Although it is not an unfamiliar sight to witness a Tarot reader drawing out cards from a deck of 78 to advice on problems ranging from relationships to career wellbeing, most people find it difficult to imagine doing the actual reading themselves. But the fact is that Tarot is now out there available for everyone to experience and learn. Although having a Tarot practitioner analyzing the symbols of the cards drawn is certainly an enchanting experience and probably "less risky," a few of today's Tarot lovers purchase their own decks and begin reading its cards with the help of Tarot manuals or mentors.

Starting to learn anything new is always a daunting experience and especially when one considers learning the Tarot cards can seem a bit odd; to say the least. This is probably the case because Tarot is associated with fortune-telling and future is the thing that excites human imagination the most. But Tarot, can in fact take people into a better understanding of the past and the present, assisting many to decode daily problems, and issues. Living in the information age, it is actually only logical to seek more information, on any given situation, before having to make a decision on the subject of interest. But the tremendous potential and effect Tarot relates to self-realization. That notion is probably less realized by those who wish to learn the future through Tarot, but in the end, this is where they are in fact led. Most often regarded as a method of predicting the future, Tarot is much less considered as a method used to better understand oneself. But, if you are interested in learning to read the Tarot cards, it is best if you keep in mind that you should do it primarily because it is one of the most effective methods to begin knowing thyself.

Since the Tarot cards have numerous different meanings depending on the order they are drawn and placed in relation to each other, many people quickly give up the effort of learning to read them. But experts claim that learning the meaning can be an effortless process, as well as rewarding and enjoyable. One of the simpler methods existing to learn the Tarot cards is through meditation. As practitioners reveal, you should begin by picking up a card from the pile and "studying" it for some time. You can always look up a guide for its "official" meaning, but the important thing here is to realize what the card you picked means to you. If the card suggests a positive career development, for example, it does not matter if in the Tarot manual symbolizes something entirely different. As long as it means this to you, it will always mean that when it comes up. As readers put it, "the card responds to you, not the other way around."

By picking at least one card every day, you will slowly but surely familiarize yourself with the Tarot deck in a natural easy way. Keep notes and later read the Tarot manual to check how close your guessing was to the "original" meaning. The important thing here is to concentrate on the cards and let their images be "absorbed" by your brain. Ask questions and give answers to yourself in relation to the pictures you see and the story that the card is trying to convey. Remember that it does not matter how close to the "true" meaning you really are. What matters is how easily you will remember your original thoughts when you draw the same card later during this familiarization procedure. In less than a month you will be able to associate the cards together and "translate" their meaning. Remember that this is nothing more than a game to learn better yourself and how you react to a given set of variables. Then Tarot will be a fun experience to devote some time alone or with your friends.

By: Jonathon Hardcastle

 

(click here to order Tarot bag from merchant)

The widely popular Tarot card reading dates back as early as the year 1440 and has been known to draw a great deal of fascination from individuals throughout the years. You will be able to find a wide and varied selection of all different styles and variations of tarot card reading today. The variation that becomes available in styles has only increased as time has gone by.

The Tarot cards are certainly one of the oldest and no doubt one of the most popular card games that are played among many card readers of today's time. The principles that are involved in Christianity, the life of Jesus, and the angels are the main things that are emphasized in the reading of Tarot. Tarot readers find insight that is given to them by the specific cards they read. They can read things such as what is currently happening, and what could possibly happen in the future.

Each card in this popular deck of cards has its own special meaning that is symbolic in Tarot card reading. It would depend on which deck you choose to use for a reading as to the specific meanings because the cards and the symbolisms can slightly vary in their meaning from the different decks of cards that are available.

One of the most popular decks among Tarot card readers is the Rider-Waite. Perhaps the reason this deck has become so popular, is that it is so easy to understand. The designs that were created for this deck, was first created in 1910, were drawn by Pamela Coleman Smith, and the deck is named after famous occult scholar, Dr. Arthur Edward Waite. This increasingly popular deck is used mainly in the Western world. Even though some of the European countries have been known to try their hand at being able to read Tarot cards, the Westerners are still the ones who are most familiar with them.

Each deck holds 78 cards that are divided in two parts. One being called the Major Arcana, and is made of 22 carats, and the second part being called the Minor Arcana, and is made of 56 cards, making four suits that can be compared to that of a regular deck of cards. The major events of our lives are symbolized by the Major Arcana. Everyday aspects of our lives are symbolized by the Minor Arcana.

Many individuals may not be aware that there are also a few other very popular Christian card games that are available. To name a couple of these are Amen, and one that is known by many as the greatest available in the world, is Redemption. Anyone that has a desire can learn to read Tarot cards. It isn't a requirement that you be a medium, or a psychic, or a clairvoyant to be able to read these cards. There is a large amount of all different styles of books that are available on Tarot card reading that offers you complete information on what each Tarot card and symbol stands for and means.

