Tarotmancy

[Angaridatha]

Tarotmancy, a division of Cartomancy, also known more simply as reading TAROT! woot.

Here are some images from my own tarot deck, known as the Thoth tarot deck created by Aleister Crowley. There are a lot of different tarot decks out there- I prefer this one for its beauty and for its drawings which are filled with nuances.

[Angaridatha]

There are 78 cards in a Tarot Deck, divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The word "Arcana" comes from the Latin arcanus, meaning closed or secret. In the context of the Tarot, it means a secret or a mystery, and is usually used in the plural form.

The Major Arcana, or trump suit, consists of 22 cards. Each card has a different picture which illustrates an action, behavior and/or event. Each card also has a label, which is a name, a title, or a description of the picture on the card. All the cards in the Major Arcana except one are numbered, from 1-21. The fool, which is the only unnumbered card, is considered to number zero.

In a reading, the Major Arcana represents states of being-your mental, emotional, and or spiritual condition at the time of the reading, or in terms of the situation being described.

The remaining 56 cards in your deck are called the Minor Arcana. These are divided into four suits: Swords, Wands, Cups, Pentacles or Coins. There are 14 cards in each suit: 10 numbered (pip) cards, from Ace to Ten, and 4 face (court) cards: Page, Knight, Queen and King.

In a reading, The Minor Arcana describes events or situations, and each suit focuses on a different area of your life. In general, Swords describe your mental or intellectual state, and Cups your emotional life. Pentacles or Coins correspond to your physical or material status, and Wands to career, abilities or potentials. The court cards sometimes represent actual people in your life, or they may have the same kind of interpretation as the pip cards.

It is the cards of the Minor Arcana which correspond to today's modern deck of playing cards. In the modern deck, the Knight was eliminated, and the Page became the Jack, leaving only three court cards to each suit. The Tarot's Swords have become Spades, Cups became Hearts, Coins or Pentacles are called Diamonds, and Wands are Clubs. The only card from the Major Arcana that has made the transition from Tarot to the playing deck is The Fool , which has become the Joker.

[Angaridatha]

HISTORY OF THE TAROT

There are many theories about the origin of the Tarot, but no one knows for certain where and how the cards were first developed. Some claim the Tarot evolved from the yarrow sticks used with the Chinese divination system called I Ching, others say that it was adapted from the legendary book of Thoth. Still others place its origin as recently as fourteenth or fifteenth century Europe, since the earliest known complete deck dates from that time.

The most popular theory is that the Tarot was invented in ancient Egypt, and brought to Europe around the fourteenth century by wandering tribes of Gypsies. According to these scholars, the illustrations shown on the cards of the Major Arcana were derived from the teachings of the secret schools of Egypt. Other schools of thought also theorize that the Major Arcana is a record of the secret teachings of various underground religious groups. One such group to whom the origin of the Tarot is attributed is the Gnostics, early Christian sects often considered heretical for their spiritual beliefs, who were indeed forced to take their faith underground to escape persecution.

Another theory suggests that the Tarot philosophy was derived from that of the Cabala. The order of the Major Arcana is indeed based on the Hebrew system of letters and numbers.

The Cabala is a mystical Jewish tradition which teaches that it is possible, thought symbolic interpretation of ancient texts, to raise your consciousness above the level of mundane knowledge and lead you to an understanding of and union with the divine. In this teaching, letters and numbers are not merely a way of writing down thoughts and events, but rather reservoirs of divine power which contain volumes of information and enlightenment accessible to the adept.

Many of the teachings of the Cabalists were never written down, they were passed from teacher to student by word of mouth and kept secret from outsiders. The kind of symbolism used in the Major Arcana is a way of preserving those secrets without making them readily available to the uninitiated.

The origin of the Minor Arcana is also in question. Some researchers believe they were part of the original Egyptian deck, others say the were added around the fourteenth century from an Italian card game known as tarocchi. In fact, even the origin of the name "Tarot" is in doubt. One simple explanation is that the name was derived from the crossed lines which appear on the back of the cards, a design called tarotee. Others say the name comes from the tarrochi, which supplies the cards of the Minor Arcana.

