Introduction to Tarot Deck Cards
Tarot deck cards are an ancient form of divination based around a deck of 78 cards with symbolic images used to tell fortunes. They have been used for centuries to provide spiritual guidance and insight for many individuals and communities. Despite their age, tarot deck cards are still popular today and many people are curious about them. This guide will provide an introduction to the cards, help you to understand how to use them, and explain some of their common interpretations.
History of Tarot Deck Cards
The origin of Tarot Deck Cards is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have originated in Northern Italy during the 1400s. The earliest known Tarot Deck Cards are thought to have been a race course game. Through the Renaissance period, the traditional Tarot deck began to take its modern form, with 78 Cards divided into four suits, and numerous symbolic pictures featured on the cards.
Tarot Card Suits
There are four suits in the Tarot deck, each one symbolising different elements and ideas. The four suits are; Cups (Water), Wands (Fire), Swords (Air) and Pentacles (Earth). Each of these suits corresponds to particular aspects of life; Cups represent emotion and relationships, Wands the spiritual and creative aspects, Swords ideas and thoughts, and Pentacles material aspects.
Meaningful Symbols of Tarot Deck Cards
The Major Arcana of the Tarot deck is a collection of twenty-two cards featuring various symbols that represent certain aspects of life. These cards usually depict an image of a person, a deity or animal as well as an arcanum, or a word that symbolic of the card’s meaning. For example, The Fool card depicts a man in colourful clothing walking on a path littered with symbols and the word “Fool” written at the bottom of the card.
The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana of the Tarot cards consist of 56 cards divided into four different suits. This group of cards is also divided into two parts; the court cards, which are numbered from one to ten, and the pips, which consists of pages, knights, queens, and kings.
The Minor Arcana differs from the Major Arcana in that they lack the complex imagery and often focus on specific actions. They can provide guidance and insight into the mundane aspects of life, such as family, relationships, work and day-to-day concerns.
Interpreting Tarot Deck Cards
Interpreting a Tarot deck is often seen as a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Although there are many resources available for learning how to read the cards, it is important to remember that Tarot readings are open to interpretation. While some may read the cards based on the traditional meanings, others may see the cards in different ways given the current situation.
The first step to understanding the Tarot is to lay out the cards in a spread. This can help to make sense of the imagery and allow the reader to interpret the cards as a story. Once the reader has laid out the cards, they can begin to interpret what they mean in relation to the individual or situation at hand.
Conclusion
Tarot deck cards are an ancient form of divination that are still popular today. Understandably, learning to use them can be a confusing and intricate process but with a basic understanding of the symbolism and structure of the cards, as well as practice and intuition, anyone can learn to understand and interpret the Tarot Deck Cards.
What is the difference between tarot and regular playing cards?
Tarot cards are typically used for divination and have a different structure, set of images, and meanings compared to a regular playing card deck. They usually consist of 78 cards divided into two distinct parts, the Major and Minor Arcana (26 of each). The Major Arcana are symbolic archetypal images, while the Minor Arcana are closely related to the four suits of a regular playing card deck. While regular playing cards can be used for fortune-telling, the narrative system of tarot cards allows for more complex interpretation and symbolism, making them better suited for divination.
What type of deck does a tarot card reader use?
A tarot card reader typically uses a tarot deck, which consists of 78 cards with symbolic images. These cards can be divided into two distinct parts, the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). The Major Arcana cards typically symbolize a larger, more powerful force, while the Minor Arcana cards provide more detailed information about a person’s daily life and current culture.