The tarot is comprised of Major Arcana cards not in suits and Minor Arcana cards which are in four suits. Wands, Swords, Cups and Plates match the four elemental tools which are the four suits of the Minor Arcana. Minor Arcana cards include numbered cards in each suit (ace through 10) and court cards (page, knight, queen and king).

Major Arcana cards are all the other cards in the deck and are related to but not tied to a particular suit. while minor arcana cards represent the many ways that those principles manifest in the everyday or mundane world they represent principles, concepts or ideals. The ideas expressed in the major arcana cards are not taught in our culture so we have lost touch with them and we have no foundation for them. Therefore, we have to be careful not to apply present day meanings to these past time symbols.

Anyone can learn the art of reading tarot cards - it’s not difficult. It just takes practice and a strong desire to learn like any art or science,. One easy way to start learning the tarot is to get the Esoteric School Tarot Home Study course, which will teach you everything covered in this article, including the art of reading tarot cards, Tarot Spreads, meanings for tarot cards and two real tarot card spreads.

While you can get the meaning of tarot cards from lots of books,To actually study the cards themselves is one of the best and most personal ways to develop meanings for the cards. The cards were developed with pictures and symbols which represent the concept being expressed.

Once you intuit this meaning, looking for places in your life or in everyday life where you or someone else is losing power. you will never forget the meaning when the concept is translated into everyday life and becomes real.

While there are lots of tarot card books out there that give you the meaning of tarot cards, one of the best and most personal ways to develop meanings for the cards is to actually study the cards themselves. The cards that represent the concept being expressed were developed with symbols and pictures.

For example,the Four of Swords depicts a man lying on a bier in the Waite-Rider deck,on which is pictured a horizontal sword. The meaning of the card is "to bury the hatchet" or let past conflicts come to resolution or rest. The man is literally resting on top of the sword (swords are the fire element, which includes conflicts or fighting) - he is resting on old issues and allowing them to come to rest. He has "made the amicable settlement!”

Similarly, in the eight of wands (see below) you can see flying wands coming down to land. Because wands are the air element, and stand for ideas, inspiration, thoughts and communication, the eight of wands represents new ideas or inspirations. Once you know the element associated with each suit and look at the card for the concept being expressed, you will begin to intuit the meaning for tarot cards easily. This is a both more reliable and more intuitive approach than relying on someone elseís interpretatio(as a starting point,although you may want to use someone elseís definition).

Many of tarot readers learn the meaning for tarot cards by taking one card a day, intuiting the meaning, then looking for examples of that meaning or concept in everyday life. For instance, the in the seven of swords card (see below), a thief is stealing away with 7 swords. Swords are fire, which is also power, therefore the seven of swords is the loss of power. Once you intuit this meaning,You'll find you or someone else is losing power when you looking for places in your life or in everyday life. You will never forget it when the concept is translated into everyday life and the meaning becomes real.

The 12 zodiac signs have a long and rich history dating back to the Ancient Greeks, but did you know that their powers of prognostication were not their only use? The 12 constellations that are used to make up the zodiac signs were once used as a way to navigate through the world. You may not need them for that purpose today; most people read their horoscopes just to find out how their day is going to proceed.

Each of the 12 zodiac signs are made up of different shapes and animals. Each sign has certain characteristics that people associate with themselves. Take for example the zodiac sign Aquarius. The water bearer has a symbol of a pitcher pouring out water. It can include a person or be just the pitcher alone. The characteristics of this sign are aloofness, creativity and the need of freedom from possessive relationships. Most people born under the Aquarius sign are said to be very creative and independent but with a need to be reined in occasionally, due to their flights of fancy.

The zodiac sign Cancer is the exact opposite of Aquarius. He or she craves the comforts of a well run home and they are very sentimental. They long for the closeness of a relationship and need a partner that feels the same way. Aquarians would not make good partners with those born under the sign of Cancer. The sentimentality of Cancer would annoy and irritate the Aquarian. The best match for Cancer would be Taurus, which compliments the Cancer longing for a comfortable home life and the closeness of a relationship.

