Tarot Guide by Vanessa Sage Structure of the Tarot The tarot is a 78 card deck that began as a game in the 15th century and slowly turned into a divination tool by the 18th and 19th centuries. It is divided into two parts. The first part is the major arcana and the second is the minor arcana. The major arcana consists of 22 cards, and represents your soul's journey and This fresco is commonly known as “The Tarocchi archetypal lessons you can learn over the Players.” It is from the Casa Borromeo, in Milan, and was probably painted in the 1440s. course of your life. The minor arcana is divided like a regular playing card deck. Only instead of diamonds, spades, clubs and hearts, there are: pentacles, swords, wands, and cups. In each suit there are also four court cards: King, Queen, Knight and Page. They represent people in your life or qualities within yourself. The minor arcana help you understand and explore your everyday life. From the Prisma Visions Tarot Approaches Tarot was originally a card game. However, since the 18th century, there are three main ways that tarot has been approached. One is for divination (seeking divine guidance), another is for prediction (looking into the future) and the other is for self-exploration and personal growth (my personal favourite). Other ways to use the Tarot include: Meditate on the symbolism Goal set or plan As a writing or creative prompt A way to find solutions to problems Working through difficult emotions Looking at specific areas of your life The possibilities are endless... What works for you? Brief History of the Tarot The first tarot deck was the 15th century Italian Visconti-Sforza deck, which included a combination of Christian, Pagan and Classical elements. Tarot was originally a game played in Italy and then introduced into France and Switzerland. It was not until the 18th century, when French clergyman Gérard Encausse wrote about the Tarot de Marseille in his "Tarot of the Bohemians," that the connection to the occult (simply defined as secret meanings) was made. The Tarot de Marseille formed the basis for the 1910 version of the tarot conceived by Golden Dawn member and mystic A. E. Waite and illustrated by Pamela Coleman Smith. History of the Tarot, cont. The Rider-Waite deck was the most influential deck to include pictures on all of the minor arcana cards. Interpretations of the cards from this deck still form the basis for most tarot decks today. Interesting to note is that A, E. Waite switched the Strength and Justice card positions from the original decks so that they would correctly align with the astrological correspondences of Leo and Libra, respectively. So, in decks that don't follow the Waite system you may find that Justice is #8 and Strength is #11. The Moon from the Rider-Waite-Smith There was a renewed interest in tarot in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Mary K. Greer and Rachel Pollack began writing about how to read and interpret the cards as well as how to use the tarot for yourself. Today interest in tarot has exploded. There are so many new decks being produced. It's an exciting time for tarot! Some of my decks. Cards from Soul Cards and Prisma Visions Tarot Choosing Your Deck There are a LOT of decks to choose from, and there is no wrong way to choose a deck! If you are new to the tarot, my advice is to choose a deck with pictures on all the minor arcana cards because the pictures can help you read intuitively. There are a few families of decks: 1. Historical Sola-Busca-Tarocchi Visconti Sforza Tarot de Marseilles 2. Rider-Waite Inspired These decks have taken the pictures from the Rider-Waite and either re-coloured them, modified them, or have kept the meanings and feel of The Magician from the Mary-El Tarot, the Wild Unknown the card but changed the pictures. Tarot and the Stick Figure Tarot Here is a list of just a few Classic Rider-Waite inspired decks: Aquarian Tarot: 1970s deck, art deco style Connolly Tarot: Gentle images with Christian influence Hanson-Roberts Tarot: My first deck, good for beginners, medieval Herbal Tarot: Images paired with different herbs. Brightly colored. 1978. Morgan-Greer Tarot: Another 1970s deck, bold and borderless New Palladini: Re-working of the Aquarian Tarot, bright crisp images Radiant Rider-Waite: More depth of colour than original Robin Wood Tarot: Waite-like deck with Pagan symbolism Universal Waite Tarot: Paler and softer illustrations 3. Other Influential Decks Thoth: Occult, Western esoteric deck drawn from Egyptian mythology. Very powerful. Created between 1938-1943. Published 1969. Motherpeace Tarot: Feminist round deck. 1st round deck. 1983. The Wild Unknown: Incredibly influential deck. Modern, animals and the natural world, black & white with punches of color. 