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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Where does Tarot come from? Many claims have been made about its origins, but for the purpose of brevity I stick to the facts: The earliest known deck dates from 15th century Northern Italy, where artist Bonifacio Bembo was commissioned to create the Visconti-Sforza deck as a wedding gift for the marriage between two noble families. It consisted of 22 trump cards and 56 pip cards, and this structure has not changed since then. What exactly these cards were used for is not entirely known; most likely they were used as playing cards, for story-telling purposes and even as educational tools. As a result of their growing popularity, these cards were reproduced for well-to-do families and thus gradually spread across Europe. Over the centuries, devotees to the occult arts began to make connections between the Tarot cards and the esoteric disciplines they were exploring - Astrology, Kabbalah, Egyptian Magic, Mythology and Numerology - and so the Tarot gained a reputation for being an occult artefact and tool for divination. How does Tarot work? The images of a 78-card Tarot deck portray archetypes, which are symbols and experiences recognised by all and inherent in our unconscious minds. As a result, whatever question is asked, these archetypal images will provide a meaningful answer. The Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung (1875-1961), who studied the Tarot in depth, created the term Synchronicity, a theory, which tries to explain meaningful coincidences. As we have all emerged from the same creative force (God/Universe/Source), we are all connected with each other. This is called the collective unconscious. Jung believed that the archetypes appear spontaneously in the mind, especially in times of stress or crisis. Therefore a reading can be profoundly meaningful and accurate as the messages are received from the collective unconscious. In this case the Tarot works as a messaging tool from your unconscious mind, your voice of reason, your higher self. It should be noted, however, that this theory is not supported by any scientific evidence. The Tarot requires an objective, open-minded approach. When used correctly, it works well for many people. Remember that all forms of counselling, including Tarot, do not guarantee 100% positive results, and it is necessary to experience Tarot in order to judge its effects. Can Tarot Predict the Future? Many people still assume that a deck of Tarot cards is mainly used for fortune-telling by travelling people. Visit a fun-fair or the seaside, and you may come across a dimly-lit caravan in which a middle-aged lady offers revelations about your future in return for some payment. The messages are often cryptic, sometimes alarming, and not very helpful. Contrary to popular belief, Tarot cannot predict the future, especially events that are beyond our control. However, many predictions later turn out to be accurate, but we need to consider two important possible reasons, why this is the case: 1. Whatever is predicted, turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy, i.e. unconsciously you make it happen for yourself. For example, if a Tarot reader predicts that you will be injured in a car accident, then this might make you so nervous whilst driving, that you will indeed have an accident. On the other hand, if you ask, whether you will pass an exam and the reply is positive, then it may well give you the confidence during the exam to perform well. So, for a prediction to come true, it is still within your control and up to you. 2. Making accurate assumptions about future events, evaluating trends and possibilities depends on the abilities of the Tarot reader, who considers past and present issues before contemplating what could happen next. This way, a prediction is based on facts and can later turn out to be true. From an objective viewpoint, we could also describe this kind of prediction as an 'educated guess'. Weather forecasters and stock traders' work is based on the same principle. Personally I believe that the future is not cast in stone or predetermined; it is constantly changing and adapting, depending on decisions and events made today. If predictions are made, then they should be empowering and not be viewed as unavoidable or a definite fact. Empowering predictions offer possibilities and options; if you like or don't like what you hear, then it's up to you to take the initiative and act upon it. What is 21st Century Tarot? Interest is slowly increasing in the psychological advantages a Tarot reading can offer: understanding current issues in one’s life and identifying hidden obstacles blocking progress. Based on the card meanings and their interaction with each other in a spread, the reader can make suggestions on how to resolve the situation. The knowledge gained helps to identify future trends, options and possibilities. Knowledge means power, and a Tarot reading’s main objective is to empower the seeker to be proactive in achieving a certain goal or avoiding an undesirable event from occurring. More and more people are interested in learning to read the Tarot and use it for self-exploration and development. They are drawn towards the mysterious images, which have a calming and contemplative effect. Tarot has become a spiritual tool, with which to connect to the Universe to find answers and perhaps even enlightenment; studying the Tarot promotes self-knowledge and a better understanding of the world. When should I have a Tarot Reading? A Tarot reading is most beneficial, when you feel unable to resolve issues or make decisions. Sometimes when people are at a crossroads in their life, a well-conducted reading can offer focus, clarity and a new direction, so the right choices can be made with confidence. A Tarot reading by a compassionate and ethical reader is meant to be positive, encouraging and worthwhile at a time when you really need it. Are all Tarot Readers the same? No. Tarot readers are individuals and all have their own styles and additional skills they use during a reading. Some readers describe themselves as psychic, others clairvoyant or intuitive (see panel on the right for explanation of terms). There are also Tarot readers, who work as mediums. Before you book a reading, it is best to let the reader know in advance, what type of reading you would like, and also check what type of reading you are likely to receive, so you can avoid disappointment and have a positive experience. I also want to take this opportunity to warn you about unscrupulous individuals, who make claims too good to be true. If someone 'guarantees' to resolve your love life, is '99% accurate' (yeah right), claims to bring an ex lover back or offers to 'lift curses' in exchange for a large sum of money, then you need to remind yourself to be realistic. In order to avoid this pitfall, I advise you to choose a genuine reader, who is endorsed by a professional tarot organisation, such as tabi.org.uk or tarotprofessionals.com. To find out more about me and the type of readings I offer, please click here.
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Glossary (Source: reference.com)
Arcana - Latin arcanum meaning secret, mystery. The Tarot is divided into the Major (22 Trump cards) and the Minor (56 Pip cards) Arcana. Paul Christian, a student of the French Occultist and author Éliphas Lévi, first used the term arcane for the two sets of cards in the 18th century. Clairvoyant - "one who sees clearly"; the apparent ability to gain information about an object, person, location or physical event through extra-sensory perception. Divination - practice of foreseeing future events or obtaining secret knowledge through communication with divine sources and through omens, oracles and signs. It attempts to make known those things that neither reason nor science can discover. Extra-sensory perception - ability to acquire information independent of any known physical senses or deduction from previous experience; also called the '6th sense'; this includes precognition (seeing the future), clairvoyance, intuition. Esoteric- Greek esoterikos meaning inner, within, "inwardness". Esoteric knowledge is that which is available only to a narrow circle of "enlightened", "initiated", or specially educated people. Esoteric items may be known as esoterica. In contrast, exoteric knowledge is knowledge that is well-known or public. Intuitive - ability to sense or know immediately without reasoning; to have a 'hunch', 'gut feeling', following one's 'instinct'. Magic (sorcery) - also spelled Magick - a conceptual system that asserts human ability to control or predict the natural world (including events, objects, people, physical phenomena) through mystical, paranormal or supernatural means. Medium - a person, who has the ability to make contact with spirits of the dead, and entities such as angels and demons. A spiritual medium, also called spiritualist, may allow his or her body to be taken over by spirit entities and as a result may fall into a trance to pass on their messages. Occult - Latin occultus meaning hidden, concealed. Occultism is the study of occult or hidden wisdom. To the occultist it is the study of "Truth", a deeper truth that exists beneath the surface: 'The truth is always hidden in plain sight'. The term occult is often falsely associated with devil worshipping and black magic. "Even the simplest occult studies are dangerous for those who are not willing to lead pure and upright lives in any circumstances." Annie Horniman, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn Psychic - Greek psychikos meaning 'of the soul, mental'. Ability to perceive things hidden from the normal senses, e.g. describing unknown people, places, objects, events with uncanny detail.
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