subject: How Tarots Work And Handling The Cards [print this page] Among the many speculations is that The tarots had its origins in Egypt, India, China, the Cathars, Kabbalah, or even secret societies. What we do know is that the oldest Tarot Cards seem to have originated in Northern Italy about 1420. No tarots have been discovered older, or from another place of origin. Whether this is due to climate factors is uncertain.
Previous to this time, about 1375, playing cards began circulating from Muslim areas of Europe. An adaptation of the Islamic Mamluk cards, these cards had suits consisting of cups, swords, coins and polo sticks. They also contained court cards consisting of a king and two lower level males. About 50 years later, the Trump Decks (Tarot) added The Fool, The Trumps and a set of Queens. Terms such as Major Arcana and Minor Arcana are modern inventions as are the terms Pentacles and Wands.
Originally Tarot cards were used as part of a game, just as we use normal playing cards nowadays. However in the late 1700's, the cards were believed to be an opening into the world of the occult. Later on, tarot became the most commonly viewed tool for divination.
Some believe that the tarots have absolutely no 'fortune telling' ability, but rather the person asking the questions selectively interprets the cards to fit their life situation, and gains value in doing so.
Its different how each one thinks, but I believe that Tarots reading can help provide you with a clear reflection of your past, present and future projections, and help you to reflect on your experiences, and hence gain a fresh prospective on your life. You do not have to have "psychic powers" to use the tarot successfully. All you need is the willingness to honor and develop your natural intuition.
Every Tarot reader knows that wonderful feeling when a reading layout is crystal clear and the cards talk back to you as coherently as if you were holding a conversation with another person ... better than that, a wise and trusted friend. Those moments are so special I usually spend extra time with my cards when "everything clicks" . To ask all manner of questions, both personal and abstract. It's one of the most nourishing experiences I know.
Every Tarot reader also knows the other side of the coin ... when the cards don't seem to answer the question, when the answer that appears to be there doesn't make any sense, when you've asked about one thing, but something else entirely is showing up on that table in front of you. If you're new to reading cards, don't get discouraged when this happens to you. It happens to everyone.