The possibilities of love compatibility horoscopes are tremendous. You just have to keep in mind one important thing; most prognostications are very generalized. Readings can fit for any birthday and zodiac sign. You need to just be aware of this fact and accept that not all horoscopes are going to be right. It may turn out to be a case of you making the foretelling true through your very own actions and reactions.

Looking to the sky for acknowledgement is likely to continue for however long mankind is on this Earth. It is a way of submitting to a higher power to control your very destiny and characteristics. It does not mean that the 12 zodiac signs should rule every part of your life. You may be more Leo than the zodiac sign Scorpio. Just take everything with a grain of salt and you should be fine and dandy.

Ask seven people how to do a reading and get seven different answers as with most things on this path.

As long as your intent is pure, you will get what you need to know,There is no wrong way to do a reading.

What is suggested here is merely a guide,your own style will be developed fairly quickly.

Setting up

This can be as elaborate or simple as you’d like.

You probably noticed that most Tarot readers will spread a cloth over whatever surface they are doing readings on. This serves two purposes,it keeps your cards clean on the practical side. The color you chose to use can help with the vibrations of the card on a psychic side. I tend to like black, as it doesn't interfere with energies. For divination and psychic ability,Others like blue, yellow or purple.

Here are some elements of set up you might consider:

• Some readers start by purifying their space, even smudging it
• Clothes can be draped over surfaces where readings are to be done
• Appropriate gemstones can be spread about
• Appropriate incense and candles lit
• Some meditate
• Some readers go through a whole ritual before reading, including casting a circle and calling quarters
• Some light candles and incense and play soft music.
• Others do nothing but pull out the deck

Do what feels right to you, whatever connects you to the energy of the universe or puts you in the “groove” to do readings. The one thing I suggest, if it is possible is to do a quick smudge of the room to rid it of any energy that might interfere with a reading. And it's always a great idea to ground and center and take a few deep breaths before beginning.

When doing a reading, you turn off the TV,the phones,and shut the pets out,because you do want to make sure you won't be interrupted. Make sure the atmosphere is at a comfortable temperature. And be sure you are dressed comfortably. Reading can not be concentrated if your top is constricting your breathing.

Drawing cards

Once you have everything set up and are focused, it’s time to begin, Take out your cards. It is important to concentrate on what it is you want to know as you shuffle them. It is better to ask open-ended questions rather than yes or no questions. The clearer the question, the clearer the answer will be. Keep questions simple. Focus on the experience rather than the outcome. Make sure your question is specific and it is worded to represent exactly what you want to know. If you don't have a specific issue to address, you can ask for general guidance or what you might need to know for the next week or that the spirits/deities tell you whatever it is you need to know right now. Make sure to concentrate.

When you feel ready to do the spread, stop shuffling.

Whether or not you cut the deck now and how you do it is up to you.From the top of the deck,some people will then deal out cards. Cards drawed and fanned out by others. People still using a pendulum to choose cards. The choice is yours.

PS:when you are shuffling if a card or cards fall out, put them aside; they usually jump out for a reason and should be included in your interpretation.

(If you are doing a reading for others, you need to decide their level of involvement. Would they do all the above? Will they only shuffle or cut the deck? would they even touch the cards at all?)

Remember, you cannot draw a wrong card.

You might want to look at it as doing two readings,if you are doing a spread. The first reading is the card in relation to the position it occupies in the spread. How the cards relate to each other is the second reading. Each reading tells about someone's life. Piece it together is your job.

if something is unclear when doing a reading,don't be afraid to pull more cards from the deck for clarification. Or you can reshuffle the deck and move on to a clarification readings when you finish the first reading. For the second reading,Some readers will keep the initial card that raised the question as the focal point.

Also don't feel limited by a spread or a deck, There have been times when I would switch decks mid-reading,I've done 40+ card readings. Go with your gut, You'll know when a reading is over, you'll either feel it or you will find the cards repeating themselves or all of the sudden the new cards won't make any sense.

