Tarot cards are an ancient form of divination, whose origins are
shrouded by the thick fog of time. Tarot was used during Renaissance
in Italy as a popular game, and was rediscovered by occult scholars
in the 18th century, and was connected to other forms of occultism.
What are Tarot cards?
It is an oracle that can answer questions about
the past, the present and of course the future. It is a tool for
guidance and for self-discovery and to get in touch with one's own
intuition. Tarot cards are an intermediary between the conscious
and the unconscious mind. One thing they are not is a tool for black
magic.
Essentially, Tarot is simply a set of symbols
printed on a pack of 78 cards. These cards are shuffled and dealt,
just as ordinary playing cards. The Tarot has four suits with 10
numbered cards and four court cards in each suit. In most Tarot
decks, there are also 22 numbered Major Arcana. While the Major
Arcana are the more powerful, since they deal with major life changes
and philosophies of life, the Minor Arcana are often more commonly
used in readings because they refer to the mundane events most questioners
ask about. They are divided into four suits.
What Can the Tarot Cards Tell You?
Tarot cards are not fortune-telling cards; they
will not tell you that a certain event is definitely going to happen.
The philosophy behind the Tarot is that all future events are subject
to change, and if you are warned of unpleasant events in advance,
you can prevent them.
»
Tarot cards benevolently warn that danger
lies ahead if you stay on your current course and change nothing.
You may choose to ignore this warning, but when you pass the
danger zone, you will pay quite severely. Or you can take preventive
measures and change the course of events.
»
Tarot does not tell fortunes because divulging
details of an unalterable future is counter-productive. On the
contrary, it is supposed to make you think and act. It subscribes
to the view that future events can be changed if you take note
of them and act appropriately.
»
Tarot cards can answer questions about the
past, as well as those about the future. And they can reveal
the present as well. Often, the cards can show the thoughts,
feelings and motivations of the questioner, and of others who
are related to the question. Most relationship spreads have
positions for both partners for this reason. If there is something
that you must know in order to solve a problem, the Tarot can
and will reveal it to you. Often, you'll find that you already
knew it, but you overlooked it or ignored it.
»
Tarot cards are also a wonderful source of
advice and guidance. In the hands of an expert, Tarot cards
can make a good counsellor.
»
They do not always tell you what you want
to know, but they do always tell what you need to know. They
do not always answer the question that you ask, but they will
always answer the question that needs answering the most.
