| No one really knows how old the Tarot actually is. | | | | based upon past experiences and actions. These |
| Some say 500 yrs. old and some depict the images | | | | however are only a small portion of the capabilities |
| and symbols as dating back to 1 BC, if not further. | | | | and benefits of utilizing the Tarot. |
| As the faces of the cards have changed over the | | | | Of course, the Tarot can be utilized to profit |
| centuries, so too has their purpose. Our modern day | | | | financially but that is not what the true nature of the |
| society always tends to portray a gypsy-type | | | | cards are. They were intended for personal guidance |
| individual doing fortunetelling with the cards; which is a | | | | and enhancing one's knowledge of their own individual |
| stereotype that is far-stretching the real purpose and | | | | path. It's purpose is varied depending on the individual |
| intent of the Tarot. And with that stereotype | | | | and what they want the cards to be used for in |
| typically it is associated as a negatively aspected | | | | reality. If given the chance, most people would want |
| subject matter and often times deemed "evil" or | | | | to know more about what is occurring within their |
| "dangerous". I've even heard them referred to as | | | | lives in various aspects. The Tarot is one way of |
| "Devil Cards". How sad and unfortunate that so many | | | | achieving that and a means to foresee what may lie |
| individuals are close-minded and are unwilling to seek | | | | ahead. Just like astrology, millions of people check |
| understanding themselves; instead they ridicule and | | | | their horoscopes every single day to see what the |
| mock those who are associated with the Tarot. | | | | day may bring and thus, the Tarot is an alternative |
| As far as the portrayal of a gypsy-type individual | | | | for those who are interested in learning a more |
| that stems from a time period when there was great | | | | detailed in depth look within their life and a means to |
| suffering and adversity when trying to support one's | | | | find understanding as to why they are experiencing |
| family was extremely difficult in very poor areas. As | | | | certain events and patterns, what course of action |
| with anything else, people find a way to monetize | | | | should be taken and what is the probable outcome |
| everything and it's origination was a means of survival | | | | should events continue as they currently are at the |
| to help feed their families. As back then, they would | | | | time of the reading. |
| barter their ability to read the cards for money, food, | | | | The Tarot helps to establish a clearer understanding |
| clothing and any other supplies that could be | | | | of how your thoughts and actions create the |
| beneficial to them. Thus, gypsies were perhaps the | | | | experiences within life for each individual; as no two |
| most popular reference to the usage of Tarot that | | | | people walk the same identical path. The same cards |
| our present day stereotypes stem from. But by no | | | | pulled in one person's reading will not mean the same |
| means were they the only known users of the | | | | exact thing for another person if they came up in |
| Tarot. Due to the symbology associated with the | | | | their reading as well. Therefore, it is individualized and |
| Tarot, some scholars even believe them to have | | | | personal an instrument that is most usually considered |
| been utilized in ancient Egyptian ceremonies and | | | | a sacred tool that deserves utmost respect and |
| rituals. Most usually, they are identified with Pagan, | | | | should be highly valued and taken care of. With |
| Wiccan and Celtic belief systems or better known to | | | | anything you study, research and practice you will |
| be associated as followers of Witchcraft. However, | | | | grow stronger and more adept in understanding what |
| there have been variations of the Tarot cards found | | | | the cards represent and symbolize for you personally; |
| throughout the majority of cultures and religious | | | | individually. It is a unique relationship for each individual |
| belief systems. | | | | who does read the Tarot. For some it is a life long |
| The true intent and purpose of the Tarot cards is to | | | | process of self discovery and for others it's a means |
| be used as a tool designed for expanding one's | | | | to be able to stay one step ahead by knowing what |
| awareness and the world around them. Since our | | | | influences and unforeseen obstacles may get in the |
| minds tend to think in terms of symbols, it makes | | | | way of their plans or what to do about a certain |
| perfect sense that these cards were designed with | | | | situations, etc. |
| that concept in mind. Anything can be utilized as a | | | | It was the Tarot that first piqued my interest into |
| tool it depends upon the intention and purpose an | | | | studying symbology which, of course, led me to |
| individual places upon an object. Just like having a | | | | studying Theology regarding various cultures, religions |
| lucky charm, to that individual it is lucky; to another it | | | | and belief systems thereby enhancing my own |
| may be completely asinine and ridiculous. The point is, | | | | understanding of the Tarot cards. It has lead me to |
| we each can choose what purpose an object will | | | | study numerology, astrology, earth medicine, working |
| serve, be it positively or negatively aspected. And | | | | with energy and directions, Native American |
| this stands true especially for the Tarot cards. The | | | | Shamanism, medicine wheels, witchcraft, paganism, |
| only significance anything holds is that which we | | | | Celtic belief systems, Christianity, in depth study of |
| personally place upon it. Therefore, in lieu of that | | | | the bible and various other ancient texts,Egyptian and |
| concept, the Tarot can be utilized as a tool for | | | | a whole myriad of other belief systems and |
| foretelling the future based upon present | | | | symbologies. And that is only a mere portion of all |
| circumstances and influences surrounding the individual | | | | that I have studied in depth over the last 20 years all |
| at the time of consulting the Tarot cards. | | | | because I wanted to know more about the Tarot |
| Each card depicts and represents the phases, cycles | | | | and what all the symbols mean. So the bottom line is, |
| and transitions that we encounter in our lifetime. As | | | | you can choose to go as deep into studying the |
| with most cycles, they represent the stages and | | | | Tarot in all of it's aspects or you can get a vague |
| patterns that are associated with those various | | | | generalized idea of the cards and what they mean |
| aspects. They symbolically represent the influences | | | | and that's fine too, it's entirely up to each individual |
| of individuals surrounding us, qualities within ourselves | | | | depending on how far they are willing to go in |
| that we harness but do not utilize to their fullest | | | | seeking understanding. It's your journey, no one else |
| potential, our interaction with others whether in a | | | | can make it for you but if you'd like to have a useful |
| relationship, friendship or in our environment. It can | | | | tool that can help you better understand things |
| help an individual determine what course of action to | | | | happening in your life then the Tarot might just be |
| proceed in regards to their career, relationship and | | | | for you and you'll never know unless you try and |
| making important decisions. It can help an individual | | | | intuitively you'll know if it's something for you or not. |
| get in touch with their intuition and listening to their | | | | I'll go into more details in future articles as we |
| gut instincts. It can help an individual explore one's | | | | continue to explore the fascinating world of the |
| own self and find understanding upon their path | | | | Tarot. |