiritual entities that resonate with you, such as guardian angels, spirit guides, or deities. Seek their assistance and blessings in consecrating your tarot deck.
Use Protective Crystals: Place protective crystals around the deck, such as clear quartz or amethyst. These crystals can amplify the positive energy and shield your cards from negative influences.
Offerings: If it aligns with your beliefs, consider offering a small token of gratitude to the spiritual entities you’ve invoked. This could be a flower, a drop of essential oil, or a piece of fruit.

Shuffle and Bless the Cards: Begin shuffling the deck, focusing on your intention with each shuffle. As you mix, silently repeat a blessing or mantra, infusing the cards with your positive energy.
Lay Out the Cards: Lay out the cards in a spread representing the four elements – earth, air, fire, and water. This arrangement symbolizes balance and harmony.
Charge with Moonlight or Sunlight: If possible, place your tarot deck under the light of the full moon or the energizing rays of the sun. Allow the deck to absorb the celestial energy, further empowering it for divination.

Thank the Spirits: After the consecration, express gratitude to the spiritual entities and energies you’ve invoked. Acknowledge their presence and assistance in this sacred process.
Create a Sacred Space for Storage: Designate a unique space to store your consecrated tarot deck when unused. This space should be treated with respect and kept free from negative energies.

FAQs

Can I use regular paper for my tarot cards?

Yes, you can use regular paper, but it is recommended to use thicker and higher-quality cardstock to ensure durability.

Do I need to be an artist to design my tarot cards?

While artistic skills can be beneficial, you don’t need to be an expert artist. Focus on expressing your unique vision and symbolism.

Can I add my meanings to the cards?

Absolutely! Infuse your insights and interpretations into each card to create a deck that resonates with you.

How many cards should I include in my tarot deck?

A traditional tarot deck contains 78 cards, comprising the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana suits.

Should I follow the Rider-Waite Tarot system for my design?

The Rider-Waite Tarot system is popular, but you can also explore other systems or create your own.

Can I sell my self-made tarot decks?

Yes, you can sell your self-made tarot decks, but ensure you respect copyright laws and avoid using copyrighted imagery.

Conclusion

Creating your tarot cards is a gratifying and meaningful endeavour. You’ll develop a powerful tool for self-discovery and divination by infusing your energy and insights into the cards. Remember to trust your intuition throughout the process and embrace the journey of self-expression. May your tarot cards serve as a source of wisdom and guidance on your spiritual path.

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