✦ Mercury retrograde runs Oct 24 – Nov 13, 2026 — see dates and what to do ✦
Tarot · Astrology tools · Decks & books
Learn tarot and astrology
in plain English.
Clear tarot card meanings, simple guides to decks and spreads, and free astrology tools — written for beginners, without the vague mysticism.
78
Cards in a tarot deck
22
Major Arcana
56
Minor Arcana
100%
Free to read
▲ Popular now
Start with tarot
Tarot for beginners →Tarot for beginners
How a deck is built, how to ask a question and how to read your first spread — step by step.
Start here →
Card meanings
Upright and reversed meanings for every card, in words you can use on a real decision.
Browse the cards →
Yes/no tarot reading
Ask one clear question and pull a card. We explain what each answer really means.
Pull a card →
Choosing a deck
Which deck to buy first, and why the picture style on the cards matters when you are learning.
See our picks →Tarot card meanings
All 22 Major Arcana →Most searched cards
☠
Death
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⚡The Tower
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☾The Moon
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♣The Devil
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★The Fool
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○The World
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☼Wheel of Fortune
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♫Judgement
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Cards you can read now
Free astrology and numerology tools
Tool
Sun, moon & rising calculator
Enter your birth date, time and place to find your big three signs.
Find my big three →
ToolFree birth chart calculator
Create your full natal chart with planets, houses and aspects.
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ToolNumerology calculator
Find your life path, destiny and soul urge numbers from your name and birth date.
Get my numbers →
ToolDestiny matrix calculator
Build your matrix of destiny chart from your birth date and see what each position means.
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ToolVedic astrology chart calculator
Create a Vedic (sidereal) birth chart and learn how it differs from Western astrology.
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ToolYes/no tarot
A quick one-card answer, with a plain explanation of what it means.
Ask a question →Tarot guides and how-tos
Start with the basics →Best decks and books
Best tarot decks for beginners
Our picks for your first deck, with what each one is good for.
See the decks →
Best oracle card decks
Easy, gentle decks for readers who want guidance without learning 78 cards.
Coming soon
Best astrology books
10 books that explain the basics clearly, from first chart to deeper study.
See the books →
Best tarot books
Guidebooks to go with your deck, for card meanings and spreads.
See the books →
Best numerology books
Where to start with life path numbers and the numbers in your name.
See the books →
Best Vedic astrology books
Beginner and advanced books on Jyotish and the Vedic birth chart.
Coming soonSome links on our deck and book pages are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our picks. Read how we pick.
This season in the sky
Mercury retrograde dates →Mercury retrograde · Eastern Time
Next up: October 24 – November 13, 2026
Mercury appears to move backwards three or four times a year. Traditionally it is a time for double-checking messages, backing up your tech and finishing old projects rather than starting big new ones.
| Starts | Ends |
|---|---|
| Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
| Feb 9, 2027 | Mar 3, 2027 |
| Jun 10, 2027 | Jul 4, 2027 |
| Oct 7, 2027 | Oct 28, 2027 |
Latest guides
All articles →🃏
Tarot
How yes/no tarot readings actually work — and when to use them
Not every card gives a clean yes or no. Here’s the honest breakdown of how to read each card’s answer.
☀
Astrology
Astrology basics for beginners
Sun, moon and rising signs explained in plain language, with no course needed.
☿
Planets
The planets in astrology and what they mean
What each planet rules and how it shows up in your chart.
❤
Compatibility
Why some signs just work — and others combust
Zodiac compatibility goes deeper than “fire and air get along.”
Find your zodiac sign
All 12 profiles →Common questions
When is the next Mercury retrograde?
The next Mercury retrograde runs from October 24 to November 13, 2026 (Eastern Time). After that, Mercury goes retrograde from February 9 to March 3, 2027, June 10 to July 4, 2027, and October 7 to 28, 2027. It is traditionally linked to communication mix-ups and tech problems, and seen as a time to review decisions rather than start new ones.
How many cards are in a tarot deck?
A standard tarot deck has 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana cards that mark big life themes, and 56 Minor Arcana cards in four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles) that cover everyday events.
What is the best tarot deck for a beginner?
Most beginners start with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck or a deck based on it. Each card has a clear picture, and almost every tarot book and guide uses the same imagery, so what you read matches what you see.
Do you have to be given your first tarot deck?
No. This is a popular superstition, not a rule. You can buy your own deck, and many readers do. What matters is that you like the artwork and can read the cards easily.
What is a destiny matrix?
A destiny matrix (or matrix of destiny) is a chart built from your birth date. It places numbers, often linked to the 22 Major Arcana cards, in an eight-point diagram that people use for reflection on themes like purpose, relationships and money. It is a modern, popular system for self-reflection, not a scientific method.
What is astrocartography?
Astrocartography maps your birth chart onto the world. It draws lines showing where each planet was angular (rising, setting, overhead or below) when you were born. Astrologers read those lines to say how different cities or countries may feel to you. Like all astrology, it is for reflection, not proof.
How do I find out my rising sign?
Your rising sign (ascendant) is the zodiac sign on the eastern horizon at the exact time and place you were born. You need your birth date, birth time and birth place. A free birth chart or sun, moon and rising calculator will work it out for you.
What is the difference between sun, moon and rising signs?
Your sun sign (from your birth date) is your core identity. Your moon sign is your emotional life and instincts. Your rising sign is how others first see you. Together they are your big three and say far more than the sun sign alone.
Stay aligned
New guides and
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New tarot guides, deck and book picks, and a heads-up before each Mercury retrograde — sent only when there is something worth reading.
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