Have you ever had your “cards read” or even tried your hand at pulling cards?  Tarot card reading is a very common practice for some, but also misunderstood by many.  I recently took a class that taught you how to read tarot cards and was really surprised by the history of the cards and truly admired the artistry behind them.

Tarot cards, originally called "tarocchi," were elaborate,hand-painted  cards commissioned by a wealthy Italian family during the late 14th or early 15th century.  They were primarily used to enhance standard playing card decks with an added "trump" suit of 21 cards called "trionfi" and a special card called "il matto" (the Fool). 

While originally intended for playing games, the practice of using tarot cards for divination began to emerge in the 18th century with people assigning symbolic meanings to each card. A mystical group active in late 19th century England, played a significant role in popularizing tarot with the creation of the Rider-Waite deck, which is widely used today. 

Looking at tarot cards to receive insight or guidance can be a simple practice you can try at home or you can see a reader or intuitive who can offer far more insight.  If you wanted to try on your own, you simply need a deck of tarot cards (there are so many to choose from, so pick the one that speaks to you) and in the beginning you’ll need a resource to help you interpret the card.  Most decks come with a guidebook and I like this website.