About The Tarot

THE TAROT

The TAROT is made up of 78 cards. The Major Arcana, or trumps, comprises 21 of
the cards. They bear allegorical images and titles. They symbolize "the big
picture". They are in numerical order as a journey through life starting with
the fool and ending with the world. The rest of the deck is made up of the MINOR
ARCANA. They comprise four suits: the swords, wands (staves or batons), cups,
and pentacles (coins). They are made up basically like a regular card deck. Each
suit has four court cards: princess (traditionally page), prince (traditionally
knight), queen, and king. The numbered cards are ACE (1) through 10. The minor
arcana focuses on ourselves as we exist from day to day. They deal with our
personal lives, our ambitions, hopes, fears, and relations to each other. The
major arcana has implications of the individual and the minor focuses more on
the world at large. The major and minor arcana both work together to form a
whole, or a continuum. Below is a list of the traditional cards---both the major
and minor arcana.

Major Arcana:

0 The fool, I The magician, II The priestess, III The Empress, IV The Emperor, V
The hierophant, VI The lovers, VII The chariot, VIII Justice, IX The Hermit, X
Wheel of Fortune, XI Strength, XII The Hanged Man, XIII Death, XIV Temperance,
XV The Devil, XVI The Tower, XVII The Star, XVIII The Moon, XIX The Sun, XX
Judgement, XXI The World.

Minor Arcana:

Suit of wands:

Ace of wands, two of wands, three of wands, four of wands, five of wands, six of
wands, seven of wands, eight of wands, nine of wands, ten of wands, princess,
prince, queen, king.

Suit of cups:

Ace of cups, two of cups, three of cups, four of cups, five of cups, six of
cups, seven of cups, eight of cups, nine of cups, ten of cups, princess, prince,
queen, king.

Suit of Swords:

Ace of swords, two of swords, three of swords, four of swords, five of swords,
six of swords, seven of swords, eight of swords, nine of swords, ten of swords,
princess, prince, queen, king.

Suit of Pentacles (coins):

Ace of pentacles, two of pentacles, three of pentacles, four of pentacles, five
of pentacles, six of pentacles, seven of pentacles, eight of pentacles, nine of
pentacles, ten of pentacles, princess, prince, queen, king.

SPREADS

The way to do readings is through spreads. Spreads can be very easy, with one
card, or can be very hard and complicated. I will go over some of the basic,
easier spreads you can use. To prepare for the reading, make sure you are in a
calm, relaxed state. Do not do a reading if you are depressed or hysterical.
Pick a calm, quiet spot where you will not be disturbed. You may shuffle the
cards anyway you want, and after a while, may find that you pick up a certain
style in doing so. On all the spreads below, start by taking the first card off
the deck and place it face up in order that you see the spreads laid out. In
other words, do not take the first card and place it in the fourth card spot. To
read the cards, either do it one at a time as the cards are turned over, or wait
till all cards have been laid out and read the cards like a story.

The Time spread:

This spread is good for beginners because it only involves four cards. Before
you start this spread, have a clear question in mind. It does not have to be a
yes or no question, but it should be specific.

Card 1: The Past

This card will tell what has happened to lead up to the question being asked. It
can refer to events in your childhood but will more likely refer to things
directly related to the question.

Card 2: The Present

This card tells how your situation stands at the moment. It might refer to some
feelings or Something you have that you did not want to admit or show something
that might have caused your particular question.

Card 3: The Future

This card will show how it expects things to work out in the near future.

Card 4: Action

This card will show what you may do to either encourage the outcome or change
it.

Books in PDF format to read:

Dom Antoine Joseph Pernety - A Treatis On The Great Art
Michael Smith - Ways Of The Asatru
Aleister Crowley - The Zodiac And The Tarot
Pyotr Demianovich Ouspenskii - The Symbolism Of The Tarot
Samuel Liddell Macgregor Mathers - The Tarot

Why Tarot Cards Work

I have been utilizing the wisdom of the Tarot since 1984. As shared in another article on the Tarot, not only did the Tarot make itself known to me, during various stages and changes in my life, but my great grandparents, on my fathers' side, were a travelling band of gypsies, who did readings and palmistry, back in the early 1900's.

You figure, sooner or later, this kind of energy is going to find a family member, to continue to bring this energy forward.

For my husband, 18 year old daughter and myself, this week has been a very crazy and wild emotional ride for us. Normally for us, we shift through our emotional surfs, individually. Somehow, someway, this week we are all shifting together. And along with this shift, our sleep patterns are completely off. Being a conscious empath, an intuitive and a teacher, guiding us through our wild emotional surfs, it means that when our human emotions are amped up more than normal, whatever is normal for us, it means that we have to pay extra attention to our moods and our highs and lows. It also means that anything we read, that supports our wild emotional surfs, that logically, this clear information becomes our guide during the surf, not our wild and amped up emotions, or the ideas our egos might have about the shift.

It is safe to say, that we are in the energy part of our journey now and for this part of our journey, emotions and moods move very quickly. Well last night, our energies were all amped quite a bit. As we continue to use the Tarot, as a guide for these wild emotional surfs, my husband proceeded to pull the cards and do a layout, just to see how the energy was moving.

In the beginning, when doing readings, I continued to utilize the layouts for a reading, and at times still do. I don't remember what all the cards were, however, there were 4 major arcanas, 4 minor arcanas; these cards were all positive in energy. However, the last 2 cards in the layout were strife and oppression. Humanly, I thought well great. Energetically, what the cards were really sharing with me, was a confirmation that attention to detail, for our shifting emotions, required extra special attention and care. That although the other cards in the layout were positive and sharing what was to come, that we were not there yet and that we were to continue clearing our emotions, integrating balanced and appropriate awareness to our shifting emotions and maintain our center, regardless of how
our buttons were being pushed, humanly speaking, that is.

The Tarot has been a part of our lives for more than 20 years now. Even after all this time and how the evolution of my own awareness has grown and evolved, I continue to have great respect for the wisdom that the Tarot shares and continue to be in awe and amazement, as to how we are forever guided into moving forward, within our journey, for our life changing experiences.

When we suspend labels, ideas and preconceived notions about the Tarot, there is a whole other story to tell. The Tarot has taught us how to utilize them as an energy, to continue to search deeper, for the true meaning of each life experience. I admit, in the beginning, I used the cards in the standard, book learned way. However, for me being highly intuitive and empathic, the Tarot took me on a deeper inner journey, for intuition became my guide on this journey.

