Tarot Deck Of Cards

The tarot deck of cards, usually 78 in number, is divided into two
separate categories, the major and the minor arcana (arcana from the
Latin meaning of closed or secret). There are 21 individual cards,
referred to as trumps, and the fool card in the major arcana. The minor
arcana have 56 cards consisting of 10 cards numbered from Ace to ten in
four different suits. In a traditional tarot deck of cards, the suits
include batons, wands, rods, or staves; cups, swords, and coins...

The tarot deck of cards, usually 78 in number, is divided into two
separate categories, the major and the minor arcana (arcana from the
Latin meaning of closed or secret). There are 21 individual cards,
referred to as trumps, and the fool card in the major arcana. The minor
arcana have 56 cards consisting of 10 cards numbered from Ace to ten in
four different suits. In a traditional tarot deck of cards, the suits
include batons, wands, rods, or staves; cups, swords, and coins, disks,
or pentacles. In addition, there are four court cards, or face cards, in
a tarot deck, including the page or knave, queen, knight and king in
each of the same four suits.

One of the most interesting cards in a tarot deck is the Fool. He
represents both the number 22 and zero. Twenty-two completes the cycle
or journey of the major arcana, whereas zero represents the god of
force, a symbol of our unlimited potential. A circle, therefore, has no
end but continues on and on, a symbol of God and infinity. The bright
sun above the Fool is a sign of energy that melts the snow on the
mountains, bringing life and nourishment to those below. In addition,
there is more significance to the Fool card in the tarot deck, such as
the bag representing memories, the eagle for aspirations, the white rose
for purity, and the dog symbolizing the eventual course of evolution.

The number two card, the Magician, signifies the conscious mind or the
ability to control from above what occurs below by the wand, the cup,
the sword, and the coins. Thoughts of passion and desire are held in
check by the wisdom and purity of the Magician. The High Priestess, the
subconscious mind, reflects a balance or impartiality between the light
and dark pillars, the two opposites of male and female. Her knowledge
and experience provide the proper and wisest course of action in the
link between the conscious and the subconscious.

An older version of the Magician is the Emperor, the ruler who controls
the system needed for effective management of thoughts and desires. The
Empress in a tarot deck is simply an indication of time. It represents
the 12 signs of the zodiac, an indicator that eventually all thoughts
and aspirations will become realties. Another interesting card in the
tarot deck is the Hierophant, the teacher or our inner self. The
Hierophant makes decisions based on reason and intuition, which he has
gathered in the cycle of life through experience and wisdom.

The Lovers card symbolizes relationships and partners, the compatibility
of male and female. In this card, the woman is the subconscious, the
male is the conscious mind, and the angel above them represents the
superconscious. In time the female gains the wisdom and inspiration to
give to the relationship, raising it to a spiritual level.above the
physical or materialistic world. Our will is controlled through strength
and driven by the Chariot. The Hermit might well be considered the
creator; he stands alone above the rest simply by virtue of his wisdom
and success. The lantern he holds offers enlightenment for those who
would follow. Furthermore, the Wheel of Fortune reveals to us who we
really are and Justice corrects the mistakes of our past and makes them
right. Interestingly enough, the Hanged Man is upside down, the way that
others see us in contrast to the way we really are. In the cycle of
life, the tarot deck includes the Death card, for death must come to
everyone. However, the meaning of Death in the tarot cards is a
transformation and rebirth of consciousness to a higher level.

In addition, the Temperance card depicts an angel, with one foot in the
water and one on the earth. Similar to the High Priestess, she too
balances wisdom and introspection with desire and doubt, further
solidifying the link between the conscious and the subconscious. The
Devil card symbolizes the lies and misconceptions we may encounter on
our journey. Eventually, however we will reach the Tower with its bolt
of lightning, an indication that we have achieved true knowledge and
understanding.

The major arcana also includes the Star, often presented as a woman who
takes from the pool of knowledge and relays what she has learned to the
five senses of man. The Moon card represents our spiritual evolution
from creation to creator. The tarot cards also emphasize the importance
of the Sun for light and energy and the Judgment needed for an
understanding of the link between the universal conscious of man and
humanity. A final card in the major arcana is the World, which
represents our place in the unending cycle of life, in relationship to
an unchanging Universe.

The four suits of the minor arcana portray the various material aspects
of life and the numbers, as interpreted through numerology, indicate the
strength of the vibrations in each card. In the suit of wands, we see
the realm of spirit, ideas, ambition, and growth in the fire, club, and
creative cards. Our desires and feelings, not outwardly apparent, are
reflected in the suit of cups by heart, emotions, and water. In the
suits of swords, spades, air and intellect, the cards symbolize the
struggles to bring ideas into reality. The final desired result is found
in the suit of pentacles, where diamonds and earth represent the
completion of the link between the conscious and the subconscious.

There are many types of tarot decks of cards, in a variety of styles,
shapes, and number; however, their interpretation is basically the same
in every deck. The reading of the tarot cards may prove fascinating to
study. The tarot provides great pursuit for an occultist, or if you
believe in the supernatural, or if you are simply curious about life and
its ups and downs, and such aspects as love, career, and success. If
you're seeking insight into the past, the present, or the future,
perhaps you'll find it in the tarot deck of cards.