Tarot

The Tarot is a deck of cards that originated over 500 years ago in northern Italy. Although the Tarot was first used in a game called Triumphs, it was quickly adopted as a tool for divination, and popularized by occult societies such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The early Tarot symbolism was deeply rooted in Medieval and Renaissance Europe, but over the centuries it has grown to incorporate everything from Astrology and Kabbalah to Runes (which predate the Tarot by 1000 years) and the I Ching (which predates the Tarot by 2500 years). Today, the Tarot is far and away the most popular tool for spiritual introspection in the West.

Hundreds of distinct Tarot decks are available today: the choice extends from decks with modem imagery to the classic ones like the Rider Waite pack. Tarot consists of 78 strikingly vivid, pictorial cards, divided into two sections commonly called the major and minor arcana. The major arcana consists of 22 cards with names such as the Magician, the Empress, Strength, the Tower, the Chariot.

A primary and sometimes a secondary meaning is assigned to each of these cards. For instance, in popular occult, the Magician represents will power, the Emperor: realization, the Chariot: triumph, the Hermit: prudence, and the Devil: fate.

The minor arcana, which consists of 56 cards, is divided into four suits of wands, cups, swords and coins. Each suit, which is said to represent a different level of consciousness, has 10 cards plus a King, Queen, Knight and Page. From these cards have come our modem deck of playing cards with the suits of diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades. .

Tarot Meditation

We are can use the Tarot card as "an outer mirror for the internal process". Choose any card from the major arcana which appeals to you at this particular moment. Gaze at the chosen card for some time, then close you eyes. Imagine yourself before a door. Depending on whether you are a visual or tactile type of person, attempt to actually 'see' or 'feel' the door, focusing the mind on every small detail. When the picture is clear, open the door.

Let the scene displayed in the Tarot card that you have chosen unfold in front of you. If you can see it all at once, well and good, otherwise build the picture bit by bit. What kind of landscape have you stepped into? Take your time to 'fill in' the details. Add anything which will make it more real for you.

When the scene is clear, imagine the figure from the Tarot card walking into it. If the card shows a seated figure, you can imagine yourself rounding a bend and coming across the person. Greet him or her much as you would anyone you are meeting and hold a conversation. Say anything you like, ask questions and get answers. Don't try to force the pace. Let yourself respond completely to what is taking place in the scene visualized. This is a process of self-revelation, of opening your heart and mind to what you stand for and are at the present moment in your life.

Fimding your Life Purpose

Another way to use the Tarot decks to work out your personal card. A simple calculation will reveal the card which will have particular significance for you. You can, suggests Ma Prem Usha, use this card for meditation.

Write down your birth date with the day, month and year one under the other. Add the numbers. Suppose your date is June 23, 1997. Write these numbers one under the other and add them. You will get 2026. Add the numbers: 2+0+2+6=10. Keep any number below 21, but also add the compound number to get a single digit number. In this example, the compound number is 10 and the single numeral 1.

These numbers relate to the 22 cards of the major arcana, There are 22 cards, the first one is numbered 0 and the last 21 If your calculations yield a number above 21, add the two digits of the compound number to get a single number. If the number is 21 or below, you will have two numbers, a compound number and a one digit number. In the example given above, the personal cards are the card number 1 which is the Magician and number 10, the Wheel of Fortune.

These are the cards which define your life path. The single number card is the main card (the personality card) and the compound number card often shows you the kind of problems you may face. In his book Tarot, Adam Fronteras points out that "the cards serve as visual guides to the readers, who must then use their psychic powers" which each one of us possesses, albeit to varying degrees.

In addition to the personal card, you can also derive a year card. This is done by adding up the day; month and year of your last birthday. The year card, in an uncannily accurate way, gives you the kind of lessons you will learn during the year, and also broadly suggest what your approach to life should be during that year.

.

Back to top

Your feedback is welcome. If you would like to see more on this site,
or there is something that's not right, please let us know