[Angaridatha]

This is a Tarot spread for determining a course of action.

Card 1: The present or general theme of the reading
Card 2: Past influences still having effect
Card 3: The future
Card 4: The reason behind the question (this will probably shed light on 2)
Card 5: The potential within the situation

This is a very useful spread when trying to decide a given course of action. Card 4 will often reveal a subconscious impulse - perhaps a blockage which is stopping you from achieving your desired result. Card 5 shows the possible results from taking a given course of action. The spread works best if, whilst selecting the cards, you concentrate on one aspect of the decision, rather than either/or type questions.

[Angaridatha]

This is a Tarot spread for direct questions. You could try this seven card spread as a variation that answers direct questions well.

Card 1: Past influences now having bearing on the situation
Card 2: Now - the influences surrounding you at the minute
Card 3: Future influence having bearing
Card 4: What to do
Card 5: External influences having bearing
Card 6: Hopes and fears
Card 7: Final outcome of this situation

I find Card 4 particularly useful, especially if you read it against the 'Working with' section. It allows you to get a handle on the things you need to be doing to help yourself in this situation now.

[Angaridatha]

The Celtic Cross Spread is my personal favorite. It was the first that I learned and it's served me well since.

The ten card Celtic Cross is the most common Tarot card layout I've ever come across. With this popularity there comes the problem of many variances of placement. Below is the one I use with my comments about the interaction of the placements. In my opinion the Celtic Cross works best when used to answer specific questions. Remember to put some thought into the formulation of the question you wish to ask.

Card 1: The present
Card 2: The immediate challenge facing the querent. You will often pull a difficult card here, which will indicate an obstacle that must be overcome. When you pull a "good" card here, examine it carefully because it will still represent a challenge.
Card 3: Distant past, foundation. This card should indicate the root of the subject matter of the question.
Card 4: More recent past, including events. This will indicate events taking place, not necessarily directly connected to the question. For example, if a love affair going wrong Card 3 would show the root of why it is going wrong, whereas Card 4 will show something that recently happened to reflect this. You could see this as a "check comment" card - a way of seeing that the reading is sound.
Card 5: The best that can be achieved. This is directly related to the question. Note that this may not necessarily gel against Card 10 - it depends whether you are able to get the best. However, a negative card here probably means that it is worth cutting your losses rather than putting any more effort into the situation.
Card 6: Immediate Future. This indicates events in the next few days or week(s). This reading does not cover months.
Card 7: Factors or inner feelings affecting the situation. Compare this against Card 1 in order to understand underlying forces/trends. If there is conflict between them this tends to indicate that the querent is going in the wrong direction.
Card 8: External influences. People, energies or events which will affect the outcome of the question and are beyond the querent's control.
Card 9: Hopes or fears around the situation. This may produce a card that confuses us badly. Always bear in mind that hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear, and so may fail to happen. Sometimes it is useful to draw a second card for clarification after the reading has been laid, and to read the two together.
Card 10: Final outcome. This is a fairly self explanatory card. However it is worth saying that if the card comes up somewhat ambiguous, once again it may be worth drawing three extra cards to clarify. These should be interpreted through the lens of Card 10. So if the card drawn is the Tower and we draw the Ace of Cups, Princess of Cups and Four of Cups in a reading about a relationship, the Tower would indicate that it is time to move on. The Ace of Cup suggests that a new relationship is promised with better things ahead. The Princess of Cups brings new love (and possibly pregnancy). The Four of Cups shows deep levels of contentment and happiness, and many options for progress

[Angaridatha]

Card 1: The querent.
Card 2: The way you see the other person in the relationship.
Card 3: The way they see themselves.
Card 4: What the person represents to you.
Card 5: What you represent to them.
Card 6: Obstacles within the relationship.
Card 7: Strengths within the relationship.
Card 8: Probable result.

This spread works primarily on existing relationships, but can assess anything from a budding love affair to an established partnership.

It will often reveal inconsistencies between viewpoints - for example if the cards at 2 and 3 contradict one another, there is a need to re-assess and re-adjust points of view, or take into account the input of the other person.

Obstacles will sometimes produce very positive cards - look carefully under the surface if you find this, rather than assuming everything is fine!

