Types of Tarot decks and their features. How many cards are in a tarot deck

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The ability to predict the future or tell the past of a stranger is the highest gift. A deck of Tarot cards is one of the most reliable magical attributes that is used in esoteric predictions.

Magic tools serve as an auxiliary tool for the mystic. Having laid it out in a special way, they can answer questions of interest, give advice, warnings for the future, etc. Considering the meaning of the cards, their combination, as well as the order and place of their location in the layout, one can draw reliable conclusions.

History of occurrence

In the middle of the last millennium, the word "taro" was used by Italians as a synonym for stupidity.

Early 14th century - the earliest mention of tarot cards that were meant to be played. It was in Europe that these cards first appeared as Italian tarochini and French Tarot.

In Italy, we althy families ordered expensive decks called Carte da Trionfi, which means 'triumph cards'. They were distinguished by swords, coins, symbols, images of court ladies, led by a king and two male subordinates.

KBy the 18th century, these decks were already being used for occult purposes. By that time, mystical tarot predictions had spread from Italy to other parts of Europe. One writer in France, Antoine de Goebelne, even wrote that the Tarot was based on a supernatural book that was created by the clergy of Egypt and later brought by the gypsies from Africa to Europe. Then the images presented in the cards were a reflection of the main areas of the real world in which the players lived. After all, the illustrations showed the perceptions of specific designers, although they still maintained the traditional Tarot structure.

For many years, numerous types of Tarot decks have been developed, both playing and fortune-telling. The oldest surviving examples are represented by fifteen shattered sets, painted by unknown artists on commission for the rule of Milan, a noble house of the Visconti Sforza.

The first images on Tarot cards were hand-painted. It is believed that the decks were created in a limited number, so they practically did not survive to this day.

Only after the invention of the printing press, it became possible to mass-produce magical attributes. The first printed sets appeared in the city of Marseille and, having gained popularity, were called "Tarot De Marseille".

Beginners

It is quite difficult for beginners to figure out the intricacies of divination on their own, not even knowing how many cards are in the Tarot deck. It is very important to choose “your” from the mass of options. This will speed up the processlearning. Old school tarot, use the full deck.

Not many people know that Tarot reading can be learned without having supernatural powers. This skill helps in the development of spiritual life, covering not only the tangible, but also the invisible inner and surrounding world. Practical Tarot learning can change and improve lives in all areas. The thing is that in this way you can open and know the subconscious at a deeper level through the attributes used. Each composition corresponds to a certain category, from relationships to we alth.

If you are determined to develop in this direction on your own, you first need to analyze the main types of Tarot decks and their characteristic features.

Mainly Tarot decks differ in quantity and purpose. The main changes were made by students of European Tarot schools from the 18th to the 19th century. They made the plots of the Arcana easier to interpret.

How to learn to read pictures

The process of learning Tarot can be difficult. It takes patience and lots of research to learn the basics and eventually develop the necessary skills.

First, you need to study the meaning of the Tarot deck. Unfortunately, there is no clear standard scheme for reading cards. Any technique that becomes comfortable is usually the result of the reader's practice.

The choice of magical paraphernalia you will use is very important. Beginners are faced with the variety of decks available these days. Each of them, with its own unique systems and symbols. You should find a deck with suchimages that will be clearer for you in interpretation.

For people using other cards in divination, it will be easy to recognize the associations and actual images on the Tarot. Stories with better illustrations can give a clearer idea of their interpretation.

Sacrament

A deck of Tarot cards is divided into Arcana (the concept was introduced at the end of the 19th century by a French tarologist, translated means 'mystery') - grouped images with different symbols: digital and (or) plot cards.

Arcanum is:

• secret necessary for the knowledge of a certain group of facts, laws or principles;
• a secret that cannot be dispensed with at the time when this knowledge is needed;
• a secret accessible to the mind, inquisitive enough in the field of this knowledge.

In a broad sense, this term will fit all scientific provisions that define the scope of any practical activity.

Most common

The magical and playful types of tarot decks that have less than 78 cards are abbreviated, but they are also widely used. This happened as a result of the appearance of various ways of layout, in which all the figures are not needed. Some occultists in their practice used, for example, one of the lasso.

The current versions have differences in subject matter, style, and also affect the content of the language features of the translation that arose during the transfer from the original source.

• Notoccult. The first maps were drawn in the 15th century in northern Italy. Italian tarot is considered to be the oldest form of card games still played today. They have different designs and a certain number in the deck. How many cards are in a tarot deck to play? Depends on the variant. For example, in the game "Shogo" a deck of trump cards, court and numerical cards is used - only 54. And the "gypsy" consists of 36 cards - still very popular. This is an abbreviated version of the Lesser Arcana.
• Occult. European Tarot, designed for divination and self-knowledge. They have from 36 to 80 cards with different themes. Consist of two arcana. Plots often contain magical symbols.

