What is Tarot? The History of Tarot
What is Tarot? The History of Tarot
(Tarot Course - Lesson 1):
Tarot is a divination method consisting of 78 cards. Tarot cards are divided into two groups: Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana represents major mysteries, while the Minor Arcana signifies minor secrets. Originally, tarot readings were done using only the 22 cards of the Major Arcana, but the Minor Arcana was later added, increasing the total number of tarot cards to 78.
Within the Minor Arcana, there are four suits, each consisting of 14 cards: wands, cups, swords, and pentacles. Additionally, in each series from 1 to 10, there are four court cards that follow: pages, knights, queens, and kings. Although these court cards often represent human personalities, it's not always the case.
Tarot is considered by some as a form of divination and by others as not a divination but rather a method of exploring the subconscious. In truth, each card in the Tarot deck offers us advice about life. These pieces of advice are timeless principles that apply to every era, culture, and period. Tarot cards serve as reminders of these principles, helping us find our way.
Tarot is a tool for inner exploration and analysis that allows us to look at events from a different perspective and make healthier decisions. It's a journey into the depths of our soul, an effort to unearth hidden knowledge. Sometimes, a person may struggle to find their path, and Tarot, even if it doesn't provide direct solutions, can offer guidance and shed light on life's events.
Tarot is merely a tool, and how it is used is up to the individual. The only rule of Tarot is that there are no rules, and the person consulting the Tarot is the ruler of their Tarot world. Those interested in Tarot can choose to use predefined spreads or create their own. The owner of the cards and the one seeking insights through Tarot have the final say.
History of Tarot:
There is no definitive and precise information about the history of Tarot. Everything said about the history of Tarot is purely theoretical. Although the cards may seem to reflect the culture and classification of medieval Europe, Europeans adapted these cards from the Egyptians. If Tarot did indeed originate in ancient Egypt, it would be considered older than the Christian religion. Additionally, Tarot cards have lost their originality multiple times and have been updated numerous times.
In 1909, Rider-Waite created the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Despite the significant changes made by Rider-Waite to this deck, it is the most widely used Tarot deck today. Tarotika.com also uses this deck for explanations. However, the Tarot deck used today primarily showcases the form and style introduced by Rider-Waite. For example, Rider-Waite made a significant change to the Lovers card. In the Marseille deck, one of the older Tarot decks, this card is named the Lover, and it depicts an older and a younger woman with a man in between. The man's face is turned towards the older woman while Eros points his arrow towards the younger woman. The older woman represents the man's mother, and the younger woman is his beloved, placing the man in a dilemma between the two. Therefore, despite the card often being interpreted as love, it can also signify a situation where one must choose between two options, sometimes even reaching a crossroads where one has to bid farewell to one of two deeply cherished things.
In the Rider-Waite deck, this card takes on an entirely new meaning. In this deck, the older woman is completely removed, leaving only the young woman and the man. Some Tarot enthusiasts believe that Waite deliberately did this, causing significant harm to the Tarot deck and its meanings. In this new deck, Tarot readers have come to accept it as a triumph of love and consider the Lovers card as the beginning of a new love. Tarotika will interpret this card according to the final meaning derived from the Waite series.