Feb 19th, 2010
by TarotTrumps.
Image via Wikipedia
By Neoli Marcos
Whether we admit or not, most of us have quaint notions of what tarot cards are. On the surface, they are merely a deck of illustrated cards used in predictions, while the tarot card reader is an eccentric person dressed in robes seated behind the fortune-telling booth in the town fair.
This image of tarot cards is, of course, clichéd, and yet we’d rather feel comfortable with its familiarity than dig deeper.
We resort to the more convenient explanation rather than actually investigate the sometimes unpleasant yet gratifying truth of tarot cards.
Perhaps, the most famous among the tarot cards is the Death Card, a card quite unfairly invested with too much negative meanings and energies behind it, so much so that we usually think of tarot cards as tools of the occult, vehicles of evil even. While we can’t deny the fact that indeed tarot can be used for such purposes, tarot cards can also be perfectly well-intentioned and can be actually used for good causes. Continue reading →
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Posted in: Interpretation, Myths and Lore, Readings, Symbolism.
Tagged: Carl Jung · tarot as a game · tarot as alternative therapy · tarot card reader · tarot symbolism
Feb 7th, 2010
by TarotTrumps.
Image by tamaki via Flickr
By: Daniel Millions
Many people are curious about reading Tarot cards for their friends and family. Once you have a deck of Tarot cards, it is only natural to want to use them with others. After experiencing the insight that Tarot cards can give you, anyone would certainly understand that you would want to share this with the people in your life.
When reading for others, there are some things you’ll want to keep in mind. The purpose of reading for other people is to share your love of the Tarot cards and to offer them some insights, just as you have received them by reading the Tarot cards for yourself. Keeping these tips in mind will help make reading for others in your life go smoothly and make reading fun.
Begin reading for other people you are comfortable around. This may sound like a very logical thing to do, however there are some that will actually do a Tarot reading when someone says to them, “Oh, Tarot? That’s nonsense….well; let’s see what you can do!” This is not the best atmosphere for even a professional Tarot reader to read under, let alone a beginning Tarot reader. Continue reading →
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Posted in: Interpretation, Layouts, Readings.
Tagged: learn to read tarot · professional tarot reader · reading tarot cards · tarot questions · tarot tips
Jan 28th, 2010
by TarotTrumps.
Tarot Card XIII, DeathImage by Yellow.Cat via Flickr
By: Fred Street
Myth 1 – “Tarot cards can predict the future”
Predicting the future is not difficult; we can all do it. If for example you know someone who is consistently spending more than they earn and paying for it by building up a credit card debt then it’s not hard to predict where that one is heading.
Or if you know someone who is expecting a baby you may, based on experience, accurately predict that they will have many months of sleep deprivation and tiredness ahead of them.
The Tarot does little more than this. It has centuries of human experience distilled into a simple philosophy and meaning for each card. Another way to look at it is to say the Tarot doesn’t make precise predictions of the future it merely allows us glimpses at some of the likely possibilities. Continue reading →
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Posted in: Interpretation, Myths and Lore.
Tagged: tarot myths
Jan 11th, 2010
by TarotTrumps.
Aleister Crowley via last.fm
By: Donald Carroll
My own psychic abilities were best demonstrated in my practice of the Tarot. Also as regards Tarot, and Yoga, I was mostly influenced by a Tarot and Yoga expert named Aleister Crowley.
I sought to purchase every book that I could find by Aleister Crowley on both Tarot and Yoga, and I also joined an Order that taught both Tarot and Yoga in accordance with the Western Tradition of Magick called the Hermetic Society of the Golden Dawn. (Aleister Crowley was once a member of the original version of this Order.)
I also became a member of another Order that taught both Tarot and Yoga – Aleister Crowley’s own Magickal Order, the Astrum Argentum, A.A., or Order of the Silver Star. Aleister Crowley’s Order is still in existence today, and still maintains a great amount of secrecy in order to better preserve the heart of the Order’s teachings, especially as regards both Tarot and Yoga. Continue reading →
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Posted in: Myths and Lore, Tarot History.
Tagged: Abramelin the Mage · Aleister Crowley · astrum argentum · golden dawn · Led Zeppelin · Loch Ness · magic · Order of the Silver Star · ordo templi orientis · OTO · Tarot · yoga
Dec 12th, 2009
by TarotTrumps.
Condottiere Francesco Sforza, painted by Bonifacio Bemo, c. 1460. Image via Wikipedia
Author: Janet Francis
Tarot cards—a clever marketing strategy or an ancient mystical guide?
There is much mystery surrounding the history of the tarot and countless myths about its origins. Cynics say that this mystery has been manipulated as a marketing tool for tarot card salesmen!
However, by just looking at the evidence and opinions supplied by other tarot enthusiasts we see that the earliest surviving full deck was painted in 1422 by Italian artist Bonifacio Bembo. This is known as the Visconti deck, named after the Duke of Milan, who commissioned them.
Although accounts of Ancient Egyptian, Celtic, Indian and earlier Italian links have been suggested, there is no evidence of any earlier decks.
The cards were originally used for a game called Tarocchi or ‘Game of Triumphs’ which was similar to Bridge. The game was played mainly by the Upper Classes and has continued in some circles.
The tarot’s use by the Upper Classes probably saved the game from being banned by the Church even though it was considered to be heresy and was outlawed by the Church. Indeed in the latter half of the fifteenth century some church sermons labelled tarot as the work of the Devil, but the Church had better foes to fight where cards were concerned- mainly games promoting gambling. Continue reading →
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Posted in: Decks, Myths and Lore, Tarot History.