With the vast supply of information that is available online today, you are sure to be able to find a plethora of all types of information that is available on Tarot card reading and all other Christian card games, right at your fingertips.

Daniel Millions

 

Many people are curious about reading Tarot cards for their friends and family. Once you have a deck of Tarot cards, it is only natural to want to use them with others. After experiencing the insight that Tarot cards can give you, anyone would certainly understand that you would want to share this with the people in your life.

When reading for others, there are some things you'll want to keep in mind. The purpose of reading for other people is to share your love of the Tarot cards and to offer them some insights, just as you have received them by reading the Tarot cards for yourself. Keeping these tips in mind will help make reading for others in your life go smoothly and make reading fun.

Begin reading for other people you are comfortable around. This may sound like a very logical thing to do, however there are some that will actually do a Tarot reading when someone says to them, "Oh, Tarot? That's nonsense....well; let's see what you can do!" This is not the best atmosphere for even a professional Tarot reader to read under, let alone a beginning Tarot reader. Make your first readings for others are ones for family, friends and people who are genuinely interested in the Tarot. Trust your judgment that these be people who are kind and supportive types.

Let the person begin the Tarot reading by proposing a question. Your Tarot reading begins always with the querent giving a question they would like the reading to focus on. Let the person you are reading come up with the question. Sometimes when we read our family and friends, this means that they want to look into some life issue that may seem tiresome to us but is very close to this person's heart.

When reading for others it is important to respect people's feelings. Every question should be treated with respect. Most Tarot questions work best if they are simply phrased and to-the-point. The Tarot question is ideal when it focuses on one issue. When the querent wants to ask about an additional issue, suggest you do a second Tarot reading for that question.

Give the Tarot cards to the person to shuffle. This puts the querent's energy into the Tarot cards. When you are reading Tarot, this is a very common practice to have the person asking the question shuffle the cards for awhile. It is also fun and makes them feel like a part of the reading. Try not to criticize the way they shuffle your Tarot cards unless they are doing something that might damage your Tarot cards. Many people are not used to handling Tarot cards; suggest they shuffle them, just as they would playing cards.

Trust your intuition to guide the Tarot reading. The Tarot is full of symbolism and other information that will give you a reading for any question that you ask. Trust your own intuition when looking at the cards. You may feel inspired to say something different even though a card's interpretation according to the book means something a little different. This is quite common with Tarot readers and simply means you are connecting with the Tarot cards in your own personal way. Everyone has their own personal way of reading Tarot and as you read for others, you'll discover yours.

Don't make predictions about death, medical or legal issues. Most professional Tarot card readers will not touch these issues with a ten-foot pole. It is advisable that you not do Tarot readings for these issues either. When someone asks you to look into why they get headaches, encourage them to see a medical professional.

People may ask you other questions that make you uncomfortable you don't have to try to answer them. Simply say politely, "I don't think I can answer that one." Don't say you can't get the answer "right now" or they'll try to get you to read the issue later on. When you speak to them, be kind, friendly and polite. Do not let them "box" you into doing a reading that makes you uncomfortable in any way.

Try not to take criticisms or comments about your Tarot readings too much to heart. Some people may criticize your Tarot readings and this can hurt your feelings. Other people may praise you nearly to the heavens, making you out to be some amazing oracle type of person. Don't let this inflate your ego either. Focus instead on your love of the Tarot cards and continue reading them for pure enjoyment.

The person who loves Tarot most often runs into both of these types of people during their reading experiences. You don't want to let either of them ruin your experience with Tarot cards. When reading Tarot cards, be kind and respectful of others and even if your readings are not perfect they will be the best you can do.

Reading the Tarot for others can be fun, entertaining and quite enjoyable. Having respect for other people and also the Tarot is critical. Once you become skilled at this, it is also a great way to earn additional income.

By: Daniel Millions

When you have just started using the Tarot, you may wonder: what is the best tarot deck for me? This is a very personal question, as there are lots of different types of Tarot decks available. You merely have to think of something that you like, and there is a tarot deck ready for you to use!

What type of tarot decks exist? Well, there is Tarot de Paris, a Paris, France inspired tarot deck. There is also Tarot of the Cat People, a beautiful deck that will appeal to those that love cats. Just about any hobby or interest you might have: you can probably find a tarot deck that supports it. Consider for a moment the Tarot of Oz, a tarot deck inspired by the Wizard of Oz. There are tarot decks with fairies, mermaids, dragons, angels, goddesses and all sorts of unique creatures ready to inspire you.

The ideal deck is the one which speaks to you. If you are new to tarot, this may sound like an odd statement. However, actually getting to know a tarot deck is a quite personal shopping experience. You'll want to have a chance to look at the different cards online or in a store. Many stores now have a flip-through catalog that will show you the entire deck. Go with a relaxed and positive attitude and see which tarot decks leap out at you.