There are many wonderful books on the Tarot and if you allow your intuition to guide you on this journey, the Tarot can and will guide you to the evolution of your own understanding. When I began my Tarot journey, back in 1984, I could never have imagined, at that point in time how this awareness and understanding would evolve. I began to notice that the more that I utilized the Tarot, the more this awareness would naturally and normally integrate itself into my daily life. Each time a level of understanding was completed, another book on the Tarot would teach and guide me how to go deeper.

I understand that for a long time, the Tarot and the idea of the Tarot had its negatives surrounding it. I am thankful, that when it was my time for this journey of discovery, it was the right time and I had the opportunity to grow in my understanding on this journey.

When given the chance, the Tarot cards work in teaching us how to go beyond the face value of an experience and get to the root knowing and understanding, for the purpose of our life changes and how to bring better information forward.

The Tarot cards work in bringing wise and amazing insight to our life changes and life experiences and guide us in building that trust to our inner voice and wisdom.

The Tarot becomes our journey for our inner discoveries.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Anonymous - All About Wicca And Witchcraft
Aleister Crowley - Al The Comment Called D The Djeridensis Working
Aleister Crowley - Thoth Tarot Deck
Aleister Crowley - The Cephaledium Working
Swetha Lodha - Your Love Life And The Tarot Cards

The Tarot For Life Changes

I was introduced to the Tarot back in September of 1984. At first glance, I was fascinated by the pictures and the colors. Each card had its own energy and its own story to tell. Shortly after my first introduction to the Tarot and prior to the development of my already intuitive abilities, I began my own journey with the Tarot.

My journey with the Tarot began almost immediately. When I first began my Tarot journey, I did not feel pulled in learning the symbolism or their origin. I was pulled toward learning the story for each individual card. As I had had no prior knowledge of the Tarot, I did not know that at times the Tarot was viewed as "evil". As an empath, a super sensitive one, with high intuition, detecting things of a dark nature, and a dark nature being an unkind behavior, I never felt anything evil about the Tarot. In fact, it felt as if there was a deeper story to tell, for each one of us, on our own personal journey.

I spent a year learning the meanings of the cards and reading for small groups. As I had no prior knowledge of new age groups or how others were doing readings for groups or individuals, I found myself, just following my own intuition and allowed the essence of the cards, to share their story and insight in these readings. With much practice and a tremendous and healthy amount of respect, I became quite proficient with the cards.

When I began reading professionally and teaching, again, following my own level of intuition, and again, prior to receiving any other knowledge about what was happening in general with the Tarot, I found that my readings were based more on a personal and internal level; how we were feeling on an emotional level. This type of reading was done for 7 years and then, because I had been working with the Tarot for a while, found that my own level of awareness began to evolve, grow and change.

It is now, in 2009, that I understand that there are changes taking place on this planet. It is now, that I have learned, through many of my own experiences with reading and teaching others, that the Tarot, when used with a very healthy dose of respect and awareness, can be used to bring greater insight into how our emotions shift and change. How our emotions, are indeed the key to a deeper level of awareness, that exist in the voice and wisdom of our soul; if for nothing else, a huge level of common sense and conscience, just in our daily life.

Being on this 25 year journey, in the beginning, when having another do a reading for me, yes, there were predictions, and after having this happen a couple of times, I realized that predictions did not serve me, in anyway, on any level at all. In my young life, I believed, once a prediction was made, that I couldn't change my mind if I wanted to. Yes, predictions are fun, but when life is demanding way more than you understand, deeper insight is the key, that will shift the change of your life experience.

Tarot, when looking at the deeper meaning, can bring insight and wisdom for working through emotional highs and lows. The Tarot teaches your logical mind, how to focus on the deeper meaning for change. A prediction won't help, assist or guide you through your life change, however, allowing our ego to connect to the wisdom of our soul, will bring better results for life changes.

I am a conscious empath, with 25 years experience, with the Tarot, as a guide to deeper wisdom and insight, for life changes and bring balance, understanding and awareness to the shifts and changes in our emotions.

If you are ready to really understand your emotions and feelings and want to bring deeper meaning and insight to your life changes, the Tarot can offer new insight, to the changes we are all beginning to experience in our lives.

Once again, with a very healthy dose of respect and awareness, the Tarot can be a wonderful tool, into offering greater insight, to the changes in our life.

We are all being called to life changes and we can do this, one breath, one step at a time.

Books You Might Enjoy:

John Dee - The Rosie Crucian Secrets
Franz Cumont - After Life In Roman Paganism
Paracelsus - The Treasure Of Treasures For Alchemists
Nathaniel Harris - Liber Satangelica

Seventy Eight Degrees Of Wisdom A Book Of Tarot

Book: Seventy Eight Degrees Of Wisdom A Book Of Tarot by Rachel Pollack

This revised and slightly expanded version of two long sadly out-of-print books ("78 Degrees of Wisdom: Major Arcana" and "78 Degrees of Wisdom: Minor Arcana") is a welcome addition to any serious Tarot reader's library.
Although I wouldn't normally recommend this book for the Tarot beginner, I'd recommend it highly to serious students of Tarot wanting to know more about the many different meanings of Tarot cards. Some beginners might find Pollack's usages of the definitions of cards to be more than the superficial ones.

The two volumes of Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom have inspired a whole generation of tarot students. It has often been described by readers, booksellers, and teachers as the "Bible of tarot readers." It is also often cited as one of the landmark books in modern tarot, and it helped to launch the "Tarot Renaissance" of the 1980s. The two texts-one for The Major Arcana and one for The Minor Arcana--appear together in this volume, which is a reissue of the 1998 edition first published by Thorsons.

Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom draws on mythology and esoteric traditions and delves deeply into the symbolism and ideas of each card. It also gives the cards a modern psychological slant based on the pictures rather than a system of occult symbolism. This endlessly useful reference tool provides a concise history of tarot, introduces common spreads, and is a clear and readable book for both the beginning and advanced tarot student.

* Author is one of the most highly regarded tarotists in the world.
* The Major Arcana and The Minor Arcana brought together in one volume.

Going far beyond the "This one covers you" school, Pollack gives many different ways to interpret the meanings of Tarot cards, both from a spiritual viewpoint ("What does this card mean to you?") and a metaphysical viewpoint ("What does this card mean to the person you're reading for?"). It also allows for meditation and self-study of Tarot cards.

