Poem: Ode To The Seeker

 

Listen To The Voice Within

       Somewhere along the way, I lost myself.

       After enduring trials and lessons

       I prevailed, wiser

       without a clue.

       Lost and begotten, with a new

       frame of mind, I stumbled to find sight.

       Constant rise and fall, All, in the name of pursuit.

       Of no perceived will

       Of dwindling faith

 

       disillusioned

       by our splendid complexity,

       Its enormity

       The little purpose it gave.

 

       Probing the mind, for

       answers of the heart.

       Ignoring the voice within.

       counting the steps along,

       I lost the calm of life.

 

       Only to discover,

       it never left.

 

       Reflecting now, it all comes through

       the beauty in the world

       before the storm.

       As I peer through

       these loose lens

       I find something

         worth living for.

       Something, I

         can believe in.

                      all poety.com/poem-Ode-To-The Seeker-by Kaine

The Right Tarot Deck: Classic, Intricate, Modern or Simple?

 

From Original Classic (Traditional), to Intricate and Modern or Simple?

How does someone choose the right deck for themselves and What is a good tarot deck for a beginner?

Tarot decks have been around for centuries. Since their emergence through the decades today many variations of decks are to be found. Globally, each year around one hundred new Tarot decks are released. This includes adaptions of old decks and entirely new designs. Some reflect through their illustrations, esoteric teachings, occult philosophy, gender, cultural history and legend or religion, and others are purely designed to represent a work of art. More and more, a Tarot deck has become an art form expressing many qualities and ideas. The result is many of today’s decks of cards are heavily laden with a dizzy array of symbolism to easily confuse the layperson and novice.

Whether you’re drawn to the original classic – traditional type, intricate artwork or modern and simple black-and-white designs, there’s a Tarot deck for everyone. Because there are so many decks to choose from with different styles and designs getting started with and choosing the perfect deck can feel both exciting and overwhelming. So how does someone choose the right Tarot for themselves? and What are the Best Tarot decks for a beginner to use to learn to read the cards?

First, to cover an essential point that needs to be taken into consideration, when choosing a tarot deck what matters the most is that the symbolism and illustrations in the cards resonate and align with the user. This is important because their energy will interact with the cards, sparking their intuition.

With countless options available, some decks are more helpful for beginners than  others. To find a deck that can resonate, here are some excellent options to bear in mind, from the most popular to the more common and renowned tarot decks.

The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck 

Also known as the Ryder-Waite-Smith, this deck is a widely well-known and recognised deck. Slightly pastel in colour but colourfully illustrated, it is beautifully adorned with traditional symbolism and classic images. Each card is named and or numbered making it overall more helpful for the beginner than other decks. An excellent choice for a learner.

The Ryder Waite Tarot Deck, Image by Daniel Albany - Pixabay

The Morgan Greer Tarot Deck 

A classic yet simple deck. Its interplay of harmonious and uncluttered symbols gives it clear meaning, making it easy to align with. Each card is named and or numbered and its vibrant colours and images are as appealing as its beauty. An ideal choice for the novice.

The Morgan Greer Tarot Deck - eBay

The Modern Witch Tarot Deck 

A popular deck, famous for its contemporary style, simplicity, and modern representations. Its fresh artwork and relatable imagery make it popular with learners. This deck resonates with anyone who prefers a more contemporary approach. The Modern Witch Tarot is a fantastic choice for a beginner.

The Modern Witch Tarot Cards-Lisa Sterele-Karma Living

The OK Tarot Deck 

A basic deck, for everyone and is ideal for those with minimal aesthetic unfussy, and down-to-earth tastes. Full of good energy and hope, this playful, hand-drawn deck with its very simple illustrations avoids misrepresentations of gender, race and religion. It offers a fresh perspective to help the user focus their attention and find clarity. Created for learners and enthusiasts alike.

