What Are Tarot Cards, History and Significance
Tarot Cards are regarded as mystic tools which are used to gain insight into the past, present and future by formulating a question and then drawing and interpreting cards. In addition to being an intuitive tool, the Tarot is now acknowledged as a powerful instrument for personal development and much more. A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into two main sections which are the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). The Major Arcana includes iconic archetypes like The Fool, The Magician, and The Lovers, symbolizing major life themes and spiritual lessons. The Minor Arcana is further divided into four suits namely Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands, each representing different aspects of daily life, emotions, and challenges.
What are Tarot Cards
Tarot Cards have been renowned for being a fortune-telling tool since ages. It has been commonly used for the said purpose as well, but in recent years, amateurs and experts alike have developed more complex methodologies for using the deck of 78 illustrated cards and use them for various purposes along with predicting the future. Reading a Tarot Card spread or layout is the art of seeking direction and knowledge through a particular card arrangement. Contrary to common perception, however, Tarot readings do not require psychic abilities (although it helps), nor do the cards just disclose the outcome of your life. The purpose of the cards is to help one gain insights and understanding of the higher self's deepest secrets. To put it differently, the cards offer a deeper understanding of what you already know deep inside.
History of Tarot Cards
Although the Tarot Cards' exact origins are unknown and uncertain, there are records of its usage dating back to the fourteenth century in the European continent. From the beginning of the seventeenth century, the Tarot has been used as an oracle in the basic type and form which is known today. During the Middle Ages, the cards were utilized as a game as well as for occult activity, which was widespread during that period of time. The Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society and an esoteric organization founded in London and active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is largely responsible for the development of modern-day tarot. It is believed that Pamela Colman Smith, a talented artist and a member of the Golden Dawn was first to create the drawings of the cards on insistence and instructions of Arthur Edward Waite a fellow member. Many modern decks draw inspiration from the exquisite and deeply symbolic drawings of the Smith Waite deck, which has become a modern classic. The Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley and the Tarot of Marseille are two more traditional decks.
How do Tarot Cards Work
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that reveal broader, major and primary life themes, while the Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards that reveal minor life lessons and day-to-day happenings. The Minor Arcana is further split into four suits which are Wands, Swords, Cups, and Pentacles. Each suit consists of fourteen cards, numbered Ace through Ten, plus the Court Cards, which are Queen, King, Page (a princess), and Knight (a prince). Deck names can differ somewhat.
Though their names aren't always the same, the suits and the individual cards generally have the same basic meanings. For instance, the Knight in many decks represents the King rather than the Prince. You may use the guidebook that most decks come with to familiarize yourself with the details. The Tarot's Minor Arcana represents elements of daily life, providing insight into our daily struggles and experiences of highs and lows. The Swords represent Air element, Cups represent Water, Pentacles represent Earth, and the Wands represent Fire element. Each suit symbolizes one of the elements. The outfits can convey a person's attitude and character, such as whether they are fiery, ‘up in the air,’ or ‘down to earth.’ The question asked, the reader, the individual getting the reading and the arrangement of other cards in the spread all play a role in determining the importance of a particular card.
On a spread the Major Arcana cards are arranged in chronological order i.e. from 0 to 21, with The Fool at the beginning and The World at the finish. The Hero's Journey, which may be further explored with Joseph Campbell's book ‘The Hero with a Thousand Faces,’ is in line with the turning points of life's narrative and these cards reflect that. The Major Arcana cards, then, stand for the 22 inescapable stages or junctures of every journey that each of us will experience at some point in our lives.
These stages may also return and repeat themselves several times during a person's life, giving rise to a cyclical character that lacks a definitive beginning or finish.
Different types of Tarot Cards
The traditional 78-card tarot deck consists of 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards.
The Major Arcana part discusses your life's karma and the spiritual learning that you will require to think about and develop as a person. You must give these cards careful thought since they contain a crucial message.
At the same time, the Minor Arcana addresses the everyday hardships that each of us faces in life. These cards teach you how to handle obstacles in your day-to-day life with ease and grace. Four additional card suits namely the Pentacles, Wands, Swords, and Cups are included in the Minor Arcana. With the help of these cards different interpretation and meaning can be given to happenings in one's life.
The Fool: When The Fool is drawn in a reading, it represents a period of fresh starts that call for bravery and a readiness to jump into a whole different cycle, stage, or aspect of life. The Fool is a symbol of the spirit of curiosity and innocence, representing the want for adventure.
The Magician: The magician is a master of time and communication. Pulling The Magician represents a period when you can use your voice, words, brains, and capacity to express ideas to make things happen. Now is the moment to work your own magic.
The High Priestess: Symbolizing intuition, mystery, and the subconscious, she invites you to trust your inner voice and explore hidden truths beyond the surface.
