Tarot: Where To Begin (Part One)

   Tarot is everywhere these days. We've all seen the imagery, from adverts to funfairs, signs of the cultural effect of cartomancy are all around us. A lot of people - perhaps most people - know that they are a deck of cards that people use to predict events and trends in their lives. But if this is all you really know, approaching the Tarot can be daunting. A common misconception is that the Tarot possess some elite, arcane knowledge which can only be harnessed by the exceptional few. In truth, all you need is an open mind, and a keen interest. The rest you can learn : though not all of it can be taught.

   The first place to start is, obviously, the selection of a deck. There are no wrong choices: some people will select the more familiar packs such as the classic Rider-Waite or Marseilles decks; others, the more obscure, arty decks (Phantasmagoric, Analytical); some readers are drawn to the soothing fantasy imagery of the Dragon Tarot;while still others prefer the bleak, macabre stylings of HR Giger or Savage Tarot. There are so many types: Angel Oracle, Lenormand....the list is dizzying. By all accounts, there are thousands of decks out there.

   The truth is, you don't need to know your Book of Thoth from your Oracle Dessuart to get started. It's quite simple. Pick one you like, and you can't go wrong. After all, you're going to spend a lot of time with these cards. Get a feel for the different decks out there, and pick one you like. There are plenty of sites out there to help you make a more informed choice (I personally am an Aeclectic Tarot kind of girl, but they are by no means the only site).

   Don't worry too much about your approach at this point. Some approach the Tarot because of a belief in psychic ability, paganism, spirituality or psychology - others get into Tarot readings and then discover what their beliefs really are.

   How you look after your deck is down to individual taste. Some people consecrate them by moving the deck through incense smoke or anointing it with oil. You can make or purchase a pouch to keep them safe, keep them in a special container...You probably have your own ritual when it comes to starting something new - do whatever feels right for you. And if you want to simply take them out, use them, and keep them in a box in the drawer, that's your business entirely. There really is no perfect practise. It all come down to what you are comfortable with.

Next: Learning The Basics

Click here to read Part Two!