You'll soon see that different tarot decks will call to you for more attention when you start to look at them. Some of them may look very attractive and while others may seem attractive, they also may just seem like not your deck.

When some select a tarot deck they say that they feel the mood of the deck. Just like different people have different personalities, so do different decks. Many tarot decks will inspire you to feel a different way. Some tarot decks may feel mystical and others may seem quite light-hearted. Go with the deck that you feel best suits your reading style.

Another factor to consider is that you may want more than one deck many tarot enthusiasts easily have more than five tarot decks to their name. They switch between tarot decks depending on what inspires them the most. It also can be very nice to give your reader the option to choose the deck that they like you to read from if you are giving someone else a reading. Just as you have a personal taste for tarot cards, so will someone coming to you for a tarot reading. Some that read tarot cards may even wind up working from two decks at one time, easily mingling the cards as they read from them and letting the symbols and imagery speak to them as they are meant to.

Do not worry too much about finding the right deck; many believe that the tarot deck will in some ways find you. Choose a store or tarot location that offers you some choice in different tarot decks and allow for some extra time while you are shopping. And don't be surprised if you wind up choosing two or even more decks during your little tarot excursion! You're not the only one to do so!

By: Daniel Millions

Tarot cards are used usually for divination and have been associated with the occult for many years. The tarot cards are used in tarot readings, which are then used to gain insight into the future or the current situations of the person asking for the tarot reading. Tarot cards are also used to tap into the person's subconscious and let them see certain things about their lives.

Each card that is in the tarot pack has symbolic meanings that have been changed and have evolved as time has passed. Some tarot cards are themed or even custom made, which are used for even more specific symbolism to the people using those tarot cards.

When the tarot cards are used in a reading, the deck of cards are shuffled by the person who has asked for the reading, or by an independent person who is not in any way involved in the reading. The cards are laid out in a specific manner and the way in which they are spread can be a variety of ways. These are often referred to as the "spreads". The spreads are then read by the person performing the tarot reading.

The interpretation may be based on the subject's desires, thoughts and wishes for the past, the present and the future. Some of the things they are told may be from their subconscious rather than things they already know about.

The spreads that are used vary depending on the tarot cards and the person conducting the reading. Here are some common tarot card spreads used for divination purposes.

Celtic cross: This is the spread that is used most commonly throughout tarot readings. There are ten cards that are used altogether and six of them are arranged in the shape of a cross, four other cards are then placed on a vertical line beside the cross of cards. Another card is then placed in the middle of the ten card formation.

Horse shoe: Seven tarot cards are used in this particular spread. They are placed in a semi circle shape or in the shape of a "V".

3 Card spread: This is a simpler spread with three cards being place next to each other. The first card is used to show the past, the second for the present and the third for the future.

Astrological spread: This spread uses twelve tarot cards that are placed in a circle shape. Another card is placed in the middle of those twelve cards.

1 Card spread: Some tarot readers use only one card for a spread, but this is uncommon.

Tetractys: In this spread there are ten cards that are neatly placed in a pyramid consisting of 4 rows. There are lots of other spreads that are used by different tarot readers, the above spreads are just a very small selection of the spreads used.

The designs of the cards differ greatly also; where they originated from or who they were created by will determine what type of design the tarot cards have. The most well known tarot card design is that of the Tarot de Marseilles. This became the standardized design for a lot of tarot cards and many are still in production now.

Tarot cards are fascinating, both historically and psychologically. Whether you believe in the power of tarot readers and the cards they use doesn't matter they fascinate many of us and will continue to do so forever

By: Daniel Millions

 

 

If you have never had a tarot reading before, you will find that an accurate tarot reading can be amazing and interesting. With an open mind, you can discover why so many people through the ages have found comfort and wisdom in the tarot card interpretations.

Preparing For A Reading

Some tarot readers will prepare for a reading before actually meeting with you. The tarot reader may perform some type of ritual or meditation before the reading to remove any distracting energies or thoughts that could interfere with the reading. It is up to the tarot reader's own personal feelings about their work when it concerns how they prepare for a tarot card reading, handle their deck or interpret the cards.

Which Tarot Deck To Read

Tarot readers will use the tarot deck of their choice. A tarot reader can choose to work any one or more of the numerous tarot decks available today. Many tarot card readers use more than one deck. Other tarot card readers will rely on just one tarot deck. A tarot psychic may use more than one deck during a reading but usually only one deck per card spread. Some tarot psychics use a computer tarot program to produce their readings.

