The ability to predict the future or tell the past of a stranger is the highest gift. A deck of Tarot cards is one of the most reliable magical attributes used in esoteric predictions.
Magic tools serve as an auxiliary tool for the mystic. Having laid out in a special way, they can answer questions of interest, give advice, warnings for the future, etc. Given the importance of the cards, their combination, as well as the order and place of their location in the layout, we can draw reliable conclusions.
History of occurrence
In the middle of the last millennium, the Italians used the word tarot as a synonym for stupidity.
The beginning of the 14th century is the earliest mention of tarot cards that were intended for the game. It was in Europe that these cards first appeared as Italian tarocini and French tarot.
In Italy, wealthy families ordered expensive decks called Carte da Trionfi, which means 'triumphal cards'. They were distinguished by swords, coins, symbols, images of court ladies, led by a king and two male subordinates.
By the 18th century, these decks were already used for occult purposes. By that time, mystical predictions on the Tarot had spread from Italy to other parts of Europe. One writer in France, Antoine de Gebeln, even wrote that the tarot was based on a supernatural book created by the clergy of Egypt, and later brought by gypsies from Africa to Europe. Then the images presented in the cards were a reflection of the main areas of the real world in which the players lived. In the end, the illustrations demonstrated the perception of specific designers, although they still supported the traditional structure of the Tarot.
Over the years, numerous types of tarot decks have been developed, both playing and fortunetelling. The oldest surviving samples are represented by fifteen fragmented sets, painted by unknown artists on request for the supremacy of Milan, the noble house of Visconti Sforza.
The first images on the Tarot cards were painted manually. It is believed that the decks were created in a limited number, therefore, practically did not survive to this day.
Only after the invention of the printing press did mass production of magic attributes become possible. The first printed sets appeared in the city of Marseille and, having gained popularity, were called the “Tarot De Marseille”.
For beginners
It is quite difficult for beginners to independently understand the intricacies of fortune-telling, not even knowing how many cards are in the tarot deck. To choose “your” from the mass of options is very important. This will speed up the learning process. Old Tarot schools use the full version of the deck.
Not many people know that Tarot can be learned without supernatural powers. This skill helps in the development of spiritual life, encompassing not only the tangible, but also the invisible inner and surrounding world. Practical Tarot training can change and improve life in all areas. The thing is that in this way you can open and recognize the subconscious at a deeper level through the attributes used. Each composition corresponds to a certain category, from relations to material values.
If you are determined to develop in this direction on your own - first you need to understand the main types of Tarot decks and their characteristic features.
Mainly Tarot decks differ in quantity and purpose. The main edits were made by students of European Tarot schools from the 18th to the 19th century. They made the story of Arkan easier to interpret.
How to learn to read pictures
The process of teaching tarot can be difficult. It takes patience and numerous studies to learn the basics and ultimately develop the necessary skills.
First, you need to study the meaning of the tarot deck. Unfortunately, there is no clear standard card reader. Any technique that becomes comfortable is usually the result of reader practice.
The choice of magical paraphernalia that you will use is very important. Beginners are faced with the variety of decks available these days. Each of them, with its own unique systems and symbols. You should find a deck with such images that will be easier for you to interpret.
For people using other divination cards, it will be easy to recognize associations and actual images on the tarot. Subjects with better illustrations can provide a clearer picture of their interpretation.
Sacrament
The deck of Tarot cards is divided into Arcana (the concept was introduced at the end of the 19th century by the French tarologist, which means 'sacrament') - grouped images with different symbols: digital and (or) story cards.
Arcanum is:
- the secret necessary for knowing a certain group of facts, laws or principles;
- a secret that cannot be dispensed with at a time when the need for this knowledge is;
- a secret accessible to the mind, sufficiently inquiring in the field of this knowledge.
In a broad sense, this term includes all scientific provisions that define the circle of any practical activity.
Most common
The magical and playing types of Tarot decks, which have less than 78 cards, are abbreviated, but they are also widely used. This happened as a result of the appearance of various ways of alignment, in which all the figures are not needed. Some occultists in their practice used, for example, one of the lasso.
The current options have differences in subject, style of design, and also affect the content of the language features of the translation that arose during the transfer from the source.
- Not occult. The first maps were written in the 15th century in northern Italy. Italian Tarot is considered the oldest form of card game that is still played. They have various designs and a certain amount in the deck. How many cards are there in the tarot deck for the game? Depends on the option. For example, the game "This" uses a deck of trump cards, court and numerical cards - only 54. But the "gypsy" consists of 36 cards - very popular so far. This is a shortened version of the small lasso.
