An Introduction to Tarot Cards and Readings

Some claim that the origins of Tarot can be traced back as far as the period of Egyptian mythology, the underlying culture and belief system of ancient Egypt, roughly 30BC. However, according to Aleister Crowley, Tarot in the classical form can be traced back as early as the 14^th century. Tarot then became popular with travelers and gypsies during the 15^th century who used the cards for fortune-telling. Today, Tarot cards and Tarot readings by psychics are popular all over the globe. The use of Tarot cards for fortune-telling and interpreting the universe is a mystical and spiritual process, trusted psychics who can provide genuine tarot readings are remarkably gifted.

Aleister Crowley was an English occultist, meaning his beliefs did not coincide with general religion and science at the time (1875-1947). He founded the religion of Thelma based on a book written by Crowley titled ‘The Book of the Law’, with its spiritual foundations being ancient Egyptian mythology and magic. Crowley is also responsible for creating the Thoth Tarot deck, arguably the most popular and notable form of Tarot. As with all Tarot, the Thoth Tarot deck consists of seventy-eight cards, 4 suits, and twenty-two trump cards containing symbolic pictures and a title. In his book ‘The Book of Thoth (Egyptian Tarot)’ Crowley explains that although the number of cards, suits, and trumps may seem meaningless they do in fact tie into the structure of the universe and the solar system ‘as symbolised by the Holy Qabalah’, a philosophy linked to certain magical societies and teachings in western society.

One key interpretation of Tarot Crowley explains is Gematria. A structure where numerical values are assigned to Hebrew words where each letter represents a number and can be linked to other words with that same value, thus being used to derive the meaning of Tarot. Many graphs were published to interpret Thoth Tarot cards depending on their number, astrological sign, the order in which they are drawn, and the planets, all in accordance with ‘The Book of the Law’.

However, although there are certain graphs and tables to read and a great amount of study required for all Tarot, Tarot also necessitates great intuition. According to The Order of the Golden Dawn, an occult society, ‘the most powerful sources of information come from within, the Tarot aids in coming in contact with one’s higher self'. Interestingly Aleister Crowley was a member of this organisation in his early twenties before being expelled due to his arrogance. Crowley also defined Tarot as ‘a pictorial representation of the Forces of Nature as received by the Ancients’. Therefore, Tarot lies somewhere in the middle between the influence of external forces and one’s higher self and self-influence. This is where a trusted psychic advisor and Tarot card reader’s gifts are used to interpret the cards during the reading.

There are two types of Tarot card reading: open readings and question readings. Open readings are designed to investigate and address broader areas of life rather than question readings that address specific issues. Open readings may include anything from careers to your love life. Traditional tarot card decks are made up of minor arcana and major arcana, minor arcana covering the aforementioned four suits which are pentacles, cups, wands, and swords. Major arcana are further cards illustrating ideas, concepts, and beliefs that represent large energies and life events. The minor arcana suited cards are numbered 1 to 10 as well as a king, queen, knight, and page, and they represent daily life. The tarot card psychic reader firstly shuffles the cards and then places them on a table in what is known as the ‘spread’, there are many different types of spread and each position of a card in the spread has a meaning.

The psychic tarot card reader will then use their gifts to interpret the cards and relay guidance. The best way to view tarot cards is to see them as a representation of your life, not only a reflection of your past, present, and future but as an insight into inner wisdom and spiritual lessons.

If you would like to know more about Tarot card readings or would like to have one with a gifted psychic advisor, please call 0207 553 5000 or click HERE