What is Tarot?

Tarot refers to a specific deck of 78 cards, historically originating in 15th-century Italy, which has evolved into a prominent tool within Western Esotericism. The deck is divided into two principal sections: the 22 Major Arcana cards, often considered to represent significant life lessons, archetypal energies, and spiritual journeys, and the 56 Minor Arcana cards, which reflect more mundane, everyday events and are further subdivided into four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles), each with ten numbered cards and four court cards. Each card is imbued with complex symbolic imagery, drawing from various esoteric traditions, including Hermeticism, Kabbalah, astrology, and alchemy. Practitioners interpret these symbols, often through specific card spreads, to gain insight into past, present, and potential future circumstances, to understand psychological states, or to facilitate spiritual growth. The Tarot is not merely a fortune-telling device but is widely regarded as a symbolic system that mirrors the human condition and universal principles, providing a framework for introspection and understanding the underlying currents of existence. Prominent occultists such as Eliphas Levi and Aleister Crowley extensively explored and contributed to the esoteric interpretations of the Tarot, integrating it into broader systems of magick and Qabalah.

The Tarot is a rich symbolic system that transcends simple card-reading. Its origins are debated, but its esoteric significance was largely developed from the 18th century onwards by figures like Antoine Court de Gébelin, who linked it to ancient Egyptian wisdom, and later by occultists like Éliphas Lévi, who connected it to the Kabbalah. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck, published in 1909, became widely influential due to its detailed symbolic imagery, designed by A.E. Waite and Pamela Colman Smith, making esoteric concepts accessible. Tarot is used for more than just predicting the future; it serves as a psychological mirror, a tool for meditation, and a system for exploring the subconscious mind and universal laws. Its archetypal images are believed to resonate with the collective unconscious, offering insights into personal challenges, spiritual paths, and potential outcomes based on current energies and choices.

The origin of the word 'Tarot' is uncertain, possibly deriving from the Italian 'tarocchi' or the French 'tarot'. Early theories suggested links to Egyptian or Hebrew words, but these are largely unsubstantiated.

In practice, Tarot is used through various 'spreads,' where cards are laid out in specific patterns, each position representing a different aspect of a question or situation. A reader interprets the symbolism of the individual cards, their positions, and their relationship to other cards in the spread. This process is intended to provide clarity, offer new perspectives, and guide decision-making. Beyond divination, Tarot can be used for daily meditation, where a single card is drawn to contemplate its message for the day, or as a tool for creative writing and storytelling, drawing upon its rich archetypal narratives.

A common misconception is that Tarot cards dictate an unchangeable future. Instead, most practitioners view Tarot as a tool for understanding current energies and potential trajectories, emphasizing that free will and conscious choices can alter outcomes. Another misconception is that Tarot is inherently evil or associated with dark magic; in reality, it is a neutral tool, its use determined by the intent of the practitioner. It is also often mistakenly believed that one must possess psychic abilities to read Tarot, whereas skillful interpretation relies more on understanding symbolism, intuition, and storytelling.