The Tarot

Tarot (Tar-oh) is a system of symbolism and philosophy consisting of a set of 78 images, normally embodied in a deck of cards similar to a regular set of game-playing cards. In the English speaking world, they are most often encountered as a form of cartomancy. The Tarot have been used for fortune telling for centuries.

There is much controversy as to the official history of the tarot, with its origins in Italy, China, India and Egypt according to which expert you believe. The earliest extant examples of Tarot decks are of Italian origin and roughly date back to the 15th century, when they were used to play the game of Tarocchi.

The Tarot - The Major Arcana

Major Arcana Defined

The Tarot archetypes are simply pictures representing life and the stages and experiences we all go through from birth until death. They are symbols of all life cycles The first 22 cards, called the Major Arcana, are also called the "Fool's Journey" It is the story of one's journey through life starting as The Fool: The Beginning, youthful, pure energy in spirit form.

The journey continues in the symbols, depicting events and cycles in one's life. Completion is in 'The World' archetype, the End, and the Fool has traveled to wholeness and completion of the cycle of life. The other 56 cards, the Minor Arcana, describe the people, events, feelings, and circumstances we encounter on our personal 'Fool's Journey'.

The Tarot - The Minor Arcana

Minor Arcana Defined

The tarot deck is comprised of 78 cards: 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana. The 22 major arcana cards are supposed to depict a journey through one's life, which originates with the Fool card and ends with a card called The World.

The minor arcana is the part of the deck that most closely resembles our playing cards of today. The minor arcane contains four suites, which correspond to any game deck you may have around the house. The suits are Wands (Clubs) Cups (Hearts) Pentacles (Diamonds) and Swords (Spades). Also present are the Queen, King and Knight (or Jack) of each suit, plus the addition of Pages or Princess, which resemble young men, or women of court, which are not represented in the modern playing deck. In addition to its philosophical and divinatory uses, Tarot is also used as an aid to meditation.

The Tarot - Wands

The Suit of Wands

This Suit is sometimes referred to as Batons, Maces or Sceptres and its elemental ruler is fire. The season linked to the Suit of Wands is Spring and its direction is South. Fire Signs are indicative of progress and are male in orientation. The Suit of Wands references power, business and aggression...the beginning of whatever the will desires. Wands represents ideas, communication, thoughts, enlightenment, concepts.

The Suit of Disks

This Suit is sometimes referred to as Pentacles, Coins, Gold or Diamonds and its elemental ruler is Earth. The season linked to the Suit of Pentacles is Winter and its direction is North. This Suit is grounded in the material and physical world, symbolic of accomplishment and manifestation. Disks represent Manifestation, physical expression in the world, physical creation.

(14 cards) represent the following:

* The three earthy astrological signs of Taurus, Capricorn & Virgo
* The element of earth
* The mental aspect of our daily lives

The Suit of Swords

This Suit is sometimes referred to as Spades and its elemental ruler is air. The season linked to the Suit of Swords is Autumn and its direction is East. This Suit governs intellectual activity and is essentially male in character. Swords represent Power, motivation, action, force, conflict.

(14 cards) represent the following:

* The three airy astrological signs of Gemini, Libra & Aquarius
* The element of air
* The menal aspect of our daily lives

The Suit of Cups

This Suit is sometimes referred to as Goblets or Hearts and its elemental ruler is water. The season linked to the Suit of Cups is Summer and its direction is West. This Suit governs emotions and embodies romance, love and changeability. Cups represent Emotions, feeling, compassion, the language of Spirit.

(14 cards) represent the following:

* The three watery astrological signs of Pisces, Cancer & Scorpio
* The element of water
* The emotional aspect of our daily lives