Today, I'm going to talk about something that I love (and have a special talent for), tarot!

History:
The story of tarot begins in Europe during the mid-15th century. The earliest known tarot-like cards were created in Italy and were used to play a game called Tarocchi. These early tarot decks, such as the Visconti-Sforza deck, were hand-painted and commissioned by wealthy families as a symbol of their status.

What is Tarocchi?
It is also known as Tarocchini. This game is played by 4 players in two partnerships that are sitting opposite each other. The middle part of the game is very similar to the basic Tarot game. It adds a round of point-counting before and after the game based on sets and runs of the cards but the partners are allowed to make certain limited signals to each other during play.
The game is popular in the Bologna region of Italy and has been confined mostly to this area. Tarocchini is a very complex game of cards, yet the rules have changed little over the years.

The Major Arcana:
One of the most distinctive features of tarot cards is the presence of the Major Arcana. These are a set of 22 cards that represent significant life lessons, spiritual themes, and archetypal energies. Each card in the Major Arcana has its own unique symbolism and meaning, ranging from the Fool's journey of new beginnings to the World's completion and fulfilment. The cups, aces, pentacles and swords are the Minor Arcana, which we'll talk about now.

The Minor Arcana:
In addition to the Major Arcana, tarot decks also include the Minor Arcana, which consists of four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. These suits correspond to the elements of fire, water, air, and earth, respectively. The Minor Arcana cards focus on everyday matters, personal experiences, and the challenges and opportunities we encounter in our lives. These have individual meanings; for example, the symbolism behind pentacles is money. Swords are often associated with pain as suggested by the name.

The Evolution of Tarot:
Tarot cards were initially used for playing games and as a status symbol. They then progressed onto association with the occult and divination. These practices began to emerge in the late 18th century. French occultist Jean-Baptiste Alliette (also known as Etteilla) published the first definitive guide to tarot card reading, which laid the foundation for using tarot as a tool for spiritual and personal growth. Later copies and better guides are now seen in markets everywhere.

Modern Day Age:
Thanks to social media there has been a rise in popularity for tarot. Tarot enthusiasts like myself now have a space to share their talent and love. Some do it for free whilst others charge a small fee for their services. Either way, you're receiving quality service from enthusiasts who have used up their precious time to learn about tarot.

Interpretation and Intuition:
Tarot reading is an art form that requires a combination of interpretation and intuition. Each card in a tarot spread interacts with the others, creating a narrative that reflects the querent's life and circumstances. Skilled tarot readers use their knowledge of the cards' symbolism, their intuition, and their ability to connect with the querent to provide meaningful insights and guidance. You can also use a guide to help you out at first, just like I did! There are various ways to help you get used to knowing the cards, such as sleeping with 1 every night, or, like I did, just spending some time.

Written by: Sam Diggory
Edited by: Charlie Windfellow
Proofread by: Hazel Antler