About Tarot

History of Tarot

Tarot cards originated in the mid-15th century in Europe, initially as playing cards used for games. The earliest known decks came from Northern Italy, with the oldest surviving cards being the mid-15th century sets such as the Visconti-Sforza deck, created for the Duke of Milan's family.

It wasn't until the late 18th century that tarot began to be widely used for divination and spiritual purposes. Antoine Court de Gébelin, a French occultist, was among the first to assign mystical meanings to the cards in his work "Le Monde Primitif" (1781), claiming they contained the hidden wisdom of ancient Egypt.

The tarot gained further popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the rise of organizations like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the publication of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck in 1909, which remains one of the most influential and widely used tarot decks today.

Structure of the Tarot

A traditional tarot deck consists of 78 cards divided into two main groups:

Major Arcana (22 cards)

These cards represent significant life events, karmic influences, and spiritual lessons. They depict archetypal figures and situations that reflect the human experience on a deeper level. The Major Arcana tells the story of the Fool's journey, symbolizing the path to spiritual awareness and fulfillment.

Minor Arcana (56 cards)

These cards deal with everyday matters and are divided into four suits:

• Cups - Emotions, relationships, intuition, love (associated with Water)
• Wands - Energy, passion, creativity, inspiration (associated with Fire)
• Swords - Intellect, thoughts, challenges, conflict (associated with Air)
• Pentacles - Material world, work, finances, physical health (associated with Earth)

Each suit contains ten numbered cards (Ace through Ten) and four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King).

Reading Tarot Cards

Tarot readings involve drawing cards and interpreting their meanings in relation to a specific question or situation. The cards are typically arranged in patterns called "spreads," each position having a specific meaning.

Common Tarot Spreads

• Single Card - For daily guidance or a quick answer
• Three-Card Spread - Often representing past, present, and future
• Celtic Cross - A comprehensive 10-card spread for complex situations
• Five-Card Spread - Reveals different aspects of a situation

Interpretation involves understanding both the traditional meanings of each card and intuitive insights that arise during the reading. The position of the card, whether it appears upright or reversed, and its relationship to other cards in the spread all contribute to the overall interpretation.

Remember that tarot is a tool for self-reflection and guidance rather than fortune-telling. The cards don't predict a fixed future but rather illuminate possibilities and potential paths.

Tarot as a Spiritual Practice

Beyond divination, tarot can be used as a tool for personal growth, meditation, and spiritual development. Many practitioners view the tarot as a mirror that reflects the unconscious mind and helps bring hidden thoughts, feelings, and patterns to light.

Ways to Use Tarot for Spiritual Growth

• Daily Card Practice - Drawing a single card each morning for reflection
• Tarot Journaling - Recording readings and insights to track patterns over time
• Meditation - Using card imagery as a focus for meditation
• Shadow Work - Exploring challenging aspects of the self through specific cards

The journey with tarot is deeply personal. As you develop your relationship with the cards, you may find that certain cards speak to you in unique ways or that your intuitive understanding of the symbols evolves over time. Trust your inner wisdom as you explore this ancient practice.