A Short History of Tarot Cards and Decks

Go back thousands of years ago, The underlying symbology and concepts found in the Tarot. For instance, in the early Christian Church, around 600 AD, the priests had little memo cards with pictures on them. Similar cards used in the gypsies. The old emerald tablets in Egypt also had pictures of plates and discs. These concepts are very old but they are at the root of modern day tarot card meanings.

However,revised by the Order of the Golden Dawn to work more intimately with the Tree of Life and for spell work, the modern Tarot is brand new. Itís a development of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and is, in our estimation, the major advance in magical practice within the last 2,000 years.

The word Tarot is a disguised word. It was originally spelled ìRota,î which means wheel, because the deck represents all phenomenal experience, the wheel of life. We use the Tarot card books as a living form that is tied into the existing Universe. In essence, the Tarot is a simulacrum of the Universe.

Uses of Tarot Cards and Decks

Before the advent of the more modern decks that were updated by the Order of Golden Dawn, tarot cards were used primarily for divination. Divination is the art of accessing any information not directly available to the five senses. Gypsies and the Egyptians used the Tarot primarily for divination, and many modern day Gypsies continue to use their own unique decks for such purposes.

However, when the Order of the Golden dawn updated and modernized the tarot cards, they did so as magicians ñ they wanted to be able to use the tarot cards for magical purposes. The three main uses of tarot cards are:

1. Straight divination
2. Spell work (these decks are especially designed for spell work)
3. Working the Tree of Life (for doing a great work)

While you can use almost any tarot cards for straight divination, only the updated decks can be used for spell work and working the Tree of Life. Tarot cards are used heavily in designing safe and effective spells (for instance, to predict the effectiveness of candle symbols and carvings, and also spell parameters, called ìDirectors and Limitersî). Tarot cards are also used as the primary medium for tarot spells, in which the tarot cards are actually tied to elements in the Universe and re-arranged so as to re-arrange reality in the physical universe.

For as long as I can remember tarot has been a fascination of mine and from the age of 16 I have consulted tarot readers for guidance and illumination. As a teenager and young woman I had the naive belief that if I went to see tarot readers she or he would tell me what I could expect to happen in my future.

I recall those feelings of expectation and need for reassurance and a hope that the cards would predict success in love and money.

From my own experience, I understand that what most people want and expect from a tarot reader,so i always remind myself to treat my clients with respect and share the messages in the cards with gentleness and sincerity.

The vast majority of people who visit my website, Lotus Tarot, are women, and the issues have a common theme which they wish the cards to address. They are mostly looking for guidance in the area of love and relationships, and reassurance that they can and will be happy.

If you are studying Tarot, and wish to read the cards for others, I believe that a sense of responsibility for how you translate the messages in the cards and what you say to people is of paramount importance.

When physically sat in front of a person, you are able to communicate so much through your gestures and your vocal intonation, but providing tarot readings over the internet, either through automated programs or personally via email, is a little more challenging.

The internet is a fabulous world which enables us to communicate with people all around the globe, but in this virtual world there is always the danger of disassociation, for your clients may simply appear to you as a series of words on a computer screen. I try to never forget that behind every email and every order is a human being who has sought me out for some words of encouragement and comfort.

I view tarot reading as a form of counselling, and I look to help those people who I meet in person or who visit my site to develop a greater sense of self - to help them look inwards and to trust their own instincts and intuition.

I feel honoured and blessed that my work is enjoyed and appreciated With currently over 3,000 per day enjoying Lotus Tarot from over 100 countries. I may not ever know or meet these people who seek virtual comfort from the Tarot, but their spirit is always felt, and I do my best to give them the respect they rightfully deserve.

Many people believe that an astrologer can help them map their course through life with information from the stars. These seers are believed to be adept at reading signs and interpreting information from the Zodiac. In this article, we’ll explain how astrology works and how astrologers provide guidance with a little help from above.

