A full tarot deck is a set of cards with images that represent the forces of nature and the vices and virtues of humanity. A full tarot deck will include both major and minor arcana. The major arcana is comprised of 21 face cards; the minor arcana includes 4 suits with number cards (1-10) plus a King, Queen, Knight, and a Page.



In a full tarot deck the minor arcana cards have astrological attributions that are usually used as general indicators of timing. These are very useful in the fortune telling spreads of tarot when the purpose of the reading is to help the recipient decide when to make certain changes that are pending. The major arcana, often referred to as the court cards, signify different people in the recipient's circle of influence. The court cards provide hints and insight regarding a person's physical, emotional, and mental characteristics. Again, it takes both aspects to form a full deck.

A full tarot deck includes enough symbols in its collection to cover the gambit of human emotion and experience - symbols that span the ages and have no cultural boundaries. No matter what circumstances you are facing in your life, the meanings of the cards will resonate with personal relevance. The symbolism works on the sub-conscious mind, the gateway to the true essence of self. The symbols in a full tarot deck mysteriously foot this bill.

Within the collective pool of a full deck are all the basic figures found in religions, myths, legends and fairytales. Taken together, and this is a key aspect of tarot, they form a magical storehouse of profound esoteric knowledge. Individually, each figure in the tarot calls forth from a person's sub-conscious a deep, resonating awareness - awareness of what is and what can be. Collectively they present a full and complete circle of all of life's energies and the powers of our conscious interaction with them.

In recent times, many new decks have been created. These are full tarot decks centered on some particular theme. For example, there are feminist decks, pop culture decks, decks for the sportsman, children, Christian focused decks, and decks focused on flowers, fairy tales, food and humor just to name a few.

The phrase "not playing with a full deck" implies that someone is not complete in their mental facilities. This rings true of the tarot deck as well - without a full deck the impact of the symbolism, and thus the messages inherent in their spreads and various readings, is seriously lacking its full potential. Yes, a full tarot deck is the only tarot deck.