Tarot Cards – A Misunderstood Practice
Tarot cards have long been shrouded in mystery, thought of as an occult practice used to tell the future. But many who practice the Tarot today will tell you that the cards are actually a helpful tool for introspection and understanding of the present. Debunking the myths about Tarot cards being evil can help people access the power and wisdom that the practice offers.
The Origins of Tarot
The Tarot has a roots that can be traced back to medieval times, originally intended for playing card games. The cards we know and think of today began in 15th Century Europe, and the design of the cards has remained mostly unchanged ever since. Each card contains a unique image and symbol that when combined, can help people reflect and understand their current situation.
The Reality of Tarot Reading
Reading the cards is an exercise in interpreting the story that the cards are revealing to you. A Tarot reader will generally lay out the cards and discuss the artwork to try and develop a narrative that helps their client understand their life’s current themes. Some Tarot readers might also use their intuition to hone the interpretations. Ultimately though, it’s up to the client to connect with the cards and take away the personal insights they apply to their life.
Tarot Cards are Not Evil
At their core, Tarot cards are no more evil than a deck of ordinary playing cards. And for many, understanding the stories embedded in Hebrew mysticism that the images of the Tarot cards represent can be a powerful tool for accessing knowledge and personal insight. Some of the more traditional interpretations of the Tarot can be seen as scary, like death, but a modern reader understands that the card has a greater meaning related to transformation and growth.
Uses for Tarot Cards
Tarot cards can be used for many different purposes. From providing general guidance and in-depth readings, to providing a simple tool for journaling and self-reflection – Tarot cards have something to offer many. Here are some of the other uses for Tarot cards:
- Unblocking blocks in creative ideas – Tarot cards can help unlock creative ideas and processes when we are stuck
- Goal setting – Tarot cards can help identify positive life habits and goal-setting activities
- Exploring possibilities – Tarot cards can help surface ideas that we were not consciously aware of in our lives
- Gaining credibility – Tarot cards can be useful for helping us understand our perceptions and behaviors
The Takeaway
Though often misunderstood, Tarot cards can be very helpful tool in self-discovery and introspection. Debunking some of the myths and new age settings often attributed to them can help many people to begin their journey of understanding and self-reflection.
How have the beliefs about tarot cards changed over time?
Tarot cards have been used for various purposes throughout the ages, and the beliefs about them have changed somewhat over time. In the past, tarot decks were associated with divination, spiritualism, and the occult, and the cards were seen as a way of gaining insight, guidance, and answers to life’s questions. While some people still use them for divination and spiritual growth, today it is becoming increasingly popular to view tarot cards as a tool for psychological exploration and self-knowing. As tarot has become more mainstream, people’s perceptions about its purpose have also shifted, with many seeing the cards as a way of uncovering hidden parts of themselves and understanding the patterns of their life.
What are some scientific explanations for the ability of tarot readers to make accurate predictions?
The phenomenon of tarot readings and their often uncanny accuracy is multi-faceted and can be explained from multiple angles of scientific and psychological pursuits. One of the more widely accepted scientific theories to explain tarot readings is the effect of cold reading techniques. Through a series of flexible questions and observations, the tarot reader can gain a clearer picture of the situation and the person that is being read. By using carefully crafted language and body language skills, cold reading can be used to quickly and accurately assess a person’s mental and emotional state and make predictions that are often accurate, if vague.
Another scientific explanation for tarot readings concerns the concepts of probability and the law of averages. Many tarot readers use spreads of multiple cards, each one representing a potential path the future may take. The tarot reader can then use their unique interpretation of the cards to dive deep into the probabilities and allow those relevant to the person being read to manifest more clearly. This then allows the tarot reader to make more accurate predictions than would otherwise be possible if they relied just on cold reading techniques.
Finally, it is also believed that psychics and tarot readers can tap into the power of quantum energy to make predictions and give accurate readings. This is based on the idea that soul energy and patterns of behavior may be traceable on a subatomic level, allowing for more accurate predictions about the future. While not widely accepted, the idea that Tarot readers can tap into quantum energy has gained some traction in certain circles, and it may well provide an additional level of explanation into the accuracy of tarot readings.
How has tarot card reading come to be associated with evil in popular culture?
In popular culture, tarot card readings have often been associated with evil due to the stigma that comes with anything spiritual, mystical, or considered occult. This stigma has been perpetuated by the media and other sources, which has linked tarot cards with dark forces or magical powers. Furthermore, there are many people who believe that tarot cards can be used to predict the future, which can be seen as a dark force or an act of divination. Additionally, some people view tarot as a tool of manipulation and power over others, or something related to sorcery and dark magic. All of these associations have helped paint tarot card reading as a magical, sinister, and dangerous practice, and have caused the public to view it as evil.
What resources are available to those attempting to learn more about positive uses for tarot cards?
Many tarot card decks and other tarot-related materials are available in bookstores and online. Additionally, there are many websites, blogs, and discussion forums dedicated to tarot cards and their use. There are also classes and workshops available at local spiritual centers and holistic shops that can help educate those interested in learning more about tarot cards. Additionally, books and online courses are available on various tarot-related topics. Ultimately, the best way to learn is to practice reading cards by yourself and then discussing your findings with others.