There is more to astrology than what meets the eye. An experienced astrologer uses accurate birth data to help an individual understand their personality, characteristics, strengths, weaknesses and potentials. It’s then up to the person to apply this information to correct problems or otherwise improve their life. The methods employed by each individual mystic depends on the particular astrological tradition they use. In the United States, certification is not required to offer his or her services. However, there are various examinations offered by private organizations, such as the American Federation of Astrologers and the National Council for Geocosmic Research that allow those wishing to become professional astrologers to demonstrate their proficiency.

Astrology can have a significant impact on its believers. Even the rich and famous have been known to seek out astrology readings. Shirley Temple Black and Princess Diana spoke often about their beliefs. President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan have freely admitted to consulting astrologists while in the White House. A good reading can help an individual select the optimum time to start a business, get married, have a baby or change careers.

Choosing a seer to give you a reading may be like picking a star out of the sky. There are many different methods of divination, so it may come down to a matter of personality and what areas you are most interested in. There are financial, psychological, Jungian and Karmic astrologers, just to name a few. Knowing what you’re looking for is key to a good reading, just don’t expect them to predict your future or the outcome of your decisions. They simply suggest the options an individual can pursue to find happiness. Clearly, it’s best to know exactly what you want before seeking a reading.

Even naysayers have to admit that an astrologer can be uncannily accurate with their readings. It’s important to remember that most do not claim to be able to predict your future. They are simply using information provided by the details of your birth to explore the possibilities for your life. For example, if you are having trouble deciding which career path to choose, an astrologist can determine your aptitudes. Choosing to follow the advice is up you. After all, following your heart may be as effective as following the stars.

Tarot
Many people get confused over what is and what isn’t tarot.  A true tarot deck has 78 cards. 22 Minor Arcana cards and 22 Major Arcana cards made up these cards. Arcana means ’secret’ and the major arcana can show major secrets about our lives.

The reading which was spreaded by the cards shuffled and then dealt in different layouts is then interpreted by the reader and can give answer questions, valuable guidance and insight into our lives.

Many people are wary of the tarots which have names such as The Tower and The Devil and Death and blame them when they faced these cards? Contrary to popular belief, these tarot cards are not negative or evil. The Death card can show change and an end to something or time to move on, but not means the death. Our deeper --the part of us we keep hidden side showed by Devil, and The Tower may indicate too much energy welling up that needs to be listened to and troubles.

Oracle decks are very easy to learn and use to give readings because they have fewer cards than the tarot and quite often have message written on them with the meaning of that card. The gentle and supportive reading of Angel cards is so popular. You can choose crystal each day through crystal cards. Our animal guides and totems can be helped to link by animal cards.

Which Deck?
I wanted to write a bit about how to choose your first deck, because many people find it hard to choose their first tarot deck which might be a better choice than others and give everyone a head start.

‘Rider Waite’ is one of the most famous decks or to be more accurate the ‘Rider Waite Smith’.The designer was Arthur Edward Waite,publisher is Rider and the artist is Pamela Colman Smith. it can now be found as the Radiant, Golden Waite deck or the Universal Waite,The first this deck published is in 1910 and has been reprinted many times. The Rider Waite Smith deck make it much easier to interpret without specialist knowledge by changing to full blown colour pictures of scenes from the tradition surrounding the minor arcana cards from being a plain card showing just 6 wands or 2 swords or 5 cups etc. The pictures have been updated and re-coloured in many decks and this coupled withthe easy to interpret pictures is one of the main reasons that it is still used today by so many tarot readers and teachers.

For our purposes the other main deck is The Book of Thoth or The Thoth Tarot, that was designed by Aleister Crowley using the artist Lady Frieda Harris to paint the cards. In 1969,this deck was published posthumously and some editions have 3 Magus cards making a total of 80 cards.

Tarot decks were first described in the early 15th century in relation to Martiano da Tortona who mentioned tarot-like games. The symbols on these early illustrations were Greek gods and goddesses with the suits made of four different types of birds, which differed greatly from the regular Italian suits. These precursors of tarot decks had only sixteen cards, and their popularity seemed to be quite impressive at the time. Later, during the same century other mentions of tarot decks are found in Italian documents. The ideology and the symbolism of the cards were very impressive even then with social, heraldic, poetical and philosophical implications.