The OK Tarot Deck by Adam j kurtz-infinitesoulvibrations.com 

The Aquarian Tarot Deck

A traditional deck that combines universal Tarot Symbolism with captivating Art Deco and Art Nouveau imagery. The Aquarian deck is known for bringing medieval tarot symbolism into the Modern Aquarian Age. The deck is a stylish adaption of the usual card symbols and suits of the Minor Arcana: Wands, Cups Swords and Pentacles. Suitable for a beginner and resonates well with anyone looking for a modern-day deck of cards, that is both elegant and graceful.

The Aquarian Tarot Deck by  astroamerica.com

The Thoth Tarot Deck 

A highly esteemed Tarot Deck that is more suitable for the assertive-bold type of personality that resonates with dramatic illustrations. Combining a spectacular array of symbols and images, it is a complex deck that can be difficult to align with for a beginner but can be well worth the effort as it is renowned for being a powerful deck.

The Thoth Tarot Deck Designed by Famed Occultist Aleister Crowley - Open Culture

The Tarot of Marseilles Tarot Deck (Pack)

This deck was originally designed for playing card games but is also used for divination. It is a standard pattern of an Italian tarot pack. A well-loved pack linked directly to the history of the tarot. Its forceful colours and lines give power to ancient images, strengthening their symbolic meaning. A timeless deck that is highly sought-after and a must for collectors and tarot fans. While the learner will find this deck challenging they will also find it highly rewarding as it is a powerful deck that can offer a deeper guide to more profound divinatory suggestions.

Marseilles Tarot Cards - Wischik.com

The Visconti Sforza Tarot Deck 

The oldest surviving Tarot deck. One thing to know about these cards is they are big, 'real big'. The colours in this deck are just so striking. Their symbolic richness is impressive and breathtaking. The cards have a neutral tone and a lot of beige and brown. Their occasional spots of red, blue and gold light up the deck as a whole. Looking at them, they hold a sense of personality and power. We cannot over-emphasise how lovely this deck is. Not for everyone, some beginners may have difficulty reading with them because of the lack of narrative symbolism. They are unnumbered and untitled. Generally, a user needs to be fairly familiar with this deck and the tarot in general to work effectively with these cards. However, in saying this, although learning the cards may prove slow going, it has the potential to be a good starter deck owing to its imagery, and scenes being richly and clearly illustrated. We encourage anyone interested in the tarot to own this deck, not only for its historical value but for the beauty of the art and the symbolic richness of the cards themselves. Having it in your collection is highly recommended.

 

tarotgardenvisconti-sforza-pierpont-morgan-tarocchi-u-s-games-edition

Spark Intuition and Trust Instinct

The Three Essential Tips to Choosing the Right Tarot Deck

1. Seek a personal connection with the cards to spark intuition. Listen to your gut and trust your instincts.
2. Go for the visual appeal. Explore and look closely at the imagery of all the cards i.e., Are the colours, patterns, and illustrations appealing?
3. Consider the level of the cards. For instance, if you are new to the Tarot, or a beginner, start with the popular Rider-Waite or Morgan Greer Deck.

Hint: An invaluable learner-helper tool. Check to see if the deck comes with a guidebook or at least includes what is known as the  'Little White Guide Book'  which is usually free with the deck.

To conclude, there is no doubt that as time passes Tarot decks will continue to evolve and we will see more and more decks emerge. Thus to bring this article to a close we end on the note that:

 "the best Tarot deck is always the one that speaks to your heart and sparks your intuition"

"Happy Tarot Deck Hunting"

In our next article, The Tarot Deck Structure. 

Until then, as they say in Spanish, "Adios por ahora".

Quote: Seek the True Self

 

 What Lies Within

Poem: Progress and Evolve, Knowledge is Power

 

The Journey of Mankind is to Progress and Evolve 

Tarot : Busted, Superstitions and Untruths

Superstition, Untruths...

