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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.

As a matter of fact, the earliest use of tarot cards in fifteenth century Italy was as a game, much like a deck of regular playing cards but with the addition of trump cards. It wasn’t until late 17th or 18th century that tarot cards began to take on a more serious role in divination.

Over the years, the pictures in the tarot cards, their rich symbolisms, procedures, purposes, and meanings evolved in such a way that the characters portrayed in them have come to mirror all our follies, fears, strengths, and hopes. By stringing them together into a tale, we are able to retell and uncover the past as we would have liked it unfold, as well as get a sense of a manageable future we can feel safe with.

A radical and inevitable shift indeed for tarot cards from a simple game to life-changing therapy.

Carl Jung, a world renowned psychologist has always considered tarot as an alternative psychotherapy. By utilising the rich imagery encapsulated in every tarot card, we are able to voice out our concerns, look into our past, and prepare for the future.

In some cases, children who don’t yet know how to speak can use the images and characters in the tarot deck to piece together their thoughts and tell their story. Tarot cards then offer an alternative language system through which we can bring our Unconscious up to the light.

Jung explains that tarot cards represent different archetypes of human personality and situations. The Death Card then is not just simplistically a dreary card foretelling iretractable death to the querent (person who asks questions in a tarot card reading). Rather, the death card can be seen as the death, an end of something inside us: a vice, long standing pain, bad habits, sorrow, signaling rebirth.

We do not just blindly pick out cards from the tarot deck. Every moment of our lives we are armed with choices, choices that spell out and define our fate. It’s not just what you keep out from your life that matters; it’s also what you allow to make a difference. Even if they’re just a deck of tarot cards.

About the Author

This article was written by Neoli Marcos for Psychic Guild: online provider of phone tarot reading, love advice and psychic reader

(ArticlesBase SC #152900)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Tarot Cards as Alternative Therapy

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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.

Make your first readings for others are ones for family, friends and people who are genuinely interested in the Tarot. Trust your judgment that these be people who are kind and supportive types.

Let the person begin the Tarot reading by proposing a question. Your Tarot reading begins always with the querent giving a question they would like the reading to focus on. Let the person you are reading come up with the question. Sometimes when we read our family and friends, this means that they want to look into some life issue that may seem tiresome to us but is very close to this person’s heart.

When reading for others it is important to respect people’s feelings. Every question should be treated with respect. Most Tarot questions work best if they are simply phrased and to-the-point. The Tarot question is ideal when it focuses on one issue. When the querent wants to ask about an additional issue, suggest you do a second Tarot reading for that question.

Give the Tarot cards to the person to shuffle. This puts the querent’s energy into the Tarot cards. When you are reading Tarot, this is a very common practice to have the person asking the question shuffle the cards for awhile. It is also fun and makes them feel like a part of the reading.

Try not to criticize the way they shuffle your Tarot cards unless they are doing something that might damage your Tarot cards. Many people are not used to handling Tarot cards; suggest they shuffle them, just as they would playing cards.

Trust your intuition to guide the Tarot reading. The Tarot is full of symbolism and other information that will give you a reading for any question that you ask. Trust your own intuition when looking at the cards.

You may feel inspired to say something different even though a card’s interpretation according to the book means something a little different. This is quite common with Tarot readers and simply means you are connecting with the Tarot cards in your own personal way. Everyone has their own personal way of reading Tarot and as you read for others, you’ll discover yours.

Don’t make predictions about death, medical or legal issues. Most professional Tarot card readers will not touch these issues with a ten-foot pole. It is advisable that you not do Tarot readings for these issues either. When someone asks you to look into why they get headaches, encourage them to see a medical professional.

People may ask you other questions that make you uncomfortable you don’t have to try to answer them. Simply say politely, “I don’t think I can answer that one.” Don’t say you can’t get the answer “right now” or they’ll try to get you to read the issue later on. When you speak to them, be kind, friendly and polite. Do not let them “box” you into doing a reading that makes you uncomfortable in any way.

Try not to take criticisms or comments about your Tarot readings too much to heart. Some people may criticize your Tarot readings and this can hurt your feelings. Other people may praise you nearly to the heavens, making you out to be some amazing oracle type of person. Don’t let this inflate your ego either. Focus instead on your love of the Tarot cards and continue reading them for pure enjoyment.

