What are Tarot Cards?
A Brief Background to the Origins of
Tarot
Tarot is basically a system of guidance. Tarot cards have been around
for a long time, some say even from the time of Ancient Egypt. For centuries
the cards with all the array of excitement and mystery, have been used
as a source to tell fortunes and predict the future.
No definite source has concrete proof of where the Tarot originated.
Most researchers and authorities connect the Tarot to the esoteric and
Mystery Schools of antiquity. They have been long associated with Gypsies,
but were used by the nobility of Europe as well.
The earliest deck known is believed to have originated around the mid-fifteenth
century in Europe. The deck was used for playing a popular card game long
before it was used for fortune telling. The word tarot is
an adaptation from the word tarocchi, which is what the game was
generally called. The deck from that time that still exist now is the Visconti-Sforza
deck, named after the two noble families in Renaissance Italy.
The Tarot deck today, contains 78 cards divided into two sections -
The Major Arcana and The Minor Arcana. There are various decks on the market
that contain scenes reflecting archetypes from the human psyche. The Major
Arcana contain 22 cards that represent the journey of life and the major
concerns or issues we encounter. The Minor Arcana relate to more of the
daily ins and outs of life. They are placed in positions called spreads,
which allow readers to get information based on whatever the question or
focus at hand then explain the information to the questioner based on intuitive
or psychic falculties. This information could be past, present or options
for future outcomes depending on the circumstances and the "free will"
of the person.
Tarot is a mesh of symbols and numbers that convey meanings to its users.
Almost the same as the alphabet or hieroglyphs. It is a way of communication
that can be used to access the path of spiritual process and growth. Tarot
cards are a unique tool for reaching into areas of our consciousness. It
defies time and space. More than fortune telling the Tarot gives us important
information for our journey and helps point the way to our fulfillment
in life.
Copyright © 2002 Gina Thies.
All Rights Reserved. Graphics by Art
for the web. |