The Card Interpretation Depends On The Tarot Reader

In order to serve you well, it is important that the tarot reader have a personal interpretation for each card of the deck. In this way, the tarot reader is more fluent with the cards when they appear in the card spread. The tarot reader is able recall these interpretations and traditional card interpretations rather quickly and is able to form insight into a situation through the cards.

Questions For The Cards

Questions can be asked that are specific or general. A specific question could ask what the questioner can do to improve their job situation while a more general question would ask about the status of the questioner's health, mind and spirit in relation to their job. Your question can concern any area of your life as long as you are comfortable talking about it and the tarot card reader is comfortable discussing it with you.

Match The Question With A Card Spread

There are different card spreads to match different portions of the question. Card spreads can be customized so that card positions represent specific aspects of the situation. Many tarot readers will have a variety of card spreads, which they can use to help you. There are also traditional and favorite card spreads, such as the 3 Fates or the Celtic Cross.

There are more complex card spreads involving many cards such as the 24 card Astrology Spread that gives insight into the 12 main areas of your life. There are hundreds of card spreads involving from one card to dozens of cards.

Your tarot card reader will interpret the cards in their position of the card spread. The reader will develop an overview of your situation based on the combination of cards that appear in the spread. It takes practice and study for a tarot card reader to be able to perform this service in an expedient way.

Making A Connection

When you work with a tarot card reader, it has to work for you and the psychic. When you and the tarot card reader can make a connection, then the flow of information is possible. A good tarot card reader truly wants to help you in a compassionate way.

Tarot cards are fun, entertaining and are great for helping us to find direction to solve our problems. If you want to learn how to read tarot cards, the first thing you need to do is to buy a deck. Sometimes, a used deck is good, but only if it has come from an advanced reader or from someone that you know and trust. Most people will tend to go out and buy a brand new deck, however.

When you are searching for your deck, take a close look at the cards and the illustrations on them. Quite often, a deck will magically "speak" to you, signifying that it is the deck for you. The only two other things you are going to need are a notebook for writing down questions and reading results, and a nice, handy pencil or pen.

To get started, clear out a clean space inside your home free of clutter and distractions. Have a radio by your side to play soft music in order to enhance readings and concentration. You do not always have to listen to music; however, some people prefer to perform their readings in complete silence that is fine. Just choose whatever works for you and your concentration level the best. In order to enhance concentration even more, try lighting a candle or two near you while you are doing your readings.

Here is the order of steps in which to follow once you have gotten your deck out and ready to use:

1) Once you have taken your deck out of the box, separate the Minor Arcana cards from the Major Arcana cards.

2) Some people may choose to flip one portion of the deck upside down while leaving the other right side up, although, this is optional.

3) Shuffle your deck thoroughly at least 5 times. This will allow you to touch every single card at least once and spread your energies over the cards.

4) Once you have asked your question, you may want to try the simple spread. This consists of 4 cards in a diamond shape, it is usually best for beginners, and still provides accurate answers.

5) If you are letting someone else ask the question, you may want to let them cut the deck and choose the cards, although this is also optional.

6) The Minor Arcana cards will suggest the strongest messages while the Major Arcana may seemingly represent background influences.

7) If you choose to turn some of the deck upside down, it can change the meanings. For example, say that the "soul mates" card has been chosen and it is turned upside down, this might possibly mean that your soul mate is being blocked off by some other influence.

8) Go with the flow during your readings, if a card pops up that does not make sense; try to imagine what it might possibly mean. Most of the time, your initial instinct is the right one.

Now that you know how to perform a tarot card reading, make sure that you store your deck away in a safe place after readings. You may use a soft cloth to wrap the cards up in, making sure that they do not pick up any negative energy. Keep them hidden if you live with other people, if someone else touches them that you do not allow to, they could potentially affect them and bring different energies to them. This is not good because it could affect your readings in a bad way. All together, learning to read tarot cards is easy and fun. Anyone can learn how to read tarot cards if they are willing to learn. Good luck!

By: Keith Ward

As a tarot card reader, part of your job is to read a person’s cards in a manner that inspires trust and satisfaction in your client. You must read your client’s combination of cards in a fashion that is true to the cards but realistic and positive at the same time.

With that in mind, there is no card that inspires more dread and misunderstanding in clients than Death. For people that are unfamiliar with Death, they will naturally assume the worst when they draw this card. After all, the grim, skeletal figure of this card naturally conjures up thoughts of death, suffering and our own mortality. Many clients will assume that either they, or someone they know is about to meet their maker, if they draw this ominous card!

In fact, the card Death has absolutely nothing to do with actual death. But it is your job to allay in your client their natural fears, and point out the true meaning of the card. Actually, interpreting the card Death and explaining its true relevance to a client, is something that I regard as a rite of passage for all new tarot card readers. It tests your ability to calmly connect with your client, meaningfully “unpack” the true meaning of the cards and inspire in them trust and understanding. If you cannot do this with success, then you might need to practice more before you take you divining skills to the world!

