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The
traditional Tarot consists of 78 cards divided into 22 major arcana
cards (greater secrets) and 56 minor arcana cards (lesser secrets). The
major arcana cards depict 22 spiritual lessons in allegorical fashion.
The 56 minor arcana cards are similar to a modern deck of 52 playing
cards and consist of four suits containing ten pip or numbered cards
plus four court cards in each suit. The most influential tarot deck of
the past century, is this Rider-Waite-Smith deck. It was conceived by
Arthur Waite, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and published by Rider
in 1910. |
The Tarot deck is really two decks in one. There
are 22 Major Arcanna or Trump cards and 56 Minor Arcanna or Pips/suit
cards. The Pips are throught to be inspired by the various types of
playing cards that existed throughout Asia and a uniquely European
version of them was produced early in the 14th century. The Trumps are
suspected to have beenintroduced in Europe later as a separate game
deck,some time in the 15th century. The archetypal images and symbols
used for the cards are believed to have been inspired by the popular
mystical interests of the European Renaissance: Ars Memoria,
Gnosticism, Neoplatism, & Magia.
Even though it is likely that the Tarot originated in the European
Renaissance and not in Ancient Egypt or Atlantis, it does not mean they
have no special significance. There is much symbolic power in these
decks and the essential iconography has changed very little in the
traditional decks for over five centuries. Over time the two decks have
been put together, the images refined, and interesting systems developed
by which to interpret the symbols within these decks for use in
divination.
There are many types of Tarot decks, but they can all work on the same
principle of evoking the collective unconsciousness from the images that
depict the stages in a process of psychological deepening and
maturation. Thereby very useful as a personal growth tool transcending
ethnicity, gender and religion, providing insight to universal
principles and laws.
The above is a brief summation, for the purpose of introduction to the
Tarot, from the in-depth works on the topic of Tarot origins and use by
Stuart Kaplan, Michael Dummett, Cynthia Giles, and Robert V. O'Neil. This
brief history was provided to me by Albia. Click here to get your
personal Tarot Card Reading by Albia!
Click here for a Tarot card reading by Albia |
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U.S.Games Egyptian Tarot Cards Reproduction of the Tarot deck in the
book Practical Astrology by Comte C. de Saint-Germain. The symbolism of
each card draws heavily from Egyptian mythology and culture. Click on
the link below to get a FREE Tarot Reading and to view or purchase
hundreds of Tarot Decks available.
US Games.com |
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