What is Tarot?
Tarot is a set of seventy-eight cards, each featuring different symbolic pictures. A standard Tarot deck is made up of 22 cards called the major arcana or trumps, and four suits of 14 cards - similar to playing cards - called the minor arcana or pip cards.
What are Tarot cards used for?
Tarot cards can be used for practical problem-solving, creative visualisation, meditation, self-improvement, as a tool of understanding, for divination and fortune-telling, even for card games. Some collect Tarot cards simply for the joy of the artwork, while other delve further into research and study of the history of Tarot cards.
Where did Tarot originate?
There are many theories on the origins of Tarot in existence - Ancient Egyptians, gypsies, Atlantis - but historical evidence points to a beginning in the courts of Northern Italy, in the mid fifteenth century.
Why are there so many types of Tarot decks?
Different artists interpret the Tarot symbols in differing ways, each adding their own perspective. There are also so many themes that can correspond with the tarot system - there are thousands of decks available, catering to many diverse interests, from baseball to voodoo. There's a Tarot deck to match just about every interest or belief.
Is it bad luck to buy your own Tarot cards?
No. It's an old myth among Tarot novices that your first deck must be given as a gift, or that it's somehow bad luck to buy your own deck. There is nothing wrong with obtaining your own set of Tarot cards -- and that way you can choose a style and art that is compatible with your tastes.
How do I choose a Tarot deck for myself?
It's best to look at a few different types of Tarot decks before you choose one and to find one with symbolism and artwork that suits you. If you're a newcomer to the Tarot, you may also prefer a "beginner" deck like the Universal Waite, Hanson-Roberts, or Tarot of Prague as the more standard Rider-Waite-based meanings and symbolism can be easier to learn.
Where can I buy a Tarot deck?
Amazon.com has a good range of new and popular Tarot decks and books. You can view cards before you purchase them, or they are available in New Age sections of bookshops, such as Waterstones or any New Age store.
What's the difference between a Tarot and an oracle deck?
A Tarot deck is at least loosely based on the 78 card structure of 56 minor cards and 22 major cards. An oracle deck is any other deck of cards used for similar purposes to a deck of Tarot cards, and may also be called a divination deck or cartomantic deck. Any other questions relating to tarot? Ask here  |
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