Q: What does the word Tarot mean?
A: It does not have a specific meaning but over the years attempts have been made to find its meaning and origin. However the closest one can get is to the Italian derivative for Tarot, Tarocchi, which was the name given to Tarot when it was used as playing cards.
Q: Are the predictions 100 % accurate?
A: Mostly. Yes. I get asked this question very often from almost every patron with whom I interact and from every other individual to whom I introduce myself as a Tarot Reader and Psychotherapist. Most readings do turn out to be true unless of course you, the querent (the one who questions the reader), decide to change your actions to achieve a desired result. In such cases your predictions turn out to be different from the previous ones. The extent to which difference is created in the querent’s life from what was earlier predicted depends entirely on the querent’s efforts in changing his/her life for the better.
Q: Is it scientific?
A: No. It isn’t scientific but can form part of the Metaphysical branch of Philosophy which undertakes the study of subjects which are less easily explainable. You can read more about this in the next chapter.
Q: Is it similar to Astrology?
A: No. Astrology has a scientific base, Tarot doesn’t. Tarot is more of Aura reading, it is energy oriented. However, I have discussed this in detail in the next chapter.
Q: Is it better than Numerology, Astrology, Palmistry, Fortune telling etc?
A: This question is like asking a mother which of her children she loves more. All forms of foretelling the future are accurate. It entirely depends upon the experience and suitability you derive from the above mentioned mediums.
Q: Can it answer questions related to stocks, World Cup matches, sex of the foetus, life and death?
A: Yes. Tarot can answer all such questions. It just depends to what extent the Tarot Reader chooses to use this tool and in what manner.
Q: Can Tarot predict the past, present and future?
A: Yes.
Q: Did Tarot originate in India?
A: No.
Q: Where did Tarot originate?
A: Europe. It is believed to have travelled from Egypt to Europe and found its occult base in France and Italy. More on it in the forthcoming chapters.
Q: Can Tarot be learnt?
A: Yes. Learning Tarot is simple. You can do this in as short a time as 10 days, but to predict accurately, one requires to develop the intuition. This requires years of practice and patience. You may start this very moment.
Q: Can Tarot be done for people of all ages?
A: Yes. It can be done for people of all age groups but preferably 18 and above. Not that you need a license, but it’s better to have a strong heart to withstand what unfolds in your reading.
Q: How often should I do a Tarot Reading?
A: The lesser the better. By ‘lesser’, I mean that you are in control of your life and not the external factors. But usually a minimum gap of 45 days should be good between two readings.
Q: Can my Readings change?
A: Yes. You have the power to change your reading by changing your efforts and actions. This is what makes Tarot so beneficial for you. It shows you what’s in store for you and also guides you to change it if you are displeased with the reading.
Q: Does Tarot give remedies?
A: No. A Tarot reader will never give you remedies like rituals to be performed, gem stones to be worn or other objects to be kept close to heart. It’s in this sense that Tarot cannot be termed as a medium which gives remedies. It purely predicts your future and serves as a guideline.
These are usually the questions that I am often asked. As you read further your understanding about Tarot will get better.
Tarot and its History
Tarot is a set of 78 cards which is believed to have predictive powers. Tarot cards form a set of cards which in contact with the reader’s psychic powers becomes a tool that can reveal your past and present and predict your future. In the olden days Tarot was not used as a tool to foretell one’s destiny; it got its occult value much later.
Tarot has a strange history, full of speculations regarding its present form and use. To the average onlooker it may appear to be a deck of normal playing cards, which it was in the past. It was only around 1520 A.D that the French and the Italians invested these cards with their occult value. Before this time, these cards were used like all other playing decks, for games and entertainment. Many people believe that Tarot travelled to Europe first from Egypt. It’s also believed that during the great fire in Egypt, which burned down most of the ancient libraries, these cards were the only ones to survive as part of the ancient Egyptian culture and history. It then travelled to Europe where it was used as playing cards. There are various speculations about the history of Tarot, some believable, some not, some exciting and some sceptical. I’ll tell you about some that sound credible to me. I leave it to you to form your derivative of Tarot’s history from what you read here.
Tarot cards became popularly used as play cards somewhere in the 14th century in China. The Chinese used these cards merely to play or even to gamble. Tarot was also believed to be used as a source of money to bet on other types of card games. Around this time these cards were just the normal 56 cards with pictorial representation and used for playing card games. The 22 major Arcanas (main cards that predict the distant future) were added much later. From here it travelled down to the Islamic countries and is believed to have moved from here to Europe where, somewhere around the 15th century, it got its full form of 78 cards as well as its occult bearing. No one knows how these 22 major Arcanas came into being, who made them or when they made their first appearance.
In Europe, according to speculation, the Duke of Italy once wrote to a respected statesman asking about the trump cards of tarot. These trump cards are the court cards like the King, Queen and the Knight, along with the 22 major Arcanas. This is the only evidence in history which confirms the existence of the entire 78 cards as one deck. By this time the deck was formed and was still used for playing purposes. As the cards reached Italy, they started using local Latin suits of swords, cups, batons and coins. However, in other places, this deck still comprised of the normal suits of spades, hearts, diamond and clubs. Italy is the place where Tarot went through its major transformation and also received its occult value. Until then, the cards were being used to play a game called Triumph, known today as Bridge.
The history of Tarot and its occult value raises many questions and much speculation. This deck gained huge popularity across Europe and its use was widespread, but still used only as playing cards. No one knows how it got its occult symbolism; there is a lot of speculation around it, but it is generally accepted that in time the Italians discovered its magical powers and called it the Tarocchi, later translated into French as Tarot. This deck had a royal bearing as the duchess and dukes exchanged letters referring to the Tarot deck for entertainment and play.
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