Tarot is a method of reading the future used for the purpose of self-knowledge. its origin comes from various cultures and peoples of humanity.
We are born, live and die in search of answers. And that’s why thousands of people bet their lives on tarot. The enigmatic cards with mysterious designs, names, formats and divisions come from a very ancient tradition in the history of humanity. But, regardless of when and where it was invented, its existence continues to have the same meaning to this day: transmitting a message.
The future is initially blind to all of us and trying to know a little about it is already a form of relief. Especially when we can guide ourselves in the choices and paths to take in moments where we are most confused. To this end, there are a range of 78 cards in the tarot deck ready to clarify doubts and provide guidance for the next steps.
What is Tarot?
First of all, there is a simple division in the deck that guides readers in their queries. Of the total of 78 tarot cards, 22 are the main cards, called “major arcana”, and another 56, called “minor arcana”.
Firstly, know that each illustration on each card has a meaning. The material is full of symbols and each one has its own orientation. As the cards are chosen in the service, the client creates their own “consultant” life panorama. In other words, within the chosen options there are positive and negative things about your future.
But why is there this division between arcana? Simple! Each one focuses on a different area of life. The major arcana are more focused on the interior of each person, while the minor arcana take a more external analysis. So this is how both sides give a broad response to various perspectives on life.
Origin story
There are controversies regarding the origin of tarot. There are rumors, for example, that there is a great similarity between Egyptian figures and tarot illustrations. However, the most told and disseminated of all versions are those associated with the book of Thoth and Hermes, belonging to Greek mythology.
Both characters permeate the mysteries of the cards and create splendid meanings for each symbology. Before delving into the story of the two ancient gods, it is important to know that the letters were also an escape from knowledge.
In the Middle Ages, after the fire of the library in Alexandria, the wise men felt reluctant to expose and record their ideas. To finally preserve the discoveries for the world, one of the ways they found was, above all, the illustration of letters. With this objective in mind, it is good to start, from now on, also associating reason and science when observing tarot items.
Book of Thoth
In principle, for those who are curious to delve further into the world of magic, Thoth’s book is the most suitable for the adventure. Antiquity was based on various beliefs and mystical stories in order to uncover the universe. The Egyptians were based on Deus Toth and through him they created a series of writings about the secrets of the creation of the world.
The record of his writing is dated to 2170 BC and the volume contains the 78 tarot cards. Each one has, above all, its own divine dignity. The most interesting thing is that the specimen was made from a meeting between wizards in a temple called Amun. The unanimous decision of this meeting generated the most used and disseminated content today. All “Blades, or Arcana” bring guidance related to feelings and situations in life.
The Greek Gods
It is not possible to ignore the history of the gods when talking about the mythological principles behind the creation of tarot cards. Hermes, son of Zeus and Maia, had a decisive encounter with Apollo, Hecate and Hades. In order to recover her daughter Koré from the hands of Hades, the goddess of magic, Hecate, ends up asking Hermes for help to rescue her from the underworld.
The plan, in the end, did not work out very well and Koré married Hades, changing her name to Persephone. The fact makes her represent the seasons of the year thanks to the unpredictable changes in her life. But what does this have to do with tarot? Answer: practically everything!
It is from these mythical events that the meanings of the cards arise. Each card represents one of these situations between gods. Hermes and Persephone are just one of the situations that generated tarot guidance. This is exactly why knowing how to read requires a lot of study and reading, because meanings do not come from nowhere. There is, after all, a historical and mythological basis for each representation.
How to read?
Let’s contrast this vision of the future of tarot cards a little bit. Firstly, the main objective of reading is not to offer a ready-made path to follow and the answers to all questions. It is, firstly, generating self-knowledge and reflections on one’s own life.
The process of introspection leads to the opening of several paths to follow. The professional who will carry out the reading will ask you to guide you through a specific question about your life, or a general overview of events. First of all, the tarot reader will expose some things from your past that continue to influence your current life.
With this personalized view of each situation it becomes easier to find the correct path. Think about therapy, for example. We need to resolve certain issues to move forward and make the best choices. This is what the cards propose, that is, an awareness of points to be closed in order to better open your eyes to future events and opportunities.
Types of tarot
The story translates from various cultural perspectives. Therefore, there are several types of readings and illustrations according to the context inserted in the creation of the cards. The ones presented above (Egyptian and Greek) are not the only ones available.
The illustrations, the meanings, everything can change. However, don’t forget, the main and only objective of all card readings is the search for self-knowledge. Just to understand a little more about these variations, see:
Tarot of Marseilles
Mythological tarot
Egyptian Tarot
Tarot Crowley
Finally, find out more about curiosities like this in What your heart line, in the palm of your hand, reveals about you
Sources: Saraiva, Tarot Club, Educa Mais Brasil, iQuilibrio, Mega Curioso, Astro Centro, Mundo Zumm,
Image sources: Titi Vidal, Universa, Mercado Livre, Elo7, Egyptian Mythology, Alphabet, Event Brit,
