- In the mysterious world of tarot, all is not as it seems
- the Death card is about transformation and the infamous Hanged Man simply
represents a need for re-evaluation. But, whatever people learn from their
tarot, one thing is clear: at a time of global uncertainty, growing numbers
are turning to it for enlightenment.
-
- Twenty years ago, tarot cards could only be bought from
specialist shops, where they were surrounded with a certain ritual and
mystique.
-
- Today, cards can be bought in the high street from
Waterstone's,
WH Smith's and online from Amazon, while New Age and spiritual centres
around the country offer tarot readings. tarot parties, like Tupperware
but without the plastic, are now common in the suburbs.
-
- This weekend, the first British conference of tarot
experts
opens in London, designed to exchange ideas and explore different aspects
of tarot, such as its links with astrology and kabbala, the Jewish mystical
system, and the role of women in its symbolism.
-
- The organiser, Kim Arnold, a professional reader, said:
"Although it is very difficult to quantify, tarot is becoming more
and more popular. It's coming out of the shadows and we want to take some
of the hocus-pocus out of it.''
-
- For many, a certain frisson adheres to tarot, stemming
from the turn of the century when it first became popular in Britain
because
of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a society devoted to the study
of mysticism. Its members included W B Yeats and the occultist Aleister
Crowley. In 1910, one of its members, Arthur Edward Waite, published The
Key to the Tarot, the first modern book on the subject. From this Edwardian
fascination came the later use of some of its cards, like the Hanged Man,
to represent the occult in countless books and horror films.
-
- These symbols are among the 22 picture cards of the
tarot,
called the major arcana. They also include such traditional images as the
Fool, a court jester figure also found in morris dancing, and Justice,
a universal image seen from the Egyptian pyramids to the top of the Old
Bailey in London.
-
- Although playing cards date from ninth-century China,
the earliest known tarot packs were made in northern Italy in the 14th
century when the major arcana were added to the minor arcana. The four
suits of the minor arcana - cups, swords, pentacles and wands - correspond
to a conventional deck of cards and to elements of astrology.
-
- According to Jewish tradition, the kabbala is the wisdom
spoken directly by God to Moses; its celebrity followers include Madonna.
The link to tarot was made in the mid-19th century when a Jewish writer
related the 22 major arcana to the 22 paths of power given to Moses, which
are said to form the branches of the tree of life in the kabbala.
-
- Adam Fronteras, author of two books on the tarot and
a former president of the British Astrological and Psychic Society, who
will speak at the conference on the links between astrology and tarot,
said: "I think in these days people are increasingly turning to tarot
because it is easy to learn and the images are accessible. But you can't
read them yourself because we all lack that objectivity about ourselves
- they have to be interpreted.''
-
- Ms Arnold stresses that the conference is not a
"psychic
fair" of the type where the public can wander in off the street to
have their fortune told. "Although the public are very welcome, this
is a conference for people with a serious interest," she said.
-
- One effect of the expansion of tarot, she added, was
that tarot reading is unregulated and, unlike astrology, there are no
recognised
professional bodies for its practitioners. She said: "Among the
reasons
why we are having this conference is to get a code of conduct to ensure
that readers are of a certain standard. There are an awful lot of people
out there who should not be practising, doing what I call parlour
readings.''
-
- READING THE CARDS: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE
-
- The Fool
-
- This card represents a rejection of people and
restrictions
from the past, and setting out for new pastures; the beginning of a life
cycle; innocence, spontaneity and optimism.
-
- Reversed: You are acting foolishly and are seen by others
to be doing so.
-
- The Hierophant
-
- Sometimes pictured as a Pope, this image of a teacher
or holy man shows one is finding spiritual aid. Implies faith in one's
own abilities and the hope that brings.
-
- Reversed: Suggests stubbornness and standing still,
immobility.
-
- The Chariot
-
- Suggests the subject has a new project and has difficult
choices ahead on a physical and emotional level, which may force them to
change course.
-
- Reversed: Energies are scattered because the reins have
come off.
-
- The Wheel of Fortune
-
- This card indicates a change in fortune - generally good
luck. Also means the person has to take advantage of a changed situation.
Reversed: Beware of gambling or investments.
-
- The Hanged Man
-
- Shows the need to re-evaluate and for a time of thought
and review. Often denotes self-sacrifice.
-
- Reverse: Suggests selfishness; putting your needs before
others.
-
- Death
-
- Not about death in a physical sense but change,
"death"
of the old self and birth of a new person. It indicates drastic
changes.
-
- Reversed: You are not taking advantage of change; you
have escaped death.
-
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reserved
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