Tarot & Oracle Cards

East West Books and Gifts has one of the largest collections of tarot and oracle cards in the Seattle area, with over 100 decks for sale. East West also has a team of intuitives offering readings in store and online.

Universal Symbols

What is Tarot?

Tarot decks consist of 78 cards, with each card representing an archetype or mental state. Every tarot deck follows the same pattern of 22 major arcana cards and 56 minor arcana cards, with the minor arcana divided into 4 suits, traditionally the wands, swords, cups, and pentacles. Some decks use different images or suits, but will follow the same general meanings.

It is important to note that there may be some taboos associated with Tarot, namely 'fortune telling' or 'witchcraft', but there is absolutely nothing about Tarot that necessitates these associations. Just as an apple may be used by a witch to poison a fair maiden (Snowwhite), it is more commonly just a piece of fruit. The same may be said of Tarot cards. While people may choose to use them in occult practices, Tarot has found popularity as a tool of introspection, contemplation, and fostering conversations and connection.

A Sample three card reading

Seven of Pentacles

Your efforts are beginning to come to fruition.

Ten of swords

A period of hardship is coming to a close.

the hermit

The answers you seek must be found within yourself.

Some Of Our Favorite Decks

A Timeless Classic

The Rider Waite Tarot

The Rider-Waite deck is the modern tarot deck from which most other decks take inspiration. While the origins of Tarot go back as far as the 15th century in Italy with the Visconti-Sforza deck, which itself draws on even older religious and spiritual imagery from various traditions, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck is generally considered the origin of modern tarot imagery. Due to the clarity of meaning of the art, and the fact that many decks take inspiration from the Rider-Waite-Smith, it is the best starting deck for beginners, or for those interested in history and tradition.

A Modern Interpretation with Animals

The Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Kranz

The Wild Unknown tarot deck takes a departure from tradition and features animals for the archetypes. The deck was created by the now-famous artist Kim Kranz, who has spoken at East West in the past. Exchanging animals for people, Kranz reimagines the symbolism of the Tarot, while staying true to the original meanings of the cards. What comes through when looking at the cards is our own understanding of animals and our own relationship to nature.

Passed Through Generations

The Original Angel Cards

Originally part of a game, these cards were published as a deck in 1981. Having stood the test of time in a transient age, The Original Angel Cards are a small deck of cards, each with a picture of an Angel and its name. While playing with this deck, you may pull cards such as "Freedom," "Compassion," and "Acceptance." Having sold over a million copies, these Angels have been providing a sense of spiritual companionship across generations.

Ancient Wisdom From Nature

Medicine Cards

By Jamie Sams & David Carson, Illustrated by Angela Werneke

The Medicine Cards were created in the 1980s and have sold over a million copies. The Medicine Cards believes each animal holds its own "medicine" - wisdom, power, or healing method. For example, the Bear may suggest introspection, the Eagle may symbolize connection to Spirit, the Coyote may carry trickster energy, the Buffalo may signal abundance. The Medicine Cards may be used like any other deck with single pulls or spreads, and has an extensive guide book, offering essays and different interpretations for each card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Tarot and Oracle cards?

Tarot cards generally follow a specific structure of 78 cards - there are 56 Minor Arcana which consists of 4 suits (Wands, Pentacles, Swords, Cups) with 14 cards each, and 22 Major Arcana cards, including cards like The Fool, The Magician, The Wheel of Fortune, etc.

Deck creators will use different art and symbols for their decks, and usually include a guidebook with their own interpretations of the cards. Sometimes the suits will be different (coins instead of pentacles, arrows instead of swords), or the art and symbols may be completely different. Other times, creators will insert a few extra cards from their own imagination.

Oracle cards can follow any format that the deck creator can imagine. Some decks use animals, some use specifically cats, others have angels, or words and messages. They may have any number of cards and cover any subject with any art. One Oracle deck may have absolutely nothing in common with the next. Like Tarot decks, Oracle decks usually come with guidebooks that show you how to use them.

How Should I Pick My First Tarot Deck?

There is no right or wrong way to pick a deck, but here are a few suggestions.

If you are looking to "learn the cards", the Rider-Waite-Smith deck is the best place to start. This deck pioneered much of the 'classic' tarot imagery, so most other decks refer to the Rider-Waite-Smith in some way. If you 'learned' this deck you would have a great basis for reading any other deck.

If you are mostly looking to have fun, the best thing to do is find a deck with art that speaks to you. In other words, the art may be not only beautiful, but may convey to you a sense of meaning. Ask yourself, "Can I tell what this art is saying?" If you can figure out the meaning of the card without looking at the guidebook, that may be a great deck to start with.

Where Can I Find a Tarot Reader?

Reading tarot cards is a great solo activity, but honestly works best with someone else. Many people turn to the cards when feeling 'stuck,' so a second pair of eyes often helps in more ways than one. A trusted friend would be the best way to start.

If you are looking for a professional tarot reading, East West Books and Gifts has a rotating team of tarot readers who read in-store in Edmonds, WA or online.

If you choose to have someone else read your cards, just remember that you are in control of the trajectory of your life, and your will and intuition are more powerful than cards.

Is Tarot Involved With Witchcraft Or Occultism? What Are The Origins Of Tarot?

Not really. Tarot is a tool, like money or anything else. So, people have used it in myriad ways, including for divination, self reflection, prediction, fortune telling, or communication with spirits.

The origins of tarot can be traced to a card game in Italy played by wealthy people in the 1400s; a game much like bridge, and a deck much like the standard 52 card playing deck of today.

The famous Rider-Waite-Smith deck was released in 1909. It is still popular today and is the basis for most modern interpretations of tarot, and does use occult and mystical symbols. It is important to note that these symbols come from many cultures and do not point at the use of magic, witchcraft, or satanism. For example, the Caduceus (Two of Cups) comes from Greek mythology and is the staff of Hermes; the Ouroboros (Magician) comes from ancient Egypt.

So, if you were to pull the infamous "Devil" card, that doesn't mean the Devil is in the room with you or cursing you or anything like that. It could simply be referring to the 'Shadow' aspects of life, such as bad habits, or temptation.

Does my first tarot deck need to be a gift?

Not at all. Many old myths, stories, and superstitions get brought into Tarot. If you follow some belief system or culture that includes these rules, feel free to follow them. But there is no sacred creed or code around Tarot that needs to be followed.