Tarot divination is extremely popular. It is the most common divination practice out there. Interest in tarot divination has only risen with the advent of social media. It is an art form that can seem confusing and elusive. The fundamentals behind tarot divination are relatively simple to understand. The fact is that tarot decks only date back to the 1400s. This means they are a relatively modern craft compared to other divination practices.
Initially, tarot cards were used for games. It was only in 1785 when Jean-Baptise Alliette used playing cards for fortune-telling. He believed in a link between astrology, ancient Egyptian lore, and illustrated cards. The next century saw countless philosophers and mystics expanding the role of tarot. It was only in the late 1890s when the Book T was produced to provide a manual to help people determine the meaning behind each tarot card. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn teachings were used as inspiration by Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith to create a tarot deck in 1909. It is a timeless deck that continues to be used.
Major Arcana and Minor Arcana Cards
Now that we have covered a brief history of tarot divination, it is essential to look at the structure of the desk and the meaning of each card. Hermetic axiom influences every magical practice. It is believed that the entire universe exists within a deck of tarot cards. Each card represents an event, a place, and a person. The symbols are depicted in Major Arcana and Minor Arcana cards. The Major Arcana cards tell us about the more fantastic secrets, whereas, Minor Arcana cards reveal lesser secrets.
When we look at the Major Arcana cards, they represent groundbreaking, monumental influences. They tell about our journeys and deliver a powerful message. These cards represent life-changing motions that define the beginning or end. They appear during a significant transition which signals a distinctive moment of transformation in our lives. The fact is that these cards are numbered to represent stations throughout our life, in chronological order. As for the Minor Arcana cards, they tell about our everyday matters. They reveal mundane activities like quarreling, sleeping, drinking, or dancing. Their influence is minor and appears during gentle transitions.
Number of Tarot Cards
When we talk about the number of tarot cards, it is essential to note that the Minor Arcana cards come in four suits. Each suit contains ten numbered cards along with four court cards. The numbers represent a specific stage of an event, whereas the ace represents the beginning of a new cycle. The progression of the court cards shows an understanding of the circumstances. On the other hand, the suits correspond to a unique part of life. Cups illustrate emotional matters, swords represent intellectual intrigues, pentacles represent physical realities and money, and wands deal with inspiration and passion.
The number of tarot cards is the same as standard cards. As you continue to use tarot cards, you will get to understand them better.
