If you’ve ever felt drawn to Tarot but didn’t know where to begin, October might be your moment. The veil is thin, the nights are long and the cards are waiting.

We sat down with Shari Potter, co-owner of Séance at Tiffany’s, for an interview and some insights into the esoteric. Whether you’re curious about choosing your first deck or wondering what separates Tarot from oracle cards, this is your invitation to step into the mystery.

And yes — there’s a three-card collective reading pulled just for you readers. But first, let’s look at where it all began.

Tarot originated in 15th-century Milan, Italy, as a card game called tarocchi, played by the nobility for entertainment.

The earliest surviving deck — the Visconti-Sforza — was created around 1440 for the Duke of Milan’s family and featured hand-painted illustrations, but it wasn’t used for divination.

Tarot’s mystical associations didn’t emerge until the 18th century, when French occultists like Etteilla (Jean-Baptiste Alliette) reimagined the cards as tools for divination, incorporating astrological and alchemic symbolism.

When it comes to choosing your first Tarot deck, Potter believes intuition should lead the way.

“Whatever your soul is feeling drawn to is the most important thing,” she said.

While some traditions suggest your first deck should be gifted, Potter sees that as a personal belief rather than a rule.

For beginners, she recommends starting with a deck like Rider-Waite to get a solid foundation in the traditional imagery, symbolism and card meanings.

While Tarot and oracle cards are often grouped together, Potter believes they serve different purposes.

“Oracle gives more of a straightforward message,” she said.

Unlike Tarot, which she says requires time and study to understand its structure and symbolism, oracle decks are easier to engage with. They feature direct messages or imagery that don’t need prior knowledge to interpret.

“You can just pick up an oracle card and not even have to read the guidebook,” Potter said.

In contrast, she describes Tarot as “more of a storyline,” offering characters, timelines and insights into the past, present, future and more.

A traditional Tarot deck comprises 78 cards divided into two main parts: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana.

Potter explained that the Major Arcana begins with “the Fool” and ends with “the World,” representing archetypal energies and major life themes.

The Minor Arcana, on the other hand, is made up of four suits — swords, cups, pentacles and wands — each representing different aspects of daily life.

These suits include numbered cards from one to 10, along with court cards like kings, queens, knights and pages.

“It’s all the cycles of life,” Potter said. “We’re always in cycles, and every card helps with something.”

For October’s collective reading, Potter pulled three cards with a message meant for anyone who feels drawn to it. The first card out, the 10 of Wands, speaks to overwhelm and overcommitment.

“Be mindful, even if they’re things that you truly love,” Potter said. “Trying to wear many hats and do many things, the cards are saying to put down a little, that way you can see where you’re going.”

Potter believes the card suggests that many may be carrying too much — whether out of passion, obligation or a desire to help others.

Next came Temperance, a card Potter described as deeply spiritual and rooted in the idea of alchemy and flow. It’s a call to slow down, recalibrate and trust where you’re being guided.

“It’s not about being perfect,” she said. “But how can I have more balance?”

According to Potter, Temperance encourages readers to embrace imperfection and seek harmony, especially during moments of overextension.

Finally, the Nine of Cups appeared — a card of wish fulfillment and emotional satisfaction.

Potter read it as a sign that “everything is lining up, everything is falling into place.” 

The reading encourages reflection on what’s truly yours to carry, what can be released, and how to make space for joy and abundance.

As October fills up with responsibilities, deadlines and distractions, take a moment to pause. Potter’s advice is a gentle reminder to realign ourselves, creating space for calm and joy amid life’s demands.

“We are meant to experience wish fulfillment, and we are meant to experience abundance, especially when it comes to anything that we love in life, it’s just not everything is ours to carry,” Potter said.