WHAT IS TAROT? ORIGINS
The origins of Tarot are obscured by the mists of time, making legends and myths surrounding it quite natural. The superstition, grandeur of imagination, and speculations have added their own patterns to the rich and colorful tapestry of Tarot folklore and only served to deepen its magical and mysterious aura. Sects have developed around this historical or alternative theory, and sometimes their followers become fanatical in claiming a single "truth."
However, more enlightened investigators maintain a certain degree of flexibility - even skepticism - and refrain from making definitive statements.
The most accurate assertion we can make is that Tarot is a symbolic record of human experience.
Through the mystical power emanating from the depths, Tarot cards can demonstrate the wonders of psychological understanding, wise advice, and accurate divination.
I. Definition of Tarot Cards
The ancient and mystical deck known as Tarot always arouses curiosity among those unfamiliar with it. "What is Tarot?" "What sets them apart from traditional playing cards?" "Can Tarot cards really predict the future?" "Can anyone learn how to read them?"
Everyone agrees that modern playing cards are directly derived from a part of Tarot. The connection between Tarot and modern playing cards is likened to the striking resemblance between parents and their children—too prominent to be mere coincidence.
There are 78 cards in Tarot, with 56 cards (similar to the most modern playing cards) equally divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—similar to our Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs.
These four suits are called the Minor Arcana (arcana is a Latin word meaning secrets).
Next are the 22 cards called the Major Arcana. They depict symbolic characters, elements in nature, and human experiences on a spiritual journey, encompassing human hopes and fears, joys and sorrows.
It can be seen that the Major Arcana bears fewer similarities to modern playing cards. Their illustrations draw from a treasure trove of universal symbols and images, from myths, legends, philosophies, religions, and magical beliefs of humanity. Undoubtedly, the wise and seers who are believed to have passed Tarot down for over seven centuries have mastered the astrological doctrines, numerology, and Kabbalistic teachings of ancient times, and all these influences are reflected in the cards. However, Tarot remains an independent and unique discipline with its own divinatory power and spiritual content.
Most of us are interested in personality analysis, glimpses of the future, solutions to current difficulties—all of which we can seek in Tarot. But some also value Tarot's assistance in meditation. Super-sensitive investigators have gained significant insights into the inner meanings of the cards; artists, forever interested in images and symbols, draw high creativity from contemplating the multi-faceted beauty of the cards; Bible scholars have found illumination in many passages from the Old and New Testaments. And because Tarot is the key to the intellect of ancient philosophers, it reveals the deepest messages to scholars and devoted practitioners. (Here, it is no different from Chinese pictographs, Egyptian hieroglyphs, or the pictorial writing of the Maya).
However, it is not necessary to grasp all the hidden secrets of the cards at first glance—or even the second or in the blink of an eye. When the student is ready, Tarot will begin to reveal its mysteries. And there is no need to "believe in the cards" blindly for them to work—you do not need to believe them in a blind manner. Eventually, you will tap into the mystical power of Tarot, and you will turn to it when the situation at hand becomes critical.
If you consult an experienced "Reader" for guidance, you will become the "Querent," with an open-ended question that you wish to be answered. After arranging the cards using one of the methods described in this book, the Reader will interpret the meanings of those cards. But you can also learn the definitions of the symbols as presented in the Glossary, as well as from the detailed descriptions and images of each card in the book's content. Then, after mastering this technique or another technique for arranging the cards, you can try to read them in a short time. Initially, of course, you will refer back to the definitions, but with perseverance, you will be rewarded handsomely.
The earliest Tarot cards were drawn on parchment or thin sheets made of ivory, silver, or even gold. The design for each card had to be drawn and hand-painted. Thus, the cards became the playthings of the nobility, who could afford to commission an artist to create their own sets. Often, the aristocracy had Court cards drawn resembling family members or their own court.
Eventually, woodcuts were available, and then the designs were traced and painted with watercolors. Then, in Nuremberg (around 1430), printing from carved woodblocks was done by hand. Consequently, some of the original cards have crude designs, and their details are often unclear.
When people ask you, "What is Tarot?" you should know a good part of the answer after you have read the text and studied the beautiful and unusual pictures. Those who embark on this quest for wisdom and guidance will find it an interesting and rewarding journey with the help of Tarot—our priceless heritage from ancient sages.
II. History of Tarot Cards
Tarot is truly a symbol: it speaks a language that arises from the collective consciousness of humanity. With an understanding of the inner meanings of the symbols, the cards carry, at the highest level, mystical power and esoteric wisdom. Although there are many different theories about Tarot and many different versions of the cards, none of them can claim ultimate truth, and none of them can fully elucidate.
Similarly, consider the hundreds of paintings and sculptures of the Virgin Mary that have been created over the centuries. The Virgin appears in various forms, depending on the beliefs of the artist and the era in which he lives. However, the symbols still retain recognizable characteristics, not only in ideas but also in style and techniques of drawing, painting, and sculpting that are constantly changing.
Therefore, in tarot, mystics, historians, and artists have modified the details as new research brings new evidence, but the best changes among them still retain the fundamental symbolism.
The origin of Tarot is obscured in the mists of time, so the development of myths and legends, especially around the Major Arcana, is natural. Superstition, extravagance of imagination, and speculation have added their own patterns to the rich and colorful tapestry of Tarot mythology and, strangely enough, only deepen its magical splendor and mystery. Sects have developed around this or that historical theory, and sometimes their adherents become fanatical in claiming a unique "truth." But more well-rounded investigators maintain a certain level of flexibility, even skepticism, and refrain from making definitive claims.
