The Tarot
A Personal Note
On a personal level I do not read tarot cards. Nonetheless, there are some extremely gifted people who have acquired, and are adept at using the tarot to give prediction(s).
It is not a part of my spiritual work, and I am either directed, or guided into using them upon my spiritual pathway. However, this doesn’t detract from those people who seek to use them, or people who wish to have the tarot cards read. Indeed, my only limited advice is to go to someone who is recommended and in this way hopefully, you will find the answers to the particular questions you seek.
A Brief History of Tarot Cards
To many it may appear that the origins of Tarot have been lost in the mists of time. Common theories are that the origins are linked to Egypt and the connection to the ancient mystic schools of teaching. The most common myth is that it was Gypsies brought them into Europe, with some historians believing there is a link back to the ancient Chinese. Tarots are a specialised set of cards projecting a collection of images and symbols that encapsulate various mystic beliefs set in cultures, from all around the world.
An early reference to the Tarot Cards has been reported in 16th Century manuscripts found in Italy, which gave clear details and descriptions. Early Tarot Cards were hand painted with many scholars believing that printed or woodblock cards were produced before the hand painted ones. By the mid 16th Century standardisation of most Tarot decks had become commonplace. The Tarot deck is very similar to any ordinary pack of playing cards. There are four suits all numbered from the ace to the ten.
Tarots have a Minor Arcana, of Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles; these replace the ordinary cards of Diamonds, Spades, Hearts and Clubs. Differing from playing cards, each suit has four court cards rather then three. There are the King, Queen, Knight and Page in all making 56 cards in the Minor Arcana. However, there are a further 22 additional cards known as the Major Arcana, and not belonging to any suit, all having their own numbers with the only exception being the ‘Fool’ who’s title is symbolic.
It is the creative spark of humanity with vivid holistic imagery that has utilised the energies of the world to link into the ethos of the surrounding energy fields. Impact is provided through the optical concepts of the mind, which gives the qualified Tarot Cards reader their mystical capabilities to reach and touch so many people. In reality the tarot deck has been created spontaneously, out of mankind’s visual imagination and the connection to the synchronistic world of unseen energies that surrounds us all.
It is this connection to the world of subtle energy, which makes the art of Tarot Card reading; present a ‘magical’ quality for many people. The science of the Tarot is the mystical interpretation of the energies that surround us all. This is the realisation of the Tarot through a unique and creative art form.
How do Tarot decks differ?
Obviously, one would notice that in the first instance they look different, with history and an array of artists brining their own personal skills to convey on the Tarot to strikingly effect. Individual artists' understandings have result in about different symbolic interpretations for the cards.
Is there a difference between the Tarot and fortune telling?
Fortune telling is a term used to convey many ways of prediction and should not be confused by reading of the Tarot Cards. Conversely, the Tarots have evolved throughout history to give a clear insight into the complexities of the mystical and have lasted the ‘test’ of time. I hope this brief insight into Tarot Cards is of interest and use to you.