The person who loves Tarot most often runs into both of these types of people during their reading experiences. You don’t want to let either of them ruin your experience with Tarot cards. When reading Tarot cards, be kind and respectful of others and even if your readings are not perfect they will be the best you can do.

Reading the Tarot for others can be fun, entertaining and quite enjoyable. Having respect for other people and also the Tarot is critical. Once you become skilled at this, it is also a great way to earn additional income.

About the Author

If you are looking for real tarot card readings our website provides access to the best tarot reading available.

(ArticlesBase SC #495974)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – How to Read Tarot Cards For Fun

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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.

Myth 2 – “The Tarot come from Ancient Egypt”

The earliest that Tarot can be dated back to is 16th century Italy. There is no evidence of Tarot existing anywhere else in the world prior to this. Some people claim the cards derive from India or China but this is also baseless speculation.

Myth 3 – “Receiving the Death card means someone is about to die”

Unlikely. The whole point of the symbolism of the cards is that they represent deeper life truths. To take any of the cards literally would be to miss out on a layers of meaning and insight.

In the case of the Death card, to the medieval mind Death represented an inevitable change and often a passing to a better place. The card represents change and evolution. One can’t, however, rule out the possibility of this occasionally actually signifying a death.

Myth 4 – “Reading Tarot is dabbling in the occult”

There are many claims that the Tarot have Pagan, witchcraft or shamanic roots and some have even implicated the Tarot in devil worship and satanic rites. Another frequent claim is that the Tarot derives from ancient religions now forgotten. None of this is true.

Tarot , as has already been said, originated in medieval Italy and the predominant cultural backdrop of that time was christian. The symbolism of the cards is either christian or jewish – new testament or old. The word ‘occult’ merely means ‘hidden’ so in that sense one could say taking a reading is dealing with the occult because one is trying to reveal what is hidden.

Myth 5 – “Reading your own cards will bring misfortune”

This is one which professional readers and those experienced with the cards know not to be true but which often gets repeated. It may have arisen from the fact that Tarot card readers will avoid reading their own cards. Not because it is unlucky but simply because it is not effective.

A good Tarot reading requires three parties; the questioner, the reader and the deck. The reader tries to remain objective and reports to the questioner what the cards are saying without any bias or desire to hear a particular message. Playing this role for your own reading is difficult if not impossible.

Myth 6 – “You need to have some psychic ability to read the Tarot”

Most people can learn to read the Tarot to a lesser or greater extent. No psychic powers are necessary because all the wisdom is in the cards and the meanings which have been developed over the years.

In fact if one was psychic why would you need to use the Tarot? Tarot works best when the reader drops their preconceptions and feelings about a problem and just lets the cards do the talking.

Myth 7 – “Nobody should ever handle your Tarot deck”

There are some practitioners that wont let anyone else touch their Tarot cards. Even when they carry out a reading they won’t allow the questioner to shuffle the deck for themselves.

In my experience this precious attitude comes from those who want to build up themselves and their deck to be something special. A control thing if you like.

This is against the spirit of Tarot, which promotes open enquiry and sharing of understanding. Allowing clients to shuffle the cards helps them to feel a part of the process and focus on the problem at hand.

Myth 8 “The Tarot can be used to cast spells or effect other people”

It is sometimes thought that the Tarot can be used to make things happen rather than predict them. To influence someone’s life from afar, for good or evil.

This is a long way from what the cards are actually about, which is simply gaining understanding. There is no reason to believe that the Tarot has any power other than that of insight.

One of the frequent messages that comes out of Tarot readings is actually how little ability we sometimes have to influence our own lives let alone someone else’s. Put in a nutshell the Tarot would probably say ‘get your own act together before you try to change others’.

Myth 9 – “Different decks give different readings”

This is slightly subjective but in my experience, no. Whatever the deck the meanings derived over four centuries remain the same.

Different people will however relate more warmly to some decks rather than others and the images that the client is most comfortable with will create the best atmosphere for a reading. A cynical person might suspect this myth is propagated by the deck manufacturers.