What does Death stand for?

As I said, the first thing you need to explain to your client is that drawing the card death should not be taken literally. It does not stand for physical death at all, despite its frightening natural implications. It is, however, a very powerful card with serious connotations.

The best way to introduce the card Death is to ask your client “What does death stand for?” The first thing your client is likely to say is actual physical death, dying and absence. After they have made the obvious literal connections, ask them to offer non-literal meanings. No doubt they will start to think more creatively by giving more abstract meanings, like “the end of something”, “the finishing of a journey”, “ending one chapter of your life, and embarking on another”. Indeed these secondary understanding of the card Death are more accurate. After all, Death is merely a symbolic card that represents the end of one thing, and the beginning of something new and unknown.

So, in a sense, Death certainly does imply that something in your client’s life is dying or coming to an end, but with that death there will come rebirth and new life.

Interpreting Death for your client

The card Death is a very important card because it foreshadows that your client is about to experience a significant change in their life. It is a card the signals the end of one stage in your client’s life, and the beginning of an entirely new phase. This process of ending and beginning should not be a frightening thing at all, but rather an opportunity for your client to overhaul their life.

Like when we experience a death in real life, your client should expect to feel a mixture of emotions when they end this era. Like when we say goodbye to a loved one, your client may not want to let go of the phase that is ending. They may feel unprepared, sad and want to cling to a particular situation despite the fact that it is naturally dying.
Explain to you client that when the experience the end of this era, they may feel all the emotions that accompany grief, like disbelief, anger and finally acceptance. This is all normal, and is part of the process.

Encourage your client to reflect on their past, understanding that each phase in our life has a “mortality” of its own. As with our physical existences, we cannot always control our destiny. Drawing the card Death means you client should be ready for major change, but it is your job as their reader to encourage them to embrace change philosophically, as we accept physical death philosophically.

Last points

Explaining the card Death to a client is a challenge but it is an important step in becoming a competent, inspiring reader. As a general point to people who want to start reading cards, there is no greater piece of advice than to first teach yourself how to be an effective communicator. The card Death shows us that no matter how intuitive we are, no reader is worth their salt if they cannot communicate effectively. After all, your clients are relying on you and expect a faithful but positive explanation of their cards. You need to allay their fears when they draw Death, reminding them it is only symbolic not literal.

By: Cucan Pemo

In a world increasingly jaded by technology and progress, it’s easy to scoff at people who blindly entrust their lives to a deck of cards. We tell ourselves, we are rational, clear-headed people, so how can randomly shuffled cards spread on the table possibly answer all our life’s questions.

Tarot cards have had a crucial and inseparable influence in mysticism and the occult. They first arrived sometime in fifteenth century Italy, but it was not until late 17th or 18th century that tarot cards began to be used in divination. The tarot cards that we know today have gone through a long and evolution, from the pictures, symbolisms, procedures, purposes, and meanings. It is interesting to note that tarot cards were originally used in a game, with 21 trump cards, four queens, and a fool added to a normal deck, which totals to 78 cards in all. But it is unclear exactly how tarot branched out from a simple mind-diverting game into the fragile business of looking back into past lives, foretelling the future, and answering questions.

Archetypes

The highly-respected psychologist Carl Jung has always considered tarot as an alternative psychotherapy. For him, the rich imagery inherent in every tarot card represents archetypes of human personality and situations. Archetypes are basic models or prototypes of people that embody a defined set of characteristics. The Emperor card, for instance, can be thought of as representing the patriarch or the father figure.

Over the years, we piece together various archetypes according to our needs. These archetypes are embedded in our unconscious and thus they can affect our actions and thoughts without our knowing. Consequently, our choices of tarot cards when we pick them out from that “innocent” deck reveal our feelings, attitudes, and even fears towards such figures in our lives. For instance, we may not know it, but we have always shied from responsibilities and commitment in lives whenever there is a father figure looming in the background, etc.

Tarot cards offer an alternative language system through which we can access our Unconscious. Therefore, we do not just randomly pick tarot cards, or blindly entrust our lives to them. Every moment of our lives, we lay ourselves bare with the choices we make, even for something as papery as tarot cards.

The Missing Tarot in The Skeptic’s World

Tarot readings then should not be dismissed as just some pretend psychic business exploiting a person’s gullibility. The art of tarot cards is subtle, delicate, yet powerful. It is energised by centuries of symbolism and meaning created, expounded, and developed by people who dared to see beyond. For them, the Arcane that lies on the fringes of human experience holds the secrets we need to survive.

Before we question the legitimacy of tarot cards, we should first look into the person who wants to inquire about himself/herself. Will they see to believe, or believe to see?

