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[Namikikyo]

[picture here]

We'll tell you the future, May it be forever clear.

We'll tell you the beginnings, May they be forever near.

We'll tell you the endings, May they be never dear.

- The Tarot prayer.

Quote:

We've all seen those little psychic shops filled with sparkling trinkets and tinkling crystal bells that advertise special readings from a simple deck of colored cards in bright neon lights screaming "Tarot readings for 25$; Know your future". The flashy show of mystical promises on the sign almost beckons us to enter the glittery shop to hear our unheard paths from these paper oracles that hold so much power. We reach deep into our pockets to draw out the asked amount, shaking excitedly with every dollar bill ripped from it's comfy home in your wallet. However, You draw up short. With fingers hopelessly fumbling over empty spaces in your purse, realization that you never had enough money to begin with sets in to break the seemingly magical bond the card reading has over you. Disheartened, You feel the need to turn
away from the over priced predictions and start remembering seeing a few tarot decks in a bookstore at the mall. It is then that we feel the pull, the need be able to do the same for ourselves.

Now, This story doesn't necessarily apply to everyone. But it expresses that little spark that most of us feel when we first decided to start reading.  

[Namikikyo]

Enlighten yourself about the cards

A little advice when looking for a Deck

When choosing a deck, it often becomes cryptic. Most will tell you to try a Beginner deck like Rider-Waite, that will get you into the swing of reading Tarot. However, this start is not for everyone. I personally hate Rider-Waite and didn't like how simple all the Beginner decks look, It didn't feel right at all for me.

My advice is to "feel" around for a deck. Look at all the different styles and themes until you feel that little nudge to a certain one. There are as many different decks out there as there are people, It's going to be hard to believe that you're not at least going to find something.

This little "nudge" can come as anything from a tiny spark to a simple knowing. If you've ever worked with energy or any psychic work, this is something you will be able to recognize and know very well. Hell, you may even notice after getting a few different decks when one deck hates your guts!

Sometimes you have to go through a hell of a lot of different decks to find the right one, sometimes you'll have more the one deck. [[ I personally have two, while a friend of mine has eight and loves them all.]] But, no matter what you do wether you're "feeling" around or just looking for a starter deck, remember that they are tools that can help you change the future. For better or for worse.

More about them in general

Although the original Tarot Card Meaning was to keep secret records of history they have evolved over time to other uses as well. These days they are most popular with divination. The Tarot Card has also recently been used for playing games and gambling. They are also potent in casting spells. The more experienced will use the Tarot Card for casting spells, while others use the Tarot Card in paintings, gifts and even for decoration. There have spawned many different styles of the Tarot Card over the years with the most popular still being the Rider Waite deck.

Structure of a Deck

There are 78 cards to a Tarot deck. This is made up of 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana and the fool. Arcana is the plural form of the Latin word arcanum, meaning "closed" or "secret".

The fool is numbered 0. The major arcana which represent the original tarot deck are numbered 1 to XXI.

The minor arcana are made up of 4 kings, 4 queens, 4 knights, 4 pages, four aces, and the cards numbered 2 to 10. [[Basically like a deck of plain playing cards]]

Tarot Cards have originated from various countries. In the traditional Italian card, there are Swords, Batons, Coins and Cups. In more modern tarot card, the Batons are called called Wands, Rods or Staves. The Coins are called Pentacles. Because these days the Tarot Card serve many purposes there are a large variety of Tarot decks.

I call mine the Wands, Swords, Pentacles, and Cups.

Every Tarot card has it's own special meaning and every week we will be highlighting one card to explore it's every meaning. However, I realize that waiting for one card a week is a bit irritating, so I've found a site that tells you the basic meanings while you wait:


http://www.learntarot.com/cards.htm

The Cups

AKA: Chalices

Element: Water

Zodiac: Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio

Playing Card Suit: Hearts

Rules: The Heart

The Cups focus on emotions and matters of the heart. The meaning of each Tarot card in the Cups suit tend to guide emotional questions of almost any nature. Connected to the element of Water, this suit rules the Zodiac Water signs of Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio.

The Wands
AKA: Sticks, Staves, Rods, Batons

Element: Fire

Zodiac: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Playing Card Suit: Clubs

Class: Peasantry

Rules: The Spirit

The Wands rule the spirit, especially issues of creativity and energy. By spirit, I mean that the meaning of each Tarot card in this suit may rule issues of a deep level, connected to drive, purpose or even faith. Connected with the element of Fire, this suit rules the Zodiac Fire signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.

The Swords
AKA: I've never seen it called anything else!

Element: Air

Zodiac: Aquarius, Gemini, Libra

Playing Card Suit: Spades

Class:Nobility/Militia

Rules: The Mind or Will

The Swords control the mind or will. When I refer to the mind or will, it means that the meaning of each Tarot card in this suit can focus on intellectual questions or issues related to power. Connected with the element of Air, this suit rules the Zodiac Air signs of Aquarius, Gemini and Libra.

The Coins
AKA: Pentacles

Element: Earth

Zodiac: Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo

Playing Card Suit: Diamonds

Class: Merchants

Rules: The Physical Realm (Wealth)

The Coins control issues in the physical world. It is a very physical suit so the meaning of each Tarot card may focus on family, money, health and home. Connected with the element of Earth, this suit rules the Zodiac Earth signs of Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo.

Major Arcana

0 The Fool

I The Magician


II The High Priestess


III The Empress


IV The Emperor


V The Hierophant


VI The Lovers


VII The Chariot


VIII Justice


IX The Hermit


X The Wheel Of Fortune


XI Strength


XII The Hanged Man


XIII Death


XIV Temperance


XV The Devil


XVI The Tower


XVII The Star


XVIII The Moon


XIX The Sun


XX Judgement


XXI The World

Although this the basic card layout for most decks, there are decks out there called "Oracle Decks" that hold anywhere from 48 to 81 cards depending on the deck and do not go by this layout.

Prime examples Oracle Decks are:

Goddess Oracle

God Oracle

I don't have a link up here, But I know a few Christians that adore the Angel Oracle cards. It just goes to show that there's something out there for everyone.