Simply defined, tarot cards are decks of cards with pictures and symbols on them and are used for divination work.

Meaning, the tarot cards reader will use the pictures and symbolism of whichever set of  tarot cards they choose to divine past, present and future events and give clarity to situations and persons as well as answer yes and no questions.

Using any cards, tarot cards, playing cards, etc. for divination work is called cartomancy.

Tarot cards have been in use since the mid fifteenth century and, possibly, before, utilized not as just tarot cards but as playing cards as well.

To date, historians can track the original tarot cards and their use to Europe though their existence as “picture card” packs are first found in mention in the manuscripts of Martiano da Tortona prior to 1425.

There are, literally, thousands of different tarot cards decks.

Some of the more traditional and most used decks include the Rider-Waite, Tarocco Bolognese and the Tarot de Marseille.

Depending on the tarot cards and the reader, a great deal of insight may be gained with a good “reading”.

The “reader” draws upon their knowledge of the artwork, pictures and symbolism of their particular tarot cards and pieces together the story being told by the cards.

Many tarot cards readers are, also, psychic and use the tarot cards as a guideline or tool of divinatory work rather than relying on just the tarot cards alone.

Because the images on tarot cards can be interpreted in many ways (even within the same deck) and because there are so many different types of tarot cards spreads (the order in which tarot cards are organized during a reading) a psychic tarot cards reader uses the cards as a “hint” in the right direction but uses their own intuition to accurately divine which message in specific is intended for the “sitter” (person who is being “read” by the tarot cards reader).

One does not have to be a tarot cards reader to benefit from using tarot cards. It is possible to divine information for oneself.

A word of caution, however; it is always important to realize tarot cards in and of themselves hold no innate power or special mystical capabilities. It is up to the reader to interpret the messages based on the imagery of the cards.

Additionally, it is important to note that use of the cards for oneself should be done so sparingly so that a reliance on the tarot cards should not develop.

Though they are a good servant, they are a bad master.

At Wild Iris Books we have a pretty incredible selection of tarot and oracle cards as well as books on the same. We, also, can special order hundreds of different tarot and oracle cards decks (books, too!) so you can be sure to find just the right deck and learning material for you!

If you don’t live in Gainesville, Florida or the surrounding areas, a fantastic online source for tarot cards, oracle cards and books is our own Wild Iris Market.

Should you want to schedule a reading (in person or via phone), call the store for an appointment; 352=375-7477 and any one of the Goddesses who answer the phone will be pleased to accommodate!

By: Bernadette Carter
Ohhh...ya' knooww...I'm your atypical Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Guru who moonlights as a professional ghost writer and psychic medium. I've also been known to work as a Creative Director and Project Manager on commercial web/blog related endeavors. My current obsessions are Chinese Astrology, the Chinese Zodiac and anything having to do with SEO! You can catch me on Twitter @ Spiritual SEO and on Facebook as Bernadette Carter!
Website: http://blog.wildirisbooks.com