2012 Wild Unknown Major Arana 4. Thematic Decks: Dark Goddess: Bright and bold with Goddess imagery Enchanted Tarot: Soft fabric collage images, positive Mythic Tarot: Based on Greek mythology Shadowscapes Tarot: Soft, detailed watercolour images Starchild Tarot: Pastel pinks & purples, Akashic, crystals Tarot of the Hidden Realms: Nature and the Fae Tarot of the Old Path: Wiccan, bright, flower imagery Triple Goddess Tarot: 26 major arcana + 7 chakra cards Victorian Fairy Tarot: Magic filled fairies, elemental focus Everyday Witch Tarot: Bright, whimsical deck. It makes me happy! 5. My Favourite Decks Not Already Mentioned (it was hard to chose!) Gaian Tarot: Nature based, multicultural, accessible, strong women, gentle men. Watch my interview with Joanna Powell Colbert here. The Fountain Tarot: Crisp, clean, cool, people oriented. Mary-el Tarot: Mystical, deep meanings, and stunning images. Prisma Visions: Deep blue, impressionistic, minors part of 4 larger scenes. The Pagan Otherworlds: Art deck, soft colors, rider-waite-smith inspired. Margarete Petersen Tarot: Very different deck, elemental, poetic, art. Preparing Your Deck & Doing a Reading Once you have a deck to work with there are several ways in which you can make your deck a sacred tool. To clear your deck: smudge with sacred smoke order the cards and then shuffle place under crystals in the moonlight Visualize bathing your deck in white or violet light To set an intention: Ask how this deck can help guide you then pull a card for extra guidance on Clearing my Mary-El deck with crystals how your deck wants to be used. Give your deck a special place to breathe: Wrap it in silk or place it in a beautiful box. You can even put it on your altar! When you treat your deck as special and sacred your readings will become much more profound and personal. When doing a reading, create sacred space both within and without: Breathe, centre and ground yourself. Ask or pray for guidance. Focus on your question. Place your cards on a reading cloth. Light a candle or some incense. Celtic Cross Spread 3 10 9 5 1 6 2 8 4 7 The Celtic Cross is one of the most all-encompassing spreads. There are lots of variations on how to read a Celtic Cross. This is how I read it. 1. The situation, inner self, or your focus 2. What crosses the situation, outer self, or obstacles or challenges 3. Your goals, higher self, or what is conscious 4. Foundation of the situation, your shadow, or what is unconscious 5. What is passing out of influence, what you already posses 6. The near future, your ability to take action 7. Yourself as you see yourself 8. Environment and how others see you. 9. Hopes and fears 10. What may come, most likely outcome based on the present moment. Major Arcana Use the following major and minor card descriptions as cheat sheets for reading the cards. My own understanding of the cards is constantly evolving so be open to your interpretations. Remember to follow your intuition as well! Pull out your deck. What do you see? 0 The Fool: Innocence, freedom, trust, openness, courage 1 The Magician: Creativity, inspiration, will-power, empowerment 2 The High Priestess: Depth, intuition, dreams, inner wisdom, divine 3 The Empress: Fertility, abundance, passion, sensual, heal, mother 4 The Emperor: Structure, authority, order, father 5 The Hierophant: Tradition, education, doctrine, initiation 6 The Lovers: Love, fulfilment, union, choice, surrender 7 The Chariot: Triumph, success, mastery, control, will, journey 8 or 11 Strength: Courage, faith, unconditional love, wild woman 9 The Hermit: Guidance, retreat, meditation, inner quest 10 Wheel of Fortune: Trusting in the process of life, cycles, patterns 8 or 11 Justice: Decision, balance, poise, fairness, choice, clarity, truth 12 Hanged Man: Surrender, deepening, reversal 13 Death: Clearing away the old for the new, change 14 Temperance: Balance, magic, tempering, light & shadow, fire & water 15 The Devil: Awaken responsibility, obsession, materialism 16 The Tower: Destruction, sudden illumination, liberation 17 Star: Healing, optimism, hope, tranquillity 18 Moon: Revelation of feminine mysteries, dreams, facing fears 19 Sun: Happiness, wonder, energy, fruition, freedom 20 Judgement: Following a call, transformation, renewal, decisions 21 The World: Completion, wholeness, union of inner & outer life Minor Arcana: Suits Wands Fire, Energy, Action & Excitement Intuition, creativity, growth, energy, passion, desire, inspiration, future, perception, courage, wilfulness. Action, moving forward, positive thinking, new endeavours. Cups Water, Love and Imagination Feelings, change, relationships, dreams, fantasy, subconscious, grace, serenity, moody, addictions. Reflection. Swords Air, Conflict and Intellect Ace of Cups in the Pagan Otherworlds Tarot Thinking, communication, truth, justice, aggression, fear, confusion, thoughtless, cutting through problems. Mind. Pentacles Earth, Work and Nature Sensation, material concerns, home, skills, develop knowledge & ability, security, stress, anxiety, greed, stubbornness, everything that is real and solid.