Tarot Basics

A Tarot card deck typically consists of 78 colorful cards imprinted with what many deem fascinating and curious images. The cards, each filled with a particular meaning and portent, most often come somewhat larger than ordinary playing cards and make an impressive display when ritually laid out. This deck of special cards can be used by a trained "reader" for glimpsing into his or her own future or that of another person for whom the cards are read. The Tarot deck, divided into Major Arcana and Minor Arcana, contains 22 symbolic cards and 56 suit cards ? wands, swords, cups, and pentacles ? interestingly also called "pip" cards.

Many types and styles of Tarot cards exist, and a breakdown of even the more common Tarot card deck reads like a mysterious journey into the occult ? and perhaps it is! The Major Arcana includes the magician, high priestess, empress, emperor, hierophant (a sage or wise man), lovers, chariot, strength, hermit, wheel, justice, hanged man, death, temperance, devil, tower, star, moon, sun, judgment, world. The Minor Arcana (the suits) consists of the aces, twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, sevens, eights, nines, tens, court cards, pages, knights, queens, and kings ? all in the above-mentioned suits.

The key to successfully reading the Tarot deck, however, does not lie only in what the cards mean, but in how to interpret them. A gifted Tarot reader can sometimes create a huge following by accurately predicting the futures of friends, family ? even strangers who call on him or her for a reading.

"Tarot" comes from the Italian word "Tarocchi," a French card game originally termed "carte da trionfi" ? "cards with trumps." It has been theorized that the name was shortened from "Tarocchi" to "Taro" and thus evolved over time into "Tarot" by the French. The definition of Tarot goes hand in hand with the origin of the name because Tarot is considered to be a tool of divination by believers, and the roots of the name explain, in part, how this came to be so, though we may never know the complete story, since its complete origins have been lost in the passage of time.

The origins of Tarot vary almost as widely as there are people exploiting the powers of these fascinating cards. Some maintain the cards have roots beginning in the ancient mysteries of Egypt, the mythical city of doomed Atlantis, or from the magic-filled background of the European gypsies. But etymologically speaking, that is, considering Tarot from the history of the word itself, this mysterious deck of future-foretelling cards probably came into being in the northern Italian courts of nobility during the mid-15th century.

Whatever and whenever the source of Tarot, this remarkable deck of cards remains an entertaining and intriguing journey into the unknown, the inexplicable, and the sometimes mystifying realms of life. Perhaps the roots of Tarot lie shrouded in doubt for a reason. Perhaps Tarot is meant to mystify as well as to reveal. Perhaps?only the Tarot cards know for sure!

(c) All About Tarot

All About Tarot is an information packed website that features loads of useful links and articles! Visit now at: http://www.all-about-tarot.com

---

Enthusiam And The Spirit

In this article, I would like deal with one specific... Read More

A Ministry Of One

Each of us has far more potential to serve the... Read More

Forgiveness- The Path To Healing & Spiritual Growth

The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as... Read More

Will Science Get Closer To God Than Religion Has?

A subject of debate for thousands of years, spirituality will... Read More

Lance Armstrong had it Right-- Every Second Does Counts!

I have been counseling people on weight loss, exercise efficiency... Read More

Living Between Two Worlds!

We are all here on this plane, thinking to ourselves... Read More

Understanding the Gospel of Matthew and Why it Matters - Part 6

Matthew 2:16-18Herod Kills the Children16 Then Herod, when he saw... Read More

Kundalini Symbology

While study and pursuit of the Kundalini is considered part... Read More

What to Expect From the Next Transformation

â??Now is the time for all good men to come... Read More

10 Interesting Facts about Archangel Gabriel

1. Gabriel means: "God is my strength" or "God is... Read More

How to Forgive Someone

We've all heard the saying, "You have to forgive, but... Read More

A Mothers Journey to Spiritual Surrender

I have studied many of the great Religions, Quantum Physics,... Read More

A Broken and Contrite Heart

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken... Read More

Stress & Spirituality, Part 1

Stress & Spirituality ? How Spirituality Affects Stress LevelsTake a... Read More

Humanity Needs Islam

The human nature means the soul and the body. A... Read More

Belief, Designed For Life!

Liam says to Joe; "where is your God now, when... Read More

AD33Today: A Search in Modern America

We, a group of ordinary people who believe in Jesus... Read More

Why is Kabbalah so Attractive to Hollywood A-Listers Like Madonna, Britney Spears and Demi Moore?

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA: Of course we may never know the real... Read More

God!

God !"My son will be brought up in a place... Read More

Your Hidden Portal to Peace

Want more peace and joy in your life? Daily stress... Read More

Serenity

Listen to the sound of silence. Enjoy the peace and... Read More

I Can Do All Things Through Christ Jesus Who Gives Me Strength

"...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I... Read More

Equal In the Eyes of God

There was a time in my life when I seriously... Read More

Developing the Have-ing-ness Consciousness! Divine Prosperity Principles

How a Divine "Dream", gave me a Spiritual Principle for... Read More

Attachment - Bondage or Moha - Their Role in Gaining Enlightenment

Attachment... Bondage... Moha... state as we may but the meaning... Read More

10 Interesting Facts about Archangel Michael

1. The name Michael means, "Who is like God". In... Read More

No Star-Studded Career

What is success? It probably means different things to different... Read More

Addiction and Confession

ADDICTION: - There are numerous obsessions and addictions which prevent... Read More

The Hand of God

There I was living in a tiny bedroom in my... Read More

The Forgotten Secret

It's not exactly a news flash that we live in... Read More

Wings of a Dove

Perhaps one of the most wonderful assertions that can be... Read More

Instructions... Guess Work or Gods Work?

I can't boast about my culinary skill, because I just... Read More

Remote Viewing and the Body-Mind Connection

One of the biggest myths to evolve in the growing... Read More