ABC Tarot - Free online tarot reading

Home » Articles Tarot » Tarot games

From the Tarot of Marseille to the oracle of Belline, which one to choose?

The Tarot is a card game, originally of Arabic origin and whose origins are still obscure today. There are many different tarots and new ones are being created every day. Although initially the cards were used to play, very quickly symbolic was grafted in the figures and numbers.

The Tarot of Marseille

This is one of the oldest and probably the most famous tarots. This Tarot, still widely popular today as a board game (especially in southern Europe) has 78 cards including 22 "major" arcana, 40 "minor" arcana and 16 court cards. Mainly 22 major arcana are used to decipher the future.

These 22 major arcana have a symbolic meaning and different prints allow combining the cards so as to obtain a sometimes very precise interpretation.

The tarologist studies the symbolism attached to each card spread and analyzes the entire lay-out, so as to give the best advice to his/her consultant. A competent analysis reveals a deep personality and reveals problems sometimes deeply buried. With a professional tarologist, it is the guarantee to work on his/her own evolution, in harmony with his/her environment.

Oracle of Belline

Contrary to what one might think, this Tarot does not bear the name of its creator. It is Jules-Charles-Ernest Bilaudot (1829 - 1881), better known under the name of Edmont Billaudot who imagined and drew this game of divination around 1865 for his consultants some of whom were very famous, like Victor Hugo, Napoleon III or Alexandre Dumas.

This Tarot is largely inspired by the Tarot of Marseille but Billaudot also drew on religious symbolism, chivalrous or Kabbalistic, bringing together in one game a lot of symbols.

It was at the end of the 19th century that a Mr. Belline, clairvoyant profession, exhumed this game fallen into oblivion and perfected.

This Tarot is divided into astrological families.

Four cards have no planetary sign: the Blue Card, Destiny, The Star of the Man and the Star of the Woman.

The first family is marked by the Sun: Nativity, Success, Elevation, Honors, Thoughts - Friendships, Campaign - Health, Presents). A spread dominated by the solar family refers to aspirations, ambitions, and activities. These cards suggest a brightening, an opening, a support. The material is favored.

The second family is related to the moon: Betrayal or Cat, Departure, Inconstancy, Discovery, Water, Penates, Illness or Malaise. A draw dominated by this family refers to emotions, intuition, the unconscious, desires, sensitivity.

The third family is under the influence of Mercury: Change, Money, Intelligence, Theft - Loss or Detachment Card, Business, Traffic Card and News. A spread dominated by Mercury refers to exchanges, communication, movement, intellect and adaptability.

The fourth family is governed by Venus: Pleasures, Peace, Union, Family, Love, Table, Passions. The cards of this family favor pleasure, leisure, relaxation, harmony, comfort and well-being.

The fifth family is in relation with Mars: Evilness, Trials, Despotism, Enemies, Talks, Fire, Accident. The cards of this family refer to the action, the initiative, and the battles to overcome obstacles.

The sixth family is related to Jupiter: Support, Beauty, Heritage, Wisdom, Fame, Chance, Happiness. The cards of this family refer to fulfillment, satisfaction, optimism, expansion.

The seventh and last family is governed by Saturn: Infortune, Infertility, Fate, Grace, Ruin, Delay, and The Cloister. The cards of this family induce delays, mishaps. They promote procrastination, discipline, reflection, introspection. This group supports projects that require time, patience and wisdom.

Astrological Tarot

The Astrological Tarot combines the discipline of astrology with the symbols of the Tarot of Marseille. The chosen cards are arranged in a circle, like a clock and each of the 12 cards, according to its position in this wheel describes a domain of our existence.

- The first card represents the consultant.
- The second card symbolizes the financial situation.
- The third card describes the close entourage.
- The fourth card symbolizes the family.
- The fifth card talks about feelings.
- The sixth card describes everyday life.
- The seventh card talks about marriage and association.
- The eighth card concerns carnal pleasures and investments.
- The ninth map symbolizes travel and advanced education.
- The tenth house represents socio-professional ambitions.
- The eleventh house symbolizes friendships and protections.
- The twelfth house concerns trials and secrets.

Chinese Tarot

The Chinese Tarot is composed of 30 cards :

- 5 colors (white, red, blue, green and yellow)
- 5 seasons (spring, summer, late summer, autumn, winter)
- 5 times (sun, rain, thunderstorm, drought, cold)
- 5 tastes (spicy, sweet, salt, bitter, acid)
- 5 organs (heart, stomach, lungs, kidneys, liver)
- 5 temperaments (active and inventive, calm and prosperous, dreamy and sentimental, agitated and nervous, worried and aggressive).

Tarot des anges

The Angelic Tarot is connected to two traditions: the Tarot and the Kingdom of Angels. Major Cards refer to the names, virtues and roles of Archangels. They are there to guide us in existence. The Minor Cards bring together the laborious Angels; they are employees who do a deep and discreet job. They are considered as friends of the human soul.

Tarot of the Couples

The Tarot of the Couples includes 24 square cards, including a man and a woman representing the consultant and the joker Seahorse. These cards are marked by the four elements: water, air, earth, fire. To this we added the card symbolizing the future to enlighten us on our future.

Persian Tarot

This tarot consists of 55 cards containing a strong symbolic. Every card, every color, every message has its importance. This game contains 19 major cards, 16 intermediate cards, 16 minor arcana and 4 complementary arcana. The Persian Print gives precise answers about love, money, work and form.

The list of Tarots is almost infinite, for the record :
- Egyptian Tarot
- Gypsy Tarot
- The Lenormand Tarot
- The Hebrew Tarot
- The classic deck of 32 or 54 cards
- Oracle of Delphi
- Etc.

The most difficult thing is to choose your deck based on your taste, luck or any other criterion of choice.

Launch a new tarot draw


The meaning of the Tarot cards
- The Fool
- The Magician
- The High Priestess
- The Empress
- The Emperor
- The Hierophant or Pope
- The Lovers
- The Chariot
- Justice
- The Hermit
- The Wheel of Fortune
- Strength
- The Hanged Man
- The Nameless One
- Temperance
- The Devil
- The Tower
- The Star
- The Moon
- The Sun
- Judgment
- The World
The origins of the Tarot Learn about Tarology Different types of Tarot
What is Cartomancy ? Types of spread of Tarot cards All tarot articles