Tarot Card Decks

Tarot cards are a set of 78 cards that is used for occult purposes. Originally tarot cards were used for playing games known as tarrochi games that were very popular in Italy and France. The tarot cards is thought to have originated in northern Italy in cities of Bologna and Milan. Many believe tarot cards to have an Eastern origin and perceive that the word tarot comes from the Arabic word "taruq", which means pathways. Tarot cards were used for divination and fortune telling as early as 15th century, and are still a very popular way of knowing people's fate. The early tarot card decks were hand painted, and therefore the number of decks in circulation was very small. However after the invention of the printing press, it was possible to mass produce them. Currently there are varieties of tarot card decks available in many different styles and designs, each deck and card having a different interpretation.

Types of Tarot Cards

As mentioned earlier there are different types of tarot card decks that have evolved from ancient tarot cards that were used for playing purposes. Traditional tarot card decks include the Tarot de Marseilles, Sola-Busca, Visconti- Sforza and the Minchiate. These traditional decks are no longer used by modern tarot card readers. All tarot card decks have the same number of cards, that is 78, which are divided into the major arcana and minor arcana. The major arcana consists of 22 cards and they are The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress,The Emperor, The Heirophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgment and The World. The minor arcana consists of 56 cards, that are divided into four suits of 14 cards. There are four court cards in each suit called the King, Queen, Knight and Page and 10 cards in each suit numbered from 1 to 10. The tarot card suits are swords, wands, cups and pentacles. Different tarot card suits have different names of these suits.

One of the best tarot card decks for beginners is the Rider-Waite Tarot card deck. The Rider-Waite tarot card deck was developed by A. E. Waite and was illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. The illustrations of the Rider-Write tarot card deck are quite simple and almost child like in nature. This tarot card deck is considered to be the most user-friendly, although the imagery of the major arcana is complex and is filled with esoteric symbolism and hidden tarot card meanings. Another deck used by tarot card readers is the Colman Smith tarot card deck. It is a modern interpretation of the Rider-Write tarot card deck and has images that comes in psychedelic colors.

Crowler Harris Thoth Tarot is another tarot card deck that is popular in modern times. This tarot card deck was illustrated by Aldy Frieda Harris. This deck is highly colorful and the images are more defined. Each card is replete with astrological, Qabalistic and zodiac sign symbols and different colors are used to differentiate between the five elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.

List of Tarot Card Decks

Here is list of different tarot card decks that are available.

• Hermetic tarot card deck
• Mythic tarot card deck
• The Golden Dawn tarot card deck
• The Curious tarot card deck
• The Cat People tarot card deck
• The Benedetti tarot card deck
• The Lovecraft tarot card deck
• Tree of Life tarot card deck
• Aquarian tarot card deck
• The Alchemical tarot card deck

When you are considering purchasing a tarot card deck, for reading tarot cards choose one that you feel instantly drawn for. Don't choose card decks based on design, cost or styles. Your tarot card will be your faithful friend for years, so it is best to choose them with care.