Myth 10 – “It is dangerous to have too many Tarot readings”

There is a belief that people who become obsessed with Tarot and keep taking one reading after another bring themselves bad luck or even risk pushing themselves over the edge. This maybe true in as much as seeking constant advice can be a sign of some sort of impending crisis.

Such people may also have been close to the edge anyway. The main thing is that too much advice is bad for anyone and only leads to confusion.

For more information about Tarot cards and their meanings visit http://www.tarotcardmeaning.info/ or try our free online Tarot card reading.

About the Author

Fred Street is the creator of http://www.tarot-cards-reading.com a free Tarot reading site which offers a wide range of readings online and by email. Ideal for anyone learning Tarot%d%a  (ArticlesBase SC #667700)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Top Ten Myths About Tarot Cards and Tarot Reading

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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.

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I was also once scheduled to attend a feast and an initiation into the Order of Ordo Templi Orientis, or O.T.O. (Aleister Crowley later became a prominent figure head within this Order. I am not certain if this Order teaches Tarot and/or Yoga.)

In studying the works of Aleister Crowley, I learned a lot about Tarot and Yoga. From Aleister Crowley, I learned the initiated meanings of Tarot Card symbols, astrological symbols, and religious symbols. In Yoga, I learned how to heighten my awareness, focus, and concentration.

I learned the art of Tarot par excellence, and how to read Tarot Cards. (I believe that I may have been born with a psychic gift, or I have a bizarre talent with the Tarot. My own personal experiences with the Tarot have remained to this day unexplainable, even to me; I am heavily influenced by Aleister Crowley’s writings on the Tarot.)

With the Tarot, I prefer to use the Tarot deck designed by Aleister Crowley. I always lay out an accurate Tarot reading, no matter what the object or subject of the Tarot divination is. I can only demonstrate this psychic ability with Tarot Cards – any deck of Tarot Cards, not just the Aleister Crowley deck.

My mother has had a couple of prophetic dreams that she shared with me once. She never practiced neither Yoga nor Tarot. I may have inherited her gift for prophecy. Her gift manifests in the form of a dream, and for me it is always demonstrated in the practice of reading Tarot Cards!

In accordance with Aleister Crowley’s guidelines for study and experimentation I also experimented with pendulum dowsing and obtained remarkably inaccurate results – so astonishingly incorrect as to suggest psychic ability, but at the same time so undependable that I left my studies with pendulum dowsing to pursue my practice with the Tarot.

VISIT OUR FREE BOOKS, E-BOOKS, AND SOFTWARE SECTIONS. BROWSE THROUGH CLASSIC AND NEWER SELECTIONS FOR YOGA, TAROT, AND ALL OF THE OCCULT CLASSICS INCLUDING ALL OF ALEISTER CROWLEY’S WORKS, WORKS ON YOGA AND TAROT, ASTROLOGY SOFTWARE, TAROT CARD SOFTWARE, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!

Reading Tarot Cards takes years to learn how to do correctly because of the complexity of Tarot card symbolism; the individual meanings of each of the seventy-eight Tarot Cards, and the meanings of each of the positions, depending upon which layout method you are utilizing.

With Tarot, Yoga, (and even Aleister Crowley), repetition, practice, and experience count for everything! The symbolism of the Tarot is deep and at times quite obscure – mastery also depends, theoretically, on a psychic gift. I can demonstrate extraordinary abilities with the Tarot, and I have done so for more than fifteen years.

I want to write a small, practical book on how to learn and practice the Art of Tarot (and even Yoga) correctly, and how to gauge your own progress in a scientific manner! I will then make this book available through Green Planet Fantasy Malls!

Reading Tarot Cards, Yoga, and even Aleister Crowley are things that I know a lot about, and I am very well versed in other religious and mystical studies. Like Aleister Crowley, I do not personally believe in a Devil as some people believe, nor do I understand God to be as personal of a person as people sometimes portray Him, or think about Him. It is the same in Yoga.

For the most part, occult practices (including Tarot and Yoga) have more to do with cultivating self-discipline, focus, concentration, self-healing, physical and emotional healing, and later even learning to heal and/or help others. Aleister Crowley outlines numerous exercises in Yoga, breathing, meditation, and Tarot.

