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Introduction to Tarot Cards:

            Tarot cards conjure the image of star studded gypsies giving readings in the back of a wagon caravan. But in reality tarot cards were not designed for divination. Instead the oldest documentation of tarot cards is in northern Italy during the 15^th century where these “trump” cards were first used in combination with the standard four suit deck. The first known tarot cards were found in the homes of Italian nobility.

            Documentation of the first tarot cards includes evidence that these first cards were added to the standard sets to play a game called “triumph” in which the additional cards, which depicted everything from Greek gods to the emperors and popes of the time, outranked all of the other cards regardless of suit. Centuries later the tarot cards began to emerge to the public as magic symbols. As the popularity of the tarot cards grew the additional cards began to take on new artistic designs that reflect the popular culture of the day.

            There is evidence that tarot cards became popular during the Italian Renaissance. This was a time of intellectual growth in which many philosophies emerged including astrology, Neo-Platonism and early Christianity. Many of these philosophies are reflected in the depicted characters of modern day tarot cards.

            In the 18^th century several occult leaders became interested in the tarot and did much work deciphering astrological attributes as well as the mysterious connotations associated with tarot cards. Although the cards did not originate as a divination tool they have evolved into a form of fortune telling. And a variety of styles of tarot card decks and designs have emerged as well. Historically, one of the most important designs is the Tarot de Marseilles. This style was made popular during the 20^th century. However, other designs include the Minchiate and the Swiss Tarot.

            Today a complete deck of Tarot cards includes four suits, coins, wands, cups and swords. Each suit has four picture cards, Page, Knight, Queen and King as well as number cards ranging from one to ten. Additionally there are 22 trump cards also known as the major arcane. The terminology “major arcana” is used predominantly in divination purposes. Game players using the tarot for everyday card games call these cards trump cards. But the name of the major arcana is not the only distinguishing feature. Tarot cards also have unique illustrations on the major arcana cards as opposed the normal Roman or Arabic numeral on each card.

            Arcana is Latin for mysterious or specialized knowledge, language or information that is generally accessible only by the initiate. These cards depict scenes, mostly featuring a person or several people, with many symbolic elements. The earliest decks were predominantly unnamed and some even unnumbered.

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