Although set up like a standard Tarot book, with chapters covering the Major Arcana, the Minor Arcana, and some readings, (including a sample reading or two) Pollack's definitions of the cards goes far beyond the ordinary superficial "Death means something in your life is going through a major change - you are about to stop one thing and start doing another." Each card has a picture - many from the Rider-Waite deck that most Tarot card readers start with, but some from other decks that you may not have seen. Each card has numerous definitions - and even some examples of what that card might mean when in certain placements in a Tarot card reading, both regular and reversed.

Unlike many contemporary authors on Tarot, Pollack subscribes to the notion that one can use the Tarot not only for Interpretation of current circumstances but for seeking advice. She describes how to cast the Celtic cross a descriptive tool which can be used to gain insight into a present situation. She also shares a layout she created that the reader can use to gain insight into possible courses of action regarding work situations.

I've no other books in my Tarot library that are more heavily thumbed than my old copies of the two "78 Degrees" books, and I was very glad that Pollack has found a publisher willing to not only reprint them, but allow her to revise them and include both books in one volume. Highly Recommended for serious students of Tarot. Of the many books I've read on Tarot so far this one is the best.

Buy Rachel Pollack's book: Seventy Eight Degrees Of Wisdom A Book Of Tarot

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Andrea Haugen - The Ancient Fires Of Midgard
Emmanuel Swedenborg - The Delights Of Wisdom Pertaining To Conjugal Love
Michael Ford - Midnight Circle A Commentary Of Azothoz A Book Of The Adversary
John Sebastian Marlowe Ward - The Higher Degrees Handbook

Tarot And The Flat Earth Society

Imagine this: It is the year 1492. You are Christopher Columbus and you have just discovered that when you stand on the beach, you can see waves, but when you stand on a cliff you can see the ocean but no waves. Did the waves disappear? No, of course not. You simply changed your vantage point and that made you see a lot more.

This got you thinking. You noticed that when you approach a blind hill, it looks like the top of the hill is the end of the earth. But when you get to the top of the hill, you discover that the road continues into the horizon. This makes you feel really brave. You continue to walk, expecting to reach the end of the earth any day. But the road ends on another beach.

Now you are really curious. You build yourself a nice big boat, and you decide to sail on the sea until you either reach land or fall off the earth. A few months later you return triumphantly and tell people about the land you discovered. You even show them specimens of the strange fruit and animals you discovered on this distant land.

You do notice that people are initially in awe of what you tell them, but then they start to avoid you. When you go to town, they cross the street so as not to bump into you. When you want to visit them, you hear them tell their children to tell you they are not at home.

All this is a bit confusing, but you know your facts and nothing can change that. You have discovered that the earth is round and not flat.

Then you meet a new friend called Maggelan. He listens carefully to your tales and takes you seriously. He even goes a step further. He sails away, vowing to keep sailing in the same direction until he returns to the point of departure.

Meanwhile you have received some warnings from the church to stop spreading false dogma. You decide to keep a low profile until Magellan returns – and you wonder whether you will ever see him again.

Then, three years later, when your neighbours are talking to you again and the church is happy that you have stopped being a troublemaker, Magellan returns. He confirms your story that the earth is round.

Of course this makes you very happy, and you want to shout your discovery out to the world. You do notice the church men huddling nearby, but you are not so elated that you completely ignore them.

You hear some snippets of their conversation: “ . . . keep quiet . . . Ptolomy . . . that heretic Pythagoras . . must get fear back . . cannot have this . . . “

In the dead of night, you manage to sneak into the church. Your mission is to find out more about the conversations you overheard. You know that there are some books in the church, and you have learnt to read. You are hoping to find some of these books. But no such luck. You discover that there is a meeting of church officials.

Either way, by closing our minds to the things that we were taught to fear for no reason, we become spiritually poorer. The only way to open our minds is to challenge any obstacles and boundaries and find our own truth. The same people that describe tarot as “from the devil” are told in the Bible in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” For me this means use your God-given mind to explore, and decide what resonates with you. Do not hand the power of that decision over to another person who becomes stronger because you chose ignorance. And this means explore everything, not just the things that you are told to explore.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - The Cave Of The Ancients
Charles Haanel - The Master Key System
Edna Kenton - The Book Of Earths

Tarot Reading Misunderstandings And Faq

Six Questions I Get Asked Most

Fate or Free Will

The question of whether a card in the future position is absolutely 'gospel' is a matter which often baffles until experience is gelled with feeling. Because a card denotes a certain influence or event does not always mean that influence cannot be altered. Even as we talk about the future we begin to conceptualise it in a freer way and thus it may be modified or changed or even overthrown by the stronger ideas and thoughts of individual mind. In short the future is not carved in tablets of stone.

'Death' and 'Devil' Cards

The bogeys of the pack often put the fear of God into the person having the reading. These arcanum should be treated with the utmost care, opened up for discussion and never just taken at face value. Death gives the greatest opportunity for change, demands it in fact, and all life is change. 'The Devil' concerns the immediate negatives that the enquirer is unwilling to face or that someone closely connected is unwilling to face. Often death may appear after a demise, or the Devil may appear when there is ill-health or chicanery, but in terms of the future they are the darker side of life with which we constantly have to deal and not simply the villains of the piece.

Reversed Cards

A lot of people are perplexed by the fact that some cards when selected appear upside down, or reversed, and whether this should be taken into account.
In actual fact, it is down to the individual understanding of the reader. Some tarot readers will 'read' a lot into reversed meanings and some will not. I personally do not. The tarot cards themselves are very much a focal point for the clairvoyant skills or the perceptions of whoever is reading them.

Block Definitions

Defining tarot card meanings is again at the discretion of the reader. A card falling in one spread in one position does not necessarily mean the same in another spread. The card meanings have to be integrated in an overall sense. Hence, the king of cups on one query will not always convey the same meaning to the reader in the next spread. The reader's ability to take in information over and above that of the main wisdom of the card is not only prerequisite but fundamental to the correct use of tarot. Otherwise, a stereotyped and contrived version of life and events will ensue and be more hindrance than help.

Less is More!