Also included in the works of Aleister Crowley there are practices of invoking and evoking forces, ritual, prayer, Yoga, working miracles, and Tarot divination. In some of these areas there is perhaps a lot of rubbish as far as writings and teachings go, but there also writings and practices that are gems; teachings and understandings in both Tarot and Yoga that anyone can benefit from.

True practice of the occult sciences (including the practices of the Tarot and Yoga) is to initiate you to a path of self-understanding, self acceptance, and self-discipline! As Aleister Crowley pointed out, it is to place yourself onto the Path that eventually leads you to YOU – to Love, Peace, Strength, Honor, and Devotion; the One, True Path (as in Yoga) that brings us closer to ourselves, and to God, and teaches us to be more Christ like!

This Path (which includes teachings from both Yoga and the Tarot) is as unique as each individual is, but the method of approach is very much the same for all of us!

At least some people have heard of the infamous Aleister Crowley, and perhaps even the infamous Aleister Crowley Castle. Aleister Crowley was a famous writer (on both Tarot and Yoga) who flourished around the turn of the century. Aleister Crowley was also a world record holder in the sport of mountain climbing, a world class chess player, and a big game hunter.

Aleister Crowley traveled the world, wrote books on Yoga and Tarot, studied heavily in the occult sciences, and was often referred to as a genius (especially in Yoga and Tarot) and was once even kicked out of Italy by none other than Mussolini himself. Many know of Aleister Crowley only because he was once hailed to be the wickedest man in the world in the tabloids of the 1940’s!

The Aleister Crowley Castle is not really a castle at all...see my pic at the bottom of this page! Most people who have heard of the infamous Aleister Crowley Castle have heard about it because it is now owned by the famous rock guitar player for Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page!

Though I myself once possessed a rare collection of Aleister Crowley’s works, including his best works on Yoga and the Tarot, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin has collected an enormous amount of Aleister Crowley memorabilia. And, yes, he even bought Aleister Crowley’s flat on Loch Ness – the Aleister Crowley Castle!

(Aleister Crowley only lived in the Aleister Crowley Castle himself for roughly six months! The Magickal Work, Yoga, and Tarot he practiced there supposedly made the place haunted, and so even Aleister Crowley himself eventually left the flat!!!)

So, what did Aleister Crowley do during his six month stay on Loch Ness? Well, Aleister Crowley obtained a book called “The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage.”  Aside from practicing in Yoga and Tarot, he was, at that time, aspiring to the Magickal Grade of Adeptus Minor. (Yoga and Tarot are both important aspects of this Grade.)

Anyway, Aleister Crowley sought out and bought a place to retire for six months (sometimes referred to as a magickal retirement) while he carried out the instructions in the above mentioned book; a six month Ritual of Yoga and Magick in which the goal was to obtain to The Knowledge and Conversation of The Holy Guardian Angel.

I understand a thing or two about this particular Grade Work myself, and, if accomplished correctly, attainment in this Grade means simply that you now understand what God’s True Will is for you. (As I stated already, both Yoga and Tarot are important to this Grade.) In the next Magickal Grade of Work you set out to rearrange your life in accordance with your Divine understanding.

Attainment in this Magickal Grade means that you finally understand your strengths and weaknesses in such a way as to know what God’s will is for you; it is like finally understanding who you are, and what your purpose is, especially from the Divine perspective. This is all a rather complicated subject, as Aleister Crowley would agree!

Whether or not Aleister Crowley succeeded in this Work or not was heavily debated within his own circles. But, the flat pictured below is where Aleister Crowley settled down to undertake this Magickal Work. The Aleister Crowley Castle is purportedly haunted as a direct result of Aleister Crowley’s Work there! I suppose we could all ask Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin if the Aleister Crowley castle is really haunted, assuming he himself has ever been there!

About the Author

For more on this article and for more great “how to” articles and FREE downloads, visit Green Planet Fantasy Theater. Music artists, Tarot, Computer Games, and Poker, plus DVD Movies, Music Collections, Games, Books, Software, and Adult XXX Movies, Videos, and PC Games FREE.

(ArticlesBase SC #625291)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Tarot, Yoga, and Aleister Crowley

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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.

