CategoriesDivination Educational Tips & Advice

The Art of Tarot

Welcome to the mystical realm of Tarot! Delve into a world of ancient symbolism, intuitive guidance, and cosmic energies. The art of Tarot holds secrets of the past, present, and future, unveiling mysteries within each card’s intricate illustrations. Embark on a journey of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and profound insights as we explore the Tarot’s wisdom together. Let the cards speak their language, and let us unlock the enigmatic truths that lie within, guiding us towards clarity and enlightenment. Trust in the Tarot’s magic, and let the enchanting adventure begin!

History of Tarot

Ah, the captivating history of Tarot! Its origins are veiled in mystery, but Tarot likely emerged in the 14th century as a card game in Italy, France, and Spain. It wasn’t until the late 18th century that Tarot began its journey into divination and esoteric practices. Occultists like Antoine Court de Gébelin and Etteilla started attributing deeper meanings to the cards, linking them to ancient wisdom and mystical systems.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influential figures like Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith created the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, revolutionizing the art with rich symbolism still widely used today. Tarot’s popularity soared in the 20th century, further expanding its associations with spirituality, psychology, and self-discovery.

Today, Tarot remains a beloved tool for seekers of wisdom, offering profound insights and guidance on life’s journey. Its allure lies in the endless interpretations and personal connections individuals form with the cards, making it a timeless treasure of the metaphysical world.

About the Cards

The tarot deck consists of 78 cards, each with its own unique meaning and symbolism. The cards are divided into two groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, while the Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards, divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Let’s talk about the differences between Major and Minor Arcana. Picture this: Major Arcana cards are the big players, carrying potent energies and representing major life events and spiritual revelations. They’re like the stars of the show, guiding us through significant turning points. On the other hand, Minor Arcana cards are the supporting cast, reflecting everyday situations and emotions. They’re like colorful puzzle pieces, forming a detailed picture of our daily lives. Together, they create a harmonious dance, offering profound insights and shaping the captivating tapestry of Tarot readings.

How Does a Reading Work?

A Tarot reading is like a cosmic conversation between the cards and the reader. The querent (person seeking guidance) asks a question or seeks insights, and the reader shuffles the deck, infusing it with their energy. Cards are then drawn and arranged in spreads, each position holding significance. The reader interprets the cards’ symbolism, connecting them to the querent’s situation. Intuition and the reader’s understanding of Tarot guide the process, unraveling the profound messages and offering valuable perspectives for the querent’s contemplation and growth. Among the myriad of Tarot spreads, some popular ones include the Celtic Cross, a comprehensive layout for general readings; the Three-Card Spread, offering past, present, and future insights; and the Relationship Spread, focusing on partnerships. The simple One-Card Spread is also commonly used for daily guidance. Each spread provides a unique perspective, allowing readers to explore various aspects of life. At Quest, we have the wonderful Pauline Walsh with us every Friday and Saturday. Pauline is our resident Medium Clairvoyant and Tarot reader. To book a reading with Pauline, please give us a call on 01372 878606.

We’ve Got You Covered

Here at Quest, we have everything you need for getting started in Tarot, whether you are a complete beginner or more advanced reader. We have a wide range of Tarot decks available from the traditional Rider Waite to brand new designs. Below we’ve selected a few of our favourites. Remember we have lots more online and in store.

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CategoriesDivination Spirituality Tips & Advice

The Art of Divination

‘Divination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic, standardised process or ritual.’

Tea Readings

Tea reading is the art of identifying symbols in the shapes and configurations of tea leaves and interpretating their messages. It’s believed to have been around for thousands of years, since tea was discovered by a Chinese Emperor in 2737 BC, but it has gained popularity in recent years. Like other forms of divination, tea reading is very personal – what you see in the patterns might be different from what another would perceive.  This, however, produces the most relevant reading!

And all you need to do is make a cup of tea! Pick your chosen tea (use loose tea leaves) and pop a pinch in your cup. Pour over hot water and let the tea cool whilst you quieten your mind. Think about what you are looking for from your reading – is there a specific question? When you are focused, drink your tea and leave a spoonful of liquid at the bottom. Take the cup by the handle in your left hand, rim upwards, and move it in a circle rapidly three times from left to right. Next (still with your left hand) slowly turn the cup upside down over a saucer. Leave the cup upside down until all liquid drains away. Position the handle due south and you’re ready to go!

Have a look at the leaves and see what symbols are present. If you get our ‘Fortune Tellers Cup’ it comes with a symbol chart and their meanings! The cup is divided into three parts. The rim represents the present, the side signifies events happening soon, and the bottom represents the future.

Tarot Readings

The tarot has been used for centuries as a form of divination and is an excellent tool for self-discovery and growth. The tarot picks up on the energy around you and taps into your consciousness to guide you, to access your intuition, and help you know what you really want in life.

 The tarot is a deck of 78 cards: 22 of them form the major arcana and represent a particular quality or archetype. The other 56 cards make up the minor arcana and are split into 4 suits – these cards represent events, people, behaviour, ideas and activities that go on in our lives. Each card has an image, a name and number, all of which are potent symbols and have specific meanings. Each card has a layer of meaning, and reveal parts of ourselves which we might consciously choose to deny, repress, or exile. This makes the tarot unique tool for understanding ourselves and the path we are on.

There are many ways to use your tarot cards, and there are spreads that show you a detailed look at certain aspects in your life. You can find these in our ‘Tarot Bible’ Book or research online. The easiest way to use them is by picking a ‘daily card’. Simply shuffle the cards with their backs facing you, cutting them as many times as you want. You don’t need to ask a specific questions – just free your mind of all thoughts. When you feel ready, pick the card your drawn to. Before you look up the meaning, take some time to interpret the card yourself. What reaction do you have to the imagery? What does the number mean to you? What do you feel? Once you’ve done this, have a read of its meaning. Let both interpretations guide you throughout the day – there may be a sudden revelation during the day that allows you to see what the card means to you.

Runes

Runes are an ancient form of oracle used by those seeking advice. Runes have a long history, dating back to ancient use by Germanic and Nordic tribes. Runes can be made of various materials, such as wood, crystal or stone, and feature a symbol from a runic alphabet on them. Each symbol has a specific meaning, and each rune picks up on a specific energy. Runes have been around for a long time, and decreased in popularity due to the introduction of Christianity. This has resulted in a lack of evolution of the rune, and means that the energy they are attracted to can be quite alien to the modern mind. This means that when you’re reading the runes, you have to work out how the old concepts fit in with the modern way of life. This makes it extra fun though!

There a different ways to use runes, but the find a quiet place and clear your mind. Focus on your reading and set your intention. What is your specific question? Get this clear in your mind. Once you’re ready, go into your rune bag and pick up one rune. This is the main answer to your question, but you may need to draw 1 or 2 more to get context. For example, you may ask the question ‘Should I go for this promotion at work?’. The first rune you pick is Uruz, which represents strength and power. You then pick the second one which is Ansuz which is for speech and knowledge. The last one you pick is Nauthiz which means need and action. Using all three runes, you can interpret this as you need to use your power of speech and knowledge to get the promotion at work!