From Playing Cards to Fortune Telling: The Evolution of Tarot
Tarot Cards and Their Origin
The art of tarot reading and its interpretations are deeply ingrained in many European cultures, particularly in Italy. With the rise of concepts such as the “law of attraction” gaining media attention in the 20th century, tarot reading quickly gained popularity. Despite controversy, many believe in the supernatural aspects of tarot cards. The tarot deck, originating around the 15th century, has evolved over time, with modern fortune-telling interpretations emerging in the 19th century. The roots of tarot cards can be traced back to Milan, Italy.
Tarot Deck Becoming “Magical”
During the 17th century, tarocchi spread to Northern Europe, notably France, where the name changed to tarot. Northern Europeans modified the Milanese iconography to reflect their own history and religious themes. In the late 18th century, tarot cards began to be associated with the occult and fortune-telling. Jean-Baptiste Alliette’s tarot guide marked the distinction between the medieval game and modern fortune-telling. The 19th century’s societal shift towards spirituality and occultism, especially after the Age of Enlightenment and war impacts, led to the widespread use of tarot cards. Their incorporation into popular culture and media was further propelled by the emergence of concepts like manifestation and the law of attraction.
Modern Day Reading and Interpretations
Today’s tarot deck consists of 78 cards: 22 from the Major Arcana and 56 from the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana symbolizes spiritual growth and self-discovery, while the Minor Arcana focuses on more detailed interpretations. Artistic representations in the cards, such as wands symbolizing energy and swords representing intellect, play a key role in their interpretation.
There are three main types of tarot decks: Tarot of Marseilles, Rider–Waite–Smith, and Thoth. Each differs in artistic style and sometimes interpretation, though their overall meanings are similar. The oldest, Tarot of Marseilles, dates back to mid-18th century France. The Rider-Waite Smith, created in the early 20th century, is the most renowned. The Thoth Tarot deck emerged in the mid-20th century. While their meanings are similar, their artistic styles vary significantly.
The Thoth Card Deck has put it into a next level artistically. The cards are maximized, and the characters are almost blending into the background, creating almost a magical world with more interpretations to the card. Compared to the other card decks, this deck is almost fiction. In the Minor Arcana, the cards are also named uniquely, which is also different compared to other decks. In this card deck, Aleister Crowley wanted to bring out the astrological sense in tarot cards more. So he stressed the signs and symbols in astrology in his illustrations as well.
The reading of the tarot decks isn’t only about what is on the cards but also about the placement of the cards. Whether the card is reversed can also change the meaning behind. Also, some readers categorize the cards, place them differently for them to represent different stages of one’s life, or they can even show past, present and future via the different placements.
There is so much more to know about tarot card decks and reading. Even though some controversial opinions are present, which is in the nature of any belief system, the cultural and artistic side of tarot cards shouldn’t be overlooked.
The popular deck of The Rider-Waite-Smith deck card is more complex. The background is full of movement, and the readers tend to interrupt the meaning of the background as well. There are more details and a more realistic drawing in this card deck. These qualities are sustained in the minor arcana as well. IN the ten of cups, there is a happy family and the cups forming a rainbow. This can tell the reader, without any knowledge of the cards, that fulfillment in family relationships, happy marriage can be seen in the future.
The Thoth Card Deck has put it into a next level artistically. The cards are maximized, and the characters are almost blending into the background, creating almost a magical world with more interpretations to the card. Compared to the other card decks, this deck is almost fiction. In the Minor Arcana, the cards are also named uniquely, which is also different compared to other decks. In this card deck, Aleister Crowley wanted to bring out the astrological sense in tarot cards more. So he stressed the signs and symbols in astrology in his illustrations as well.
The reading of the tarot decks isn’t only about what is on the cards but also about the placement of the cards. Whether the card is reversed can also change the meaning behind. Also, some readers categorize the cards, place them differently for them to represent different stages of one’s life, or they can even show past, present and future via the different placements.
There is so much more to know about tarot card decks and reading. Even though some controversial opinions are present, which is in the nature of any belief system, the cultural and artistic side of tarot cards shouldn’t be overlooked.
by Zeynep Aysu
Sources
https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/tarot-card-meanings-list
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-new-art-fair-models-changing
Sources
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