Playing Cards and Oracle Cards – The History of Tarot Cards
Welcome to the Mystical World of Tarot
If you are an absolute newbie to tarot cards, trying them out of curiosity or a professional who works with tarot cards on a regular basis, then you are probably well aware about the mysterious aura of these wonderful playing cards. In the article below, we will tell you about the history of tarot cards and oracle cards in general, starting from the period when it appeared as a card game in the Middle Ages.
The Origins of Tarot and Card Readings
Nobody knows for sure when exactly tarot appeared but according to historical data, it happened somewhere in the Mediterranean in the 14th century. The origin of tarot can be compared to the appearance of modern playing cards, which were also used for fun at first. Later on, however, tarot cards gained the status of tools for spiritual insight and personal development.
The history of tarot cards for readings began in the 18th century with the contribution of a French occultist Antoine Court de Gébelin and a fortune teller Éttailla. The former assumed that tarot cards contained a hidden wisdom of ancient Egypt while Éttailla issued the first guidebooks on tarot meanings and interpretation techniques.
The Composition of the Standard Tarot Deck: The Major and Minor Arcana
In the standard deck of 78 tarot cards, there are two main groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana
The 22 cards of Major Arcana embody the key topics of life as well as archetypes. Cards such as The Fool, Death and The World are the symbols of the evolution of a human being and society. What makes the Major Arcana so fascinating? According to their message everything is relative and changeable in the world – the result of the human creativity. If humans have the power to create it, then it is possible to change it.
In other words, the Major Arcana urges us to question the authorities and conventions of our life and proves that we are the ones who possess the power to create a new reality because everything around is a creation of our ingenuity. If humanity can create something, then why not to transform it into something else?
The Minor Arcana
There are 56 cards of Minor Arcana separated into 4 suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.
- Wands (Fire): Passion, creativity, and ambitions
- Cups (Water): Emotions, relationships, and intuition
- Swords (Air): Intellect, challenges, and decision-making
- Pentacles (Earth): Material wealth, career, and practical matters
The Minor Arcana allows us to get answers to questions concerning everyday life and to find a way through any difficulties that we face.
Tarot Cards Evolution and Popularity
While spreading in Europe, tarot gained different influences from the cultures of various countries, resulting in numerous interpretations of the cards as well as in different artistic styles.
The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
In 1909, a British occultist Arthur Edward Waite and an artist Pamela Colman Smith created one of the most famous decks of tarot cards: the Rider-Waite-Smith. Waite, a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, wanted to create a deck of tarot cards which would be accessible for everybody and not only professionals.
Smith's illustrations became the breakthrough point in the history of tarot cards because in contrast to the traditional decks of tarot cards which included the Minor Arcana in their simplest form, Smith created detailed and full of narrative scenes for all 78 cards of the deck. This feature has made tarot cards easier to interpret and intuitive enough for a beginner.
The Thoth Tarot Deck
In 1938-1943, a famous (or rather notorious) occultist Aleister Crowley and an artist Lady Frieda Harris created an amazing deck of tarot cards called the Thoth Tarot which is full of esoteric symbolism and wisdom. Crowley, the controversial personality of the occult community, desired to create a deck of cards which would be connected with his teachings and would incorporate elements of astrology, Kabbalah and Eastern and Western symbolism.
During nearly five years, Lady Frieda Harris has painted more than 200 versions of cards to make them comply with the ideas of Crowley. The Thoth Tarot is famous for its sophisticated art and deep spiritual meaning and is a favourite deck among experienced tarot readers.
Myths and Controversies About Tarot
Despite the fact that tarot cards have spread throughout the whole world and are popular among numerous followers, tarot has always been met with hostility and misunderstanding. Tarot is just a tool for reflections and guidance – what counts is its usage.
Hostility to tarot can be explained by the fear of the tarot cards' message, which is usually depicted in the Major Arcana. Major Arcana questions people's perception of the world, including the very idea of the authority of some social groups whose power and beliefs are the basis of the whole civilization. It is easier for many people to stay within the controlled order in which the minority has the privilege over the majority, making humanity live in illusions.
But there is something deeper in tarot cards' message: it questions its own authority and reminds about the fact that people are the free and the only creators of their worlds, using their intuition and divine nature to do that. This idea deserves the special article and deserves to be explored. So we will continue the discussion about the true meaning of tarot cards in the following article.
Misconceptions About Tarot
Some people think that tarot is superstitious and is connected to the dark practices. However, tarot is just a tool for reflections and it cannot force anybody to do something or predict the future with 100% accuracy. The process of reading tarot involves an examination of the probable future and the guidance depending on the situation and the surrounding energies.
Of course, some external events are beyond our control but we still can influence the future with our decisions. Tarot cards allow us to foresee the consequences of our actions. The accuracy of the prediction is determined by the personality of a person who gets a reading and by the manner of this person's reaction on the life events.
In other words, if we always decided to act against our instincts, beliefs and feelings, then the reading of tarot cards would just reveal the predetermined future without giving us any chance to make our life better. Fortunately, this doesn't happen too often and tarot cards thrive on our probable decisions, their results and consequences.
Another myth about tarot is about its ancient origin. According to some people, tarot cards originated in ancient Egypt or in the Kabbalah. It is really interesting and beautiful but there is no historical evidence of these theories. The real origin of tarot cards lies in medieval Europe where the cards initially appeared as a card game.
Using Tarot Cards for Self-Growth
The power of tarot cards lies in their ability to provide the reader with the necessary information to understand the hidden motives and the ways to overcome obstacles. Many people use tarot for self-reflection – to look into their thoughts, emotions and actions.
How Does Tarot Work?
Tarot cards use the symbolic images to tap into the collective unconsciousness (the term coined by Carl Jung). They embody universal patterns of human behavior and provide us with the guidance depending on the current situation and the probable outcome of it.
The process of tarot reading starts with the shuffling of the deck while focusing on the question or the problem. The cards you draw are not the coincidence but the reflection of the subconscious mind and the energies of the situation.
How to Read Tarot Cards: Tips and Tricks
Reading tarot cards is a skill which develops with time. Below you will find some recommendations which may help you in the beginning.
- Choose a Deck of Tarot Cards: The Rider-Waite deck of tarot cards is a good choice for beginners.
- Study the Cards: Get familiar with the Major and Minor Arcana and pay attention to the symbolic images on the cards.
- Practice Regularly: Start reading tarot cards for yourself and your friends.
- Trust Your Intuition: Learn the traditional meanings of tarot cards but do not be afraid to listen to your intuition – your insights are important as well.
Embrace the Magic of Tarot Readings
Rich history and symbolism of tarot cards have challenged the conventional truths and encourage people to grow. Exploring the incredible tarot cards, we find new perspectives and become our best selves. Tarot cards remind us that there is no single indisputable truth.
We wish you clarity, wisdom, and good cards!
