subject: What Are Tarot Cards [print this page] The first tarot cards showed up in Northern Italy about 500 years ago. They were not always used for psychic readings. The rich used to play a game called the Game of Triumphs. Initially, the deck consisted of the regular 52 cards with 4 additional queens.
Soon 22 cards with symbols and artwork were added. When tarot cards became popular in Europe some noticed that the cards had mystical powers. Around the 18th and 19th century, psychics and mystics started using tarot cards. Now tarot cards are mainly used for psychic readings.
The current tarot deck is made up of 78 cards and divided into the major and minor arcana. The most important cards of a tarot deck are the 22 cards of the major arcana. They are numbered 0 to 21. The other 56 cards are divided into four suits which represent the elements fire, earth, water and air. The first 10 cards are numbered one through 10. There are four face cards, a king, queen, night and page.
The meaning is determined by the pictures and symbols on the card. The reading is based on the position of the card in the spread, the arcana and type of card, and the different meaning that each card represents. Tarot card readings are mainly to give you insight into what is going on with your life. Tarot card readings are used to get a better understanding of upcoming opportunities, relationships,and other factors in a person's life.
There is not just one kind of tarot card deck. You may see a wide variety of decks and illustrations between the different psychics you see. The way you spread (lay down) the cards is important. The different spreads give you different information. The Celtic Cross is an common ten card spread. It is a good broad spread which will give a lot of general information on a specific situation.
There are layonts that allow you to look at a year view or get an astrological perspective. Some spreads are better than others for certain types of questions. You should tailor your question to the type of spread being used so your answers will be more accurate. Any spread will give you a general overview, but different spreads highlight - for instance - emotional matters, whereas another might pick up outside influences better.
You can get a free online tarot card readings from a number of different websites. On some sites you can pick the type of spread you want to use. Most of these will randomly generate a tarot card spread and give you their description. Most people would rather have a reading from a real person, but online readings can steer you in the right direction.