The oldest tarot decks preserved to our times were designed according to the specifications of the Visconti family. The sixty-six cards are presently on public display at the Yale University Library in New Haven. Another famous tarot deck was painted by Bonifacio Bembo according to the instructions of Maria Visconti, they are preserved with the exception of two who were either lost or never existed. The design and fame of these cards have grown under the Visconti-Sforza patronage.
Plenty of modern imitations combine batons, swords, coins and cups with trump cards that represent a clear image of the classic iconography of the old times.

An analysis of the first-made tarot decks indicates a reduced number given the painstaking effort required for their design. Old tarot decks have survived to our days from Switzerland, Egypt or Marseilles, and the centuries gave them the occult or mystical connotations they have today. The Occult, and people with occult occupations were the ones to start reading the cards for all sorts of symbolic interpretations that have passed on to our modern world too.

Some analysts discovered all sorts of origins for the tarot decks with etymologists identifying the Egyptian meaning of the very word tarot: tar stands for royal while ro means road, tarot would thus mean the royal road. In the line of tradition, Gypsies seem to have been the first to use cards for divination, but we don’t know for sure when tarot decks started to gain mass attention. As for the passage of tarot popularity to the English speaking world, Eliphas Levi was the one to make the transfer possible, and introduce tarot to aristocratic and middle classes too.

In most people’s minds, “Tarot card reading” means a woman in flowing robes, leaning over a small table in a candlelit room, foretelling impending doom.

But that’s not really what Tarot cards are about. They're not really meant to tell your future or fortune actually. "The most powerful sources of information come from within according to The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn;the Tarot aids in coming in contact with one's Higher Self.”

But what does that mean? In this article, we’ll look at the various ideas about where Tarot cards come from, what they mean and how a deck of cards can possibly tell you anything about yourself. You'll learn why it matters where the cards fall and why you don't have to be a psychic to do a Tarot reading.

Readings Types
There are actually two different types of Tarot readings: question readings and open readings.

Reading with questions
About question readings, you are solving a specific question. It is not to answer specific yes or no questions about tarot. It used as a guide to help you make the decision yourself instead of most say it shouldn't be used to make decisions. For this reason, the way a question is stated is very important. According to Joan Bunning, Tarot readers and teachers, questions should:

* Keep open options: before the reading, If you have the answer,then you're not allowing the cards to guide your overall decision. It is narrowing the scope of the true question by answering it before you even get started, For example: Asking how you could encourage your mother-in-law to move out, as opposed to asking how you can get along better with her.

* Find the best level of detail: Your question should not be overly detailed but focused. Rather than looking one side of the problem,find a way to look more aspects at it. Take a example, ask how you can better balance kid schedules and adult schedules but not to ask how you can make your home life less chaotic. That question is focused. That's too detailed--- do not go so far as to ask how you can coordinate baseball, soccer and Cub Scout schedules and still have family time --. Only include the minimum level of detail needed in order to express what you want to learn from the cards.

* Focus on yourself: Make sure your question focuses on you rather than on someone else who you think may be the root of your problem if the reading is for yourself. For example, asking why your son is experimenting with drugs is focusing on him, not you. Asking you play what role in your son's decision to experiment with drugs brings the focus of the question back to you.

* Stay neutral:your question has to be neutral to stay open to other points of view and not convey a preconceived notion that your view is necessarily the right one. It can give you guidance if you ask for the cards. For example, asking why you're doing more work around the house than your spouse isn't neutral; asking how you can get more cooperation from your spouse when it comes to housework is neutral.

* Be positive: Make sure your question is stated in a positive rather than negative way. Ask what you can do to help make that event happen instead of asking why a specific event hasn't happened.

Read openly
Open readings address the larger aspects of your life rather than a specific problem area or question. When you're entering a new phase of life, getting married, graduating from college or starting a family,They are usually done at this time. You can somewhat direct the reading if you have a general area you want to cover, such as your career or health, but that's as specific as the direction gets.