Does The Hermetic Tarot Really Matter?

The Hermetic Tarot deck is an esoteric, 78-card black-and-white Tarot deck created by Godfrey Dowson in 1989. Based on the Secret Order of the Golden Dawn, a London organization that practiced and studied occult rituals in the late 1800s, the deck’s symbology reflects the mystical and esoteric nature of the Tarot. The deck is highly detailed and visually stimulating, offering a captivating journey of symbolism and interpretation.

The Hermetic Tarot is an artistic recreation of a mysterious, esoteric Tarot deck by Mathers, a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn. It combines practical symbolic elements of the RWS with the haute esoteric nature of the Tarot. The deck is infused with rich history and profound symbolism, making it a fantastic investment for those seeking to explore the mystical world.

However, the deck is not suitable for everyday readings as it requires study of the Golden Dawn or other occult rituals. The Hermetic Tarot is better used for spiritual reflection and meditation than everyday tarot readings. It is an introspective deck that lends itself well to the Triquetra Spread, as the card titles are immensely helpful in indicating to the practitioner the meanings of the cards.

In summary, the Hermetic Tarot deck is a visually stimulating and historically rich Tarot deck that offers a captivating journey of symbolism and interpretation. It is a valuable investment for those interested in tarot but may require more advanced study.

Do tarot cards really work?

Tarot readings can be an empowering and insightful tool for self-discovery and future direction. A professional tarot reader can help you understand your goals and desires, providing insight into your situation and guiding you towards the best actions for your love life, career, or other questions. They can also reveal the motivations of others and predict potential outcomes of decisions. A good tarot reading can provide clarity and help heal anxiety.

However, it is crucial to prepare thoroughly for your first reading to fully benefit from the experience. A good tarot reading can provide valuable insights into your future and help you make informed decisions.

Should you sage tarot cards?

Smudging is a practice that is utilized to reset the energies within a given space, such as a home or tarot cards. This practice is believed to help dissipate any negative energies that may influence the accuracy of readings. The practice may be repeated as often as desired. Some readers perform the ritual of smudging their tools and reading area between sessions, while others make it a weekly or monthly practice.

Can I do my own tarot reading?

Tarot readings can be done by beginners, providing insight into current situations, honoring intuition, and forecasting potential outcomes. To begin, clean the energy of your space by burning herbs, ringing bells or chimes, taking a bath, or using crystals. A Selenite wand is a popular energy refresher that aids clarity.

Sit comfortably and close your eyes, focusing on the protective energy surrounding you. Take deep breaths, think about your question or needing guidance, and keep your mind and heart open to the answers that may come through the cards. Shuffle the deck, focusing on your desired query, and shuffle the cards in front of you. The pattern laid out is called a “spread”, and the meaning of each card in combinations builds up to the overall answer to your query.

Before beginning to shuffle, know which spread you will be working with. As answers come through, it’s important to draw additional cards for further clarity or start with a new question from a different perspective. Tarot readings can be a powerful tool for personal growth and understanding.

Why don’t tarot cards work?

The interpretation of a tarot card depends on the questions asked, card combinations used, and spreads used. Standard card meanings may not be suitable for a specific context. It’s important to ask “How can I interpret this card in this specific reading?” instead of “What does this card mean?” This approach is not taught in courses like my Tarot Foundations program, which covers all 78 tarot cards.

Is there any truth to tarot cards?

Early French occultists claimed that tarot cards had esoteric links to ancient Egypt, the Kabbalah, Indic Tantra, or the I Ching. However, scholarly research reveals that tarot cards were invented in Italy in the early 15th century for playing games, and there is no evidence of significant use of them for divination until the late 18th century. The belief in the divinatory meaning of the cards is closely associated with a belief in their occult properties, which was propagated by prominent Protestant Christian clerics and Freemasons.

From its uptake as an instrument of divination in 18th-century France, the tarot went on to be used in hermeneutic, magical, mystical, semiotic, and psychological practices. It was used by Romani people when telling fortunes and as a Jungian psychological apparatus for tapping into “absolute knowledge in the unconscious”, a tool for archetypal analysis, and even a tool for facilitating the Jungian process of individuation.

Can I self learn Tarot?

Tarot instructors frequently counsel students to eschew traditional instructional materials when embarking on their Tarot studies. However, Mary K. Greer’s publications offer an exemplary alternative for those seeking to gain proficiency in Tarot.

Does it matter what kind of tarot cards you get?

The author emphasizes the importance of listening to your gut when choosing a tarot deck. They suggest that there are no right or wrongs in choosing a deck, but rather focusing on a good feeling in your gut. They recommend purchasing decks directly from the artist, as they offer the best price and can provide a better understanding of their work and approach. If you like a deck, you can search for their website to purchase it. Alternatively, look for independent retailers who care about the items they sell.

The author also advocates for small, intentional businesses everywhere, as where we spend our money matters. The author’s advice is to prioritize gut feelings and not rely on other factors, as it is the only way to truly make an informed decision.

Can you use normal cards as tarot?

Cartomancy uses 52 playing cards instead of 78 tarot cards, which doesn’t include the major arcana or all royal cards. It’s a convenient way to read fate or karma on the go, especially if you don’t have access to tarot cards. Some people prefer this method for its more concise and direct nature. For more information on reading tarot with playing cards, refer to the guide on the suits and the tarot deck.

Which is the strongest tarot card?

The Fool is a card in tarot games, not part of the Major Arcana. In most games, the Fool is independent of both plain suit cards and trump cards, and does not belong to either category. Tarot decks originally made for game playing do not assign a number to the Fool indicating its rank in the suit of trumps. The Fool is one of the most valuable cards in almost all tarot games.

In tarot games originating from Italy and France, the Fool has a unique role, sometimes called “the Excuse”. In these games, the player excuses the player from following suit or playing a trump. At the end of the trick, the player takes back the Fool and adds it to their trick pile, giving the trick’s winner the least valuable card from that same pile. If there are no cards to give in exchange, the Fool is worth one point less and an extra point is given to the trick-taker.

In a minor variant option of French tarot, a player dealt trump 1 but with no other trumps or the Fool can make trump 1 behave the same as the Fool. In official tournament rules, a player in this situation must declare their hand and force a redeal.

Should you pull your own tarot cards?

Reading your own tarot is a valuable tool for checking in with your intuition when needed. It can help identify your current needs, address questions, or provide direction in planning. However, it’s important to know when not to use tarot cards, as some questions are best addressed by mental health or medical professionals. Additionally, asking direct questions to someone is more effective than relying on a tarot card reading.

Not every question can be answered by a tarot card reading, and cards cannot provide a direct answer. Nonetheless, reading your own tarot can be a useful way to check in with your intuition about certain questions.

Should you pull a tarot card daily?

One method of establishing a practice of tarot is to pull a card each morning and record one’s thoughts and reflections on it in a journal. Additionally, touching the cards may prove advantageous. Nevertheless, a more elaborate configuration, such as an Instagram tarot spread, may offer a more visually appealing alternative. A well-executed morning tarot spread is an excellent way to commence the day with a tarot reading, instilling a sense of excitement and anticipation.