- Occult. European Tarot, designed for divination and self-knowledge. They have from 36 to 80 cards with different themes. Consist of two lasso. In the plots witchcraft characters are often found.
Initial composition
The full deck consists of two Arkans: the main one consists of 22 plot trump cards, and the less significant one with 14 images in each of the four suits. The classic Tarot deck contains a total of 78 cards. Each has a unique meaning.
The main Arkan of the main type of Tarot decks consists of 21 card numbers and one unnumbered card (fool) - a total of 22 trump cards that reflect key archetypes or spiritual lessons in life.
Small Arkan consists of four suits - Cups, Pentacles, Swords and Wands. Each of these plots contains 14 maps that reflect everyday activities.
Reduced composition
Some sets have become shorter due to the use of different layouts, in which all shapes are not needed. Experienced occultists in their practice used one of the lasso, thus changing the deck equipment.
Abbreviated:
- With big lasso.
- With a small lasso.
- With a small truncated version.
The first consists of 22 plot pictures without a suit - trump cards.
The small composition can be as follows: four suits, digital (from 2 to 10), four “court figures” and one Ace. An ace can be either the beginning of a digital series, replacing a unit, or surpass the main figure - the king in seniority.
Truncated variation is especially popular in European countries and among players. Four suits - from the number six to tens, then jack, queen, king, ace. A total of 36 images.
Popular variations
The joint creation of two honorary residents of the Golden Dawn (at the beginning of the 19th century), based on the classic Rider-Waite Tarot deck, has characteristic differences. This is not only a peculiar design, but also the main changes in the two lasso. “Strength” passed to the place of “Justice”. For the first time, plot illustrations appeared on numerical cards. The English Tarot School serves as a source for most modern variations.
In the mid-20th century, an experienced occultist and writer Alistair Crowley was forced to become magical mentors for a decent reward. Subsequently, his student, Frida Harris, illustrated their joint creation, The Book of Thoth. The authors, relying on years of study of various magical techniques, created their own Tarot - Thoth deck. It is similar to a complete deck of two sacraments. The “shirt” depicts the cross and rose “Golden Dawn” - a symbol of the organization of the same name only without astrological additions.
Rider Waite Tarot deck review
In the senior Arcana, the purpose of the plots is to illustrate the structure of human consciousness as accurately as possible. The lessons of life are passed on through the ages. The main cards indicate the most important areas of human life.
As in the classical form, the deck starts from zero Arcan - the Fool, then - the Mage, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant, Lover, Chariot, a new place in the Force, Hermit, wheel of Fortune, Justice, Hangman, Death, Renaissance, Devil, Towers, Star, Moon, Sun, Court, Peace.
Digital Minor Arcana authors of this variation of the Tarot endowed cards with plot images. 56 cards of secondary importance are broken by suit. Answer less global everyday questions.
Suits of the minor Arcana
- Sticks. Images speak of action and energy. They help control how you move through life, and advise when to take action and when to hold back.
- Cups. Tarot Cups are your emotions, intuition and relationships. They can guide in love and self-development, through an understanding of the highest and most unchanging feelings.
- Swords. Symbol of danger, but can warn of impending conflicts and mental pain. They will help to use the power of your own mind.
- Pentagrams. Drawings in this suit are related to work and finances. These cards can answer questions about long-term material goals, family and health.
It should also be noted that, in addition to fortune telling, reading cards is used to make people feel better.
Tara Green
Among live tarot card readers, Tara Green is one of the most famous. They claim that she is an excellent teacher of esoterics, she trains well not only in tarology, but also in astrology. She admits, however, that not everyone can read Tarot cards, adding that you need to have an open mind and be able to fully trust your inner feelings.
Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942)
He was one of those who was credited with working together on a new deck of Tarot cards with Pamela Coleman Smith. His cards became known in the 19th century. He also incorporated new knowledge as a member of a secret occultist society. Besides using cards to discover a person’s internal characteristics, Waite realized that they too could be used to predict the future.
Mademoiselle Lenormand (1772-1843)
Mademoiselle learned to read tarot cards with the help of gypsies at a young age. She got her first deck when she was 14, and, as you know, made predictions for Napoleon and his wife, Josephine. It was her connection with Napoleon that made her popular as a tarot card reader.
Ma Prem Usha (1937-2008)
Her ability in magic was predicted by one of the Hungarian gypsies with whom she spoke in the past. She did not recall this prediction until, a few years later, she came across a book of Tarot training. In the end, she decided to quit her job and completely immerse herself in reading Tarot cards.
Guessing with the help of mystical attributes, you should not take literally the interpretations of the depicted plots on the Tarot Arcana.