By: Neo Marcos

The dream world full of symbols and imagery has long been a place of mysterious revelations. Many people use Tarot cards to decipher the meanings of their dreams. It is a very basic technique that can enlighten us and provide insight into this mystical realm of our psyche.

Dreams form the foundation of our conscious minds. Dreams depict the subconscious symbolic and pre-symbolic imagery that defines who we are as human beings. Dreams, in essence, are formed from the very essence of who we are. That is to say the subconscious defines our personalities like the silhouette of a peach defines a peach.

Keeping a dream journal can be an invaluable step in understanding your dreams. Although we dream every time we go to bed we often times forget what we dream about. Writing these dreams down while they are fresh in our minds keeps the imagery from slipping back into our subconscious minds and is essential in order to convert your dream images into Tarot images.

Some suggest using a hardbound notebook or journal to keep your dreams stored in. Others feel using a loose-leaf binder with pockets is a better medium to keep your dreams stored in. Many go as far to keep a personal digital tape recorder to record their dreams on so that if they recall a dream during the day they can easily record them onto the voice recorder. Whatever method you choose is entirely up to you and your personal preference.

When writing your journal try separating your dreams in to parts or sections. These sections should outline the imagery found in your dreams. Be sure to note any unusual environmental factors as well as these may hold keys to the overall meaning of your dream.

The Tarot cards come complete with a predefined corollary to decipher their encrypted meanings but dreams do not. So, in order to decipher your dreams using Tarot cards you must first separate your dream into parts. These parts consisting of dream imagery can then be transposed into Tarot imagery that can be deciphered.

The Final step in interpreting your dreams using Tarot cards is to correlate our separated dream images to corresponding Tarot cards. So, after identifying all the dream imagery and isolating them into parts select the corresponding Tarot cards whose imagery seems to correlate with the overall images in your dream. Then you can form an interpretation form these cards as to what your dream really means to you.

Dreams hold a vast untapped potential to help us decipher what is really going on in our subconscious mind. Utilizing divinatory aids to uncover the true meaning of dreams provides a means to trigger memories and decipher imagery stored in our sleeping state. Utilizing these methods can benefit us by enabling us to see into the realm of subconscious thought we are not privy to in our waking state.

Harnessing the power of our dreams to empower us in our lives can be a rewarding experience. It is fortunate that Tarot cards provide a mystic key to these deepest of inner thoughts. As it is frustrating to have the answers to your deepest questions at your fingertips but have no means to derive relevant meaning from them.

By: Frederick Gimino

People have long been fascinated by Tarot Cards. Ridiculed by many and revered by others, the idea of being able to predict an individual's future by reading the symbols on cards continues to generate interest because of the mysticism that surrounds them.

This article is aimed at someone who has an interest in the subject but has very little knowledge. The aim is to help you to understand more about what happens when you visit a fortune teller. The article intends to explain the different kinds of card decks that might be used and some of the more common methods of arranging the tarot cards.

Choosing the Cards:

The purpose of Tarot Card reading is to gain a foresight in to a person's future by using the tarot cards as a tool to tap into a spiritual energy. This process is known as divination. If you decide to visit a fortune teller they will be using one of three sets of tarot cards.

The most common set of cards is the Rider-Waith deck. These are recognizable by the simple but highly symbolic drawings on the face of the cards. Based up on early versions of the tarot card, the use of color can determine the outcome of a card reader's predictions. A fortune teller may also use the Book of Thoth or the Mythic Tarot decks. The Thoth deck is influenced by the signs of the zodiac and astrology, the imagery used in the Mythic deck is heavily influenced by Greek mythology.

Card Arrangements:

When you visit a fortune teller, they will firstly shuffle the cards and then lay them down in front of you in a specific format. There are a number of ways in which this can be done. Below are just a few of the more common methods of card reading that you might come across. For each of these arrangements an initial card will be dealt to indicate what the question being asked is. This is often referred to as the significator.

One common arrangement is called the Horse-shoe method. The fortune-teller will lay out seven cards in a half-circle and then turns them over left to right. The imagery on the cards provides answers to important questions on a person's history and their future life as well as issues of conscience.

The Tetractys approach lays the cards out in four rows in the shape of a pyramid. Each row signifies one principle element (Fire, Water, Air and Earth). The card at the top of the pyramid is the significator and this in turn relates to each of the other cards in a specific and distinct way.

Perhaps the most common arrangement is the Celtic Cross. The card reader will place six cards face down in the shape of a cross next to four more placed vertically. Another card is placed down over the cross to signify an important issue or event that the person must address in their life. The central card in the cross is the significator and the next one along will indicate conditions that relate to the key question.

Hopefully this article has been of use to you. Should you decide to visit a tarot card reader you now have the knowledge to understand what type of cards they are using and the method that they use to interpret the cards.

