The Galaxy Tarot app was the first one they released, and it uses the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. They have used the same programming to create The Wild Unknown Tarot app, the CBD Tarot de Marseille app, Tarot Illuminati app, the Darkana Tarot app and the Gypsy Palace Tarot app. Galaxy Tarot is available as a free app, although the cost for the Pro version is minimal compared with what it offers.
Galaxy Tarot is the first Tarot app I found for my Android, and I now have the widget on the home screen of my phone and tablet so that the Card of the Day is always there for me. It was so intuitive to use that I initially missed out on some of the functionality, but the more I explored what it had to offer the more I found to like about it. I bought the Pro version very shortly after I started working with the free version, and it was money well spent. There have been several updates to the app since I first got it, and each one has been a welcome addition to what was already a great app.
The simplicity of the initial screen hides some of the power of the app, but it is this simple approach that makes Galaxy Tarot so easy to start using as soon as it is installed. Selecting Card of the Day pulls up a full screen image of the card. Tap the card to open the information screen with the card’s name, Today’s Message, and the card Interpretation. Tap that screen again to go back to the card image. Simple and easy.
The true power of the app lies in the icons at the bottom of the information screen.
These switch among the information screen, the encyclopedia and the notes. The encyclopedia has entries for the card type, suit, element, number, planet, zodiac, symbol, chakra, I Ching, and colors. Rather than being intimidating, the simple icons for each entry give the basic information at a glance. More information about that aspect of the card is a tap away, and the associated cards are shown as well.
When you are ready to start working with the cards in a reading, there are built in spreads that you can chose from. The free versions of the aps offer 5 spreads, and more can be purchased. The Pro versions have a up to 26 spreads to choose from including Galaxy Tone’s own. The cards can be shuffled and selected or chosen for you automatically. There is even an option to select the cards you can use in the spread for when you want to recreate a reading or use the app as a teaching tool. All of the options for information are available in the spreads, and there is a message about the placement in the spread to help with the readings.
One thing that I have not seen in other Tarot apps is a spread analyzer that helps you understand the patterns in your reading. Using the symbols, numbers and other correspondances, the analyzer helps you see what themes are in the cards at a glance. And as you save the readings in your journal, the analyzer can help you spot trends among them as well. Another feature that I have not seen before is the ability to share readings with others through email, Instagram and Facebook.All of the Galaxy Tarot cards have interpretations from Galaxy Tone and Waite’s “Pictorial Key to the Tarot”. The different Tarot apps all feature interpretations from the decks’ creators and the authors of the companion books, so you can see what Kim Huggens has to say about the Tarot Illuminati and what Janden Hale was going for when he created the Darkana Tarot.
The creators of the Galaxy Tone apps are as enthusiastic about the Tarot (and runes and crystals) as any of us, and very glad that people find their apps so useful. And they are gracious enough to answer a few questions to help get to know the who and the why behind their efforts.
What drew you to create Galaxy Tone apps? Was it a love of Tarot, programming, or something else that got you started?
Maybe it's corny, but Galaxy Tone sort of drew us to create it :) Chris was an early Android adaptor and built Galaxy Tarot as a practice in Android programming and because he noticed there were not a lot of tarot apps available at the time (2010 -- a lot different than now!). And, lo and behold, people liked it! Chris hired me to do a writing contract at first -- the card interpretations -- but over time my share of the work has grown, and now I'm a partner. I am a huge tarot nerd, and I love being an author. I feel so fortunate to get to do this work that I love and to get to help people with my writing. It's seriously a dream come true! I especially love that Galaxy Tarot is, for many people, a first introduction to tarot! That's so exciting!
Which came first - the Tarot or the Runes, and what ever happened to Galaxy Crystals?Galaxy Tarot was our first app; Galaxy Runes followed about a year later. Galaxy Crystals is waiting for us to have some time to dedicate to it so we can make it truly kick ass; people can still find it for their Kindle Fires though.
Why is Christopher hiding in the background? (Shonna is the one that is the most visible online)
Well, Christopher is a ninja -- obviously :)
Do you have anything that you would like to tell people about the Tarot, Galaxy Tone, or you?
Hmmm... well, we're both really interested in how we can use technology to live better lives -- and tarot is one of those technologies. We're on a mission to show that apps can help people wake up; they're not just the "zombie-makers" many people make them out to be.
Also, our apps are coming for Apple soon!
Maybe it's corny, but Galaxy Tone sort of drew us to create it :) Chris was an early Android adaptor and built Galaxy Tarot as a practice in Android programming and because he noticed there were not a lot of tarot apps available at the time (2010 -- a lot different than now!). And, lo and behold, people liked it! Chris hired me to do a writing contract at first -- the card interpretations -- but over time my share of the work has grown, and now I'm a partner. I am a huge tarot nerd, and I love being an author. I feel so fortunate to get to do this work that I love and to get to help people with my writing. It's seriously a dream come true! I especially love that Galaxy Tarot is, for many people, a first introduction to tarot! That's so exciting!
Which came first - the Tarot or the Runes, and what ever happened to Galaxy Crystals?Galaxy Tarot was our first app; Galaxy Runes followed about a year later. Galaxy Crystals is waiting for us to have some time to dedicate to it so we can make it truly kick ass; people can still find it for their Kindle Fires though.
Why is Christopher hiding in the background? (Shonna is the one that is the most visible online)
Well, Christopher is a ninja -- obviously :)
Do you have anything that you would like to tell people about the Tarot, Galaxy Tone, or you?
Hmmm... well, we're both really interested in how we can use technology to live better lives -- and tarot is one of those technologies. We're on a mission to show that apps can help people wake up; they're not just the "zombie-makers" many people make them out to be.
Also, our apps are coming for Apple soon!
Galaxy Tone apps are on Google Play, and the developers can be found on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GalaxyTone) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/galaxy.tone) where you will find first peeks and behind-the-scenes goodness! If you have not already done so, you owe it to yourself to try the Galaxy Tarot. You will not be disappointed at all!
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