Original cast

In the full composition of the deck - two Arcana: the main one - from 22 plot trump cards, and the less significant one - with 14 images in each of the four suits. The classic tarot deck has a total of 78 cards. Each has a unique meaning.

The main Arcana of the main type of Tarot decks consists of 21 card numbers and one unnumbered card (fool) - a total of 22 trump cards that reflect key archetypes or spiritual lessons in life.

The Minor Arcana consists of four suits - Cups, Pentacles, Swords and Wands. Each of these plots contains 14 cards that reflect daily activities.

Reduced cast

Some sets have become abbreviated due to the use of different layouts that do not need all the pieces. Experienced occultists in their practice used one of the lasso, suchthus changing the complete set of the deck.

Abbreviated:

1. With big lasso.
2. With a small lasso.
3. Small in a truncated version.

The first one includes 22 plot pictures without a suit - trump cards.

Small composition can also be like this: four suits, digital (from 2 to 10), four "court pieces" and one Ace each. An ace can be either the beginning of a digital series, replacing a unit, or it can be superior in seniority to the main figure - the king.

The truncated variation is especially popular in European countries and among players. Four suits - from the number six to ten, then jack, queen, king, ace. There are 36 images in total.

Popular variations

The joint creation of two honorary residents of the Golden Dawn (early 19th century), based on the classic Rider-Waite Tarot deck, has characteristic differences. This is not only a peculiar design, but also major changes in the two arcana. "Strength" has taken the place of "Justice". For the first time, plot illustrations appeared on numerical cards. The English tarot school serves as the source for most modern variations.

In the middle of the 20th century, the accomplished occultist and writer Aleister Crowley was forced to become a magical tutor for a hefty reward. Subsequently, his student Frieda Harris illustrated their joint creation - "The Book of Thoth". The authors, based on many years of studying various magical techniques, created their own Tarot deck - Thoth. It is analogous to a complete deck of two sacraments. On the "shirt" is a cross andthe Golden Dawn rose is a symbol of the organization of the same name, only without astrological additions.

Review of the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

In the Major Arcana, the purpose of the plots is to illustrate the structure of human consciousness as accurately as possible. The lessons of life are passed down through the ages. The main cards represent the most important areas of a person's life.

As in the classical form, the deck starts with a zero Arcana - the Fool, then - the Mage, the High Priestess, the Empress, the Emperor, the Hierophant, the Lover, the Chariot, a new place in the Force, the Hermit, the wheel of Fortune, Justice, the Hangman, Death, Rebirth, Devil, Towers, Star, Moon, Sun, Judgment, Peace.

Digital Minor Arcana The authors of this Tarot variation endowed the cards with plot images. 56 cards of minor importance are divided into suits. Answer less global everyday questions.

Major Arcana suits

• Sticks. Images speak of action and energy. They help guide the way you move through life and tell you when to take action and when to hold back.
• Cups. Tarot Cup cards are your emotions, intuition and relationships. They can guide in love and self-development, through understanding the highest and most unchanging feelings.
• Swords. A symbol of danger, but can warn of impending conflicts and heartache. Help you use the power of your own mind.
• Pentagrams. Drawings in this suit are associated with work and finances. These cards can answer questions about long-term financialpurposes, family and he alth.

It should also be noted that other than divination, card reading is used to make people feel better.

Tara Green

Among living tarot card readers, Tara Green is one of the most famous. It is claimed that she is an excellent teacher of esotericism, she trains well not only in tarology, but also in astrology. She admits, however, that not everyone can read Tarot cards, adding that one must have an open mind and be able to fully trust one's inner feelings.

Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942)

Was one of those who were credited with working on a new deck of tarot cards with Pamela Coleman Smith. His maps became famous in the 19th century. He also turned on new knowledge while being a member of a secret society of occultists. In addition to using maps to discover a person's inner characteristics, Waite realized that they too could be used to predict the future.

Mademoiselle Lenormand (1772-1843)

At a young age, with the help of gypsies, Mademoiselle learned to read Tarot cards. She received her first deck when she was 14 and is known to have made predictions for Napoleon and his wife, Josephine. It was her association with Napoleon that made her popular as a tarot card reader.

Ma Prem Usha (1937-2008)

Her abilities in magic were predicted by one of the Hungarian gypsies she spoke to in the past. She didn't remember this prediction until, a few years later, she came across a tarot learning book. Eventually, I decided to quit my job andimmerse yourself in tarot card reading.

Guessing with the help of mystical attributes, you should not take literally the interpretation of the depicted plots on the Tarot Arcana.