Misrepresentation of the Tarot has been perpetuated since its existence. Shrouded by outdated myths and superstition, the Tarot has been bombarded with untruths, from old wives’ tales to TV shows showing them as occult-themed and evil. Fact from fiction, what these fallacies and fabrications boil down to, is fear of the unknown, reinforced by the mystery surrounding the Tarot.

Contrary to belief, the Devil Card does not denote evil forces. 

It represents the material world and is interpreted as fears and doubts, feeling vulnerable, being easily lured (lead astray) and superficial. 

Photo by Wikipedia – from the Rider Waite tarot deck

Eight Most Popular Misleading Beliefs

1. The Tarot is Evil and an Act of Heresy. ‘Poppycock’. 

Many people believe the Tarot cards are evil because the Bible denounces sorcery and divination. In addition, the Catholic Church, once branded tarot as a form of heresy due to its perceived associations with the occult. Books, Movies and TV shows also depict tarot as having evil associations.

The Real Truth:  Simply put, the cards do not work in this way. A superstitious person is always going to see such associations. Tarot cards, like any other tool, are not inherently good or evil, they do not possess dark or evil powers.  Rather, they represent a wealth of universal symbols and imagery that tap into the collective unconscious. The tarot is a psychological tool, a tool for self-discovery nothing else. It is a perfectly neutral tool that merely holds symbolic imagery that helps us tap into our intuition. How the tarot is used depends on the intentions of the person using it. The tarot's association with the occult and evil is a matter of interpretation. 

2. Tarot is fortune telling. ‘Hogwash’. 

One of the most predominant myths about Tarot cards is they predict the future. Though there are some very gifted mediums, clairvoyants, and those who are very apt at interpreting the cards, the cards do not tell our future.

The Real Truth: The future is not set in stone it is shaped by our actions and decisions. The tarot cards can help us find clarity and answers to questions. They are tools for self-awareness and a guide for foretelling events. They can’t make decisions for us they can, however, guide us to make new or right choices - we choose to listen and act or not.

3. You must be Psychic to read Tarot cards. ‘Balderdash’.

This misconception can be traced back to the portrayal of tarot readers in ancient cultures as mysterious figures with extraordinary gifts.

The Real Truth: Contrary to belief anyone can learn to read Tarot. The reason why anybody can learn to read the tarot is because all of us are intuitive. A tarot reader does not need to possess supernatural psychic powers or abilities. Tarot is an intuitive practice that requires intuition, empathy and a knowledge of symbolism. A Tarot reader's insights and ability come from a deep understanding of the cards. They sharpen their intuition through practice and experience resulting in a deep connection with the cards. They are skilled interpreters of the tarot’s symbolism and imagery. Thus, reading the Tarot cards is a skill that can be learned and developed, much like any other form of art or practice. 

4. There are good and bad cards, or the cards foretell only bad news. ‘Baloney’. 

Many people fear the tarot because they believe it will reveal only negative outcomes. We tend to think a card is bad when it goes against our ego or what we want to hear and if it warns us about something we find unpleasant. This makes us brand it as a terrible card. We can also be prejudiced when it comes to looks. For example, often within a tarot deck the Tower, and Three of Swords are dramatic cards, seen to depict gloom which provokes anxiety and fear. This fear can cause people to shut down and label these cards as bad.
The Real Truth: In reality, tarot cards always have our 'highest self in mind'. There is a helpful message to be had in every single card. All the tarot does is mirror what we're thinking and feeling and reveal potential paths we're going down. The cards are a method of communication that is open to interpretation and can be read in a lot of different ways. Even cards like the Death and the Devil cards are not inherently bad (although they may warn about tough times, in the past, present and perhaps to come). What's important is how we understand the cards and act moving forward. Similarly, reversed cards aren't bad either, and an upside-down card doesn't mean a negative likelihood. Contrary to belief reversed cards may be turned upright depending on the discretion of the person using the cards. Using the Tarot as a divination tool can reveal a wide range of insights, every card has the potential to reveal challenges and opportunities.

