Horoscopes Tarot Card Reading 12.16

The origin of the tarot is a mystery. However, it is known that the cards were initially used as a popular card game in Italy during the fifteenth century. The wealthy patrons of that time commissioned stunning decks, some of which have been preserved throughout history. One of the earliest and most comprehensive decks is the Visconti-Sforza, which was created in 1450 or shortly thereafter.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, influential scholars of the occult discovered the tarot cards and became fascinated by them. They recognized that the imagery on the cards held deeper meaning beyond a mere game. These scholars revealed or developed what they believed to be the "true" history of the tarot by connecting it to mystical systems such as Egyptian mysteries, Hermetic philosophy, the Kabbalah, and alchemy. This interest in tarot continued into the early twentieth century when secret societies like the Order of the Golden Dawn incorporated it into their practices.

While the roots of tarot lie within occult traditions, interest in the cards has expanded over recent decades to encompass various perspectives. This expansion has led to the creation of new decks that reflect these diverse interests – Native American, herbal, dragon-themed, Japanese, just to name a few.

Commonly viewed as a tool for divination, a traditional tarot reading involves a seeker – someone seeking answers to personal questions – and a reader, who possesses knowledge of interpreting the cards. The seeker shuffles and cuts the deck before the reader arranges the selected cards in a pattern known as a spread. Each position within this spread holds significance, as does each individual card. By combining these meanings, the reader provides insight into the seeker's question.

But where does the meaning in a tarot reading originate from? I believe it arises from within ourselves – specifically, from our connection to a divine source of meaning. This aspect of our unconscious serves as a wise advisor who knows us intimately. It understands our needs and guides us in the right direction. Different people may refer to this advisor as the soul, the superconscious, or the higher self. Personally, I prefer the term Inner Guide as it represents its role in conjunction with tarot.

Every individual possesses an Inner Guide that serves as a wellspring of meaning. This guide is constantly present because it is an inherent part of us. Although we cannot sever this connection, we can choose to disregard it. When we reach for our tarot deck, we signal to our Inner Guide that we are open to its wisdom. This simple act of faith allows us to become more aware of the guidance that was always available to us.

Nature intended for us to rely on the wisdom of our Inner Guide, but somehow, we have forgotten how to access it. Instead, we place trust in our conscious minds and neglect to delve deeper. While our conscious minds are clever, they lack the comprehensive awareness necessary for making sound decisions day by day.

Operating solely from our conscious minds often leads us to believe that events occur randomly, leaving life devoid of purpose. Consequently, we suffer because we struggle to grasp our true identities and desires. Unlocking our Inner Guide transforms our experience of life itself. We gain certainty and peace by aligning our conscious will with our inner purpose. Our path becomes infused with joy, and we gain clarity in how to assemble the disparate pieces of our existence and fulfill our destinies.