People often wonder whether the more tarot cards are actually spread the more information is forthcoming. Some readers may spread a lot of cards in order to fill in blanks if it's a complex or difficult subject, but mostly this is not the case. If you are learning the tarot try to avoid spreading too many cards, you will confuse yourself, certainly until more experienced. The brunt of the information on a good tarot reader is 'impactful' within the opening minutes and the added information tends to layer itself on what is already on the table. Unless the person being read for is blocked or afraid, in which case the reader may make the fight for access easier for themself by adding more cards

Card Layout or Design

There are many sorts of spreads and layouts and again its down to the individual likes and dislikes of whoever is reading. Some people don't need tarot at all and use ordinary playing cards. (Its a test of how your psychic abilities are developing if you can use an ordinary deck, but don't worry if you can't.) But if you are too busy worrying about your layout or spread design it may actually impede your right hand brain (intuitive faculty) so use the layout you are comfortable with. Simple layouts are best if you're learning: three cards laid horizontally and then perhaps three cards on top when the reading is unfolding. If you're receiving a reading, don't even give it consideration. Leave it to the reader - you don't go to the dentist and watch every single instrument he uses


Books You Might Enjoy:

Walter Scott - Letters On Demonology And Witchcraft
Max Heindel - Teachings Of An Initiate
Anonymous - Healing Gemstones And Crystals

Tarot Numerology Threes

The tarot can be understood better if the underlying numerology is understood. Cards of the same number in different suits and in the Major Arcana have similar meanings derived from the following qualities...

Corresponding - Major Arcana - The Empress

Major characteristics: Creation, Fretilization, a first stage of growth is achieved.

Also: Growth, development, increase, flowering, expansion, regeneration, exploration, moving out into the world, initial completion, enthusiasm, preparation, perspective.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Three Lives
Aristotle - On Dreams
Aristotle - On The Soul
Thomas Muldoon - Numerology For The 21st Century

Tarot Numerology Sevens

The tarot can be understood better if the underlying numerology is understood. Cards of the same number in different suits and in the Major Arcana have similar meanings derived from the following qualities...

Corresponding - Major Arcana - The Chariot

Major characteristics: Fate, Divine order, Dispassionate awareness, Mysticism

Also: Choice, wisdom, the need to make decisions, harmony dispelled, spiritual development, morality, divine justice, Magick, change, a turning point, rebellion, eccentricity, intuition, the completion of a phase or cycle.

This is the number of the spirit.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Aristotle - On The Soul
John Dee - Table From Liber Loagaeth French Version
Christopher Siren - Sumerian Mythology Faq
Thomas Muldoon - Numerology For The 21st Century

The Zodiac Forms

THE ZODIAC FORMS


ZODIAC AS ENERGY

The division of the zodiac by its crucial points results in the definition of
the four basic types of cosmic substance, substance being the primary necessity
for manifestation. As Rudhyar states in THE ASTROLOGY OF PERSONALITY,(1) "Energy
is not very different from substance. It is substance activated and released…as
modern physics has shown most definitely. Thus we can expect the principle of
"energy differentiation" to be similar to that of "substance differentiation"
Both are based on the principle of polar dualism, of action and reaction…The
energy-zodiac will thus be eight-fold, while the substance-zodiac if four-fold."
This division by eight is simply the bisection of the areas defined by the four
crucial points, giving us four additional factors, the mid-points between the
equinoxes and the solstices. These points refer to the area of maximum dynamic
intensity within the span or quadrant of the zodiac defined by two angles.

These points of maximum intensity are the four portals through which cosmic
energy flows, the "Four Gates of Avataric Descent." They represent the creative
powers of the universe, which are often symbolized by the Bull, the Lion, the
Eagle, and the Angel, which are said to guard the four corners of the universe.
In basic Astrological terms they are: 15 degrees Taurus, 15 degrees Leo, 15
degrees Scorpio and 15 degrees Aquarius.

ZODIAC AS FORM

The substance and energy that have been released by the zodiac must be
controlled and given 'form' in order to be manifest. All 'forms of energy' are
bound by the Pythagorean axiom "Everything is the universe is divisible by
three". All forms of energy involve an action, a reaction, and the interaction
between action and reaction. Thus it is only logical for the 'form zodiac' to be
based on the threefold division of the zodiac. This threefold division gives
rise to the 'modes' or 'qualities of Relationship between energy and form'. Each
sign carries the meaning of one mode.

CARDINAL, OR INITIATORY MODE
The cardinal mode is the form of energy expressed at the equinoxes and
solstices. It refers to the principle of change and momentum. It represents
active and intense life experiences. This mode 'generates power'.

FIXED, OR FOCAL MODE
The fixed mode concentrates and focalizes energy, thus symbolizing the principle
of definition and structure. It projects the cardinal experience, giving to it
depth and meaning. The fifteenth degree of the fixed signs is the point of
maximum intensity, where power if found in its most 'concentrated form'.

MUTABLE, OR COMMON MODE
The mutable mode 'distributes' the energy that has been concentrated and
released by the fixed mode. It symbolizes the principle of flexibility and
adaptation. This mode combines and integrates the cardinal and fixed modes
within itself. It distributes the power generated by the cardinal signs and
concentrated by the fixed signs.

ZODIAC AS A RELEASE OF POWER

We now return to examine the function of the four points or portals through
which power is released.
The nature of the power released through these portals depends upon the nature
of the energy used. The fixed signs, through which power is concentrated and
released, follow the cardinal signs, where power is generated. There are two
types of cardinal signs: those which generate equinoctial power (Aries and
Libra) and those which generate solstitial power (Cancer and Capricorn).
The points of release may then be divided into two basic categories: those
dealing with equinoctial power and those dealing with solstitial power.

15 Degrees Tuarus and 15 Degrees Scorpio
The fifteenth degrees of the signs of Taurus and Scorpio deal with equinoctial
power. Equinoctial power is generated by the intense dynamism of the equinctial
signs (Aries and Libra), signs of the maximum speed of solar declination. The
fixed signs that follow the equinoctial cardinal signs must arrest the dynamic
activity generated by them, limiting it and brining it into focus, in terms of
focus, in terms of purpose (Taurus) and identification (Scorpio).

15 Degrees Leo and 15 Degrees Aquarius
The fifteenth degrees of Leo and Aquarius deal with the solstitial power, which
must produce some kind of manifested activity, either personal (Leo) or
collective (Aquarius). The release of this type of power will be manifested as a
strong outburst of energy toward the focalization of the personality (Leo) or in
the form of a society (Aquarius).

