One of the most popular tools for psychics are the tarot cards. There have been different people in different times that have used these cards. They date back for centuries. One thing about these cards is that they are full of artistic abilities and people that do readings can figure things out based on this art.
Even though the art shows people and pictures, it can confuse you. You might not even understand what a tarot is and how to use it. Once you get the beginning ideas of what the tarot is, you can understand more about it.
History of the Tarot
The tarot cards date back to the 1400’s. They were often used for games and then later came to be used for future telling. In 1785, the cards were used by the French and over the next few centuries, these cards became popular for occultists and mystics. This was part of the modern magical changes that took place.
In 1909, Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Coleman Sight published a tarot deck based on the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. They used the deck and it is one of the most popular decks now called the Rider-Waite deck.
Major and Minor Arcana
There are differences based on the cards. There are two kinds, the Major and Minor Arcana. This reflects each experience and represents a person, place or even an event. The Major Arcana tells secrets, and the Minor Arcana tells less secrets.
The Major Arcana shows when there are influences in your life. They show each journey and what message the journey brings. Each of these are things that change your life and they either have a beginning or an ending cycle. These cards will come when you are going through changes in your life and when the journey is being revealed through time.
The Minor Arcana cards show things that happen every day. These are people that are doing regular things such as sleeping, fighting, dancing and more. These are action cards and are influenced by changes that are smaller.
Number of Tarot Cards
The Minor Arcana cards have four suits and each have ten cards that are numbered and four court cards. In the Major Arcana each of the cards state an event. The ace card can be the beginning of something and the ten is the end of something. The court cards help to understand the things you are going through and the people that are in your life.
The suits include the Wands, Swords, Cups and Pentacles. These cards are different depending on who is getting the reading. These cards work with astrology, and they bring inspiration. The wands show passion, the pentacles shows money, swords show intelligence, and the cups show emotions. The suits show the influences that are bringing guidance to what is going on in your life.
Doing Tarot Readings
You can use both the Major and Minor Arcana cards to help understand the reading. Use the pictures and find out what the cards mean. Use the circumstances of who you are reading for and the card that shows a person, a situation or even an outcome. The cards have no secrets, and you have to use your intuition to discern what they mean.
It is important to start by shuffling the cards. This should be done in a big way, and you should meditate first. Then make sure that you feel the cards in your hand as you shuffle them. If you are doing a reading for someone else, imagine what they are asking you. Reflect on the situation so that you can ask your own questions. Don’t rush. Make sure that the deck is clear so that you can reach the spiritual world.
Once you are ready, cut the cards into three piles and put them face down. You can put these on a cloth so that the cards are ready for the spread.
Tarot Spreads
There are different spreads such as a three card spread. This is one of the easiest spreads and you can use the piles as the past, present or future. You can do this for yourself or for others and you can ask questions about your relationships, your job or challenges that you are facing. The cards in different positions will tell you what is going on in life.
When you pick a card, how does it make you feel? What are the symbols and colors surrounding the card? Do the pictures on the card give you an idea what they mean?
There are many more spreads such as the Celtic Cross spread and this uses ten cards. This will be spread in the shape of the cross and works to tell the past, present and future and challenges that you are facing.
If you are a beginning tarot reader, you can do one card each day. Pull a card from the deck and ask the card, “what will today bring me?” Focus your energy on understanding what the card is trying to tell you.
Each card will have its own association and will be powerful. You can use your intuition to guide you. Pay attention to what emotions that you have and what your instincts say about the pictures. Develop your own system and figure out what the cards mean to you personally. The Devil card for example might make you think of an ex-friend or an ex-lover. Your readings are who you are and what your intuition tells you.
Choosing a Tarot Deck
There are so many tarot decks that you can choose from and they come in different themes and feelings. The decks might be French decks or even Black luminaries. Some people choose decks that look like animals or ones that are more artistic than others.
Some believe that the first tarot deck that you get should be given to you by someone. Everyone loves to get something, but you can buy your own deck. There are many options that you can choose from.
Buying Tarot Decks
The best place to buy a tarot deck is in a shop but sometimes you might not find one. Going to a shop can allow you to connect to the cards and see which deck feels the best to you. If you choose to buy it online though, you can still feel the energy of the deck.
Do you feel a connection to one that is classical? Look at the pictures and see what they make you feel. Form an emotional connection with the deck and find which one fills your heart.
Rider-Waite Tarot Cards
This is the most popular type of tarot deck and is based on different illustrations. The deck will be a starter deck and then you can add other decks to your collection.
Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot Cards
Some people love this deck because it is a dec that is deco cards. They were painted and have signs and meanings. If you love astrology, this might be the deck for you.
Slutist Tarot Cards
This deck is for people that want to be a witch and don’t believe in things such as racism. The cards were illustrated with iconic sex workers and there are many bodies, even of celebrities.
Marseille Tarot Cards
This is another deck if you love history. It is a pretty deck of cards and can be given as a gift to someone. This can even be used by pro readers. These cards have a strong vocabulary and they have action and strength. The cards can bring intuition and logic.
The historical context provided in the article is intriguing. The evolution from a gaming tool to a mystical divination device demonstrates the adaptability of cultural artifacts. I find the artistic aspect of tarot cards particularly fascinating as it adds a layer of interpretive richness.
The differentiation between the Major and Minor Arcana is well explained. It’s interesting how the cards can represent both significant life events and everyday occurrences. This duality adds depth to the practice of tarot reading.
The comparison between different types of tarot decks, such as the Rider-Waite and Aleister Crowley Thoth decks, is very informative. It provides a good starting point for anyone looking to select a deck that resonates with them on a personal level.
The mention of the need for intuition in interpreting tarot cards is crucial. It aligns with many forms of subjective reasoning where personal insight and emotional intelligence play significant roles. The process described for conducting a reading is quite methodical.
I appreciate the detailed explanation of how to perform tarot readings and the different spreads. It’s helpful for beginners to have a step-by-step guide. The emphasis on shuffling and meditating aligns well with many practices of mindfulness and focus.
I agree, the guidance on preparing the deck and focusing on the querent’s questions adds a ritualistic, almost meditative quality to the practice. It could be beneficial in centering oneself before a reading.
Indeed, the use of meditation and deliberate preparation can enhance the accuracy and the overall experience of the reading. It’s a practice that can be deeply personal and insightful.