Hello friends and family,
I would like some help on Tarot Cards in general meaning...
I know that they are not strictly Wiccan, (Which if this goes somewhere else, then sorry!)
If you can help me though, to help me be able to pick out the type of Tarot Decks and Books from the store;
Barnes and Noble?
I'll be going there on Monday, and the one I go to has a vast section of Occultist tools. I'd like to own my own Tarot Deck for once.
Thank you all!
That's very interesting. I didn't know that Barnes and Nobles store sold tarot decks? wow... I'll have to visit there more often! =)
As for their meaning and function, I cannot help you, much, although I do know a tad bit about one card: Death.
I suppose it just means death, but metaphorically, one might construe the meaning to be 'the end of something that seems important but has no true significance'. It might even represent the first stage of a grand change, just as death is the beginning of an after-life.
Great change, mystery and perhaps the end of something mundane to be short.
I'd love to look deeper into the Taro, it's very interesting. Sorry I couldn't help more, my friend!
Hi Kolby,
I've been using the tarot for years now, as well as other oracle systems. As for the best deck and book for you, that really does depend on what you want and what you feel drawn towards.
Basically there are two types of deck:
a. rider waite system
b. other system
To explain this - the standard tarot decks are based on the general system made famous by Rider Waite form the early 20th century and they follow the usual system - the hermit is the 9th card in the major arcana, death is no 13, etc etc.
The other systems are based on the tarot as an divination system, but they tend to name the cards differently - so even though you can have a death card, it may not be called death and may not be the 13th card in the major arcana.
So, once you understand which type of deck you feel is right..... the next step is to actually look at the cards. Don't be afraid to pick them up, look at them, get the feel of the deck. It's important to see how they feel in your hands, as you will need to shuffle them. However, the most important aspect is what you feel about the images. If the pictures don't speak to you, don't have an emotional impact and help you feel an energy stirring within you, then that deck isn't for you. The cards are only card, the images are only ink on card .... but the meaning of the image and the way it will help to open your awareness is what counts. Don't got for the cheapest, or the most obvious or anything like that. Go the for deck that speaks to your soul.
Often there will be a booklet included with them explaining the general meaning of each card in the major and minor arcana. Often there is also a published workbook for that deck that you can buy from a bookshop. As for books, go with what you can afford and what is easy to read. One of the older but better books is "78 degrees of wisdom" but I don 't know if that is still in print or available in the US.
Don't know if this helps in any way.
Basically there are two types of deck:
a. rider waite system
b. other system
Basically there are two types of cookie:
a. chocolate chip
b. other cookies
Not very specific, but maybe it's called other. 
I wasn't aware there were different kinds of decks.. I suppose that makes perfect sense.
You mention chocolate and I always take notice.
What I should have explained is that for the standard tarot deck the generic name of 'rider-waite' was given. For any deck that isn't based on the rider-waite system, there isn't a generic name as each deck/style/system will be different. So generally they are classified as rider-waite ..... or not!!!
Not very scientific but hey, just keep thinking about the chocolate.
Will do. =)
Thanks for explaining.
What he means is, the Rider Waite system is a very old/ maybe not on e of the first, but based of off some of the first Tarots?? Am I right? I'm just now starting to read about them.
At the store they did not have the Thoth Deck that I felt a connection to, but I had, out of what was there, a horribly strong bond to the Rider deck. So I chose it.
It feels right for me to begin with, as if I've seen the cards before...but yet I know nothing about them
Strange feeling really.
I shall read into more about the Rider Waite deck... but if I need any help, could I ask you Hollowman?
I take it you are familiar with the Tarot, as I wish to soon be! =]
Really...it tells me everything about the deck, it's history, how to use Tarots, etc...
but it seems to lack the knowledge to tell me what each card means, or at least it's generic meaning(s)... Which leaves me to either more books, or cheaper yet, the internet!
=]
Thank you all!
The Rider Waite deck was first published in 1909, so they are not a new deck. But when you consider that the oldest surviving tarot cards date back to the mid 1440 I would hardly say Rider Waite is an old deck myself.
Also worthy of note is the fact that whilst the Rider Waite deck is one of the easiest decks for a beginner to read, it is, IN MY OPINION, one of the ugliest decks ever printed, and I can only think that it is the ease of reading which keeps it up there as the most popular Tarot deck in the west!
There are many other decks much more attractive than this one, and some seriously uglier too.
Take your time choosing a deck, you will be rewarded. When you find the perfect deck for you it will just simply fit. With you, with your lifestyle and the way you percieve the world, the Tarot and the future.
To quote DI
Good luck Kolby. =)
C.T.M.
I totally and absolutely agree with you Camille, the Rider Waite tarot is, in my opinion, the ugliest and most boring pack on the market. At least at the markets I have been to.
There are literally hundreds (possibly thousands) of tarot decks out there and they are all subtly different whilst being more or less the same.
I am a bit of a collector and have about 30 packs. My favourite packs are the Shapeshifter pack which is very spiritual and pretty and light and the Vampyre Tarot which is very dark and strong and powerful.
My first pack was The Merlin Tarot and that was very easy to work with.
Personally I like packs which have very strong images on all the cards. I have been reading for so long now that the given meanings of the cards only get in the way and so I want pretty pictures to keep my mind busy whilst my intuition tells me what I want to know.
I actually read better with cards I am unfamiliar with because when I have used a pack for a time my mind starts to asign meanings to the cards and then the meanings start getting in the way,
By the way, I have rarely found the Death card to indicate any kind of physical death. It is more a kind of death of a situation or in other words a complete change, usually for the better.