The four points of release may also be examined in relation to the hemisphere of
the Zodiac in which they are found. The fifteenth degrees of Taurus and Leo are
part of the day hemisphere. They are involved in the release of "individualizing
power". The fifteenth degrees of Scorpio and Aquarius are involved in the
release of collectivizing power (night hemisphere), of the expansion of the
individual into the collective or universal realms.

CYCLIC FORMULAS OF THE FOUR PORTALS

15 Degrees Taurus (the Bull) represents the power released toward the formation
of an individual being.

15 Degrees Leo (the Lion) symbolizes the power released by the individual being.

15 Degrees Scorpio (the Eagle) represents the power released toward the
formation of the universal being.

15 Degrees Aquarius (the Angel) symbolizes the power released by universal
being.

CYCLIC FORMULA OF THE ELEMENTS AND MODES

At spring equinox:
Fire power is generated by Aries
Then concentrated through earth – Taurus
And distributed by air – Gemini

At summer solstice:
Water power is generated by Cancer
Then concentrated through fire – Leo
And distributed by earth – Virgo

At autumnal equinox:
Air power is generated by Libra
Then concentrated through water – Scorpio
And distributed by fire – Sagittarius

At winter solstice:
Earth power is generated by Capricorn
Then concentrated through air – Aquarius
And distributed by water

From "A Handbook for the Humanistic Astrologer", by Michael R. Meyer, Anchor
Press/Doubleday pages 50-53.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Aleister Crowley - The Zodiac And The Tarot
Richard Johnson - The Zodiac Stellar Stories
Ona - The Dark Forces

Tarot Meditation On Wands And Swords

These two suits are confusing to some people because different designers attach different meanings to the symbols. Here is a way to think about the difference. Who wields a sword? Who carries a staff? The sword is about the use of intellect and will power. Warriors charge into battle, hacking away at the opposition. Now sometimes we do have to fight for self defense or to stand up for our rights. The person with the sword can be decisive when their mind is clear, but too much mental activity can cloud judgment, leading to jeaousy, anger, heartbreak, and fighting that is not necessary.

Wands, staffs, rods, scepters are all symbols of wisdom and authority. These are all variables of the suit according to different designers as well. Who is usually seen with these? Wise elders, bishops, kings, queens, martial arts masters. Passion, wisdom and creativity are indicated. It takes time, effort, creativity and the wisdom gained through life experience to achieve a position of genuine authority and trust. Authority won through force alone is never as well loved, enduring, or desirable.

So ask yourself what causes are at the root of issues when you see a lot of swords or a lot of wands in the cards you draw. Is it time to pick up your sword and spring into action, clearing away the clutter, obstacles and opposition, putting an end to events or relationships or situations that need to be brought to an end? Is it time to reawaken more passion, creativity, and inspiration in your life? Time to rouse your spirit with quests, adventures, passionate expressions and creative endeavors that spark the imagination and expand your vision?

What is it time for wands or swords? Swords or wands?

Books You Might Enjoy:

Al Selden Leif - 6 Questions On Wicca And Paganism
Michael Jordan - Dictionary Of Gods And Goddesses
Richard Roy - 13 Questions On Paganism And Wicca
Alice Bailey - Initiation Human And Solar

Tarot Math Spreads

How clever is this idea from the Tarot Dame?

Tarot Dame’s Blog: Tarot Math Spreads

Here are a few spreads I put together a couple years ago, using mathematical equations.
1. A + B = C
Combining Card A and Card B will bring you the results of Card C.
2. A – B = C
When you remove the energy of Card B from the situation of Card A, you will get Card C.
3. A + B – C = D
When you remove the energy of Card C from the combination of Cards A and B, you will get Card D.
4. A – B + C = D
Remove the energy of Card B from Card A, then add Card C and you’ll end up with Card D.


Books You Might Enjoy:

Harold Macgrath - The Pagan Madonna
Tarostar - The Witchs Spellcraft Revised
Aristotle - On Dreams
Anonymous - Divination Spreads

Tarot Decks Come In Three Flavors

Interested in learning how to read Tarot cards? If so, one of your first decisions will be "What style of deck should I use".

Although there are now hundreds of varieties of Tarot decks, most fall into one of three general styles -- Marseilles, Rider-Waite-Smith (also called Rider-Waite, or just RWS), and Thoth.

There are typically 78 cards in a Tarot deck -- 14 cards in each of four different suits, plus an extra 22 cards called the "Trump" cards. These 22 trump cards are known as the Major Arcana, the remaining 56 cards are called the Minor Arcana. It's the treatement of the Major and Minor Arcana that determines which general style your deck follows.

The first style -- Marseilles -- follows the traditional, old-school style found in early Tarot decks. The artwork on the Major Arcana tends to be simple and limited to only a few colors. The Minor Arcana looks much like ordinary playing cards -- there are four face cards (King, Queen, Knight, Page) and 10 "pip" cards (Ace through Ten). Again, the artwork on the face cards tends to be simple. The pip cards don't have artwork other than a "pip" count. For instance, a Five of Swords will have five swords depicted on the card.

The Marseilles style looks so much like playing cards because Tarot decks were originally used to play a card game! It wasn't until later that mystics began to use these decks for divinatory purposes.

The second style of deck -- RWS (After Rider, the publisher, Waite, the designer, and Smith, the artist) -- was published in the early 1900's. It was designed from the very beginning for magickal use.

Because of this, the artwork is much more complex and symbolic. The Major Arcana and the face cards are much more colorful, lifelike, and detailed. It's the Minor Arcana, though, where you'll find the main difference.

Rather than use pip simple counts, the artist (Pamela Coleman Smith -- who also illustrated childrens adventure stories) decided to draw vignettes of people engaged in some phase of everyday life. Because of this, the pip card images touch your subjective mind and yield many thoughtful perspectives -- what are the people thinking, what are their motivations, what are their fears, etc -- to enrich Tarot readings.

The final deck style is the Thoth style -- named after a deck designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Freida Harris. The Thoth deck was intended for magickal use from the very beginning. The paintings are surrealistic and highly symbolic. Thoth adds a new technique to the mix, though. Each non-face card of the Minor Arcana has a subheading describing some motivation or aspect -- things like Happiness, Luxury, Virtue, Oppression, etc. Because of this, some readers find it easy to read with Thoth decks. Thoth decks also make it easy to draw from other esoteric disciplines -- astrology or Kabbalah, for example -- in order to create inspired Tarot readings.

