HISTORY OF TAROT

     I list only a small portion of a history I have found and an abbreviated meaning of the cards with some of the associations to other disciplines. There is so much more that I cannot include because of limited space This is for you to discover!

     HISTORY - Tarot has been around hundreds of years. Tarot Readings are believed to have originated in Egypt centuries ago. Although, some scholars state that they were invented by the Chinese, others say that the Gypsies brought them back from India. Other information said tarot has an ancient history with the Hebrews and the Kabala. Some information stated that they were originally used only by members of the church and thought to be a way to communicate with God. Other information states that the church disliked associations with the Tarot and caused great difficulty to those who continued to use them or use them in any connection to the church. Most scholars give a date of 1400's or 1500's as the earliest dates with Tarot in Europe, but my research found that there was a deck of Tarot dated 1390 AD stated to be located in an museum in Europe (Bibliotheque Nationale).

     There are thoughts that the basic Deck of Playing Cards is based on TAROT. As so they have      meanings shown as such:
     Wands-Clubs, Swords-Spades, Cups-Hearts, Pentacles-Diamonds.
     Through history, though, TAROT has been used as a way to divine the future and give insight into      life.

Typical Tarot Decks

DECKS - generally have 78 cards-some Decks more-some-less

     The 56 MINOR ARCANA-are divided into 4 Suits -Wands, Swords, Cups & Pentacles. Minor Arcana are made up of 16 Court Cards & the others are the aces through 10 in each suit. The minor Arcana are not as important as the majors, but they are still vital because they deal with our everyday life.

     The Court cards are People who have an impact on us and who we have an impact on. These cards are Kings, Queens, Knights and Pages. There are 4 per suit making a total of 16 per deck. These cards represent - Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, attorneys, supervisors at work, people at the gym &YMCA etc.

     Ace - 10. Give picture account of daily happenings.

     4 Elements correspond with the 4 suits (Air, Earth, Fire and Water)

     Swords-Element AIR-Thinking, Aggression, Power, Action (Difficulties are often theme)
     Pentacles-Element EARTH-Material, Practical Finances, Possessions, Investments, Jobs
     Wands-Element Fire-Creative Energy, Ambition, Enterprise, Competition, Courage
     Cups-Element Water-Love, Family, Friends, Giving & Receiving Love, Emotion

     The Zodiac signs often give attributes associated with the court cards and the suits. People may      behave in a certain manner, situations etc.

     Astrological signs attributed to Tarot
          1 Swords-Gemini, Libra, Aquarius (air)
          2 Pentacles-Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn (earth)
          3 Wands-Aries, Leo, Sagittarius (fire)
          4 Cups-Pieces, Cancer, Scorpio (water)

TAROT ALSO HAS CONNECTIONS WITH NUMEROLOGY
1=new beginning, creations, 2=balance, duality, 3=growth,
4=stability, 5=change, disruption of stability, 6=harmony
7=ending of a cycle, unfolding of a soul, 8=balance, success power
9=alignment, endings, 10=completion
(Court cards are NOT included in Numerology)

MAJOR ARCANA - 22 cards -SPIRITUAL TRUMP Readers may pay special attention when the Major Cards appear. The Sun, Moon and Lovers are examples of Major Trump.

      Psychological, psychic, philosophical, spiritual meanings - Show spiritual significance of lessons of life, major themes of a persons life - when they appear in a reading the reader will pay special attention to their position and meaning. When there are 8 or more Major Arcana cards in a reading, it is as if the Universe has Strong Powerful energies in the situation - showing things that may seem to be beyond control of the person asking for the reading.

     Major Cards Given Bad Wrap often times from the Media
          Death Card - James Bond Movie-Voodoo-seeming to mean James' Death Really Means           end of one situation, beginning of different or new way of life.
          Hanged Man - Does not mean you will be hanged. This is more a meaning surrendering or           sacrificing something, (But you must feel it thoroughly - don't try to ignore the sorrow).

REMEMBER YOU HAVE THE ULTIMATE CHOICE

     The reader sees things based on what you are thinking NOW. This shows the direction you are heading at this time. You can choose to go a different direction. The reader may offer notes of Caution or make suggestions. But it is UP to you to decide