Tagged: Aleister Crowley · Bonifacio Bembo · Francesco Sforza · origins of the tarot · Rider-Waite · Visconti-Sforza deck
Dec 7th, 2009
by TarotTrumps.
Image by Eugénie... via Flickr
Author: Shana Diamond
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of reading tarot cards is how subjective it is. It is both fortunate and unfortunate that there is no simple formula for interpreting the tarot.
Reading tarot cards is an art that combines skill and practice with intuition and emotion, making it a particularly challenging undertaking. The same card may have different meanings depending upon its context, placement in the spread, and the situation being asked about.
Combine this with the fact that there are, usually, 78 cards in the traditional tarot deck, infinite spreads (card layouts), and hundreds (if not thousands) of different decks, it’s understandable that some people spend their entire life honing their tarot reading skills.
The good news is that it’s totally doable – and totally fun! Reading tarot cards can be incredibly satisfying, not to mention useful. Along the way, you will learn more about yourself than you thought possible, and will give you a sense of accomplishment and “inside” knowledge. Continue reading →
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Posted in: Card Meanings, Interpretation, Readings, Symbolism.
Tagged: card layouts · learn to do tarot readings · learning to read tarot cards · reading tarot cards · verb conjugations
Dec 3rd, 2009
by TarotTrumps.
Image via Wikipedia
Are tarot card readings accurate? Are they a REALLY effective way of illuminating my future… while revealing my past? And what’s the very best way of getting a REAL reading without being ripped off?
In this article we are going to take a quick and insightful look at getting a genuine tarot card reading, while avoiding some of the silly stuff that we all see so much of, especially online.
Okay… but is tarot real, or simply all make believe?
Honestly? Tarot is a tool. A prism of perspective and interpretation…..and is subject to the skill of the psychic who is doing the work. In other words, in the hands of someone who has NO idea how to properly read, interpret and UNDERSTAND the tarot…..they might as well be reading matchbox cars..:-)
But in the hands of a skilled, insightful and genuinely gifted psychic, the tarot is an insightful, and illuminating instrument of amazing “opening” into your true destiny, and purpose.
So I should be careful about who I choose when getting a reading, right?
Absolutely, yes. The trick is, you need to properly pick a reader who has authentic skill. Someone who has a nice following, good reviews, works for a reputable service or network, has a good money back guarantee, etc. Continue reading →
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Posted in: Interpretation, Readings.
Tagged: matchbox cars · money back guarantee · tarot card reading · tarot card readings · true destiny
Dec 1st, 2009
by TarotTrumps.
Strength card from the Rider-Waite deck
Author: Victor Epand
The card of Strength is not referring to the physical attribute of that characteristic. The strength at work here is of character- the proper control of emotions and desires. This card symbolizes patience, courage, action and determination.
Aspects that are not associated with this card are compassion, nurturing and forgiveness. It is all about control of the self and of the surroundings.
There is a deep seated power here, one that moves softly but victoriously. This state of being is achieved by properly controlling your emotional side with your more rational mental prowess.
If this card appears in a tarot reading, whatever goals you are after can be accomplished if you are willing to be patient. Continue reading →
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Posted in: Card Meanings.
Tagged: Hermit card · Justice card · rider waite tarot deck · Strength card · Wheel of Fortune card
Nov 28th, 2009
by TarotTrumps.
Image via Wikipedia
Author: Frederick Gimino
Designing your own Tarot Deck can be fun and fulfilling. Even if your artistic talents are less than masterful a fully functional, unique, and aesthetically pleasing deck can be created. Whether you choose to decorate an existing deck or create your own here are some helpful ideas to get you started down the right path.
Many people use the Golden Dawn Deck for inspiration. This is because The Golden Dawn Deck encourages people to design their own sets of Tarot cards. To do this, you can either copy the original design and redraw them with your own take on them or create your own deck with symbols and pictures from scratch.
Once you have settled on a design for your Tarot deck you should copy the design so you can construct your own. Your artwork may vary from the design of the deck you copied, but in the end you will have your own unique deck of Tarot cards. Continue reading →
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Posted in: Decks, Symbolism, Tarot Art.
Tagged: design your own tarot deck · Golden Dawn tarot deck · magician · order of the golden dawn · Rider-Waite deck
Nov 23rd, 2009
by TarotTrumps.
The cover of the Thoth tarot deck.Image via Wikipedia
Author: Craig Malone
The Thoth Tarot Deck was a tarot deck developed by the English occultist Aleister Crowley and illustrated on his instructions by Lady Frieda Harris. Aleister Crowley called the Thoth tarot deck, the book of Thoth and claimed that the deck reflected the wisdom of the ancient Egyptian book of Thoth.
The tarot card descriptions found on the Thoth Tarot deck are different in symbolism and imagery compared to other standard tarot card decks.
Thoth is considered one of the most important deities of the ancient Egyptian pantheon. He is known as the God with the head of an ibis. He is the heart and tongue of the all-powerful Egyptian Sun God Ra. He translated the will of Ra into speech and is the divine communicator of Egyptian mythology.
He was the scribe of the Gods and was called the God of Writing. The book of Thoth is used for divination through tarot cards. The tarot card descriptions on the Thoth deck are reflections of the great knowledge of the ancient Egyptians. Continue reading →
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Posted in: Decks, Symbolism, Tarot Art, Tarot History.
Tagged: Aleister Crowley · ancient egyptian book of thoth · Lady Frieda Harris · Thoth tarot deck