Most decks you'll find in a bookstore will follow one of these three basic styles. Marseilles styles will use pip counts, RWS styles will use pip scenes, and Thoth styles tend to be surrealistic but label the Minor Arcana with additional descriptions.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Anonymous - Starting A New Coven Looking At Yourself
Nicolas Schreck - Demons Of The Flesh
Aristotle - On The Soul
Thomas Potts - Discovery Of Witches
Arlo Bates - The Pagans

Tarot Cards Judgment Or Aeon

In the Alleister Crowley Thoth Deck, this card is called The Aeon. This card represents the essence of good judgment or discernment. As I have been utilizing the wisdom and gifts of the Tarot since 1984, and have had many different styles and types of Tarot decks, as I was so awed by their beauty and wisdom, I would soon discover how the Tarot could evolve into deeper awareness and understanding for the many life changes, that I faced and that we face in our lives.

Aeon, through the definition in a dictionary, represents a long period of time. In the Alleister Crowley Deck, the card Judgment/Aeon represents and offers us the opportunity to look at the whole picture. If considering the picture of this card, the inner woman, has the ability to touch the earth and reach for the stars. In essence, she offers us the right use of our inner creativity, that brings positive aspects to other areas of our life. This card and its energy also offers a balance of our inner and outer life, our male and female, our action and feeling, our personal and professional. This card also teaches and offers opportunity for growth when judging ourselves or each other.

When this card is present in your reading, if this card comes in a reversed position, this reversed position is showing where we are placing judgment on ourselves, or with another. If this card comes into your reading in a upright position, either you are working toward balance and integration or you have succeeded in learning about balance and integration for all aspects of your life.

As always, whether with this card, or other cards in the Tarot, when looking deeper into each individual card, the Tarot has this amazing ability to share and guide us toward greater insight in the changes, that we do experience in our lives.

As I have been utilizing the wisdom of the Tarot since 1984, I have undergone many life changes and experiences. Prior to my understanding that I was walking the path of ascension, I was walking an awakening journey.

In the beginning of my journey, although I could understand concepts and situations in my mind, I was very unskilled in successfully verbalizing what was in my head.

Once I began my journey for learning the Tarot, doing consultations and teaching the Tarot, I was on my way to accessing deep intuitive awareness. 27 years later, I am very thankful, that although some of my learning was at times challenging, I cannot imagine not having the wisdom, guidance and insight of the Tarot.

Judgment/Aeon ~ this card is an excellent card to work with when we are looking to bring balance and integration into our lives.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Robert Bruce - Treatise On Astral Projection
Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love
Anthony Griffin - An Astrological Judgement Touching Theft
Ea Wallis Budge - The Book Of Gates Vol Ii
Zoroaster - The Chaldean Oracles

Tarot Card Meaning Made Easy

Tarot predictions and interpretation heavily rely on tarot card meaning without which they would not be possible; each card has a significance and a peculiar symbolism attached to it. What people don't get to understand is that the overall spread and the card combinations give the full tarot card meaning to define a certain life aspect. For instance, in the Rider Waite tarot, the tarot learner has to know the meaning for all the seventy eight cards in order to be able to read them. From the King and the Queen to the Fool, the tarot cards can be studied, analyzed and understood depending on the sensible nature of every user.

In time all sorts of changes became manifest in tarot card reading; for people who are no strangers to the Kabbalah or alchemy, the symbols similarity cannot pass unnoticed. Thus, all sorts of symbols have been added in time so that the present-day form of the decks is a very complex one. It is also common practice to complicate things even further by personalizing the cards and adding other subtle interpretations to the decks. Thus, many amateur philosophers have their own interpretations of the mystic representations in alchemy and the Kabbalah and they choose to add them to the cards.

The tarot card meaning greatly varies depending on the interpretation; thus, a single card can be given different explanations in relation with the position it occupies in the spread and the vicinity with the rest of the cards. Very often, according to the reader's own judgment and common sense, a tarot card meaning can prove little relevance for the question under debate and thus be discarded. While in the Major Arcana, the figures have very distinct symbolism, in the Minor Arcana the emphasis is on the four alchemical elements to which the cards correspond. Thus, the pentagrams stand for earth, the wands for fire, the cups for water and the swords for air.

In general lines, the tarot card meaning gives one a clue about the way he/she goes through the personal journey: sometimes one can even see whether one is on the right path or has strayed away. This tarot card meaning is obvious for the spreads in the Major Arcana where each card matches a certain life aspect: the fool stands for the beginning of a journey, the magician shows you the path towards wisdom, the high priestess speaks of self-balance, the empress points to pleasure, wealth and love, while the emperor represents claimed power and authority, and so on and so forth.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Harold Macgrath - The Pagan Madonna
Israel Regardie - The Art And Meaning Of Magic
Zoroaster - The Chaldean Oracles
Sepharial - Primary Directions Made Easy

Tarot 101 The Basics

The basics of the Tarot Cards 101 are a good way to develop psychic awareness. If you find yourself having a feeling about the Tarot cards when you see them, chances are a deeper level of you is calling to you for a journey of discovery. There are many ways to learn about the Tarot; the symbolism, each suit, their origin, or each card, separately and intuitively, by accessing your imagination. Yes, imagination is one way to activate psychic impressions.

Now, before diving in to learn everything all at once, try a little exercise, by writing down the different ways to learn about the cards and see or feel what your strongest impression is. Sense what you feel drawn to.

When we begin developing psychic and intuitive awareness, the Tarot is a good way to begin this journey. When learning anything of a metaphysical nature, logic becomes the observer and our imagination for creativity becomes the learner.

Consider the possibility, that there are many reasons why we pick up a Tarot Deck. Are we experiencing life changes in our relationships, or our jobs or our environments? Are we feeling like the job that we have, isn't offering enough opportunity to offer more of our creativity, or our abilities?

Or, are you picking up the cards to possibly learn more about your inner self, with the possibility of assisting others on their journey in life.

Tarot Cards are a good way to develop our intuition and our inner awareness. Yes, back in the day, as it was a different time, Tarot cards were about fortune telling and predicting outcomes and futures, however, this time now, for the life changes that everyone is beginning to experience, calls for a different approach to our life, a more inner approach for our life.

Keep in mind, that once we begin utilizing the wisdom and guidance of the Tarot, it begins to expand and evolve our perceptions and ways to bring resolution and solutions to our life changes. The Tarot is most definitely a guide to developing our intuition and can guide us on the journey for our life changes. And not to be forgotten, if we by chance find that we also are wanting more information and understanding about our emotions, the Tarot is an excellent guide, in teaching us more about ourselves on a deeper, inner level.

