From Playing Cards to Oracle Cards: The Origins and History of Tarot

Welcome to the Mystical World of Tarot

Whether you’re a beginner drawn to tarot out of curiosity or a seasoned enthusiast, the tarot’s mysterious aura has undoubtedly captivated you. Tarot cards have long been a source of fascination for those seeking guidance, insight, and self-discovery. In this article, we’ll explore the rich history of tarot, from its humble beginnings as playing cards to its modern role as a powerful oracle for personal growth and spiritual exploration.

The Origins of Tarot and Card Readings

The exact origins of tarot remain shrouded in mystery, but historians believe it emerged in the Mediterranean region during the 14th century. Initially, tarot cards were used for games, much like modern playing cards. However, over time, they evolved into a tool for divination and spiritual insight.

The first recorded use of tarot for psychic readings dates back to the 18th century, thanks to French occultist Antoine Court de Gébelin and fortune-teller Etteilla. De Gébelin believed that tarot cards held hidden knowledge rooted in ancient Egyptian wisdom, while Etteilla published the first guidebooks on tarot meanings and reading techniques. Together, they laid the foundation for tarot’s use as a tool for guidance and self-reflection.

Understanding the Tarot Deck: Major and Minor Arcana

A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into two main groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Each group serves a unique purpose, offering insights into different aspects of life.

Major Arcana

The 22 cards of the Major Arcana represent significant life themes and archetypal energies. Cards like The Fool, Death, and The World symbolize the journey of personal and societal development. Their message is profound: everything in the world is relative, changeable, and created by humans — meaning it can also be reimagined.

The Major Arcana challenges us to question authority and societal norms, reminding that we have the power to shape our own reality, because everything around us is, ultimately, a creation of human ingenuity. And if humanity has created something, it stands to reason that we also have the power to reinvent or replace it with something new. This revolutionary message has made tarot a tool for personal empowerment and spiritual growth.

Minor Arcana

The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana are divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit corresponds to a different element and area of life:

• Wands (Fire): Passion, creativity, and ambition.
• Cups (Water): Emotions, relationships, and intuition.
• Swords (Air): Intellect, challenges, and decision-making.
• Pentacles (Earth): Material wealth, career, and practical matters.

The Minor Arcana provides practical guidance on everyday situations, helping us navigate life’s challenges with clarity and confidence.

Tarot's Evolution and Popularity

As tarot spread across Europe, it absorbed influences from various cultures, leading to diverse interpretations and artistic styles. In the 19th century, French occultist Eliphas Levi combined tarot with astrology, numerology, and Kabbalah, transforming it into a comprehensive system of esoteric wisdom.

The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

In 1909, British occultist Arthur Edward Waite and artist Pamela Colman Smith created the iconic Rider-Waite Tarot Deck. Waite, a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, wanted to create a deck that was accessible to everyone, not just seasoned practitioners.

Smith’s illustrations revolutionized tarot. Unlike traditional decks, which featured simple designs for the Minor Arcana, Smith created detailed, narrative scenes for all 78 cards. This made tarot more intuitive and easier to interpret, especially for beginners. Today, the Rider-Waite deck remains one of the most widely used and respected tarot decks in the world.

The Thoth Tarot

Between 1938 and 1943, occultist Aleister Crowley and artist Lady Frieda Harris developed the Thoth Tarot, a deck rich in symbolism and esoteric wisdom. Crowley, a controversial figure in the occult world, wanted to create a deck that reflected his teachings and incorporated elements of astrology, Kabbalah, and Eastern and Western symbolism.

Harris, an accomplished artist, spent nearly five years painting over 200 versions of the cards to ensure they aligned with Crowley’s vision. The Thoth Tarot is known for its intricate artwork and deep spiritual significance, making it a favorite among advanced practitioners.

Controversies and Misconceptions About Tarot

Despite its widespread use, tarot has been met with controversy and misunderstanding. Some people see tarot as superstition or associate it with dark practices. However, tarot is simply a tool for reflection and guidance — its power lies in how it’s used.

Hostility toward tarot often stems from fear of its message, particularly as depicted in the Major Arcana. These cards challenge people’s perceptions of the world, especially by questioning the authority of certain social groups. The power and beliefs of these groups — indeed, the very system our civilization is built upon — could be threatened by tarot’s revelations. For some, it’s easier to maintain a controlled order that privileges the few, even if it means keeping humanity trapped in an illusion.

Tarot’s message goes even deeper: it questions its own authority, emphasizing that individuals are the free and sole creators of their own worlds. By trusting their intuition and recognizing their innate divinity, people can break free from external control. This profound idea deserves its own dedicated exploration.

Many people mistakenly believe that tarot predicts the future with absolute certainty. In reality, tarot readings explore potential outcomes and offer guidance based on the current circumstances and energies surrounding a situation. While certain external events may be beyond our control, the future is largely shaped by the choices we make.

The accuracy of a tarot reading often depends on the questioner’s personality and how they are likely to respond to life’s challenges. If we always acted against our natural instincts, beliefs, or emotions, tarot would only reveal predestined events, making it far less useful. Fortunately, this is rarely the case. Tarot thrives on the dynamic interplay between our choices, the possibilities they create, and the inevitable.

Another misconception is that tarot has ancient origins, such as in ancient Egypt or the Kabbalah. While these theories are intriguing, there is no historical evidence to support them. Tarot’s true origins lie in medieval Europe, where it began as a card game before evolving into a tool for divination.

Tarot for Personal Growth and Insight

Tarot’s true power lies in its ability to offer insight and guidance for personal growth. By reflecting on the cards, we can better understand ourselves, uncover hidden motivations, and navigate life’s challenges with clarity.

Many people use tarot for self-reflection, exploring their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The cards act like a mirror, revealing aspects of our psyche that we may not be fully aware of. Tarot can also help us make informed decisions, overcome obstacles, and embrace new opportunities.

How Tarot Works

Tarot works by using symbolic images to tap into the collective unconscious, as described by psychologist Carl Jung. The cards reflect universal patterns of human behavior, offering guidance based on current circumstances and potential outcomes.

When you perform a tarot reading, you shuffle the deck while focusing on a question or issue. The cards you draw are not random — they are believed to reflect your subconscious mind and the energies surrounding your situation. By interpreting the cards’ meanings and their positions in the spread, you can gain valuable insights and guidance.

Learning to Read Tarot Cards

Learning tarot is a skill that develops with practice. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Choose a Deck: Select a tarot deck that resonates with you. The Rider-Waite deck is a great choice for beginners.
• Study the Cards: Familiarize yourself with the meanings of the Major and Minor Arcana. Pay attention to the imagery and symbolism on each card.
• Practice Regularly: Start by reading for yourself and friends. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become.
• Trust Your Intuition: While it’s important to learn the traditional meanings of the cards, don’t be afraid to trust your intuition. Your personal insights are just as valuable.

Embrace the Magic of Tarot Readings

Tarot’s rich history and symbolism challenge conventional truths and encourage personal growth. By exploring these incredible oracle cards, we unlock new perspectives and become the best versions of ourselves. They remind us that there is no single, indisputable truth. Whether you’re seeking guidance, clarity, or self-discovery, tarot serves as a powerful tool for navigating life’s journey.

We wish you clarity, wisdom, and good cards on your path!