By: Daniel Million

Tarot cards have existed for hundreds of years, and they are used to predict the future, or changes, in someone's life. For beginners, learning the meanings of individual cards and how to read them can seem like a daunting task, but if one attempts to understand how tarot cards work at a slow pace, it really is not as difficult as it first appears.

Each tarot card has a deep and profound meaning, and every one is a study unto itself. That does not mean you have to spend hours tediously studying all of the cards, but you should try to learn a little bit about each one at a gradual pace. If you want to learn how to read tarot cards, there are three factors that you must understand. Of course, the first is familiarizing yourself with the variety of meanings behind each card.

No card has a single meaning; they can be interpreted in several ways, which leaves a lot of room open for personal elucidation. The individual definitions of cards are lengthy and constantly being expanded upon. Make sure that the source you use is reputable, as many writers exaggerate or leave out facts, and it would only serve to confuse you if you first read from a false source and later found out it was incorrect.

While the cards themselves are important, the way in which they are laid out also plays a big role in how they are interpreted. The format of a layout of tarot cards is referred to as a spread, and a multitude of spreads are available for one to choose from. Depending on what spread is used, a certain level of influence is attributed to it. Some spreads are better for certain situations, so the more spreads you know, the more effective and meaningful your readings will be. Novices can utilize the collection of simple, easy to use spreads, but as you become more advanced, you may want to consider adding new types of spreads to your repertoire.

The final piece of the puzzle in reading is acknowledging the importance of your role in the activity. Putting down cards in a spread is not enough; after all, it is through you which the interpretation is channeled through. Keeping an open state of mind and allowing your thoughts to flow freely increases the depth of your readings and makes them more powerful. If you are not receptive or unbelieving in the process, the reading will be inhibited, even if the cards and spread are laid out perfectly.

That is not to say that this is the most important factor, as the synergy of all three parts is what results in a fantastic reading. However, you must learn to focus and be highly aware of how your role affects the interpretation. Whether you are doing a reading for fun or performing one in a serious manner, this step cannot be ignored or skipped over.

Keep in mind that it takes a fair amount of practice to become proficient at tarot card reading. Nobody is fully proficient at something their first time around. Take time to ingest information and literature about the nature of tarot cards, and practice enacting readings frequently. If you do that, it won't be long before you are a master tarot card reader.

By: Daniel Millions

If you have visited a fortune teller recently or you plan to visit one in the near future then it is a good idea to read up on what the cards that are used actually mean. At first glance they can appear confusing and unclear. In these circumstances you are simply left at the behest of the card reader and you have to trust their judgment. Fortunately reading the cards requires just a little knowledge. This article will look at some of the cards that you are likely to find in a tarot card reading and so hopefully next time you visit a fortune teller you are able to understand a little bit more about the cards.

A tarot card reading typically revolves around a spread of cards. There are many different types of spreads used by the card reader, but this is beyond the scope of this article. The most common spread used today is the Horse Shoe spread, named as such because the seven cards are laid out on the table in the shape of a horse shoe. This arrangement is said to increase the reader's concentration.

The basic spread for a tarot card reading will consist of the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Arcana is a word derived from the Latin phrase arcanum which basically means a profound secret.

In a typical deck you will find 78 tarot cards, of which 22 are a part of the Major Arcana. These are the most important cards for the reading. It is said that these cards encompass the essence of human life and as such the cards reflect this. This can be seen in cards that represent Justice and Strength and is also more implicit in the character cards such as the Magician who conveys will power and intellect.

These cards are crucial during the reading as they are indicative of the major events within a person's life and the emotions and motives that are attached to them.

In contrast the second set of cards known as the Minor Arcana are used to interpret the practical issues within a person's life. The cards are used to answer the questions related to the mundane issues that comprise the day to day problems. The Minor Arcana comprises of 56 cards divided into 4 suites. These suites are called Wands, Cups, Pentacles and Swords.

Wands represent passionate emotions and physical movement and the imagery on these cards is focused on the flow of energy. The Cup cards are symbolic of the spiritualism within the person. This is focused on the inner self and the emotions and feelings that are retained internally. The Pentacles seek to explain the rational and practical elements of the person's life. Typically this will center on the mundane issues that are important here. Finally, the Sword cards help to interpret the person's psychology. Crucially these cards offer insight into the intellect and reason behind the decisions.

These cards are organized in the same way as a standard pack of playing cards with the Ace to Ten cards and the four Court cards. Each of these cards help the card reader to interpret how each emotion impacts on the questions asked. The Ace card is primary and is used to define the general theme. The middle cards are used to explore the issues, whilst the ten cards are used to conclude the question.

Finally, the court cards such as the King and Queen are used to provide an explanation of the various outcomes. These are used to demonstrate what the most appropriate course of action might be.

