Why Are Tarot Decks So Widely Available?

Tarot decks, such as the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, are widely recognized and commonly used. They consist of 78 cards divided into two sections: Major Arcana (22 cards representing significant life themes) and Minor Arcana (meaning minor mysteries). The Rider-Waite deck, drawn by Pamela Colman Smith in 1909, is the most ubiquitous collection.

Choosing the right Tarot deck can be overwhelming due to the vast number of options available. Each deck offers a unique perspective and artwork that resonates differently with people. People have creativity, and we want to see and encourage it. Some are visual learners, while others are intuitives. Reading with multiple decks is a wide-open field for exploration using our own inspiration, ideas, and intuition.

Choosing the right Tarot deck is a well-established problem, as there are so many choices. For those just starting out, using multiple decks in their readings provides layers of meaning and many windows for interpretation. Tarot cards can help the reader decipher the past, present, and future.

However, the problem with tarot deck addiction is that it can be difficult to build a rapport with any one deck. To help you find your essential Tarot deck, consider these tips:

1. Start by reading Tarot cards to understand the art and its history.
2. Explore different decks to find the one that works best for you.
3. Use multiple decks in your readings to provide layers of meaning and many windows for interpretation.
4. Be creative and have fun with your Tarot journey by exploring different decks and finding the one that works best for you.

What is the oldest tarot deck?

The Visconti-Sforza Tarot, painted in the mid-15th century for the rulers of the Duchy of Milan, is the oldest surviving tarot cards. In 15th century Italy, the set of cards included in tarot packs, including trumps, was consistent, with two main exceptions. Some late 15th century decks, like the Sola Busca tarot and the Boiardo deck, had four suits, a fool, and 21 trumps, but none of the trumps match tarot ones. The Visconti di Mondrone pack, one of the Visconti-Sforza decks, originally had a Dame and a Maid in each suit, along with the standard King, Queen, Knight, and Jack.

The pack also included three trump cards representing the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Despite a Dominican preacher’s criticism of the evil inherent in playing cards, no routine condemnations of tarot were found during its early history.

Do tarot cards predict the future?

Tarot can help make big decisions, but it cannot predict the future. Michelle Tea suggests beginners start with a three-card reading from the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck. Growing up, her family often relied on tarot for tough decisions, such as discussing a brother’s breakup or deciding whether to drop out of school. The deck’s iconic Rider-Waite-Smith cards can be used to guide readers through these situations.

What is the world’s oldest tarot deck?

The Visconti-Sforza Tarot, painted in the mid-15th century for the rulers of the Duchy of Milan, is the oldest surviving tarot cards. In 15th century Italy, the set of cards included in tarot packs, including trumps, was consistent, with two main exceptions. Some late 15th century decks, like the Sola Busca tarot and the Boiardo deck, had four suits, a fool, and 21 trumps, but none of the trumps match tarot ones. The Visconti di Mondrone pack, one of the Visconti-Sforza decks, originally had a Dame and a Maid in each suit, along with the standard King, Queen, Knight, and Jack.

The pack also included three trump cards representing the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Despite a Dominican preacher’s criticism of the evil inherent in playing cards, no routine condemnations of tarot were found during its early history.

What is the purpose of a tarot deck?

Tarot cards have gained a significant following, particularly among younger women, as they offer a sense of community and empower individuals to consider their problems and work through them. The art of tarot cards has evolved over the years, with some seeking certainty in uncertain times and others seeking new ways to self-reflect. Fiona and Jen, authors of Wild Card: Let The Tarot Tell Your Story, provide a comprehensive guide to the art, covering topics such as how to start reading cards and which deck to buy. The collective interest in tarot cards has grown over the past four years.

Is tarot ok for Christians?

The notion that tarot cards can exert control over one’s life is a pervasive one, yet there is a paucity of empirical evidence to substantiate this claim.

How many tarot decks are there?

The modern tarot deck, based on the Venetian or Piedmontese tarot, consists of 78 cards divided into two groups: the major arcana (22 trumps) and the minor arcana (56 cards). The major arcana features pictures representing various forces, characters, virtues, and vices, numbered I through XXI. The cards are arranged in a series of order, from juggler to hanged man, death to temperance, devil to lightning-struck tower, star to moon, sun to last judgment, world to the fool.

The minor arcana consists of four suits of 14 cards each, similar to modern playing cards. Each suit has 4 court cards and 10 numbered cards, with the value progression from ace to 10. The adaptation of tarots to occult and fortune-telling purposes first occurred in France around 1780. Each tarot card is ascribed a meaning, with the major arcana cards referring to spiritual matters and trends in the questioner’s life, while the minor arcana cards deal with business matters and career ambitions.

The tarot deck is shuffled by the questioner, and the fortune-teller lays out a few cards in a spread pattern, with the meaning of any card modified based on its position in the spread and the meaning of adjacent cards.

Can I learn tarot on my own?

Tarot readings can be conducted by a tarot practitioner, but learning to read one’s own cards can facilitate the development of a personal relationship with them and assist in determining their suitability within one’s life. Nevertheless, becoming intimately acquainted with the entire deck of 78 cards can prove to be a formidable challenge.

What is the No 1 tarot card?

The Magician, also known as The Magus or The Juggler, is the first trump or Major Arcana card in traditional tarot decks, used for game playing and divination. In the occult context, the trump cards are recontextualized as the Major Arcana and given complex esoteric meaning. In this context, the Magician is interpreted as the first numbered and second total card of the Major Arcana, succeeding the Fool. In French, Le Bateleur, also known as “the mountebank” or “sleight of hand artist”, is a practitioner of stage magic.

In Italian tradition, he is called Il Bagatto or Il Bagatello. The Mantegna Tarocchi image of the Magician is labeled Artixano, the Artisan, and is the second lowest in the series. 18th-century woodcuts of the Magician reflect earlier iconic representations and can be compared to free artistic renditions in 15th-century hand-painted tarots.

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.

What religion do tarot cards come from?

This literature review examines the relationship between Tarot cards and New Age religion, emphasizing their function in the contemporary study of the New Age movement.

What is the most used tarot deck?

The Rider Waite Smith Tarot is a popular deck for tarot card reading, first published by the Rider Company in 1909. It was based on the instructions of academic and mystic A. E. Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, both members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The deck has been published in numerous editions and inspired a wide array of variants and imitations. Over 100 million copies circulate across 20 countries.

The images in the deck are simple but feature abundant symbolism. Some imagery remains similar to earlier decks, but overall, the Waite-Smith card designs are substantially different from their predecessors. Christian imagery was removed from some cards and added to others, such as the “Papess” becoming the “High Priestess” and the “Lovers” card resembling naked Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The Minor Arcana is illustrated with allegorical scenes by Smith, unlike earlier decks.

Symbols and imagery in the deck were influenced by 19th-century magician and occultist Eliphas Levi and the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. To accommodate astrological correspondences taught by the Golden Dawn, Waite introduced several innovations to the deck, such as changing the order of the Strength and Justice cards to correspond with Leo and Libra, and based the Lovers card on Italian tarot decks.