The Digan people say that the hidden knowledge of Tarot was originally brought to their people from Chaldea and Egypt to Israel and then to Greece. "Papus" (Dr. Gerard Encausse), a leading French mystic, is quoted as saying, "The Digan ... gave us the key that helps us explain all the symbols of the ages.... Where, one of the men of all can see only the key of a vague tradition, [they are] discovered the mysterious connections that unite God, the Universe, and Man."
One of the most intriguing stories about the origin of Tarot from Egypt tells that after the great library in Alexandria was destroyed, the city of Fez (now in Morocco) became the intellectual capital of the world, where sages from all over came to travel. It was necessary to create a common language since they spoke many languages and they began to invent a method of communication. To achieve this goal, they prepared a picture book with many mystical symbols. The key to interpreting these signs was passed orally from one lodestone to another. To keep their message secret, the symbols were then copied onto seemingly inconsequential cards used in games of chance by those more frivolous, who could not decipher their true meanings.
The earliest recorded date for Tarot cards found in European museums is 1390, although the true origin of the cards is believed to be from the 12th century. In the Museo Correr in Venice, there are cards dating back to around 1445; the so-called Minchiati deck, from the same period, is said to be in the possession of a private individual in Milan.
Many other contemporary scholars, writers, and psychologists have taken an interest in and been inspired by the study of Tarot. Psychoanalysts have considered the symbols and their connections to the subconscious activities of the human psyche with respect.
Therefore, while the exact time and place of the origin of Tarot are not firmly established, and while Tarot has undergone many transformations over many centuries, it still exists serenely, elusive but inspiring, a vivid testament to the truth "that there are more things in heaven and earth ... than are dreamt of in most people's philosophy."
III. How to Use Tarot Cards
Assuming you have a Tarot deck, perhaps the Rider deck designed by AE Waite described in this book, after mastering the meanings of the 78 cards, you will find it relatively easy to use any other deck on the market.
1. How to Store Tarot Cards
It would be wise to protect your Tarot deck not only from physical damage but also from conflicting energies. Wrap your cards in a piece of silk (an old scarf will do). Silk is considered one of the best materials to keep the cards clean. Then, place the wrapped Tarot cards in a small box. Treasure the Tarot deck you own.
Never leave a Tarot deck scattered everywhere; put them back in the box when you're not using them. When the cards are still new, you can place them under your pillow for a few nights so that they can absorb your personal vibrations. Do this again if the cards have not been used for a while.
2. Preparation for Tarot Deck Owners
It is essential that you study and truly understand the meanings of each of the 78 cards. Your subconscious seems to direct the shuffling, but it can only do this accurately after you have memorized the meanings of each card in your memory. Before attempting to interpret (read) for a friend, you should also become familiar with the method of laying out the cards that you have decided to use. Half the learning is leading to half the right answers.
Do not encourage disrespect in anyone present because reading is a serious endeavor to rise above the spiritual field to a higher level, where the Truth can be approached.
Do not attach too much importance to the first few readings. When reading for yourself, be particularly careful that a cheerful mood does not cause you to lean toward overly colorful interpretations. Similarly, if you are sad and discouraged, remember to check how much your mood is affecting your reading.
3. How to Shuffle and Lay Out Tarot Cards
Make sure you pay attention to the term "Reversed" repeated in the "Divinatory Meanings" section of each card. A card in this position often carries the opposite meaning to the card when it is upright.
If you're going to shuffle the cards, hold the cards so that the tops of each hand are facing each other. In this way, they will be evenly mixed, with about half the cards facing each other. When they are shuffled multiple times for each reading, they become mixed together.
You are called the Reader, and the person you are reading for is the Querent.
It is best for the Querent to shuffle the cards, but if this seems impractical, the Reader can do so, asking the Querent to place their hand on the deck before shuffling.
While shuffling the cards, the querent should silently ask a simple yet significant question, repeating it in their mind until they feel the question aligns with the cards. It's best if the reader doesn't know what the question is, as that knowledge might overly influence their reading. During the shuffling process, the reader should silently request that only the highest forces surround them. Then, as the reading nears its end, the question can be posed, and the cards will be laid out to amplify their meanings.
After shuffling the cards, the querent cuts the deck into three piles using their left hand and moving from right to left. Then, the reader picks up the piles with their left hand, starting with the first pile placed down.
4. Interpreting Tarot Cards
Try to create a story unfolding about what you see in the cards related to the person you are reading for. If you forget the meaning of some cards, look them up—don't guess.
If after reading the cards, the querent tells you that their question is still unanswered, ask them if the cards can address a deeper question that they are concerned about. People sometimes hesitate to reveal what's truly on their minds and may ask a superficial question about Tarot. With a bit of digging and genuine desire to help, you can discover what is truly troubling the querent and find that the cards have indeed answered the most important question on their mind.
Sometimes the cards may seem unresponsive. In such cases, ask the querent to shuffle the cards again and focus more deeply on the question. If, upon reshuffling, the cards still don't make sense, it's best to put them away for at least 24 hours before trying to read again.
NEVER end a reading on a negative note. If the cards are unfavorable, point out how the querent can overcome challenges through work, learning, applying themselves, taking better care of their health, or by investing more love and hidden intentions in their relationships.
You can make predictions, but only in a vague manner, about someone else's illness or death that the querent knows about. However, never predict a serious illness or death for the querent. Instead, assume you see the possibility of a minor illness in the future, which can be avoided if the querent takes better care of their health, then quickly transition to a more positive interpretation of the layout.
Reading Tarot is a great responsibility. It gives you the opportunity to help others understand better what may be hindering them from expressing their true selves. Others are as sensitive as you are, and providing a discouraging reading with no hope for the future is a cruel and meaningless act. Besides, we have all witnessed seemingly hopeless lives suddenly take remarkable turns for the better. There is always hope in life.
Now, you are on your own journey, use your newfound skills and knowledge to help others better with the divine wisdom of Tarot!