A Journey Through the Tarot - Part 1

History of the Tarot

Tarot cards originated in the 14th or 15th century as a parlour game. Artisans hand-printed the first decks using wooden blocks. The first Tarot deck I encountered—and began learning with—was a replica of one of those early decks. The box even states that it is a game. Back in the mid-1970s, when I started reading Tarot, many people still attached taboos to Tarot reading and psychic practices. After all, the UK’s Witchcraft Act of 1735 wasn’t repealed until 1951.

People didn’t start using Tarot cards for divination until as late as the 18th century. The now-famous Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck—which serves as the template for most modern decks—didn’t appear until 1909. It’s important to acknowledge Pamela Colman Smith’s contribution to this iconic deck. She created the illustrations that guide readers through The Fool’s journey, yet she rarely receives the recognition she deserves.

Structure of the Tarot

A standard Tarot deck contains 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.

Major Arcana

The Major Arcana includes 22 cards numbered 0 to XXI. These cards symbolize significant life events or influential people involved in your question or situation.

Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards divided into four suits, much like a traditional deck of playing cards. Each suit contains an Ace, cards numbered 2 through 10, and four court cards—Jack (Valet), Knight, Queen, and King. These court cards often represent people in your life.

Here’s a breakdown of the suits and the elements they correspond to:

• Swords (Air): Mind, thoughts, communication, mental health, clarity, speech, morals, and your inner world.

• Wands (Fire): Creativity, power, rapid progress, challenges, willpower, work life, and your outer world.

• Pentacles (Earth): Money, finances, home, health, the physical body, family, and the material world.

• Cups (Water): Emotions, healing, intuition, love, relationships, grief, heartbreak, and your emotional world

Whilst all Tarot decks follow this basic structure, some creators rename the suits to match their deck’s theme—such as angels, animals, or the cosmos.

Orientation in Readings

When you pull a card upright, it expresses the card’s primary message. If the card appears upside down, it’s considered reversed—or as I prefer to say, in the challenger position. This doesn’t necessarily mean the opposite of its upright meaning. Instead, it highlights the lessons or challenges the card now presents.

A Journey Through the Tarot: Part 1 – The Fool

Let’s begin our journey with The Fool, the first card in the Major Arcana.

This card carries the number zero, representing the unknown and unlimited potential.

• The yellow background and sun symbolize happiness and an optimistic outlook on the journey ahead.

• The Fool’s clothing and posture show a carefree spirit.

• The small bindle reflects modest possessions and a non-materialistic nature.

• The white rose in hand stands for innocence and purity.

• The mountains in the background foreshadow future challenges.

• The cliff edge symbolizes stepping into the unknown.

• The white dog provides loyalty and protection as The Fool embarks on this adventure.

Summary:

• Upright: New beginnings, spontaneity, innocence, and freedom.

• Reversed: Hesitation, risk-taking, and recklessness.

Next time, we’ll continue The Fool’s journey to discover where they go, who they meet, and what lessons they learn along the way.