The Empress: The Empress signifies the ability to offer and receive love and care in a balanced manner. It symbolizes abundance, fertility and nurturing. It also represents growth and creativity.
The Emperor: Your ability to lead and exercise personal authority is shown when you pull the emperor. He is a reflection of your ability to take initiative, be bold, and lead. When it's time to take charge and become your own boss, the emperor often makes an appearance.
The Hierophant: The Hierophant is the card of spiritual teaching and learning that can help us face the religion, customs, and ideas we have accepted. He may represent a period of spiritual development or initiation or the arrival of a teacher or mentor in your life.
The Lovers: The Lovers card represents the art of relationships, both internal and external. It is the joining of opposites, a bringing together of two things, and it might represent the necessity of choosing between two circumstances or individuals. The Lovers challenges you to consider how you approach, select, and give yourself over to love.
The Chariot: The Chariot represents progress, upward movement, drive, letting go of the past to go on, resolve, notoriety, drawing confidence, and feeling secure in your chosen course.
The Strength: Strength is this stage of human growth, where we are all learning how to reconcile our innately animalistic primal nature with our socially conscious civilized selves. You are called to express your originality, passion, and instincts when you pull Strength. You're going to feel energized and full of life again.
The Hermit: The Hermit is a symbol of your inner knowledge and capacity to illuminate your own path; he holds the Star of Hope in his lantern. Presumably, you are about to embark on a period of introspection and seclusion during which the following steps will become clear. Take some time to explore your inner self without outside distractions.
Wheel of Fortune: For those who trust and let the movement lead them to new opportunities, the Wheel spins in favorable ways. Be open to success and breakthrough when you turn the wheel. Be open to venturing into the uncharted territory, where one may encounter "luck" in the shape of novel experiences.
Justice: You enter a state of balance and realignment when Justice displays itself. It's time to take stock of your situation and let go of some of the stuff that has been keeping you off balance. Justice seeks equilibrium in all spheres of life, including work, relationships, health, and wealth.
The Hanged Man: Signifying surrender, new perspectives, and spiritual awakening, he reminds you that true insight often comes through letting go and embracing stillness.
Death: When you let go of what has already passed away, death is the card of rebirth that appears. This card isn't usually associated with physical death; rather, it's a call to release yourself from the burden of death and enter a new stage of life. You powerfully renew yourself in this way.
Temperance: Things are starting to come together when you pull Temperance; you are either going through or soon will go through an integration phase. Even while it may seem like nothing is going on the outside, you are actively alchemically making something new that will eventually appear.
The Devil: It appears that the Devil mocks us, and this card serves as a helpful reminder to not take life too seriously. It is we who bind ourselves with fears, judgments, and expectations. The Devil serves as both a lesson to chuckle at how we ‘bedevil’ ourselves and a cautionary tale about accepting responsibility for our worldly inclinations and ambitions.
The Tower: It's time to demolish the broken and construct something fresh. The Tower serves as a warning. Anything that isn't in line with your actual desires, nature, or purpose can be undone by you. It's time to make a life renovation.
The Star: Discover the revitalizing power of optimism and a new perspective as you pull The Star. You are being reminded of the valuable contribution you make to society and the distinctive ways in which you shine. Make the most of your recovery period, particularly with regard to your self-worth. It's possible that you'll be recognized by the public.
The Moon: The Moon urges you to accept the mystery and everything that defies explanation or definition. When The Moon shows up in a reading, sometimes you won't immediately understand. Maybe now isn't the right moment to find out. It's possible that you'll be drawn to the depths of your spirit, where feelings and visions await your interpretation.
The Sun: Prepare to shine in ways that uplift and encourage others when you apply The Sun, the co-creation principle. You are a sun for others on the globe, just as the Sun is a source of warmth and light for us in our solar system. Give up on things that make you feel exhausted. Team up with people who make you happy to be alive and follow your heart.
Judgement: The use of sound judgment is crucial, and reading judgment emphasizes the value of having a wide viewpoint, impartiality, and fairness. It might be time to examine how you and judgment interact. All of this is a means to an awakening or rebirth, from which you can re-emerge, changed.
The World: It symbolized the ending of a particular cycle and a new beginning. And realizing and experiencing that everything is interconnected is the new cycle. It is fullness, the sum of all things. You have boundless potential to travel, share your gifts with the world, and take part in the cosmic dance.
After pulling a card from the spread and depending upon the guidance which is sought a gifted reader then interpret the symbolism, imagery, and positions of the cards in spreads (patterns) to provide guidance, clarity, and perspective. Whether used spiritually or analytically, tarot cards continue to be a popular and meaningful method for exploring intuition, making decisions, and understanding life’s complexities.
