What a long and distinguished road it has had. Born of Kings and Royalty for a journey to modern day illumination and truth should you be able to stand it. The tarot began in the early, early days. Back in the 13th and 14th century as, yes, a card playing game for royalty!
This is where the Kings, Queens, Knights and Pages -no pun intended- come into play.
There are many things, many aspects to consider when taking on the decision to learn the tarot. The first and foremost thought to take in is the fact of the matter regarding the tarot breaks down to one simple thing- once you start the journey you will be on it for the rest of your life and it will take you through more highs and lows than a rollercoaster could ever do.
You see the tarot reveals truths about not only the ones you use it for you but you yourself the reader as well. And this, dear friends, is where it gets tricky! You have to be ready at some point, as we all do, to pay the piper. You can rest assured that for every truth you share with another, you will be obliged to share the very same one with yourself.
Now you may ask yourself- who is this woman and where does she come from? Well, the answer to that is simple. My name is jasmine and I am a professional tarot card reader and astrologer and have been one for 15 years professionally and have had the calling my entire life. And as for where I am from- I am from Kingston Jamaica. Where one of the mainstays of the tarot was actually conceived and drawn by Pamela Colman Smith.
The ever faithful, long loved by all readers, the one we use to teach you the novice from- the Rider Waite deck.Why do we as readers use the Rider Waite deck to teach the novice reader when there are so many many decks to choose from?
Because to get an integral grasp of the tarot it is important to start from the ground up. The simple symbolisms of the Rider Waite deck as drawn by Miss Smith have stood the test of time and remain the standard by which other decks go by. Once you can read the Rider Waite, you will be able to read any other deck. And THAT is a promise.
It is from my years of experience I draw upon to share insights and observations of the new tarot!
I have a collection of over 200 decks- some out of print and still in their packing! I do love my Rider Waite and The Cosmic tarot, among others. Oracle cards are excellent tools to work with as well. This brings to a major (arcana) point in this- tarot cards are a tool. As with any tool, you must keep them well and in good shape. But they are a tool that is only as good as the tool/tarot keeper.
Remember that, please, always. In your quest for the meaning of the new tarot you may find it illuminating.
In this century of so much darkness, the readers and healers of the world bear the brunt of bringing light to us all. The concept of the new tarot, the new meanings behind the pictures, the new meanings of what our combined consciousness can bring to light, is infinitely precious. So many have come forward out of darkness and realized that while love, as they saw it, for example, may have been important, it is that love of self, true contentment that brings love our way. In all shapes and forms.
The new tarot brings a fresh perspective to what has previously been a hum drum existence. We are ready, The Spirits say, for that new beginning. Only by seeing and facing the darkness can we even begin to face the light of day.
If you so choose to begin the journey to the vast corner of the world where Faith and Truth meet, and sometimes even collide, buy yourself a Rider Waite tarot deck. They are available online at www.ebay.com for excellent prices. You should pay no more than $17 for a brand new Rider deck. And that should be for a standard size deck, not a mini deck.Be careful what size you choose! It can be found, trust me. Then prepare to open your mind.
Get a book called “The Spiritual Side of the Tarot” by Segne Echols. You can get that at ebay or www.amazon.com I have found it for good prices there since I buy this book all the time for my own clients that I teach. It refers to not one, not two, but three tarot decks. Once you learn the Rider Waite, like Kate in the Titanic, you too will go on. But hold on! Before you go off into the wild blue yonder, sit a spell. Get it, a spell?!
You will have to divide your deck into two sections in order to learn. The Major Arcana which are life lessons, and the Minor Arcana which are people, places, situations and things. You will require a notebook, a pen, maybe some crayons (yes, crayons you are eventually going to access your inner child throughout this process) and then some time.
Because you have a lot to learn. You have to learn colors and their meanings. Astrology and how it correlates to the tarot. The Kabbalah and how it relates to the tarot. And last but definitely not least in fact the most important thing of all your intuition. Do no even look at a card until you and your intuition have come to terms.
That is another story. No, don’t get frustrated that I say this. I cannot show you how to use your intuition. Not yet. You’ll have to come back for that! I can lead you to it, but you have to trust it. Only you can do that.