WHAT IS TAROT?

The Tarot is a book on life, symbolised by a series of pictures. Each picture depicts a different aspect, which is totally understood by the subconscious mind.

Our mind thinks in symbols. Symbols are universal. An apple, for instance, is not pictured differently in any person's mind who knows what an apple looks like, although it might be called many different names in different languages. Language is not a barrier with The Tarot. People who cannot speak the same language but have intimate knowledge of The Tarot could converse, using Tarot.

This is why Tarot was first invented about the year 1200 A.D. A group of wise men from different continents, speaking different languages, apparently met regularly in the city of Fez, in Morocco. They devised The Tarot to converse in the knowledge, wisdom's and understandings of their philosophies.

THE TAROT DECK contains 78 Cards

This is made up of 22 Cards called the Major Arcana and 56 Cards called the Minor Arcana

The 22 Major Arcana are all Named (and numbered with Roman Numerals). They correspond to the twenty two letters of the Hebrew Alphabet.

Astrology also forms the basis of The Tarot. These 22 Major Arcana represent the 10 planets, being, the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Also the 12 Signs of the Zodiac, being, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

There are four suits to the Tarot Cards. These are the wands, cups, swords and pentacles. Each suit has a Knight, King, Queen, Page, Ace and cards numbered 2 through to 10.
The four suits, as well as corresponding to the four worlds, planes or classifications that exist in all ancient wisdom's, also relate to the four elements of creation and of Astrology being fire, water, air and earth.

The Wands correspond with the Fire Signs of Astrology. The Fire Signs are associated with action, the will to do things and so are the Wands. The Fire Signs of the Zodiac are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.

The Cups correspond with the Water Signs of Astrology. The Water Signs are associated with sensitivity, feelings and emotions and so are the Cups. The Water Signs of the Zodiac are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

The Swords correspond with the Air Signs of Astrology. The Air Signs are associated with communication, intellect, understanding and so are the Swords. The Air Signs of the Zodiac are Libra, Aquarius and Gemini.

The Pentacles correspond with the Earth Signs of Astrology. The Earth Signs are associated with those things which are tangible, practical and down to earth and so are the Pentacles. The Pentacles also represent money. The Earth Signs of the Zodiac are Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo.

Tarot were the first cards invented. All playing cards are a spin off from Tarot, particularly the Minor Arcana. There are 4 suits in playing cards. These correspond to the 4 suits of the Tarot. Clubs = the Wands; Hearts = the Cups; Diamonds = the Swords; Spades = the Pentacles.

Each Tarot Card is a picture that represents certain principles or conditions in life. With a consultation, the Tarot Cards are laid out in a particular pattern. The combinations they form, tell a story. This can be the past, present or future. It can show the response or outcome of a particular question or query a person has about their life or simply their present circumstances and their future development. It can show the choices a person has available to them and the outcome of certain decisions.

The Tarot can be grossly misinterpreted by a person who does not understand the complete depth of the symbolism of each card. Many people read the Tarot without even knowing of the connection to Astrology. If they do not know this, they certainly have a very limited knowledge of the true meaning of the Tarot and as such, their interpretation of what is showing in the combination is limited as well.

The most amazing thing is the way the Tarot will fall in certain combinations that are clearly associated with the particular person in question. It is very fascinating. The Tarot will never be wrong. What can be wrong is how the combination is interpreted by the reader of the Tarot.

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