No matter how you feel drawn to the Tarot, take your time, have patience and practice, practice, practice. Eventually, the Tarot is about the wisdom and the guidance of our inner journey to life, and makes for a good teacher.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Jarl Fossum - Seth In The Magical Texts
Anonymous - The Laws For Witches
Aristotle - On The Soul
Arlo Bates - The Pagans
Amber K - The Basics Of Magick

Online Tarot Readings Can Help You

A pretty popular form of entertainment, online tarot readings have become a real business for some people. Two types of services can be distinguished in the multitude of offers, there are free online tarot readings and other more special ones for which a fee is charged. Normally, many sites function according to a membership pattern and if you want to register as a member you have to pay. Who are the customers? Well, divination does attract lots of fans. There is a simple explanation behind the massive success of online tarot readings.

Troubles are part of our daily lives, and words like simple and non-complicated do not apply to regular existences; there are hundreds of moments in a life time when we long for guidance, and lots of people consider that a peek into the future could be helpful. Online tarot readings could seem like bringing clarifications to a foggy situation, one cannot help to question the reliability of tarot predictions. Even the sites dedicated to online tarot readings post disclaimers that one is not to base his/her decisions on tarot divinations since these function for entertainment rather than for real life purposes.

Actually you can trust online tarot readings as much as you believe in the personal horoscope you read in a magazine. Moreover, when you take tarot interpretations as fun, nothing harmful can come out of them. One further issue here deserves all the attention: most of the online tarot readings are generated by special softwares, and there is not a real person interpreting the deck for you. Thus, the card symbolism is in fact a random card spread with aleatory explanations. Sites with membership services will provide one-to-one tarot predictions, but these kind of readings take money out of your pocket.

Online tarot readings therefore differentiate themselves a lot from the face-to-face ones performed by tarot grandmasters. More energy transfer comes with direct physical contact which is why tarot interpretations could be a lot more meaningful in such cases than when performed online. However, the warning we've launched about trusting cards too much stays valid. It is wrong and irresponsible to change your life course on the basis of card predictions; take things lightly and you will neither be disappointed nor suffer some personal disillusionment because of faulty choice making.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Donald Tyson - Portable Magic Tarot Tarot In The Only Tool You Need
Nevrom Ydal - Preparing The Ritual Area And Yourself
Aleister Crowley - Rodin In Rime
William Blake - The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell
Phil Hine - Oven Ready Chaos

Nine Of Swords Meditation For Troubled Worries

Tarot Affirmations are positive statements using the Tarot, to center ourselves while energizing our Mojo! My goal is to help invigorate higher vibrations with creative visualization for self-awareness, while enhancing one's perspective, confidence, and productivity. Becoming part of the imagery is a necessity as it allows all senses to be encountered. Proclaiming and vocalizing your personal statement out-loud 'seals your agreement' with the Universe. Disciplined practitioners sense a significant change within seventy-two hours of repeating the oath. Inexperienced users must understand that it can take a little longer until you find your own rhythm to encounter the magic of will and assertion.

Meditation: Sit for a few minutes alone, with eyes closed and a goal to relax. Calm all thoughts and emotions until you are aware of the quietness that surrounds you. With slow and deep breaths, feel yourself float into this calm energy, feeling your body and mind also adjusting to this quietness. All the noise disappears and you feel at peace. Pay attention to the soundless spirit, as you cleanse and exist with silence.

Visualization: Today's card image can assist you in this meditative affirmation. We can start by thinking about the thoughts that have caused us doubt and confusion. What mental images do we focus on repetitively that create stress and fear in our lives? Like the nightmarish image in the card, we are the sole creator of our own inner torment. Understand that as we allow a disturbing snapshot of worry to live in our mind, another will breed from it, like bacteria. We know that this isn't good for us, but we choose to carry it along with us - throughout our day, and our night.

Think about your the bothering thoughts that cause you an uneasy feeling, the ones that you can not put to rest. Imagine each of these frightful thoughts hanging above you, dangling about like an unwanted friend. Anxiety and fear are not good companions. Visualize the negative energy floating over top of you, while paying attention to your body and the way it feels when inconvenience enters your world. Feel the pressure it causes. It doesn't feel very good, but again, you choose to carry it around with you. Continuing to visualize, reach above and grab your 'worry'. Hold it, and quickly slip it beneath your bottom. That's right, you're going to sit on it. If you have other worry's' up above you, do the same and slip them under you. You're going to force those towering thoughts of negativity to submit to you. They are not worthy, and by taking control - you give them an inferior status. Wiggle your butt, gently bounce, and flatten useless troubles of 'potential possibilities' and 'what if's'. Squash them hard, and smash those homies.

After you have shifted your body about, crushing what has been plaguing you... sit back and relax. Breathe with a long sigh of relief. Enjoy the position that you are in. You have complete control over your imagined problems. You have power over your mind again. Notice a feeling of pure emptiness that surrounds you. Your head is clear, your shoulders relax, your muscles lose tension. Breathe and release whatever ounce of worry might be left. Let it all out - and imagine it like a feather, floating from your breath. Let it fall to the floor so that you are ready to leave the room, you can step on it as you rise. The heavy weight that has been a burden is released, and only you have the power to keep it at a distance.

The Affirm: While being one with yourself, announce your trusted affirmation:
Worries are beneath me.
My mind is empty and at peace.
I see the world as it is, not as I imagine.

Now go get your mantra on!

Books You Might Enjoy:

Saint John Of The Cross - Dark Night Of The Soul
Order Of The Golden Dawn - Theoricus Initiation Of The Hermetic Order Of The Golden Dawn
Order Of The Golden Dawn - Meditation With The Archangel Auriel
Brian Swimme On Chardin - The Divinization Of The Cosmos
Anonymous - Meditation Of The Four Magickal Weapons

How To Do A Tarot Card Reading

Tarot Card Reading is Simple.

1. Gather Items
Gather together all the items you will need to do your reading, including tarot cards. You want to stay put once you start your reading.

2. Set the Mood
Before you start your tarot reading, consider lighting candles and incense, quietly meditating, or taking some slow deep breaths. This will help you get centered and open. It also creates a sacred space for your tarot reading.

