The Tarot is probably one of the most popularly used tools of divination in the world today. While not as simple as some other methods, like pendulums, the Tarot has drawn people into its magic for centuries.
What is a Tarot Card Reading?
Tarot Card Reading is the practice of reading tarot cards to glean insights into your life and find resolutions to obstacles you have faced, are facing, and will face in the future. Tarot Card Reading can also provide a lot of information about a person’s present life as well. When the person becomes fully aware of the present, he or she gains the potential to change his/her way of thinking and acting. The individual can make necessary changes through this technique, in his life in order to overcome the problems of the present as well as pre-empt roadblocks in the future. MY BODHI offers private spiritual tarot card reading sessions by a professional tarot card reader.
History of Tarot Cards
To this day, the origin of the Tarot remains a mystery. Many theories surround the origin of the Tarot deck and its 78 cards. Some assume an origin in ancient Egypt, others believe that the Gypsies developed the Tarot. European, ancient Greek, Arabic, Jewish and Indian mysteries have left their traces in the Tarot. Since the Renaissance there is the first historical evidence – in the 14th century the Tarot was mentioned in documents for the first time. At the end of the 19th century, British occultists discovered the game for themselves. Two different decks of cards subsequently prevailed: The so-called Rider Waite deck, which is still extremely popular today, and the so-called Toth deck, named after the Egyptian god of the alphabet and characterized by the inclusion of astrological symbols. The hippie movement of the 1960s did its bit to spread the Tarot. The esoteric and mystical aspects of card reading found great appeal among the “flower children”. Interest in the Tarot has been growing ever since, and new Tarot decks are being created.
What are tarot cards used for
Contrary to popular belief, the Tarot is not about predicting the future. Rather, the cards are intended to provide insight into one’s soul. The cards are supposed to bring the subconscious into consciousness. The goal is to better understand oneself and one’s environment – which can then serve as a guide for future actions. The questioner should already know before laying the tarot cards, to which question or for which area of his life he wants to have answers. Because: When interpreting the cards, there is a lot of room for interpretation. Depending on the Tarot deck, but also depending on the question, the meaning of a card can vary. Therefore, the explanations of the individual cards are to be understood only as interpretation possibilities and signposts.
How do Tarot cards work
The Tarot consists of 78 cards, in which ancient secret knowledge about life and love is hidden. The 78 cards of a Tarot set differ in their meaning fundamentally according to whether they belong to the Major Arcana or to the Minor Arcana; in principle, therefore, according to how mysterious they are. “Arcana” is in fact derived from the Latin word “arcanum”, which means “secret”.
- Major Arcana: These are the 22 “major” or important cards in the deck that announce profound changes. For example: The Sun, The Hanged Man or Death. Reveal such a card, and profound insights are revealed.
- Minor Arcana: The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards that reflect the four areas or elements: Wands = Fire), Swords (Air), Cups (Water) and Coins (Earth). These four elements are each assigned a number from 1 to 10. For example, you draw the five of coins or the ten of swords. The one in the tarot is – as in the card game – the ace. In addition, there are the so-called court cards for each element. Here, four each come into play: Jack, Knight, King and Queen. For example, you could reach for the Jack of Cups.
How to do a Tarot card reading for beginners
There are different levels of difficulty in card reading. Complex spreads such as the Celtic cross or the love oracle are more for advanced readers. For starters, the 3-card method is recommended, in which only three cards are revealed and interpreted. The 3-card method in 7 steps:
- Create a calm atmosphere. If you like, you can use incense sticks, scented candles and mood lighting to create the right ambience.
- Think about the question you want answered.
- Shuffle the cards: There is no prescribed method here. However, try not to damage the large cards when shuffling and concentrate on your question.
- Divide the cards into three piles and place them next to each other.
- Reveal the cards from left to right. The revealed images symbolize the pre-determined categories, such as past, present, and future.
- Before you immediately look up meanings (in the book that accompanies the tarot cards or online), you should first focus on the symbols and consider whether they mean something to you personally. You may be able to interpret what they mean without help. Also think about what all three cards together could symbolize.
- Write down your interpretations to see if you were right later. You may also find out in retrospect where you misinterpreted the cards, so you can learn over time.
