I'm an avid collector of Tarot cards not only for divination purposes but also to enjoy the artistic nature of the decks. There are so many available with beautiful illustrations from many artists. Collecting these decks became a hobby and a comfort for me.
It all started when I told my family I had an interest in studying and collecting tarot, their first comment was, "How can a deck of cards possibly tell you anything about anything?" I laughed because I thought his reply summed up pretty well the common sense view of the cards. I, too, had my doubts about the tarot, but I found out that the cards can make a real difference in the way you perceive and deal with the challenges in your life. In this introduction, I'll try to explain why.
The origin of the tarot is a mystery. We do know for sure that the cards were used in Italy in the fifteenth century as a popular card game. Wealthy patrons commissioned beautiful decks, some of which have survived. The Visconti-Sforza, created in 1450 or shortly thereafter, is one of the earliest and most complete.
Later in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the cards were discovered by a number of influential scholars of the occult. This gentleman was fascinated by the tarot and recognized that the images on the cards were more powerful than a simple game would suggest.
They revealed (or created!) the "true" history of the tarot by connecting the cards to Egyptian mysteries, Hermetic philosophy, the Kabbalah, alchemy, and other mystical systems.
These pursuits continued into the early part of the twentieth century when the tarot was incorporated into the practices of several secret societies, including the Order of the Golden Dawn.
Although the roots of the tarot are in the occult tradition, interest in the cards has expanded in the last few decades to include many different perspectives. New decks have been created that reflect these interests. There are Native American, herbal, dragon and Japanese decks, among others.
The tarot is most commonly viewed as a tool for divination. A traditional tarot reading involves a seeker - someone who is looking for answers to personal questions - and a
reader - someone who knows how to interpret the cards.
After the seeker has shuffled and cut the deck, the reader lays out the chosen cards in a pattern called a spread. Each position in the spread has a meaning, and each card has a meaning as well. The reader combines these meanings to shed light on the seeker's question.
About The Tarot Card Meanings
The Tarot is a deck of 78 cards, each with its own imagery, symbolism and story.
The 22 Major Arcana cards represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons. They represent a path to spiritual self-awareness and depict the various stages we encounter as we search for greater meaning and understanding. In this way, the Major Arcana cards hold deeply meaningful lessons on a soul level.
The 56 Minor Arcana cards reflect the trials and tribulations that we experience on a daily basis. These Tarot cards highlight the more practical aspects of life and can refer to current issues that have a temporary or minor influence.
Within the Minor Arcana cards, there are 16 Tarot Court Cards each representing 16 different personality characteristics we may choose to express at any given time. There are also the 40 numbered cards organised into 4 Suits – Cups, Pentacles, Swords and Wands – each with 10 cards, representing various situations that we encounter day-to-day.
Here's an example of a monthly 3-card draw. These cards are from the Artists Inner Vision Deck.
The messages are as follows:
The Ace of Cups
Allow yourself to experience unconditional love when it presents itself. The joy you feel comes from this energy which is at the foundation of life. "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love and be loved in return."
King of Coins
You can be a person on the move, and at the same time, very stable and grounded. Take control of your kingdom as this energy represents that you are in charge. You are the boss, the father and the mother. Liked or not, you make things happen. He is competent and confident. You have the Midas touch.
Three of Cups
It's party time! Don't forget to rejoice and reward yourself for your accomplishments. Enjoy your friends and family when you get the chance. Life is not always about work.
Some may say that Tarot cards are simply inked on paper. However, what I have discovered from reading the Tarot cards are:
"Tarot is the storybook of our life, the mirror to our soul, and the key to our inner wisdom".
Do you collect something out of the ordinary? Feel free to share! 😊
It all started when I told my family I had an interest in studying and collecting tarot, their first comment was, "How can a deck of cards possibly tell you anything about anything?" I laughed because I thought his reply summed up pretty well the common sense view of the cards. I, too, had my doubts about the tarot, but I found out that the cards can make a real difference in the way you perceive and deal with the challenges in your life. In this introduction, I'll try to explain why.
The origin of the tarot is a mystery. We do know for sure that the cards were used in Italy in the fifteenth century as a popular card game. Wealthy patrons commissioned beautiful decks, some of which have survived. The Visconti-Sforza, created in 1450 or shortly thereafter, is one of the earliest and most complete.
Later in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the cards were discovered by a number of influential scholars of the occult. This gentleman was fascinated by the tarot and recognized that the images on the cards were more powerful than a simple game would suggest.
They revealed (or created!) the "true" history of the tarot by connecting the cards to Egyptian mysteries, Hermetic philosophy, the Kabbalah, alchemy, and other mystical systems.
These pursuits continued into the early part of the twentieth century when the tarot was incorporated into the practices of several secret societies, including the Order of the Golden Dawn.
Although the roots of the tarot are in the occult tradition, interest in the cards has expanded in the last few decades to include many different perspectives. New decks have been created that reflect these interests. There are Native American, herbal, dragon and Japanese decks, among others.
The tarot is most commonly viewed as a tool for divination. A traditional tarot reading involves a seeker - someone who is looking for answers to personal questions - and a
reader - someone who knows how to interpret the cards.
After the seeker has shuffled and cut the deck, the reader lays out the chosen cards in a pattern called a spread. Each position in the spread has a meaning, and each card has a meaning as well. The reader combines these meanings to shed light on the seeker's question.
About The Tarot Card Meanings
The Tarot is a deck of 78 cards, each with its own imagery, symbolism and story.
The 22 Major Arcana cards represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons. They represent a path to spiritual self-awareness and depict the various stages we encounter as we search for greater meaning and understanding. In this way, the Major Arcana cards hold deeply meaningful lessons on a soul level.
The 56 Minor Arcana cards reflect the trials and tribulations that we experience on a daily basis. These Tarot cards highlight the more practical aspects of life and can refer to current issues that have a temporary or minor influence.
Within the Minor Arcana cards, there are 16 Tarot Court Cards each representing 16 different personality characteristics we may choose to express at any given time. There are also the 40 numbered cards organised into 4 Suits – Cups, Pentacles, Swords and Wands – each with 10 cards, representing various situations that we encounter day-to-day.
Here's an example of a monthly 3-card draw. These cards are from the Artists Inner Vision Deck.
The messages are as follows:
The Ace of Cups
Allow yourself to experience unconditional love when it presents itself. The joy you feel comes from this energy which is at the foundation of life. "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love and be loved in return."
King of Coins
You can be a person on the move, and at the same time, very stable and grounded. Take control of your kingdom as this energy represents that you are in charge. You are the boss, the father and the mother. Liked or not, you make things happen. He is competent and confident. You have the Midas touch.
Three of Cups
It's party time! Don't forget to rejoice and reward yourself for your accomplishments. Enjoy your friends and family when you get the chance. Life is not always about work.
Some may say that Tarot cards are simply inked on paper. However, what I have discovered from reading the Tarot cards are:
"Tarot is the storybook of our life, the mirror to our soul, and the key to our inner wisdom".
Do you collect something out of the ordinary? Feel free to share! 😊
Last edited by DracoTarot; 16-11-22 at 16:26.
DoctorEldritch