It is believed that the cards were used for inspiration for poetry, describing aspects of the human mind and character traits. The cards have obviously evolved according to the culture of the times and attitudes from whence they were used.

Probably the most important manifestations and manipulations of the Tarot deck were by Alistair Crowley and Waite of the Rider-Waite deck. The imagery on this deck is the one with which we are most familiar today. The Rider- Waite deck was introduced into America in the twentieth century and the one most available to the American public.

For more information on tarot cards visit http://www.thetextperts.co.uk/tarot.html

About the Author:
Janet Francis is currently opening her own business while continuing to freelance as a commercial writer. Check out her new services at http://www.entourageangels.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Tarot Cards- a Clever Marketing Strategy or an Ancient Mystical Guide?

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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.

Like a Language

You can compare the tarot with a language. Can anyone ever know every meaning of every single word in any language? Of course not. So with Tarot. It is a language in itself – a language of symbols.

Just as an individual word can have multiple meanings, so can every individual card. Beyond simple definitions, every word can have multiple connotations which vary with the context of its usage and even the tone of the speaker.

Ever heard, “It’s not what you said, it’s how you said it”? This applies to every language and no less to the tarot.

Can anyone read tarot cards? Sure they can. But just like learning a foreign language, some will seem to have a natural talent for it, while others may struggle. And just like a foreign language, there’s more to it than just memorizing lists of vocabulary and verb conjugations.

To be fluent in tarot, to be able to pull poetry from a spread, it takes an appreciation for the finer nuances of the symbolic language, and practice, practice, practice. Even Shakespeare worked at his art, and so must the tarot reader.

The key to successfully reading tarot is in honest study and sharpening your natural intuition. You know that feeling you get “in your gut” sometimes, that no one can really explain? To be able to effectively interpret a tarot spread, you have to trust your gut. Doing so will probably take some practice.

When seen this way, we see that tarot is more than just a memorization of card meanings. It also involves confidence, trust, and dedication. Most taroists meditate regularly, to become more adept at hearing, and understanding, their subconscious minds.

Learn the Symbols, Listen to Your Heart

There are essentially only two parts to learning the tarot: studying the symbols and learning to tap into that special part of you that is connected to the whole of the universe. Obviously, this is a gross oversimplification of the process, but it is the framework upon which successful tarot reading is built.

Learn the Symbols

In the basic tarot deck, the symbols draw upon the western European magical tradition, and include ideas from Christian mysticism, Pagan mythology, astrology, numerology, alchemy, and Kabbalah. One could spend an entire lifetime studying these traditions, but a comprehensive understanding is not necessary to successful tarot reading.

A basic understanding however, is required. Before we jump into the more analytical side of things, it’s important that you take a deep breath and connect.

Listen to Your Heart

Learning to listen to your subconscious is crucial. There are countless exercises and meditations designed to help you learn to listen. Since meditation is an art itself, and can be very frustrating to beginners, a good place to begin is to think of each card as a piece of art.

Most of us have stood in front of a painting and just looked. You don’t have to understand color theory and composition to appreciate beautiful art. It certainly helps, but it’s not a prerequisite. Go ahead and try it now:

Listening Exercise

• Get a pencil and piece of paper. You’re about to start your tarot journal. (Want a special notebook for this? Check out the fabric covered pads from Tarot Totes
• Pull a card from your tarot deck. Any card will do.
• Now look at it. Don’t worry about its divinatory meaning, the symbolic tradition. Just look at it. Let the card’s imagery draw you in.
• What do you feel? Can you describe the colors? Does the image remind of you something – a feeling, a dream, a person, a memory? What’s the first thing that pops into your mind?
• Before you forget the sensation, write down which card you pulled, and then your initial reactions to it.

You’re done! It’s that simple. You may want to look up the meaning of that card and compare it with what you felt. Though every card’s meaning is basically standardized, your own interpretation will color and highlight how you read the card.

That’s what’s so beautiful about tarot – every reader, and every reading is unique and personal. Without your own spin on it, a card is just a piece of paper with some pretty pictures on it.

During your “Learning the Tarot” journey it’s always a good idea to journal. Since you’re essentially learning a new language – a symbolic language – taking notes is never a bad idea.

