Tuesday, February 19, 2019

A Historical Overview Of Tarot Card Readings

By Christopher Hill


Tarot cards originated as far back as 1440 in Italy with the original 22 cards of the Major Arcana when the first deck appeared. In most cases, the Italian decks were called "Visconti Trumps" and are often considered the forefathers of the decks which are now available. Whereas, readers often now use a number of different decks to gain as much insight out of tarot card readings as possible.

It is believed that the Italian Trumps were originally developed and designed for royalty. Whereas, it was not until centuries later when the cards became popular once again. During that time, divination and psychic readings became popular uses for the cards. Prior to that time, the cards were most often used in different games by the Nobles.

It was long after the cards had become standardized in France during the eighteenth century that the cards once began became popular. For, before that time, those whom played the Trumps could often decide to substitute, exclude or discard cards as needed. As such, the Tower, Death and Devil cards were often thrown out because of rumors the cards allowed the Devil to steal the souls of the people who played with them.

It was not so much the meanings which have been tied to the cards imagery rather the titles which were offensive. In fact, there were times when religious leaders attempted to have these cards banished. It was a sermon by an Italian Franciscan Friar which caused the belief that the cards were inventions whom the devil named the Death, Tower and Devil, the latter being a self-titled namesake.

Even when just using the cards for simple game play, the Friar suggested those whom did so were worshiping Satan and turning away from the light. As such, the sermon condemned the cards as being part and parcel to the act of Satanism. As it turned out, the cards were never banned, while psychic and tarot readings became more popular over the centuries.

The rebirth of Tarot and the use of decks in divination is attributed to Antoine Court de Gebelin in the late 1700s. For, Antoine believed the cards to be of Egyptian origin which contained knowledge of a mystical nature. De Gabelin also believed the symbols were purposefully included in the Major Arcana, also known as the Trumps. Unlike the Friar, Antoine saw no association between the Devil and the art of tarot.

De Gebelin, at least in theory believed the cards were keys to the lost knowledge and wisdom of the Egyptians. It was much later when the Major Arcana began to evolve into decks revised and distributed by a number of secret societies that hopes of revealing this knowledge came to pass. Most likely, this led to modern decks which come with guidebooks which define the artwork and provide the meaning of each and every card.

In the beginning of tarot, regular playing cards were often used as a means of separating the suits. Whereas, later there were several decks which only used the Trumps or Major Arcana. Whereas, there are so many different creators and decks available now that it can often be difficult for readers to know which one to choose. While this is the case, as most readers believe cards should be a gift rather than purchased, the decision is often made by someone other than the reader.




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