The history of Tarot is uncertain. It is believed that the earliest Tarot cards found in European museums date to the late 1300’s. However, while the origins are somewhat in dispute, it is agreed that the origins of the Tarot date much further back than the 1300’s.
The earliest decks have designs that rely on medieval Italian symbols. The origins of Tarot are widely disputed. Various theories of the earliest beginnings include ancient India, Sumeria, and the Romany peoples in addition to Kabbalistic, Albigensian, and Hermetic origins. Some believe that the Tarot is derived from the Book of Toth, the Torah, the story of the Grail bloodline, and the temple practices of the Roman goddess Fortuna.
Traditional Tarot decks are comprised of 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The Minor Arcana are further broken down into four suits: wands, Swords, Cups, and Pentacles.
Tarot cards are used to divine where the path the querent (person seeking information) is on will lead if no changes are made. It is believed by most readers that the future is mutable and forewarned is forearmed and that it is possible to change what lies ahead by either changing ones attitude or ones actions or both.
Tarot cards, particularly the Major Arcana, are also used for pathworking the Tree of Life paths and for other guided meditations.
