The Basics Of Tarot
By: Ambrosia Knight

A Tarot deck consist of 78 cards, divided into two categories – the Major Arcana cards, and the Minor Arcana cards.

There are 22 cards of the Major Arcana and 56 of the Minor Arcana.

It is thought that Tarot originated in China, Egypt, or in India, though its origins are unknown. However, what is known is that the Tarot cards we know today, appeared in the late 14th century or early 15th century Italy.

The 22 Major Arcana cards are numbered 0 to 21 in Roman numerals, and are:

These cards are also known as ‘trumps’ and have their own pictures and symbolisms that are interpreted by the Tarot reader. The cards of the Minor Arcana are divided into 4 suits of 14 cards each.

These suits are:

· Wands – or batons, rods, clubs, staffs, or staves.

· Pentacles – or coins, disks, or diamonds.

· Cups – or hearts.

· Swords – or spades.

The 14 cards of each suit consist of 10 numbered cards and 4 court cards. The numbered cards are numbered from 1 to 10, with the ‘one’ card also known as the Ace. The four court cards are known as the King, Queen, Knight, and Page (or Prince and Princess in place of Knight and Page).

The assigned values of the cards progress from one to ten, and then to Page, Knight, Queen, and King. Just as it is done in the normal playing cards, the Ace is also assigned the highest value.

Understanding Tarot

Assume that during a reading you picked out The Devil card. An inexperienced reader could form an opinion that you are on the brink of disaster, with bankruptcy staring you in the face. There is a need to look at it from a positive angle, as an experienced reader would do.

Tarot is not an end in itself, but a means to that end. That is why understanding Tarot is very essential. Tarot only tells you what is likely to happen if you follow a particular path. It only gives you an indication. What you choose to do, and what will actually happen depends on you.

Following the indications given by Tarot readings, you can mould certain aspects of your life. This manipulation can make you bring certain events to pass, and similarly, avoid certain events from happening.

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