5. The Tarot is never wrong: ‘Claptrap’. 

Everything is changeable and the future is fluid’.

The real truth: You can have a reading with the most highly-rated tarot reader but it doesn’t mean it is going to be one hundred per cent true and correct. Not only are many things in the tarot open to interpretation but also the outcomes of any predictions can be changed by making different decisions. Further, there are just too many variables and unknowns when predicting the timing of events making it riddled with opportunities for error. When using the Tarot cards, they should be viewed only as a guide and not followed blindly. Everything is subject to change.

                                                           Photo by: dailytarotdraw.com

6. The Death Card means death. ‘Twaddle’. 

We see death as scary because it means the act of dying or the end of a life. Throughout the centuries death has been associated with the Grim Reaper, a skeleton-like figure wearing a long black hooded cape, carrying a scythe and in a dark setting. Because the card is named Death and shows similar features, it is only natural that we assume it means death. 

The real truth: Truly the death card is about endings, it doesn’t mean that someone will die. The death card actually signifies change, representing the end of a period, transformation and the start of a new cycle. Note: It is unlikely for a principled tarot user to foretell a death, the outcome of an illness or pregnancy, why, because ‘there is nothing permanent except change’.

7. You must follow certain practices and rituals. 

Such as: You must not read for yourself; Your deck should be gifted; No one else should use your cards to do a reading; You must wrap your tarot in silk or keep them in a wooden box; and You must perform a ritual before laying down the cards. ‘Bunkum’. In a nutshell, these misconceptions have been fabricated over time based on the prejudices of individual users and their desire to form intimate connections with the cards. 

The real truth: What works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another. The truth of the matter is there are no hard and fast set rules. It is merely a matter of preference. The cards are the tools of the user and they can choose to use them in whatever way they feel comfortable with. In saying this the user should always value and be mindful towards the cards. To be respectful, to protect the cards from negative energy and to remain unbiased (being open and honest with themselves). In addition to creating a setting and environment so their intuitiveness can flow naturally. Whatever ritual may or may not be chosen to create a bond with the cards, is purely down to the user.

8. Tarot Cards are Oracle Cards are the same: ‘Nonsense’.

They are not identical.
The real truth: While the tarot and oracle cards are grouped under the umbrella of Cartomancy, a form of divination using cards, this is where the commonality stops. What sets them apart in simple terms is, that the Tarot, cards follow a structured system with fixed symbolism and meanings. Oracle cards on the other hand adhere to no fixed structure. Their meanings and uses are founded on more of a ‘creative licence’ based on diverse themes and art styles on the specific deck.

                   Photo by: Image Magazine

Compatible with Religion and the Cards are Not Evil

The Tarot is not to be feared, it is not incompatible with religion and the cards are not evil. They are merely pieces of paper with art in the form of symbols, pictures, signs and words. They only have the power we give them. They do not have a life of their own, their power lies in how they are read and understood. Tarot offers a unique way to explore the depths of our consciousness and seek insights. We all have free will and can take the tarot’s advice and change course if we choose to. 

Where the real magic lies is not in the cards themselves but in the wisdom and intuition of the user.

In our next article, we will take a closer look at the different Tarot decks: How to choose the right deck and What is a good deck for a beginner. 

Until then, as they say in France, "Au Revoir". 

   

Quote: Divination - Secrets Revealed

 

Divination: The Art or Practice of...

Seeking hidden knowledge or foretelling events: Intuitive Perception

Tarot: Timeless, Origin and History

Legend, Myth and Timeless Wisdom

                     
   Trump 03 The Empress - Wikipedia                                     Trump 09 The Hermit - Wikipedia

                       The Piedmontese Tarot Deck - Solesio 1865: Major Arcana

The history of the Tarot is a captivating and extraordinary journey that interweaves legend, myth, and timeless wisdom. While much remains shrouded in mystery, let's travel across time to unearth the roots and evolution of these enigmatic cards.