The probable result card is drawn with circumstances as they currently are - but if changes recommended by the reading are effected, then this final card can change.

[Angaridatha]

Card 1: An overview of the self.
Card 2: Ambitions, goals.
Card 3: Ideals, dreams.
Card 4: Real achievements at this time.
Card 5: Dependencies, faulty beliefs.
Card 6: Strengths and positive traits.
Card 7: Faults and weaknesses.
Card 8: Self perception.
Card 9: Desires.

The Mandala Spread
In its purest form the Mandala spread assesses one's spiritual path. It can be adapted to address specific issues, and questions, or an open reading with no overall question can be posed.

This spread reveals the strengths, weaknesses and desires which lead one toward a growth in spirituality, indicating pitfalls and positive points in a way that it is possible for the querent to put together a much more clear view of their own progress.

Card 1 must be read against cards 2, 4, and 6 to give an overview of the way things actually ARE, then against cards 3, 8 and 9 to assess potential. After that reading Card 1 against cards 5 and 7 to reveal possible problems and areas which require further work.

Put it all together and you have quite a good overview of your querent's position and opportunities.

[Angaridatha]

Card 1: Distant past.
Card 2: Recent past.
Card 3: Now.
Card 4: Future influences.
Card 5: External influences.
Card 6: The querent's attitude.
Card 7: Helpful energies.
Card 8: Obstacles to be overcome.
Card 9: Hope and fears.
Card 10: Final result.

[Angaridatha]

The Rider-Waite tarot deck is the most popular and most commonly-used of all tarot decks. Most people who are learning the tarot choose to begin with the Rider-Waite tarot deck, and most "old hands" usually have one in their collection of decks. Books that offer instruction on tarot generally follow the symbolism portrayed in the Rider-Waite deck. How did this particular deck become so ubiquitous, and where did it come from?

Arthur Edward Waite
The "Waite" in the Rider-Waite Tarot refers to Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1941). Waite was born in America, raised in England, and was deeply interested in all matters of an occult nature. He was a member (later Grand Master) of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, one of whose founders was Samuel McGregor Mathers and whose members included the famous Irish poet William Butler Yeats and the infamous magician Aleister Crowley.

Pamela Colman Smith
Pamela Colman Smith was also a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and she is the artist who actually designed (under Waite's guidance) the tarot deck known today as the Rider-Waite tarot.

The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
Numerous tarot decks were in existence prior to the introduction of the Rider-Waite tarot and some, such as the Visconti Sforza tarocchi deck of the 15th century and the Tarot of Marseilles, remain in print today. What made the Rider-Waite tarot deck such an improvement over these previous decks was that all 78 cards were illustrated, not just the 22 major arcana cards and (in some cases) the four aces. This was an enormous help to students trying to memorize the meaning of each card, as now each card contained a visual clue.

[aiyanna]

You can...get a box, or make a box for your Tarot Deck, and embellish that box with protective and/or empowering symbols.

You should...wrap your cards in a protective cloth or deck bag.

You might think about...cleansing your cards by putting them up-right and in order.

It also might help to...smudge your cards with sage to cleanse and re-energize them.

It is good to...store your deck with stones or crystals that absorb negative energy, promote healing, or provide protective energy.

www.llewellyn.com

[Angaridatha]

Haven't gotten enough tarot from this massively large information section!? Look no further! Awesome tarot research site. Kinda like my book I just got, but not quite as extensive.

www.learntarot.com/course.htm

[The Wizard]

And when you thought you'd seen plenty of great tarot spreads to last you a long time.... more appeared!

Yum.

[aiyanna]

Tarot Awareness by Stephen Walter Sterling
The books descriptions for each card are lengthy, incorporating various flavors of New Age and mysticism. It discusses Chakras and the Kabbalah. Each Major Arcana card has a guided-meditation vision-quest associated with it. It might be a bit too spiritual for some people, but it's the best for memorizaton.

Also, in fiction Phoenix And Ashes The Element Masters Bk #3; by Mercedes Lackey. Lackey used the Tarot in the plot of her book, gives what could be modified as a guided meditation...