As developers, we often find ourselves immersed in logic, frameworks, and APIs. But what happens when you blend that structured world with something as mystical as Tarot? You get a passion project that’s both a technical challenge and a journey of self-discovery. Today, I want to share the story behind my latest creation, the Arcana Calculator .
It all started with a personal fascination. I've always been intrigued by the archetypes and stories within a Tarot deck. At the same time, my professional life revolves around data science and web development. I saw an opportunity to merge these two worlds: to use technology to make the ancient wisdom of Tarot more accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. The goal wasn't to replace the magic, but to provide a new gateway to it.
The Tech Stack: Next.js, TypeScript, and Web Workers
I chose Next.js for its powerful features like server-side rendering and static site generation, which are perfect for a content-rich and SEO-friendly application. Using TypeScript was a no-brainer for ensuring type safety and maintainability as the project grew.
One of the first challenges I tackled was internationalization (i18n). Tarot is a universal language, so the app needed to be, too. I implemented a routing system that supports multiple languages (from English and Spanish to Turkish and Chinese), using JSON files to manage translations. This allows users from different parts of the world to experience the app in their native language, which was a crucial goal for me.
But the real technical fun began when I needed to handle the numerological calculations. The core feature of the app calculates a user's "Major Arcana" card based on their name and birth date. These calculations, while not overly complex, could potentially block the main thread and lead to a sluggish UI. To ensure a smooth and responsive experience, I offloaded these computations to a Web Worker . This keeps the UI snappy, allowing animations and interactions to run without a hitch while the numbers are being crunched in the background. It’s a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in user experience.
Discover Your Own Path
The result of this journey is the Arcana Calculator. It’s a simple tool where you can enter your details to discover your Major Arcana card, get your "Card of the Year," and even explore a "One Arcana Reading." It’s designed to be a starting point for anyone curious about Tarot, offering a glimpse into the energies that might be influencing their life path.
Building this project has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It taught me how to blend different passions and how technology can serve as a bridge to ancient practices. It’s a reminder that the most fulfilling projects are often the ones that come from the heart.
I invite you to check it out, find your card, and let me know what you think. Have you ever worked on a project that combines your personal interests with your technical skills? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
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