Monograph 20:

The Tarot - An Introduction

Tarot is an ancient esoteric system of symbols using 78 different symbolic cards to represent the vast majority of experiences any single person can encounter throughout their journey through life.

The oldest Tarot cards to survive to the present day were produced in the Fifteenth Century in Europe. The card designs fascinate artists, art historians and investigators into the occult, as the power of the images lies in intricate symbols woven together in specific patterns. Tarot cards resemble ordinary playing cards with certain additions. Tarot decks include four court cards instead of the Jack-Queen-King in regular decks. In addition, the Tarot incorporates the Trumps.

The Tarot used as an oracle allows one to ask a question, deal the cards in a certain way, and extract an answer from the images and symbols. Part of this ability comes from familiarity with the symbols. Another element of a successful reading lies in the ability to intuitively select the proper meaning for the particular question from among the many possibilities.

Many designs have developed over the years. Yet the cards retain the basic meanings. Different reading styles are designed to answer different questions. Often the answer to a yes/no question is elusive, while questions about how to approach a problem are more revealing. Even if you are not at all interested in the oracle itself, you may find the artistic design of the cards worth investigation. Try a couple of readings to see what you think. You may be surprised at the relevance of a seemingly arbitrary card selection.

The cards operate on many levels, describing both internal developments (emotions, thoughts, intuitive feelings) and external ones (actions and physical events). The Tarot acts like a map where each card represents a different piece of a jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle symbolises the wide variety of possibilities and experiences available to us all. We each choose (subconsciously) different pieces of that jigsaw to create our own unique life journey.

Each card has a separate significance, and they can be put together in a wide variety of ways to show the quality of the events within our lives at any given time.

The different pictures we find on the cards have a symbolic meaning. Every card within a Tarot deck has special meanings that are based upon many things; these can include mythology, esoteric or secret knowledge, association, colour, etc. They give us important information through a visual form; a Tarot picture definitely does tell a thousand words, if not more.

Whenever we see a particular design or symbol on a Tarot card, we are seeing more than just its outer form; we are looking beyond the illustration to find the deeper meaning attached to it. This will then influence the meaning of the card itself and our interpretation of it.

The Tarot is full of hidden meanings and references. The pretty pictures that your eyes focus on are merely windows that will lead you to more profound information as you delve into the inner realms of each card. This leads me to the second part of this esoteric system, the vibrations. Vibrations are the different qualities or meanings that have been assigned to each card throughout the years. These interpretations are derived from different methods of observation, knowledge, symbolism, spiritual wisdom etc., and from a variety of teachers and sources.

Through the Tarot, we can understand the patterns that operate in the life of every single person. We all have our individual rhythms and modes of expression, and by understanding these patterns, we learn to flow with our personal cycles. This helps us to become the masters of our own destinies, rather than passive subjects of outside forces.

Studying the Tarot or having a reading can be a path to self knowledge as well as a method of prediction. The divinatory aspect of the cards definitely does exist. This is because, in addition to the meanings within the cards themselves, there are certain factors in the Tarot that will assist you in developing your ability to tap into the unlimited subconscious mind. However, it is also important for you to understand from the beginning of your studies that the cards are so much more than a method for telling the future, and prediction is only one possible use.

DIFFERENT WAYS OF USING THE TAROT

Within the Tarot Deck there are 78 cards. There are 22 Major Arcana, 40 Minor Arcana and 16 Court cards. Each of the three sections have their own independent functions and each card within these sections has its own unique meaning. The Major Arcana traditionally deal with personal, spiritual and life stage archetypes or models; the Minor Arcana focus on situations, everyday events and reactions; and the Court Cards concentrate on individual people and personality types. Therefore, by combining all three aspects, you can get an accurate and complete rundown on every human emotion, condition and reactive capability as well as events, experiences and personal development issues. These meanings can be combined and utilized effectively in many different ways.

