This is a series on the basics of tarot cards. It includes an overview of the history of tarot cards, the meanings of each card, various layouts for readings, and other ways the tarot can be used as psychic tools.

This is a very basic series meant for people who would like a brief introduction to the tarot. For a more in depth course, take Intuitive Tarot taught by Linda Paul at UniversalClass.com.

The term "tarot" refers to a deck of cards that is used either for fortune telling or bringing subconscious issues into the conscious, depending on the belief system of the reader[1].  It has long since been debated whether the cards' powers are spiritually or mentally based, but it is generally thought that both aspects are involved.

They are said to have been invented in Italy in the 1400's, but this is speculative since cards have very likely have been used for fortune telling since the invention of playing cards.  It is certain, however, that the tarot deck itself developed beyond playing cards in Italy.

At the beginning of this branching out, the deck of playing cards was expanded beyond its 4 suits and a joker to include trump cards that had value above the normal set for a game called Triumphs.  These cards became more and more elaborately illustrated, and the game so popular that eventually other uses than playing became popular as well.

In time there developed a Major Arcana consisting of 22 cards in addition to the Minor Arcana of 56 cards.

The Major Arcana from The Fool to The Universe represent both archtypes and/or the spiritual journey that many if not most individuals take through their lives.

The Minor Arcana represent specific paths or issues in four major areas:

Cups (Hearts) - Love and matters of sentiment
Wands (Clubs) - Spiritual or intellectual matters
Swords (Spades) - War and conflict
Coins or Pentacles (Diamonds) - Money and material or practical things

Some decks will have more or fewer cards.  Some will have differently arranged suits.  Regardless, each card can be a world within a world so to speak.  How the come up in the arrangement is supposed to say something about the past, present, and/or future.

The most commonly used spread for reading the cards these days is the Celtic Cross.  This is mostly because of the popularity of Wicca due to the activism of various feminists,  Druids, and others who brought the Goddess back within the view of western spirituality.

This is a spread of 10 cards that begins with a cross that has the main issue and its conflicting issue.

There are many other spreads though from 1 to 20 to all cards in the deck.  Each deck usually has instructions that show the best way of using those cards.

1.  In some belief systems, such as Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, divination or "fortune telling" is forbidden.  Adherent readers generally use the tarot as a tool with which to tap in to the subsconscious mind, or translate spiritual messages that the seeker has already received.