| Tarot cards consist of twenty-one trump cards, | | | | difference between peoples' readings is the |
| the fool and one extra face card for every other | | | | weights they impose on the different 'statistics' |
| suit in the deck. Various areas in Europe use the | | | | and 'attributes' of the card. |
| deck to play games with organized rules, but in | | | | When card readings are conducted face-to-face, |
| English-speaking countries, tarot cards find their | | | | the card reader will sometimes ask the querent |
| utility in the field of fortune telling. | | | | to shuffle the cards as they concentrate on the |
| The tarot cards began along with other cards in | | | | question. The querent will sometimes be asked to |
| the 14th century. Historians theorize that they | | | | split the deck into three piles, and then to put the |
| were created in Islamic countries, but the initial | | | | deck back together again. The card reader then |
| historical information in the English-speaking world | | | | lays out the cards in a specific pattern, and each |
| is the Christian area of Bern, Switzerland. The | | | | card has a different meaning, depending upon the |
| older tarot cards contained only sixteen trump | | | | layout used. For example, the card reader may |
| cards as compared to twenty-one in modern | | | | layout three cards, one to signify the past, one |
| decks. | | | | for the present and one for the future: all three |
| A deck of tarot cards, as they are used today, | | | | cards together give a full interpretation of a given |
| contains 78 cards, all of which contain different, | | | | situation. |
| meaningful symbols which can be interpreted in a | | | | You can also have a tarot reading done over the |
| number of ways. The deck contains a total of | | | | phone. If you cannot find a local person who does |
| four suits, and the names of the suits may vary | | | | tarot readings or would prefer additional discretion, |
| depending upon the tarot deck one is using. Often | | | | this can be a good choice. While you should |
| times, the suits are referred to as wands, cups, | | | | expect a tarot reading over the phone to be |
| swords, and coins, which make up what is known | | | | rather expensive, do avoid questionable services |
| as the Minor Arcana. Meanwhile, the Major Arcana | | | | charging by the minute. There are reputable tarot |
| consists of twenty two cards, all of which are | | | | card readers who provide readings over the |
| used to signify major events or people in a | | | | phone for a reasonable flat fee. Some may also |
| reading. | | | | offer online readings for a small sum, and provide |
| Tarot card interpretations are always changing - | | | | their interpretation of the cards via email. |
| and they have also differed significantly through | | | | Although tarot is known as something that is as |
| time. Today, however, there are common and | | | | accurate as astrology, there is still a growing tarot |
| general card meanings. For example, minor arcana | | | | service market that is ever increasing through |
| cards usually have an astrological meaning that | | | | new mediums. However, purists still think that a |
| changes along with the seasons of the year. On | | | | face to face tarot reading is important. It is also |
| another side of things, court cards talk of people | | | | important to note that tarot cards are not purely |
| and their nature. This nature concerns the | | | | divinatory devices. They are also used in several |
| physio-emotional traits of a person. | | | | countries as cards used for playing. This alone |
| More specifically, the determinants of a card's | | | | should encourage tarot card users to keep a level |
| meaning are the following: Card Number, Key | | | | head. |
| Number, Rulership (Astrology), Hebrew Letter, | | | | Samantha Srillian is a freelance writer, as well as a |
| Translation, and Numerical Value. The meaning is | | | | naturally gifted psychic medium and tarot card |
| also determined by the position of the card, | | | | reader. She is interested in alternative therapies, |
| whether it is upright or Ill-Dignified/Reversed. The | | | | angels and spiritual healing. |