Build Custom Tarot Card Reading Apps in JavaScript – Tarot.js

Tarot.js is a JavaScript library that enables you to build Tarot card reading apps with custom decks, spreads, and automated card drawing mechanics.

Features:

• Flexible Deck Initialization: Load any JSON array of card objects with custom properties and metadata.
• Custom Spread Builder: Define spreads with named positions and optional descriptions for different reading types.
• Automated Card Drawing: Execute readings that automatically draw the correct number of cards for each spread position.
• Deck State Management: Track drawn cards, shuffle remaining cards, and reset deck state between readings.
• Spread Library System: Store multiple spread configurations and retrieve them by name for repeated use.
• Current Reading Access: Query the most recent spread and card assignment for display or further processing.

Use Cases:

• Tarot Reading Web Apps: Build interactive Tarot reading platforms where users select spreads and receive automated card draws with interpretations. The library handles all card management while you focus on UI and user experience.
• Educational Tarot Tools: Create learning applications that teach Tarot symbolism and spread techniques. Define custom decks with educational metadata and build guided reading experiences that explain each position’s significance.
• Divination APIs: Implement backend services that generate Tarot readings on demand. Initialize decks server-side, execute readings through API endpoints, and return structured card data to client applications.
• Game Development: Integrate Tarot mechanics into games that use card-based narrative systems or procedural storytelling. The deck management system works for any card-based game that needs draw and shuffle functionality.

How to use it:

1. Import Tarot.js library as an ES module.

import Tarot from "./dist/tarot.min.js";

2. You need a JSON file containing your deck’s data. The library is flexible about the card object’s structure, but each card should be an object in an array. You can load this using an import assertion or a standard fetch call.

async function fetchEnglishDeck() {
  const response = await fetch("./decks/en/default.json");
  if (!response.ok) {
    throw new Error(`HTTP error! Status: ${response.status}`);
  }
  const englishDeck = await response.json();
  return englishDeck;
}

3. Create an instance of Tarot and initialize it with your deck data.

const tarot = new Tarot();
tarot.initializeDeck(englishDeck);

4. Before you can do a reading, you need to define a spread. A spread is essentially a template for a reading, defining the positions and their meanings.

tarot.addSpread('Three-Card Spread', {
  positions: ['Past', 'Present', 'Future'],
  description: 'Insight into past, present, and future aspects.'
});

5. With a spread defined, you can perform a reading. The doReading method shuffles the deck and draws the required number of cards, assigning one to each position in the spread. This will return an array of objects, each containing a position and the card drawn for it.

const reading = tarot.doReading("Three-Card Spread");
console.log(reading);

6. You can also create a deck on the fly. The library doesn’t enforce a strict schema for your card objects. As long as you have enough cards to fulfill the largest spread, it works.

const myDeck = tarot.initializeDeck([
  {
    name: "The Coder",
    meaning: "Tired, broke, curious",
    custom_key: "some_value"
  },
  {
    name: "The Designer",
    meaning: "Creative, detail-oriented",
    custom_key: ["another_value"]
  }
  // ... more cards
]);

7. A practical challenge in Tarot apps is handling card reversals. Instead of creating duplicate “Reversed Fool” cards, you can assign a reversed status during the reading. This keeps your deck data clean.

Here’s a helper function to do just that:

function assignReversals(reading) {
  return reading.map(draw => {
    const isReversed = Math.random() > 0.5; // 50% chance
    return {
      ...draw,
      card: {
        ...draw.card,
        reversed: isReversed
      }
    };
  });
}
const readingWithReversals = assignReversals(tarot.doReading("Three-Card Spread"));
console.log(readingWithReversals);

8. All available API methods.

• initializeDeck(cards): Initializes the deck with an array of card objects.
• addSpread(name, options): Adds a custom spread. The options object requires a positions array and can include an optional description.
• doReading(spreadName): Draws cards for a named spread. It returns an array of objects, each with a position and card.
• shuffleDeck(): Shuffles the deck in place. doReading calls this automatically.
• removeSpread(name): Removes a spread by its name.
• getSpreadInfo(name): Retrieves the configuration for a specific spread.
• listSpreads(): Returns an array of all available spread names.
• drawCards(count): Draws a specified number of cards from the deck.
• getCurrentSpread(): Retrieves the result of the most recent reading.
• getDeckInfo(): Returns information about the current deck, including card count and the full list of cards.

FAQs

Q: How do I handle deck exhaustion when all cards are drawn?
A: The library does not automatically reshuffle when the deck runs out of cards. If you attempt a reading that requires more cards than remain in the deck, you will need to detect this condition and either shuffle the deck or reinitialize it. Check the card count through getDeckInfo before executing readings if you need to prevent this scenario.

Q: How do I implement reading history across multiple sessions?
A: Tarot.js stores reading data only for the current session in memory. For persistent reading history, serialize the reading output from doReading to localStorage, a database, or your preferred storage system. Each reading returns a plain JavaScript object that you can convert to JSON and store.

Q: Can I use the same Tarot instance for multiple users?
A: A single Tarot instance maintains one deck state and spread configuration. For multi-user applications, create separate instances for each user or implement a system that reinitializes the deck between users. The library is lightweight enough that instantiating multiple instances does not create performance concerns.

The post Build Custom Tarot Card Reading Apps in JavaScript – Tarot.js appeared first on CSS Script.