Roots? Egyptian, Hebrew, Latin, Taoist, Chinese...

According to various sources, tarot cards have survived through the ages from so distant a past that no one can accurately trace their beginning. The term "Tarot" has multiple proposed roots, including Egyptian, Hebrew, Latin, Taoist, and Chinese origins. Yet, none can be confirmed with certainty. Hence, the exact origin of the Tarot cards remains elusive. We don't know who created them, when and or their initial purpose. What we do know is some documents attest to their existence. However, the details about the tarot cards' symbolism and the figures are scarce. While the precise arrival of early Tarot decks remains uncertain, it is believed that around the 1200s, the Tarot cards began to travel across Europe, finding their way into the hands of the Nomads-People of the desert, Templars, Ramani people (Gypsies) and Common people. It is thought that when the Gypsies travelled from Europe, they brought the Tarot cards. Although their origin is obscure, authors agree that the Tarot cards have been known to the West since around 1392 A.D. It is also accepted that the earliest appearance of Tarot-like cards was in Italy around the beginning of the 1400s A.D. They were created and supposedly used purely as playing cards. As far as various literary sources can tell, the first real tarot deck appeared between 1430 and 1450, and it was around the 16th century when the tarot became connected to divination. Literature sources can be found from both 1735 and 1750 which describe a simple divinatory system for Tarot cards.

Mystical Tradition, Hermetic Qabalah, Tree of Life, Astrology...
 

The Tarot as we know it today emerged during the Middle Ages. Many scholars believe their lineage connects to ancient wisdom and mystical tradition. Other academics believe the Tarot cards have been passed down from generation to generation by an elite few who carefully preserved the mystical symbols, signs, letters and numbers of ancient times. It was in the 1900s when the famous occultist Eliphas Levie linked the Tarot to the Kabbalah, the Jewish system of mysticism. This spurred claims that within the Tarot can be found the keys to unfolding the ancient mysteries of the Tree of Life. Even though there is no documented evidence, numerous authors claim to have traced the Tarot cards to ancient Egypt or the Kabbalah. Several are convinced that the symbolism within the Tarot is the lost knowledge of Egyptian mysticism or theology. Today, this conviction lies at the heart of the Hermetic Qabalah, a Western mystical tradition founded upon disciplines from Alchemy, Astrology, Jewish Kabbalah, and other religions and belief systems. Some theories also link the Tarot cards to the hieroglyphics in the Book of Thoth, a collection of 42 mythologic and prophetic books supposedly written by Thoth, the Egyptian god of writing and knowledge. Another theory states that analogies can be drawn from the Chinese hexagrams of the I Ching (64), an ancient Chinese text spanning more than3000 years. Whatever their beginning, today it is widely believed that the Tarot is made up of an archetypical symbolism that crosses the boundaries of time and bridges the gap between the unknown and the mystical.  This is perhaps why many groups recognise the Tarot as a 'Universal Body of Knowledge'.

Es0teric Doctrine

A simple description of the Tarot: 'An esoteric doctrine based on a picture of symbols within an ancient system presented in the form of a deck of cards'.

A Universal Body of Mystery 

History shows that, through the ages, the Tarot cards have been used as a divination tool to aid and inspire intuition or insight to reveal hidden knowledge. No matter their origin or purpose, the Tarot cards make for an interesting and lively topic of conversation. And even though there is much controversy surrounding Tarot, the cards have become the most popular form of divination. While their true roots may remain a mystery, their impact endures across centuries, cultures and generations.

Ancient and Modern Tarot Cards:  Minor Arcana - The 5 Suits 

                       Swords           Batons           Cups                       Coins

We hope you enjoyed reading about the background of the Tarot. 

In our next article, we will discuss various misconceptions that have grown over time about the cards and the difference between Tarot and Oracle cards. 

Until then, as they say in Italy, "Ciao".