Years from now you’ll be able to look back a see how far you’ve come. It’s a journey that will change you forever.

For more advice on reading tarot cards and for all the supplies you’ll need, try Tarot Cards from Tarot Totes.

About the Author:

With a B.A. in archaeology and a lifelong fascination with history, the occult, and languages, Shana Diamond has a wealth of information to offer the world. From flint-knapping to spell-casting, her unique and varied skill set gives her an invaluable perspective on both practical and arcane topics. She currently owns and operates RavensWell Wiccan Supplies and writes in her spare time.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Learning to Read Tarot Cards: Some Basic Advice

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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.

Much like picking a good doctor, lawyer or other service professional, you need to do a wee bit of research before picking a reader that’s right for you. (or simply check out the reviews of others who have gone “before” you, and see what they’ve had to say about the experience as well)

The bottom line?

Stay away from “free” readings. And avoid any offer that sounds too good to be true! A quality tarot card reader will WANT to be paid for their services (as do we ALL in our chosen fields) and any reading you see that is advertised as “free”, usually isn’t. (and in our opinion, should be avoided at all costs if you’re serious about seeing a real psychic, to boot!)

Warning! Don’t get scammed by another “fake” Psychic EVER Again!

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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.

The Hermit from the Rider-Waite deck

The Hermit has a purposeful reason for shutting himself off from the world. He isn’t just an antisocial miser. He is trying to find his inner truth with only the help of a small lantern and the sound of the voice within.

The world’s distractions can obscure that truth and make it harder to utilize those helping tools. He has already done much work towards calming his internal chaos but the external chaos around him is preventing the task from being completed.

It is a purposeful and necessary isolation. When the job is done, he will return to the world enlightened.

If this card appears in your tarot reading, now is the time for self reflection- to figure out who you truly are and what you long to be. If the card refers to a specific problem, that issue will need to be resolved before any other progress can be made. If the card refers to a person, a mentor may be about to enter your life and guide you towards self discovery.

Wheel of Fortune from the Rider-Waite deck

Though it bears the same name as a cheesy televised game show, the Wheel of Fortune is energy in its most potent form. This is the charge behind our lives, the catalyst that sets the duo of fate and destiny in motion. The shape of the wheel is representative of the life cycles that we all must pass through in our quest to a proper life and enlightenment.

Fate and destiny seem to be things that we cannot predict but we can. But tarot readings and other divinity methods can clue us in to our destinies and fate operates on that cycle. Every beginning has an end- and a new beginning right after that.

Change is unavoidable and should be embraced and learned from. When the bad spells are overwhelming you, bear in mind that it is only a matter of time before the good times get their turn.

Justice from the Rider-Waite deck

Justice is not referring to the laws and rules created and enforced by man. He presides over the unchanging laws of the universe that keep things operating as they are meant to. Cause and effect are one of the areas that Justice is in control over.

Though we have long since figured out the relationship between these aspects, we are still not able to predict what exact effect will be brought about by every cause. Naturally, karma would also be a law that Justice would enforce.

If you behave in a positive manner, positive things will return to you. If you behave in a negative manner, beware what will come back.

About the Author:

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for magic, art, and Tantra. You can find the best marketplace for magic, art, and Tantra at these 3 sites for tarot cards, art, and Tantra.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Four Important Cards in the Major Arcana of a Tarot Deck

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• The Rider Waite Tarot Deck (0)

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.

Another method of designing your own set of Tarot cards is to color in your own deck. To do this, you can copy a set by tracing out the pictures on paper and then coloring them in, or by painting over the pictures on a deck itself.

The Magician from the Rider-Waite deck, ready to color.

You could use any deck for inspiration and many have made their own versions of the Rider-Waite cards and had them published. You may wish to create a brighter, more vivid, bold version of the deck or create a softer, more subdued version. Another interesting variation is to use psychedelic designs with abstract colorings.

If you choose to create your own deck of Tarot cards then you may wish to add your own special touches to them. These could be special symbols, pictures, colors, words, textures, shapes or letters. You may wish to leave out certain things when recreating a deck of Tarot cards. If you like the artwork for example but not the card titles you could redo the artwork and leave out the less aesthetic portions of the Tarot decks theme.

