Welcome to the very first (proper) episode of Tarot for Fools — a podcast for anyone curious about the tarot, whether you're just starting out or already deep into your practice.

In this opening episode, Martin (aka The Tarot Bear on TikTok) kicks things off by exploring the basics:

• Where did the tarot really come from

• What’s the difference between the Major and Minor Arcana?

• What do the suits represent, and how do elemental correspondences shape the meanings of cards?

• What do the court cards represent, and how do their medieval roles help us interpret them today?

You'll also hear about Martin's own tarot journey — from book-based readings to deeper, more symbolic understanding — and how learning more about the esoteric systems behind the cards (like Kabbalah, astrology and numerology) has transformed his practice.

This episode covers:

• Legends about the Library of Alexandria and tarot’s “secret” history

• How tarot evolved from a 15th-century card game to a tool for divination

• Why the Rider–Waite–Smith deck became the modern standard

• The role of Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings — and how gender, power, and personality show up in court card readings

• A practical approach to using elemental associations without getting lost in theory

At the end of the episode, Martin tees up what’s coming next: a deeper dive into the hidden systems underpinning the tarot, and a thoughtful look at how tarot “works” — especially for readers who aren’t sure they believe in spirit guides or psychic gifts.

Whether you're in it for the symbolism, the story, or just the strange magic of how the cards seem to know things — this episode sets the stage.