Tarot cards consist of twenty-one cards for every suit. Various parts of Europe have the set to pastime, but this is not as commonin English speaking regions where the set is regularly consumed for fortunetelling.



Tarot cards discover their past around in the 14th century. Reasoning shows that they were founded in Islamic regions, but the initially actualaccount of them is when they were barred in the mostly Christian area of Bern, Switzerland. First tarot decks, although, featured just sixteen trump cards, as in comparison to the twenty-one that are featured in sophisticated decks.



The modern tarot deck is separated into what is commonly called the major arcana or trump cards and minor arcane or suits of cards. The trump cards or major arcana consist of twenty two cards, all without suits. These include the Fool, the Magician, the Empress, Justice, the Wheel of Fortune and others. The minor arcana consists of four suits of cards; swords, staves, cups and coins. Today, staves are often called wands, but rods or batons are seen as well. Coins may be called disks or pentacles in some tarot decks.



Tarot card meanings are generally changing - and they have also changed drastically through time. In the modern era, however, there are common interpretations for cards. Minor arcana cards, for example, carry with them a widely astrological meaning that varies depending on the time of year. The court cards, on the other hand, talk of different people. Their nature usually talks about the physical and emotional characteristics of these people.



To go into specific cards, their meanings are determined by the following things: Card Number, Key Number, Rulership (Astrology), Hebrew Letter, Translation, and Numerical Value. The meaning is also determined by the position of the card, whether it is upright or Ill-Dignified/Reversed. Death (Arcana), for example, means change. However, an upright Death means change that brings about ‘new life,’ whilst a reversed Death means ‘painful and abrupt change.’



Along with the evolving interpretations to the meaning of tarot cards come new methods for card readers to express the message to the average Joe. Today, face-to-face card readings are being replaced by phone and online readings. However, for full impact and experience, face-to-face card readings still trump other methods. Face-to-face tarot readings allow the person to choose his face-down card, giving him a semblance of control to his fortunes. Face-to-face readings are common in community fairs, parties, and in the streets. The price of a tarot card reading varies depending on the popularity of the reader and how much detail the person wants to know about his future.



Card readings over the telephone are conducted much the same way that card readings face to face are conducted. A querent (caller) will call into a reader, and the reader will ask the caller to concentrate on a question that he or she wants answered or clarified. The card reader then shuffles the cards and lays them out in a particular pattern. Popular patterns include a single card reading, a three card reading, and a Celtic Cross reading, which is a reading of 10 different cards. The card reader will examine the symbolism in each card, in addition to the card position to conclude what the cards convey.



Tarot cards have a long history, both as a simple card game and as a tool for divination. The modern usage of these cards is purely esoteric. If you are interested, you should keep in mind that tarot cards are only as helpful as the reader is perceptive, and that while you may leave with some clarifications of your own thoughts, more than that is unlikely.

Brianne Brammham is a freelance writer and has a keen interest in love advice, medium guidance and tarot card readings.