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First published: 24 April 2002
Last updated: 22 November 2005

Mind Gallery
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Tarot Gallery

On this page you'll find some very basic information about tarot. If you are looking for more detailed information, check the Tarot Links and Books page for links to other websites and to books on tarot.

If you have any questions, check out the Frequently Asked Questions page.

What is Tarot?

Tarot uses tarot cards. There are many different kinds of tarot decks available, with different cards, in different styles and with different themes.

A standard tarot deck consist of 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana are often seen as representing the various stages in life, starting with The Fool, who represents our inner child, and ending with The World, which represents the end of a journey. The Marjor Arcana represent important changes in our life.
The Minor Arcana represent everyday situations. They are divided into four suits, just like playing cards. The suits are: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. The names can vary in different decks; for example, Cups is sometimes called Chalices, and Wands is sometimes called Rods.

The four suits correspond to the four elements. Which suit corresponds to which element can vary, but most decks use the following system:

• Wands = Fire
• Cups = Water
• Swords = Air
• Pentacles = Earth

How is the Tarot Used?

Tarot cards are often associated with exotic fortune-tellers on fairs, who use the cards to predict sinister events.

Tarot cards, however, are not only meant to predict the future, but mainly to provide better understanding, to consult your "inner guide". In the modern Western world we are not really used to follow our instinct anymore; tarot cards can help you "activate" this instinct again.

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