If you want to create a deck entirely of you own, the first thing you need to do is think of a theme for them. Some people use their culture, family, traditions, and favorite stories as themes for their decks. Next get some Card stock from your local art supply store. Card stock works well for creating your own deck of cards. Card stock comes in different colors, sizes, and thickness. This makes choosing the perfect card stock an easy choice.

Even if you are not Picasso you can create your own Tarot deck by utilizing photos. Pictures taken of special people,places, or events can be used. If you like have some friends or family dress in appropriate attire and use that for your decks artwork. Many photo programs also contain project templates and stock photos that you can organize, print, and cut out for your tarot card project.

You can even add special touches to your cards like adding embellishments. For example small ceramic objects, small stones, flowers, buttons, shells, sand, coins, metallic art paper, or scraps of fabric all make great additions to a project. You can even use small objects to assemble pictures on the deck instead of just using them as embellishments.

Photographs used as artwork for decks of Tarot cards work well, especially if you plan to use the decks as gifts for family members or friends. Most importantly remember that imagination and experimentation are wonderful tools to be utilized while designing your own special deck of Tarot cards that are just right for you.

About the Author:
Frederick Gimino owns and operates the Free Psychic Network. Providing Free Psychic Readings including oracles in genres like Astrology, Numerology, Tarot, video readings, And Horoscopes. Visit the Free Psychic Network your authoritative expert portal to Psychics and psychic services on the web!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Artistic Insight Into Making Your Own Tarot Deck

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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.

A cult of Thoth grew during the last years of the Egyptian civilization who claimed to predict the future through occult divination. Aleister Crowley claims that the Thoth tarot deck developed by him was based on the tarot card descriptions followed by the cult of Thoth. He developed the deck between 1938 and 1943.

He commissioned Lady Frieda Harris to illustrate the deck based on his visions and based on the ancient Egyptian book of Thoth papyrus by Jasnow and Zauzich. It took five years to develop the deck because Crowley wanted the images to reflect different disciplines including science and philosophy.

The tarot card descriptions in the Crowley Thoth tarot deck are different from the Rider Waite and other standard tarot card decks. The Major Arcana or trump cards are 21 in number and consist of the fool, the Magician or Magus, the high Priestess, the Emperor, the Empress, the Hierophant, the lovers, the chariot, Adjustment, the hermit, the wheel of fortune, lust, the hanged man, death, art, devil, tower, star, moon, sun, aeon and the universe.

Court cards in the Thoth minor Arcana deck are the prince, the princess, queen and the knight. While the suite of cups, disks, swords and wands remain the same, they are illustrated with an Egyptian hieroglyphic style.

The pips of the minor Arcana in the Thoth deck relate to the signs of the zodiac with the aces depicting the root of the element they represent. Each pip card in each suite has an attribute.

The wand suite relates to the fire signs of the zodiac. The ace represents the root of the fire element 2 dominions, 3 virtues, 4 completion, 5 strife, 6 victory, 7valor, 8 swiftness, 9 strength and 10 oppression.

The cup suite represents the water signs of the zodiac. The ace represents the root of the water element, 2 love,3 abundance, 4 luxury, 5 disappointment, 6 pleasure, 7 debauchery, 8 indolence, 9 happiness and 10 safety.

The sword suite represents the air signs of the zodiac. The ace represents the root of the air element 2 peace, 3 sorrow, 4 truces, 5 defeats, 6 science, 7 futility, 8 interference, 9 cruelty and 10 ruin.

The disks suite represents the earth signs of the zodiac. The ace is the root of the earth element, 2 change, 3 work, 4 power, 5 worry, 6 success, 7 failure, 8 prudence, 9 gain and 10 wealth.

The Thoth tarot deck reflects the tarot card descriptions that formed the visions of Aleister Crowley on a visit to Egypt. Many diviners have found great merit in predicting the future using the Thoth Tarot deck.

About the Author:

CM is a writer for SpiritNow.com. Visit SpiritNow.com today, the online home of America’s Top Psychic, Sylvia Browne. Read Sylvia’s 2009 psychic predictions and the best spirituality content on the Internet on SpiritNow.com.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Thoth Tarot Deck

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