Tarot is an ancient tool of division that uses a set of cards to bring insight into the daily problems and dilemmas of life. This set of cards is known as the Tarot deck and is used for statements that can help people achieve greater understanding of issues relating to relationships, opportunities and changes in life. All the cards included in the deck are assigned specific meanings, which are used to interpret the reading and offer guidance.
Tarot deck consists of 78 cards that are divided into two parts known as the major arcana and the minor arcana. The major arcana consists of twenty-two cards and the minor arcana is made up of the remaining fifty-six cards. These fifty-six cards are further classified into four suits representing the elements fire, earth, water and air, containing fourteen cards in each suit.
The meaning of the each card that is assigned to it is described as a pictorial representation on the face of the card. Each card is also assigned a number, which is also considered to be of significance in a reading. The twenty-two cards from the major arcana are numbered zero to twenty-one and fist ten cards of each suit suit the minor arcana are assigned the numbers one to ten. A page, a knight, a queen and a king represent the last four cards in each suit. Each card is interpreted according to the arcana, suit and number it is assigned.
The cards in the major arcana carry more weight as compared to the minor arcana cards. Therefore, in a reading, the meaning and position of major arcana cards is interpreted more carefully as they are considered to be closely associated with the inquirer or people around the inquirer. These twenty-two cards are considered to be the major influences in the life of the inquirer. On the other hand, the minor arcana points towards the situations in the life of the inquirer.
An able Tarot card reader is able to interpret the meaning of the cards in accordance with the position that they occupy in a reading.
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