In recent years Tarot Card reading has gained a lot of popularity in Pakistan with various experts conducting such sessions in the market. The interesting thing about Tarot Card reading is that while most disciplines relating to fortune telling are influenced by local cultures, this is something completely alien.So for those of you interested in this, here’s a basic low down on what the hype is all about.

So where does Tarot Card reading actually come from?

Tarot Card reading or Tarotology is a form of fortune-telling technique through playing cards used in various games during Mid-15th Century Europe. Much like Astrology that involves the use of zodiac signs, Tarot Card reading doesn’t exactly tell you the future but rather give you an idea what could lie ahead based on the choices you make. Tarotology is not backed up by any science or conclusive empirical evidence. It works on the underlying belief is that through the use of these cards one could access the collective unconscious or the patient in question’s sub-conscious. As in card games the stack of cards in Tarotology is also known as a deck.

Firstly, you should understand that there are a wide variety of decks available

Some incorporate famous artwork, while others have imagery linked with legends and folklore. More recently there are even those that are based on movies and books.  The most widely used one is the Rider Wait deck which you see with most practitioners.

Each deck has a total of 78 cards which are divided into groups of two, the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.

A card from the major arcana group represents energy that is deep, strong, decisive or long-term. Tarotology experts believe that when the subject picks a card from the major arcana group he or she has tapped into a powerful energy in some area of their life. Meanwhile minor arcana cards relate to areas with low intensity of energy.

The Major Arcana consist of 22 cards, each of which have symbolic meaning connected to the material world

Here are the cards and what they represent:

• The Fool: This card represents a beginning, innocence, and free spirit.
• The Magician: A card symbolic of power, skill and concentration
• The High Priestess: This card represents mystery and the subconscious mind
• The Empress: The tarot card is symbolic of fertility, beauty, and femininity.
• The Emperor: This card symbolizes a father figure and authority.
• The Hierophant: A card representing religion, tradition, and beliefs
• The Lovers: A card for union, relationships, and choices
• The Chariot: This represents control, willpower, and victory.
• Strength: A symbol of courage, patience, and compassion
• The Hermit: A card for inner guidance and soul-searching
• The Wheel of Fortune: A good-luck symbol that also represents karma and destiny
• Justice: This card represents fairness, truth, and cause and effect.
• The Hanged Man: A card symbolizing restriction and sacrifice
• Death: This tarot card reflects endings, beginnings, or a change in life.
• Temperance: A symbol that represents balance, patience, and moderation
• The Devil: Sexuality and materialism are attributes of this card.
• The Tower: A card symbolic of sudden change and revelation
• The Star: A card for renewal and inspiration
• The Moon: Fear, anxiety, and insecurity are reflected in this tarot card.
• The Sun: This symbol represents success, vitality, and positivity.
• Judgment: A symbol that represents rebirth and inner calling
• The World: This card represents travel, accomplishment completion, and integration.

Meanwhile, the remaining 56 cards belong to the Minor Arcana group which in turn is divided into four other groups

Here are the groups and what they want:

• Suit of Cups: Dealing with emotions, feelings, and relationships, this suit indicates that the person has to put their heart needs before the rational thinking of their brain.
• Suit of Pentacles: The suit of the element earth, pentacles relate to tarot meanings linked to material aspects of life. These include money, business, and work.
• Suit of Swords: Associated with change, power, and ambition, this suit deals with the mental aspects of a person’s life. Since the swords are double-edged, this suit perfectly symbolizes the balance between intellect and power.
• Suit of Wands: The fire element is represented here, with primal associations with strength, creativity, ambition, and inspiration. This suit shows what individuals do to keep them busy, and sometimes, they indicate a never-ending to-do list.

The cards and the values they represent are used as indicators for different areas of life for the subject

Each card picked by the subject is interpreted by the Tarot reader to give scenarios relating to the person’s career, love life, health, and finances. Also at times if the subjected chooses the card in an upside down direction the interpretation is changed. The main idea, however, Tarot Card reading is not to give you the exact outlay of whats in store for you but it’s more so a way to guide you in different areas of your life.

Practitioners claim that tautology has its origins in ancient Egypt

Antoine Court de Gebelin who was a French clergyman was the first person to associate Tarot card with divinity. According to  A history of the occult tarot, 1870-1970. London: by Ronald Decker and Michael Dummett, Gebelin beleived that the Tarot was connected with ancient Egyptian Theology including Isis, Osiris and Typhon.

Isis was the Goddess of nature and magic, Osiris is the God of an afterlife and Typhon was a monstrous serpent giant in Greek mythology. Like for instance, he believed that the card which is known as the High Priestess today is a representation of Isis.

He believed that the word Tarot came from the Egyptian words Tar , that literally translates into “path” or “road”, and Ro that means “King” or “royal”. Based on this he believed that Tarot means the Royal Road of Life. Contrary to his analysis later on Egyptologists found no connection between Tarotology and Egyptian mythology. Nonetheless, practitioners still continue to form an association between Tarotology and Egyptian mythology.

So, that’s some basic understanding about Tarot and practicing it. Good luck and be safe.

Cover image via: numerologycentral.com