The Tarot is a curious thing. For some it's just a pack of cards with pictures, for others it's a description of the whole universe. Whatever your interest and stage of knowledge about these intriguing cards the symbols of which seem timeless and mired in mystery, this forum is to help open up discussion and trade of ideas on the nature of these cards and their symbols. As a professional reader of the cards for 30 years I have some idea of the best ways to gain great outcomes for people, for their well being, mental and emotional health, and in dealing with the ups and downs of everyday life and helping people to the best healing outcomes for them in times of crisis. In discussions the forum demands respect and a genuine interest in the Tarot out of curiosity, in building knowledge, and, primarily, in good healing outcomes in Tarot reading practice. I will answer questions put to the forum as part of a discussion of the question, not as an answer per-se, as the forum is a round table. Please also remember, one of the chief virutues expressed in the Tarot is the primacy of patience and love for the "other". Be mindful of this when expressing opinions or ideas but also remember another of the Tarot's chief virtues, cleverness and sobriety, that to cut through intellectual conceits one must sometimes use a keen knife, but you had better be a good surgeon too. This is not a forum for doing personal readings, it's always better to do that in a proper, paid, session. Check out the bookings page on the Healing Pathways website: talkingspacecouncelings.com/bookings
Let's get talking... All About Tarot.
Greg Broadbent
Origins of Tarot
The origins and development of the tarot are not entirely clear, and it remains a subject of debate among historians and scholars. The tarot is a deck of playing cards commonly used for divination, but its history is intertwined with various cultural, spiritual, and artistic influences.
The tarot is believed to have originated in the 15th century in Italy, where it was initially used as a simple card game. The earliest known tarot decks were hand-painted and used for leisure and entertainment among the nobility.
Over time, the tarot evolved, and its symbolism and use expanded to include esoteric and occult practices. In the 18th and 19th centuries, various occultists and mystics, such as Antoine Court de Gébelin and Eliphas Levi, began associating the tarot with mystical and spiritual concepts, connecting the cards to Kabbalah, astrology, and other mystical systems.
In the 20th century, the tarot experienced a resurgence in popularity, especially with the publication of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck in 1910, which became one of the most influential and widely used tarot decks.
While the tarot's exact origins remain shrouded in mystery, its development is a fascinating amalgamation of historical playing cards, artistic influences, and the integration of esoteric and occult interpretations by various scholars and practitioners throughout the centuries. Today, the tarot is used for various purposes, including divination, self-reflection, and spiritual exploration.