|
 The Mystery of the Tarot
by Kelly O'Tillery
The origins of the Tarot have been shrouded in mystery throughout history. No one knows for certain where or when the first Tarot cards came into existence. It is speculated their history reaches way back to the priests of ancient Egypt, Babylon, or Tibet; or perhaps their true origin was the fabled Atlantis.
Historical accounts vary, some say that migrating gypsies from the areas we now call Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Northern India brought the cards westwards, the cards subsequently reaching Italy and France around the fourteenth century. Other historical evidence suggests the cards were brought to Europe by Greek colonists who arrived in what is now called Marseilles, France about 600 BC. It is also possible the cards were introduced to Western culture by Phoenician colonists trading along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea prior to the Greeks.
Even the origins of the word "Tarot" have been lost in time. Historians speculate "tarot" comes from the ancient Egyptian word, Tarosh, meaning "the royal way," others claim it is an anagram of tota, meaning "total," and rota, a Latin word meaning "a wheel" symbolizing the process of birth and death. Still others believe Tarot to be a derivative of the Hebrew word, Torah, which means "the law," or perhaps the Hungarian Gypsy word, tar, meaning "a deck of cards," which derives from Sanskrit, taru. Regardless of the true origins of the word, the speculation surrounding it simply adds to the mystery of the Tarot.
The ancient decks of the Tarot were used for entertainment, story telling, and fortune telling. Most people were unable to read the written word, so the pictures on the cards were used to illustrate stories and legends. The Tarot was also consulted as an oracle revealing the hidden meaning behind current and future events in a person's life.
The Tarot is a symbolic representation of the human experience on Earth. Symbolism is a universal language that transcends the barriers of human language and semantics; this universal language has enabled the Tarot to flourish over centuries throughout the world. The Tarot has undergone many changes over time. Metaphysicians and artists have redesigned the Tarot to include more modern themes and symbolism both culturally and philosophically. Symbolism speaks to the creative part of our mind; it activates our intuitive and instinctive nature, our "psychic" self. The gift of the Tarot is its ability to open a space, in which the spirit world can communicate and offer wisdom to the physical world.
It consists of seventy-eight illustrated cards. They are divided as follows: twenty-two Major Arcana, forty Minor Arcana, and sixteen Court Cards. The Major Arcana or "Trump Cards" as they are called, describe human experience on Earth according to universal law (or what Carl Jung called the process of individuation), moving through different stages of growth to reach a state of full development. There are actually twenty-one numbered cards, plus one unnumbered card. The Minor Arcana or "pip" cards, along with the Court Cards, represent daily life, they show happenings and action aspects of life as people actually live it; related to relationships, health, money, love and emotions, work, fears, thoughts and ideas. They are divided into four separate suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit has a King, Queen, Knight, and Page or Princess; the "pip" cards are numbered Ace through Ten.
Each card has its own essential "meaning," its basic area of symbolic reference. Interpreting the cards and their meanings can be compared to the many layers or "leaves" of an artichoke. Each layer is truly a part of the artichoke, just as each layer of the card is truly a part of the card. The more layers of the artichoke you peel off the more parts of the artichoke you discover until you reach the "heart." Each layer of the card will bring you closer and closer to the "heart" of the card.
From your Tarot deck, pull one Major Arcana card and one Minor Arcana card. Look at each card separately, find one symbol on each card, and consider what the meaning of that particular symbol is to you.
Example: Consider the Emperor card of the Major Arcana. In this card, the Emperor is wearing the color red; red is an action-oriented color. This would indicate an individual who is willing, ready, and able to take action. Now, consider the Two of Swords of the Minor Arcana. In this card, a woman is wearing a blindfold. The blindfold indicates there is something she cannot see. Each of these two examples shows you a "layer" of the cards' meanings.
The Tarot and the cards you pick should speak to you from your heart and your intitution. Exploration is but the beginning of self-discovery. §
Kelly O'Tillery is a professional Astrologer, Tarot Reader, & Instructor in Metaphysical Practices. She can be reached at Astrology of Alexandria, for questions and readings. (702) 278-1447 or email,
Otillery@aol.com .
|