1) Divination

This is the side of the Tarot that can be used for prediction (telling people about their possible future experiences through the information gleaned from the cards). You can do readings for yourself or other people. A Tarot reading can be a very powerful tool for positive change in one's life. It will give you an objective viewpoint and direct you toward your goals and ambitions, give insight into a situation, ferret out hidden possible futures and more. You are only limited by your imagination, intuition, knowledge and experience. During a divinatory reading, you are also acting as a counselor and sympathetic ear; you provide a safe place for dreams to be spoken and problems to be recognised and faced.

2) Meditation

Because of the symbolic, archetypal nature of the cards, you will find them to be of great assistance as focal points for meditation. They will lead you to deeper insights regarding any issue and take you further toward the experience of your divine self and that greater, wiser part of your inner being. Meditation is also a great way of getting to know the deeper meanings of your cards.

3) Psychic Development

The cards provide guidelines and information that show us the path we travel as each of us moves along the journey of inner soul development. They literally act as signposts and mirrors that will assist you during your travels along your personal mystic path. In this way, the Tarot can give you important information, advice, support and direction. The cards can become a great ally, giving you objectivity so that you can investigate personal life issues with more clarity. Using tarot in this way will also tap into the designs and desires of your subconscious mind, helping to bring the different aspects of your being together in unity, which leads to greater harmony in your life. Each and every one of us is here to learn, grow, experience and taste from the cup of life and all its possibilities. The information contained within the Tarot will help you and anyone you do a reading for to accomplish this with greater ease.

The Tarot consist of 78 cards - 22 of the Major Arcana and 56 of the Minor Arcana. The word "arcana" is derived from the Latin word "akanum" meaning secret. 

Therefore, the cards of the Major Arcana are those that deal with the "Big Secrets" and those of the Minor Arcana are those that deal with life's "Smaller Secrets".


THE MAJOR ARCANA (or Trumps)

The Major Arcana consist of 22 cards that depict the Fool's journey to enlightenment.

The cards are numbered from zero to 21. The images include symbolic or allegorical information distilled from larger bodies of knowledge and hidden within the pictures. The symbols are related to the deepest spiritual and emotional meanings we can imagine - meanings which are shared, sometimes even across cultures.

The 22 Major Arcana have been linked by various authors with astrological signs and planets. The most popular associations are those of the Golden Dawn movement and they go as follows:

0 The Fool, URANUS
1 The Magician, MERCURY
2 The High Priestess, MOON
3 The Empress, VENUS
4 The Emperor, Aries
5 The Hierophant, Taurus
6 The Chariot, Cancer
7 The Lovers, Gemini
8 Strength, Leo
9 The Hermit, Virgo
10 The Wheel of Fortune, JUPITER
11 Justice, Libra
12 The Hanged Man, NEPTUNE
13 Death, Scorpio
14 Temperance, Sagittarius
15 The Devil, Capricorn
16 The Tower, MARS
17 The Star, Aquarius
18 The Moon, Pisces
19 The Sun, SUN
20 Judgment, PLUTO
21 The World, SATURN

The Major Arcana cards are recognizable as individual models or archetypes, such as The Fool, The Magician, or The Devil. These cards seem to represent the different stages in life we all experience in our own unique ways. 

The MINOR ARCANA

The 56 Minor Arcana cards (22 Major + 56 Minor = 78) are divided into four suits, just like the modern playing cards. Each suit corresponds to one of the classical four elements of Greek philosophy: Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. I will list below the four suits with their corresponding elements and symbolic associations:

Wands, The Fire Element (spirit)
Wands are fiery, enthusiastic, inspirational, and spiritually minded. Wands correspond to the zodiacal signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

Swords, The Air Element (intellect)
Swords are cutting, intellectual, rational, logical. They also represent conflict and strife. Swords correspond to the zodiacal signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.

Pentacles, The Earth Element (matter)
Pentacles are practical, dutiful, business minded, earthy, and materialistic. Pentacles correspond to the zodiacal signs Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

Cups, The Water Element (emotions)
Cups (like Hearts in the modern decks) are emotional, sensitive, caring, nurturing, and relationship oriented. Cups correspond to the zodiacal signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

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We shall be looking more deeply into this fascinating subject
later on in the course.