By Daniel Millions

 

A deck of tarot cards is divided into two main groups: the major arcana and the minor arcana. The major arcana usually number around 22 cards in a deck of 78 cards or more. The number of cards in either the major or minor arcana will depend on which deck is being used.

The major arcana are presented with an archetypal figure on the card. Some of the entities that may be seen on the court cards include the devil, magician, hanged man, justice, high priestess, the world and the fool. Each of these archetypes offer their own nuance to a tarot card reading. Some of their meanings are obvious while other meanings are more obscure and must be personally interpreted by the tarot card reader.

Many tarot card readers consider the major arcana cards to represent fated events from which a person may not escape. The person is meant to live through and learn from the events which are indicated by the appearance of any major arcana cards in a tarot card spread. Some tarot card readings are done with only the major arcana cards for this purpose.

As for the minor arcana, there are about 56 cards in that portion, depending on the deck. These cards are divided into suits, in the same way that regular decks are divided into hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds. The minor arcana suits are the wand, cups, swords and coins with 14 cards in each suit.

Like a regular deck, there are court cards with a king, queen, knight and page. The rest of the cards are numbered from one to ten and may represent figures, scenes or depictions of their suit. On any of the minor or major arcana cards, there may be a collection of arcane symbols on a single card.

For tarot reading purposes, the minor arcana cards are meant to represent events, which can be changed. Each suit has its own meaning as well. Wands represent work and new beginnings. Cups represent love and friendship. Swords represent the intellect and strife. Coins represent money and financial achievement. For divination purposes, the suits provide an excellent start for answering questions. Each of the 14 cards in the suits have individual meanings.

When someone gets their own tarot cards, it is recommended that the person go through the cards one by one to determine their personal interpretation of the cards before consulting the guide that comes with the cards. This task helps the deck owner develop a working knowledge of the different cards in their tarot deck.

A person will have to decide whether they want to use reversed cards in their readings. If reversals are used, this means that when a card shows up in a card spread upside down, it may reverse or strengthen the card meaning. A reversal may take the meaning in an entirely different direction. Many readers will not use reversals because it is easier to not do so.

Tarot cards have enough diversity in their numerous meanings to offer a wide range of variables in a tarot card reading. When used for divination, the tarot cards offer an opportunity for great insight into people and events. As an occult tool, tarot cards are among the best known and most used method for divination.

By: Daniel Millions

Tarot come and go into and out of fashion. Despite being at least over 500 years old, if the tarot cards, as we know the deck, are an Italian 14th century invention, tarot cards are popular again. We might live in an age of immediate access to digital knowledge yet still, people question what the future holds for them. Since there isn't a machine that can time travel yet, people continue to resort to the age old art of divination for answers to their questions about past, present and future events.

Historically, only the most wealthy patrons could commission an artist to create a deck of tarot cards. The artists wold painstakingly draw and paint the images onto the card surfaces Some of the designs are very intricate and ornate.

Artists continue to create tarot cards today. Nowadays, if you want to purchase a deck of tarot cards, you could find hundreds of different tarot decks available around the world. There are tarot decks based on actual historic tarot decks from different periods and countries. A buyer can find tarot decks to suit his or her budget, aesthetic taste, beliefs and values.

There are many types of artwork available on the different decks of tarot cards such as painted, drawn and computer generated. There are handmade, hand painted and printed. The tarot deck has evolved as artists have added their own touches that can have different meanings from other artists decks of cards. These artist's touches can give different meanings to that particular deck that are different from other tarot card decks.

Many artists have drawn a deck of tarot decks with different themes. Angels, animals, avatars, the cosmos, Egypt, Voodoo and writers are just some of the themes that artists use for tarot decks. It is possible to collect tarot cards of one theme and still have different decks to use. Writers for the tarot card deck have introduced the idea of having only one word imprinted on each card instead of the traditional pictures that are interpreted for their meaning.

Although, fortune telling and divination are the more well known uses for tarot cards, tarot cards have many purposes. People buy tarot cards for their effect as an interpretive tool for life events. A person may randomly choose one card for the day and meditate upon its meaning for that day. Te tarot card deck has developed developed into a popular tool for visualizing ideas and events. Apart from their self help and divination purposes, people also just collect tarot cards for the diversity of the artwork.

For using tarot card reading on a personal level, many people decide on the Rider-Waite deck of tarot cards as their first deck. As a traditional first choice, the Rider-Waite deck is supported by much literature for meaning, use and a variety of card spreads. The artwork is simple, compelling and it is easy to develop an intuitive meaning for each of the cards.

All tarot decks come with an card interpretation guide and instructions. This means that it is not necessary to start a tarot card collection with the Rider-Waite tarot cards. More popular tarot card decks will have more literature than others. The value of a tarot card deck is higher if the deck still has its instruction book and box.

By: Daniel Millions