What is Tarot?

Tarot, by definition, is a set of 78 cards commonly known as arcana (arcana = mystery, secret). It is divided into two groups: the 22 Major Arcana and the 56 Minor Arcana.

The Major Arcana are 22 archetypal images of society and medieval figures such as: The Emperor, The Pope, and The Wheel of Fortune. They symbolize ideas, forces, and the great possibilities’ life offers.

The Minor Arcana complements the Major Arcana. Its 56 cards are arranged into four well-known suits or kingdoms: Coins, Swords, Cups, and Wands.

Each of the four suits has ten numbered arcanas and four court arcanas with medieval figures. They are known as Page (or Princess), Knight (or Prince), Queen, and King. A Tarot deck is only complete when sold and studied in its total number of cards.

Origins of Tarot 

Current studies show that the first decks have been created between 1410 and 1430 in northern Italy.

A Tarot deck has seventy-eight cards, the result twenty-one numbered images, the so-called carte da trionfi (triumph cards) or the Major Arcana, plus an unnumbered card (The Fool) and the fifty-six cards (fourteen of each suit), or the Minor Arcana.

There are no relevant documents about fortune-telling before the 18th century. It was believed at first to be a playful instrument that the nobles and lords of traditional houses in Europe used.

Over time, esoteric sects started using the cards, and gradually spread their doctrines from various reinterpretations of the medieval images. Thus, they paved the way for the divination studies and self-awareness that are still developing and improving today.

How does Tarot work? 

Tarot, like other known oracles, works based on the principle of randomness. This means that the choice of random cards in a deck reveals the answers.

Regardless of whether they are paper or virtual cards, the draw works the same way, serving to access the meanings of the unconscious.

It is far from solving any problem in a magical way, as many imagine, actually Tarot provides strategies to achieve goals. Also, in certain circumstances, it recognizes mistakes.

A Tarot reading provides objective forecasts and makes counseling an opportunity to pursue the best path of each question raised.

There are numerous reading methods, but the basic purpose of the oracle is to help elucidate a path, choices, and attitudes for those who seek it.