Tarot Origins

Tarot cards are one of the oldest forms of divinatory practices still used in modern times. While these cards are often associated with mystical, spiritual, and psychological aspects, they haven’t always been. While the first original instance of tarot cards has been debated, there are a couple of early instances.
Most popularly, the card game “trionfi” was a game originating in Italy in the 14th century. The game consisted of two sections of cards, the triumphs, and the pip cards. Each of the cards contained images, and the cards had specific functions and values. Modern decks still mimic this standard, often being divided between the major and minor arcana cards. The major arcana represent the major life themes that everyone will experience throughout their lifetime. The minor arcana represent the smaller aspects of our lives where we will experience the larger themes of the major arcana.

The Trionfi game functioned more similarly to a traditional card game, whose purpose was only for entertainment rather than insight. The game was so popular that well-off and noble families even had decks created using portraits of members of the family. Having your own Trionfi deck was a marker of status and wealth, much like having a portrait painted of you during these times.

In 1773, a writer named Antoine Court de Gebelin published a piece on tarot, stating that the Ancient Egyptians were responsible for tarot’s originals and that many of the occult symbolism and iconology within the cards were a reflection of the beliefs during that time. His findings came from ‘The Book of Thoth,’ a collection of ancient Egyptian texts, where he discovered 78 archetypal figures. These figures inspired him to believe they were the first true origins of the tarot.

Regardless of the tarot’s true origins, it’s developed into quite a magnificent tool for divination over the following centuries. Today, the cards incorporate spiritual, emotional, astrological, psychological, occult, and esoteric knowledge, allowing the practitioner to receive and interpret in-depth answers to all of life’s questions.

Tarot Isn’t Evil

In some belief systems, the tarot has been declared evil or working with ‘dark energy”. This is because certain groups believe tarot cards receive answers from negative entities, such as the devil. Well, this couldn’t be furthest from the truth. The answers from tarot actually come from within. While some decks may have religious or spiritual components, not all do. In fact, many tarot decks have unique themes and meanings that can help guide you to finding the answers you seek. Tarot taps into your own inner voice and knowledge, and it’s not something that should be feared or viewed as evil.

Everyone has a connection to the universe, divine, and collective consciousness, the aspect of reality that deals with the interconnectedness of everything. This connection can be tapped into, allowing you to access information that you may have otherwise been unaware of. How does tarot come into play? Tarot cards are full of symbols and imagery that tap into your subconscious mind and guide your intuition. Everything in the universe is energy, and you experience what you are an energetic frequency match to, and this is how tarot works. For instance, when you ask a question, you are directing your intentional energy into the deck and drawing out the cards that match the answer that you seek. You will find answers from your own perspective and understanding of the cards, guided by your thoughts, emotions, and inner knowing. There is no outside energy giving you answers; the answers are coming directly from within you.

How Tarot Can Empower Your Life

Tarot is just as practical as it is mystical. Divination is energy work, tapping into the unknown, attracting answers, and utilizing your intuition. There are many questions in life that are left unanswered. Whether these questions involve your past, the future, or what’s currently going on in your life, tarot can help you understand the energy of these themes and help provide you with insight and clarity. Not only can you find answers with this practice, but you can discover a means of action to take, helping you move forward throughout any given situation. Tarot is a powerful tool that can help you feel more empowered within your life, reconnect with your inner voice, and help you see the world with a fresh new lens and perspective.