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History and Reading of Tarot Cards
Lesson on Tarot Cards
Today during this learning experience, you will learn how to tell
your fortune with Tarot cards, what the Tarot cards mean and are, and the
history of the Tarot.
The History of the Tarot
The Tarot cards are basically an old Egyptian "book" which
survived and was passed on until today. The "book" or Tarot deck,
comprises of 78 cards, in five suits. 4 suits are called the Minor Arcana,
and one suit, comprising of 22 cards, is called the Major Arcana.
The suits in the Minor Arcana each have 14 cards, and the Major
Arcana has 22 cards, numbered one to twenty-one. The last card is
unnumbered. The unnumbered card ironically is the Fool. The 22 Major
Arcana are said to represent the principles of society, agriculture,
virtues, the wise, foolish, etc.
The different suits in the Minor Arcana are said to represent the
four classes in which the Egyptian society was divided: Kings and nobility
the sword, agriculture by the club, priesthood by the cup and commerce,
symbolised by the coin. The cards have a definite relation to the number
seven, because twice seven is the number of cards in each suit in the Minor
Arcana, and three times seven is the number of numbered cards in the Major
Arcana.
The Qabalah, is an ancient Jewish mystical system which expresses
the ten different concepts of creation called the sefiroth. A mystic, as
he gains experience, imagines himself going from sefiroth to sefiroth, and
the number of paths connecting the sefiroth is 22.
Another person seized the idea that each of the 22 Major Arcana
was related to a letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The Hebrew alphabet has 22
letters. He succeeded in making this into a Tarot deck, also incorporating
the 22 paths of the sefiroth.
Today's Tarot deck has not only changed in physical design, but
by how the cards are interpreted. The cards most used for divination are
the Major Arcana. These cards 22 cards are:
I Magician Man in search of knowledge, the answer
he seeks.
II Woman Pope Intuition, inspiration, the
subconscious memory, lack of foresight
III Empress Human understanding, femininity,
sensuality, beauty, happiness
IV Emperor Masculinity, independence, creativity,
action
V Pope Advice, justice, healing
VI Lovers Choice, decision
VII Chariot Achievement, success, danger of defeat
VIII Justice Caution in taking advice, control of
one's fate
IX Hermit Time, wisdom, withdrawal
X Wheel of Fortune Change, prudence, the eternal rebirth
XI Fortitude Strength of purpose, coming danger
XII Hanged Man Adaptability, desire to learn, violent
change and sacrifice
XIII Death Change by transformation, rebirth
XIV Temperance Moderation, mercy, modification
XV Devil The adversary, caution
XVI The Tower Punishment, pride, divine inspiration
XVII The Stars New beginning, pleasure, salvation
XVIII The Moon Uncertainty, changeability
XIX The Sun Splendour, health, wealth, affection,
treachery
XX Judgement Punishment or reward, final
achievement
XXI The World Fulfilment, completion on a material
level
The Fool Fate, luck, the end.
That is the first part of the Tarot deck. It also consists of 56
other cards, which are 4 suits of 14 cards. What is their importance you
might say? They have great importance in obtaining a very definite answer
to your question. Some very short definitions of these cards are:
Cups, Chalices, Hearts:
Ace The home and distinct happiness
Two Success by careful thought
Three Impulsive decision threaten good ones
Four Marriage delayed, bachelor or spinster
Five Inability to make a decision
Six Imposed upon by untrustworthy people
Seven Broken promises by friends
Eight Parties or celebrations
Nine Dreams and desires will come true
Ten Good news, happiness in family
Valet, Knave, or Jack A close (or long lost) friend
Knight A stranger, seducer, get before vanishes
Queen Faithful loving woman, gentle & pleasing
King An honest man, but hasty in decisions,
not to be relied upon for advice
Rods, Batons, Clubs:
Ace Peace of mind, professional success
Two Opposition from friends or associates
Three Long engagement, and then a fast wedding
Four Failure of project, due to friends
Five Marriage with a wealthy woman
Six Profitable business in partnership
Seven Good fortune, beware of opposite sex
Eight Someone will use money not his own
Nine Disputes with friends, bad quarrels
Ten Unexpected good fortune with bad loss
Valet, Knave, or Jack A sincere but impatient friend
Knight Support from an unfamiliar source
Queen A nice woman, inclined to be
temperamental
King An honest man, generous and faithful
Swords, Spades:
Ace Misfortune, bad news, tidings of death
Two Change, removal, loss of home, division
Three Journey, bad things in love or marriage
Four Sickness, minor misfortunes delay project
Five Success in business, harmony in partners
Six Use perseverance to make your plans work
Seven Quarrels with friends, bad things
Eight Be cautious, friends might turn be rivals
Nine All kinds of unhappiness in all things
Ten Grief, imprisonment, negation of all good
Valet, Knave, or Jack A lazy person, hinderance in all work
Knight Romantic chivalry, brave and enterprising
Queen Treachery, betrayal, malice, widow
King Man whom ambition over-rides everything
Coins, Pentacles, Diamonds:
Ace Important message, or a valuable gift
Two A great love affair, opposed by friends
Three Quarrels, domestic disagreements
Four Unhappiness from bad friends, betrayal
Five Unexpected news; may be business success
Six Early marriage; early end. Bad for a 2nd
Seven Lies, rumours, unlucky gambler, criticism
Eight Marriage late in life, a journey, or both
Nine Taste for adventure, travel, changes
Ten Money as objective, maybe not result
Valet, Knave, or Jack Selfish or jealous relative, bad news
Knight Patient man, and inventor or discoverer
Queen A woman who interferes in other's affairs
King Vengeful man, dangerous when crossed.
These are some short meanings to all of the Minor Arcana cards.
Now everyone who wants their fortune told write your name on a piece of
paper, and put it into this hat or box or whatever. This will determine who
will have their fortune told first and who will have their major fortune
told.
(Tell everyone's fortune by The Horseshoe Spread, and then tell
one person's fortune by the Royal Spread.)
The Horseshoe Spread
In this type of Tarot reading, the Major Arcana cards may be only
used or the full deck may be used. (For class, use only Major Arcana.)
The Horseshoe Spread is probably the fastest and easiest way to
obtain an answer to a specific question. The question cannot be a "yes" or
"no" question. Example: If I choose the first door over the second door,
what will happen?
The Layout of the Cards
|~~~~| |~~~~|
| 1 | | 7 |
|____| |____|
|~~~~| |~~~~|
| 2 | | 6 |
|____| |____|
|~~~~| |~~~~|
| 3 | | 5 |
|____| |____|
|~~~~|
| 4 |
|____|
What the positions of the cards mean
Card One Refers to past influences
Card Two Indicates present circumstances
Card Three Reveals the future in general terms
Card Four Indicates the recommended course of action
Card Five Reveals the attitudes of those surrounding the question
Card Six Indicates obstacles that may stand in the way
Card Seven Suggests the probable final outcome
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