A Beginner’s Guide To Tarot
Tarot reading is a wonderful tool for self-examination, growth and can help one gain clarity in times of transition. Though tarot cards and readings have risen in popularity, they are still misinterpreted by several groups and individuals. The criticism on tarot reading has been tied to the belief that it has some diabolical connotations.
This belief is so widespread that the mere mention of tarot cards and readings truly frightens some people. However, a clear understanding of what tarot cards are and how they are used will go a long way to clear the fear and misconception.
What Are They?
Tarot decks usually come with 78 cards or more depending on the specific tarot deck. These cards depict different scenes and contain symbols that hold a unique meaning. Tarot cards are divided into two groups. These groups are known as the major arcana and the minor arcana. There are 22 major arcana cards and 56 minor arcana cards.
The minor arcana cards are divided into four groups; wands, cups, swords and pentacles. Each of these groups represents day to day life and decisions made around that. The major arcana cards represents pivotal life events and situations we encounter in life.
Deeper Into The Major and Minor Arcana
The 22 major arcana cards tell a story of the fools journey as he embarks on the experience of life and represent themes like love, tradition, hope, etc. Those cards are:
· The fool, 0
· The magician, I
· The High Priestess, II
· The Empress, III
· The Emperor, IV
· The Hierophant, V
· The Lovers, VI
· The Chariot, VII
· Strength, VIII
· The Hermit, IX
· Wheel of Fortune, X
· Justice, XI
· The Hanged Man, XII
· Death, XIII
· Temperance, XIV
· The Devil, XV
· The Tower, XVI
· The Star, XVII
· The Moon, XVIII
· The Sun, XIX
· Judgment, XX
· The World, XXI
Minor Arcana Groups
The four groups of the minor arcana cards deal with day-to-day circumstances and each one speaks about something.
Wands
This suit represents the element of fire and expresses energy and passion. These cards speak about the extraordinary abilities of a being. The abilities of creativity, purpose and metaphysical engagement.
Cups
This suit represents the element of water and expresses feelings and emotions. It speaks about the internal composition of a being and the things that go on within personality.
Swords
This suit represents the element of air and expresses the mental sphere. It speaks about a being’s intellect and reasoning. The psyche falls under this section too.
Pentacles
This suit represents the element of earth and expresses concrete reality in the world. It speaks about wealth, values and worth.
How To Work With Tarot Cards
Tarot cards can be helpful in answering questions that can help the seeker move forward through any situation.
The general method of using tarot cards is to shuffle the deck while thinking about a specific problem or situation you want to question.
After dividing the cards and placing them back together the seeker chooses a card they are drawn to which holds the answer to their question. Once you pick up any card, you can either use the guidebook (which usually comes with the deck) to find out what the card is trying to tell you or you can rely on your intuition. Whatever comes into your head at the time of tarot reading usually has more significance.
Tarot cards as a tool for intuition
Tarot cards can serve as an aid to intuition or serve as a way of developing your intuition. Intuition is what people refer to as that gut feeling. With the different card decks and symbols, these cards condition you to observe situations better and interpret those situations accordingly. It is no doubt that there are forces reaching out to us daily but due to low intuition, we always fail to receive the messages passed across.
Tarot reading helps you to pay more attention to every detail and this is the attitude that is required to activate our intuition and connect more closely with the spiritual realm. Whenever there are doubts about what we get through intuition, tarot reading can be a good way of making confirmations. By taking some time to perform an actual reading, you can heighten your intuition and sensitivity. With the frequent performance of tarot readings, you will discover that you begin to get better at trusting those gut instincts and better understand your environment.
This gives you an edge over others because with a developed intuition, you do not just operate at the level of what you see or hear but also from the level of what you feel.
The use of aids like tarot cards can be a great way to heighten your abilities or get a clearer view of what is required from you at that particular time.