3. Decide on Your Reading Focus
The focus of your tarot reading can be a question or an issue. The key is to choose a question or issue that is very specific. However, you can also do an open tarot reading, where you do not have any question or issue in mind at all -- you simply want to see what the tarot cards reveal to you.

4. Connect with Your Tarot Cards
Once you have your question in mind, begin shuffling the tarot cards in any way you feel called to. This is when you focus on connecting you, your question, and the tarot cards. This connection will help bring you a clear tarot reading. You can also cut the cards, once you feel ready to stop shuffling.

5. Lay Out Your Tarot Cards
Beforehand, you should have a layout chosen for your reading. Tarot reading layouts can be found in books or online. You can also create your own tarot layout. After you have shuffled and cut the cards & feel as though it is time to layout the cards, do so.

6. Interpreting Your Tarot Card Reading
You have many options. Some tarot decks come with books that contain interpretations for each tarot card. It is acceptable to use the book to understand the tarot cards. However, you have other options for reading tarot layouts. You can look at the artwork on each tarot card, seeing it as a picture-show about your question. You can use symbolism and interpret each tarot card. You can rely solely on your intuition, & let your inner voice tell you what each tarot card means. Or, you can see the tarot cards as a story, with the first tarot card the beginning of the story, and the last tarot card the end. It is important to look at each tarot card individually, and at the layout as a whole. In other words, get two perspectives--see the "forest" and the "trees".

7. Further Interpretation
If there are parts of your tarot reading you do not understand, or parts you want more information about, you can layout more tarot cards. For instance, if you don't understand the third card in your layout, you can lay a new tarot card next to it, asking for clarification. Or, if you understand your tarot reading, but have another question or concern, pull a tarot card or two to focus on the additional information.

8. Remembering Your Tarot Reading
You might consider keeping a tarot reading journal where you record each tarot reading you do. List the date, question, and each tarot card in the layout. The benefit of recording your tarot reading is that you can go back later and reread what your tarot reading contained. It also becomes like a diary of your life. If you do not want to do this additional work, you can stay in the moment with your tarot reading and choose not to record it.

9. Ending Your Tarot Reading
End your tarot reading slowly and respectfully. Thank the Universe (or anyone else) for the gui dance you received and pick up your tarot cards, mixing them back in with the deck. You may say a few words to end your tarot reading and clear the tarot cards of the your old question. The idea is to put away a tarot deck that is clear of energy from the last reading, so that when you do your next reading, you are starting fresh. Put your tarot reading supplies (deck, candle, and anything else) away as if you are ending a sacred ritual.

10. Getting Back to Reality
When you do a tarot reading, you are working in sacred space. You are healing yourself and connecting with spirit. Once you're done, you become re-engaged in mundane life. Make sure you are fully present and back in your body before you go back to doing things like driving a car or making dinner. You can shake your body, stretch, take deep breaths, and do other things that clear the energy of the reading event from your body.
Author's

Books You Might Enjoy:

Donald Tyson - Portable Magic Tarot Tarot In The Only Tool You Need
Benjamin Rowe - A Short Course In Scrying
Robert Anton Wilson - Prometheus Rising

How Long Does It Take To Learn To Read Tarot Cards

I am often asked this question and the answer is “how long is a piece of string?” It can be as long or as short as you want it to.

I have seen claims that you can learn to read the Tarot in a couple of hours from a book or a DVD. Yes, you can get a very basic grasp of the meanings of each individual card from doing this.

Often, though, what is lacking is an understanding of how the cards interact with each other or how their meanings alter depending on their position in different spreads.

The rapid learning works best if you are just looking at the cards and using them as a trigger for your psychic abilities.

Some people can do this quite easily and don't need to do anything further with Learning the card meanings. Other people can lack the confidence to trust their intuition to this level.

For anyone who has seen the film “The Golden Compass” or read the book it was based on, “Northern Lights” may remember Lyra with the alethiometer.

In the beginning she cleared her mind, focused on her question, spun the needle and as soon as it landed on a symbol, she got an immediate picture in her mind and often a strong feeling as to what it meant.

Everyone else who worked with the device had to learn and study the symbols to get an understanding of it.

I know that was the case for me. I needed to learn to read the cards and over time I came to trust the intuitive prompts.

For me it took many hours of practising with the cards, looking at the pictures, noticing any intuitive prompts I received and making a note of those in my Tarot Journal.

I had fun "playing" with them, until I built up a relationship with my cards and they spoke to me individually.

The time it takes to learn the tarot also depends on your reasons for wanting to learn and how much time you have available.

For many people it is such a passion that it becomes a life-long study. I have been reading tarot cards for 16 years and I still see new things in my cards. I might suddenly notice a detail that I have not been aware of before and this adds an extra subtlety of meaning to my cards.

Tarot has multiple layers to it. You can probably have enough knowledge to do a very simple reading in about an hour, just from reading the booklet that comes with the cards. However, for most people that does not give enough detailed information.

I have taught courses which were 2 hours a week over 6 weeks, and we found that was not really enough time to cover the cards and spreads in detail.

If you can spare a couple of hours a week to understand a new card and to see how that card interacts with previous cards, your knowledge and skills will build up very quickly.
The more you can look at your cards and practise with them, the quicker you become familiar with them and start to build your own personal relationship with them.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Solomonic Grimoires - The Book Of Secrets
John Dee - The Rosie Crucian Secrets
Christine Payne Towler - The Continental Tarots

A Tarot Quiz

The Quiz

1. How many cards are in a standard Tarot deck?
2. How many cards are in the Major Arcana?
3. Name the 4 suits in a standard Tarot deck and what elements they correspond with.
4. Which card is said to journey through the Tarot?
5. What is the Tarot's connection to modern day playing cards?
6. Why is the Rider Waite is such a popular deck...what sets it apart from the others?
7. Define court cards.
8. Define Arcana.

The Answers

1. 78
2. 22
3. Wands-Fire ..... Cups-Water ..... Swords-Air ...... Pentacles-Earth
4. The Fool
5. In ancient days the Tarot went underground to avoid complete destruction by the churches. It was often disguised in a game form similar to today's playing cards.
6. Because it was the first Tarot deck to include pictures for the Minor Arcana rather than just numbered suites. It has since grown in popularity & is the number one selling deck.
7. Court cards are the Prince, Princess, Queen, & King
8. Arcana- mysterious knowledge, language, or information accessible only by the initiate.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Aleister Crowley - Magick
Israel Regardie - The Art Of True Healing
William Lammey - Karmic Tarot