This game is a fun way to memorize your Key Words and to create a comprehensive narrative (similar to The Fool’s Journey). I have played this game numerous times with my Tarot students and have always been asked to play it again. Everyone enjoys it!
The Tarot Game is best played with three or more people, but can be played with only two (playing by yourself will have limited benefits). I suggest using a standard Rider-Waite Tarot deck or a Rider-Waite inspired deck, but honestly any deck can be used as long as the players are familiar with the images.
Object: Get rid of all cards held while weaving a comprehensive narrative.
The Tarot Game is best played with three or more people, but can be played with only two (playing by yourself will have limited benefits). I suggest using a standard Rider-Waite Tarot deck or a Rider-Waite inspired deck, but honestly any deck can be used as long as the players are familiar with the images.
Object: Get rid of all cards held while weaving a comprehensive narrative.
Set up:
Play:
Example:
- Choose one of the players to act as the dealer.
- The dealer should shuffle the deck (yes, all seventy-eight cards).
- Once shuffled, the cards should be dealt one at a time face down to each player, so that each player has the same number of cards. If there are cards remaining place them aside and out of play.
- Each player picks up their (many) cards and looks at them not showing them to any another player. At this point it may be easiest for the players to organize their cards by Major Arcana, Cups, Wands, Pentacles, and Swords. If there are too many cards for the player to hold, it is acceptable to place them on the table face down in front of them.
Play:
- Play starts to the left of the dealer and continues deosil (clockwise).
- Player One determines which of their cards to put into play. This first card is a representation of the Querent.
- Player One places the chosen card face up in the middle of the table where all players can see it and describes the Querent using an interpretation of the card in play.
- All of the other players determine whether the interpretation of the card is acceptable. Discussion is encouraged. If the interpretation is accepted by all players Player One’s turn ends and Player Two’s turn begins, but if the interpretation is not accepted, Player One forfeits their turn and the card should be removed from play and returned to his or her hand.
- Player Two with the given information in mind chooses a card from his or her hand that will successfully weave a narrative about the Querent and places the chosen card face up on top of the first card while sharing the narrative using an interpretation of the card they put into play.
- All of the other players determine whether the interpretation of the card is acceptable and if the narration makes sense. Discussion is encouraged. If the interpretation is accepted by all players Player Two’s turn ends and the next player’s turn begins, but if the interpretation is not accepted, Player Two forfeits their turn and the card should be removed from play and returned to his or her hand.
- The next player with all the previous information in mind chooses a card from his or her own hand that would continue weaving the narrative and places it face up on top of the cards in the pile, sharing more information about the Querent’s situation using an interpretation of the card they put into play.
- All of the other players determine whether the interpretation of the card is acceptable and if the narration makes sense. If the interpretation is accepted by all players that player’s turn ends and the next player’s turn begins, but if the interpretation is not accepted, that player forfeits their turn and the card should be removed from play and returned to the player’s hand. The play continues in this fashion around the table until all cards dealt are played.
- Players may choose to pass on any turn.
- Game ends when a player successfully has played all their cards.
Example:
- Player One places The Empress face up in the middle of the table. “Our Querent, named Brandy, is a very giving and nurturing woman. Many look to her as a surrogate Mom and she is comfortable with this as she has a lot of love to share with people.”
- The interpretation of The Empress by Player One is accepted by the other players.
- Player Two places the 2 of Swords on top of The Empress card. “But Brandy recently found out her husband has been cheating on her. Should she divorce him? She is uncertain on what to do.”
- There is discussion amongst the Players. Player Two is asked to explain how she came to the interpretation about the 2 of Swords. After the discussion the interpretation is accepted by the other players.
- Player Three places the Page of Cups on top of the 2 of Swords. “One of the concerns she has is her young son Jordan, who is a natural born leader and impulsive. He is very attached to his father, Brandy’s husband.”
- There is discussion amongst the Players. Player Three is asked to explain how he came to the interpretation about the Page of Cups. After the discussion the interpretation is not accepted by the other players and Player Three takes the card from the pile on the table and returns it to his hand.
- Play continues with Player One.
Variation:
Instead of the player who places the card into play interpreting it, the next player would do so.
Play:
Instead of the player who places the card into play interpreting it, the next player would do so.
Play:
- Player One determines which card to put into play first and places the chosen card face up in the middle of the table where all players can see it. Player One’s turn ends.
- The Player Two interprets the played card describing the Querent.
- All of the other players determine whether the interpretation of the card is acceptable. Discussion is encouraged. If the interpretation is accepted by all players Player Two then chooses a card from his or her hand that will begin weaving the narrative and places it on top of the first card face up. Player Two’s turns ends. If the interpretation is not accepted, Player Two forfeits their turn and does not play a card.
- The next player interprets the card that will begin weaving the narrative.
- All of the other players determine whether the interpretation of the card is acceptable. Discussion is encouraged. If the interpretation is accepted by all players the player then chooses a card from his or her hand that will continue weaving the narrative and places it on top of the other cards face up. Player Three’s turns ends. If the interpretation is not accepted, Player Three forfeits their turn and does not play a card.
- The play continues in this fashion around the table.
- Players may choose to pass on any turn.
- Game ends when a player successfully has played all their cards.
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