Ask 10 people about tarot cards, and nine of them will probably say they predict the future. That's almost right, but tarot doesn't tell you what will happen—it tells what might happen, and more importantly, how you should show up to it.

In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, tarot was a simple parlor game. Within another 100 years, though, it had become a popular tool for divination.

Today, both tarot and oracle cards, which have fewer rules and a wider range of content, are still in heavy rotation among modern mystics (or anyone looking for a sneak peek into the future).

The enlightened soul searcher has his or her pick of playing cards these days, with traditional decks like the Rider-Waite deck, first published in 1909, and any number of cool and creative decks that appeal to the individual.

The trick to finding the right deck? It's simple—opt for one that really speaks to you.

Major Arcana, also known as Trump cards, includes 21 numbered cards and a single unnumbered card known as the Fool. This character plays a pivotal role in the Major Arcana; he moves through each card, learning lessons along the way in what's known as the Fool's Journey.

The 56 Minor Arcana cards relate to the more specific daily challenges of everyday life and our current situation.

They represent our thoughts, feelings, experiences, and beliefs. These cards are associated with a temporary kind of energy that's affecting your life at the moment and could be easily influenced one way or another.

Understanding the general meaning of each card is just the beginning. The real power comes in using the cards to tap into your own intuition and wisdom so you can start taking positive steps into a brighter future.

It should be clear and open-ended. For example, avoid asking questions that begin with "Will I...," as they run the risk of locking you into a passive role in your own future.

There are multiple ways to shuffle tarot cards. The overhand shuffle involves holding the deck of cards in one hand and using the other to move cards from one side of the deck to the other.

You can also "cut" the deck by dividing it into several piles and then combining them into one again.

Or you can try spreading the cards facedown on the table and sweeping them into a big, messy pile before tapping them into place again. 

Again, there are multiple ways to go here. Cutting the deck with your left hand and pulling the card on top is a simple, no-nonsense approach. You can also try holding the deck in your left hand and tilting it slightly so that part of the deck reveals a gap from which you can take the top card.

Or, you can fan the cards out like poker, and choose the card that draws your eye or feels right in your hand.

Then, turn them right side up so you can gaze at their words, symbols, and imagery, paying attention to what comes to mind as you go.

Meditation and mindfulness are essential skills in this day and age, and tarot is a path to building both.

Incorporating tarot into a daily, weekly, or monthly practice, or simply on an as-needed basis, will help you grow your intuitive abilities and tap into some of that inner wisdom we all have.

You can start reading tarot cards more consistently by drawing a card every morning when you wake up (or in the evenings before bed) that speaks to what you need to know about the day to come.