ABOUT TAROT CARDS

Common theory is that tarot cards originated around the 14th-15th centuries in northern Italy.  At first the cards were used simply to play a game.  Eventually they evolved into tools of divination which is what they are known for today.

A deck of tarot cards is comprised of two parts for a total of 78 cards.  The two parts are known as the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. 

There are 22 cards in the Major Arcana.  These are the heart of the deck.  Each card represents a state in a journey and an aspect of the human experience.  For example, the Justice card may indicate the need for balance and that fairness and justice will be served  The World card symbolizes completion, the final stage for everything coming together.

The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana are the number cards and the court cards.  They are divided into four suits:  Wands, Cups, Pentacles and Swords and number from Ace to 10.  They also include the court cards:  Page, Knight, Queen and King. 

Each of the four suits focuses on a theme:

Wands:     Thoughts or ideas

Cups:         Emotions

Pentacles:  Stability, finance

Swords:     Action

The court cards may represent either a person or a concept, depending on the situation.  They may also represent timing as the Page, Queen and King cards each represent an astrological sign.