How to look at the colors in tarot cards

Three words that change how you look

Do you like a tarot card without quite knowing why? Start by looking at its palette. In its teaching vocabulary for describing art, the Getty distinguishes three properties of color. Hue is the color’s name, value describes how light or dark it is, and intensity distinguishes a vivid color from a dull one. These terms help describe an image. They assign no divinatory meaning to its colors.

Look at your card and name two or three hues you can see. Find the lightest and darkest areas. Then notice which colors seem vivid or muted. You can move beyond “This card is blue” to a description like “The background is dark blue, with one small, bright yellow detail.” You don’t need to know how to read a spread to try this.

Compare two palettes without ranking them

Voyancea created this observation exercise. It does not represent a scientific method or an official interpretation by the Getty. Put two cards side by side or choose two reproductions you already have. For a few minutes, set aside the cards’ titles and the guidebook’s explanations. Notice what changes in the way you look as you move from one image to the other.

Does the first have more light areas? Does the second use a vivid color in a small area? In which image are the outlines easier for you to distinguish? Write down one specific difference and record your preference separately. “The background is darker” describes what you see. “I like this mood better” expresses your taste. There’s no expected ranking or preferred palette.

A personal association tells you about your own response

Consider a completely fictional example. A card shows a figure dressed in red against a beige background. You notice the clothing first and then think of a theater costume. That association may be interesting, and it comes from your imagination. Red does not prove that romance is on the way, and a gold surface does not guarantee that you will gain money.

If you want to explore the image symbolically, put your thought in the first person. Try “This palette reminds me of…” or “This contrast makes me imagine….” That wording leaves room for your own response without attributing an intention to the artist that you haven’t verified. If you want to know a convention for a specific deck, consult its guidebook and describe it as a convention of that edition.

Finish by noticing something new

Return to the first card and notice one color detail you missed, such as a border, a shadow, or a small light accent. You can also conclude that the palette brings nothing in particular to mind. Looking at tarot this way offers another way to enjoy its images. You may end up with a more precise description, without having to make it into a message about your future.