Tarot – What it is and What it isn’t

Tarot cards have been given many associations over the years. They were created by the Egyptians. NO! It was the Rom as they moved North in their travels! NO! It was the Golden Dawn Society. Wait! Wasn’t it the Hell Rake club of late Victorian nobility?

Actually, it was none of those. Tarot began as a card game among the aristocracy of the European Continent, primarily Italy. It is believed that at one time the great houses of the

14th Century competed with each other to have the most beautiful deck created for their Houses. The game was a card game of strategy and skill, played by numerous players and could provide a rainy afte
oon’s entertainment at an Italian Villa.

One of the oldest decks in existence is the Visconti/Sforza deck. It is believed that as many as “nine different distinct groups of fifteenth century” decks (Kaplan, 1975). In the deck we have available to us today (through reproduction) we can see the true artwork of the early Renaissance shine through. It is interesting to note that there are four cards that have been re-interpreted in this deck, The Devil, The Tower, the Three of Swords, and the Knight of Coins.

The cards are beautiful and sumptuous. Even though they are only reproductions, one can see the obvious craftsmanship and artistic value in each and every individual card. Some cards have golden backgrounds – that are really gold. Richly decorated Court and Major Arcana cards are an eyeful of early Renaissance Art. It is believed that members of the family of the House that the cards were prepared for were shown on the court cards.

Today the Tarot isn’t used much to play the card game anymore as much as it is used in Cartomancy. The Tarot has made several permutations over the years, but the archetypes they represent can call to all of us. There’s a wide variety of decks based on differing religious belief systems, artistic tastes, some are even based on a movie. Although they cover a wide range of subject matter, they are all still tarot, with a message and a meaning that can be disce
ed.

Many times I correct people and explain to them that I don’t tell fortunes, I read the Tarot. I know there are a large number of people who will be happy to stand up and tell me that there is nothing to be read in the Tarot, it’s just a bunch of cards. While I do understand that an individual may feel that way, it has been my experience that if one takes the time to look closer and dig deeper, one can find answers to difficult questions and situations.

To me the Tarot isn’t so much a reading of the future to come as it is a study of the energies that are in existence for the problem at that time. It is sometimes a challenge to find a way to get the message from the cards to the individual in a manner that they will accept and understand. So, if you call me for a reading, yes, I like to use the Tarot, it helps to keep me on track and I think it makes me a better reader for it. I’ve found that the Tarot can speak very loudly when it wants to.

So come and join me on a journey through the individual cards!