Tarot Card Use In The US Essay

Tarot Card Use In The U.S Essay, Research Paper

Dial 1-800-99-Tarot, look familiar? From Kenny Kingston and his group of psychics to Dionne Warwicks psychic friends, we have all seen or heard of the infamous psychic hotlines. Palm readers, to Psychic Advisors, to Tarot readers, they are taking the country by storm. At this point in time, the majority of the urban population have either consulted a psychic advisor, or know of someone who has. The question is, why? . Why has this section of astrology reached this level of popularity in the United States?

To answer the question, many aspects and sections of astrology and fortune telling must be examined. Fortune Telling is the practice of predicting the future through psychic means, such as the interpretation of signs and/or communication with supernatural forces. Many people use astrology as a method of fortune telling. Other methods include palmistry, the practice of interpreting the lines in hands; cartomancy, the prediction of the future using special cards such as Tarot cards: and necromancy, in which people predict the future through communication with the

spirits of the deceased. Some methods of fortune telling involve clairvoyance, the ability to perceive events or objects beyond the range of the senses. Although fortune telling has little support in science, it remains popular in many countries, including the United States.

People have practiced various forms of fortune telling for thousands of years. It became a widespread practice in many ancient societies, particularly among rulers, who often sought advice from fortune tellers. In ancient China, for example, emperors had court astrologers and special diviners who predicted the future using a set of sticks called the I Ching, which are used in a way

similar to Tarot cards.

Tarot is the name given to the oldest playing cards still in common use, both for card games and as the basis of a branch of the fortune telling art. The tarot was brought from the east to Italy in the 14th century by gypsies or returning crusaders. The origin of the cards is obscure, and theories that the tarot is based on the Hebrew alphabet or on Egyptian or Hindu mythology have not been conclusively proved.

The Tarot deck consists of 78 cards, which are divided into two distinct groups. The Minor, or lesser , Arcana, the precursor of the modern deck, is made up of 56 cards divided into four suits. The suit corresponds with the modern clubs suit; cups with hearts; swords with spades; and pentacles (or sometimes coins in certain decks) with diamonds. Each suit has 14 cards, with

numbered cards from ace to ten and four unnumbered face cards: king, queen, knight, and knave. (the four knight cards have been eliminated in the modern deck.)

The Major, or Greater, Arcana consists of 22 cards, each bearing a title and a picture. The symbolism of the Major Arcana has fascinated writers and psychologists, who assume that such pictures as the Hanged Man, the Wheel of Fortune, Judgment, and the Moon are medieval allegorical representations of virtues and vices, and life-and-death dealing forces.Twenty-one of the cards are numbered, the Twenty-second card is the Fool. The Fool is analogous to the modern joker.

In fortune telling, either the full pack or the Major Arcana alone is used, never the Minor Arcana alone. The relationship of one card to another, as laid out in a number of different configurations, is as important as the significance of each individual card.

Today, increasing numbers of people use tarot cards as a tool for self exploration and personal growth. When local high school student Julie Casner was asked why she decided to get a tarot card reading, and how she felt afterwards, she replied I initially set out to get a reading because of curiosity, but was amazed afterwards, its like she read my mind. She told me things about myself, that I had previously forgotten . She was later asked if she felt comfortable in the situation and if she had planned to return for another card reading, to that the reply was: I felt extremely comfortable, the surroundings were rather eerie, like that of a movie, but other than that, its was fine. I would definitely go back again, its an experience I d like to share with my friends as well, I learned more about myself which I didn t know existed until the reading. I recommend that everyone gets at least one Tarot card reading in their lifetime, its definitely something worth trying .

While everyone has their own reasons for seeing a Tarot card reader, their answers to the question , how did it make you feel afterwards? , are generally the same. Out of the 15 people asked this question, 10 of them gave the general response I feel more enlightened and/or It set me in the right direction . While two others claimed it had absolutely no effect in their life style, and would not consider seeing another tarot card reader. As for the other two (a brother and sister group) were rather speechless and only had the vague comment It was cool .

Esmerelda, as she prefers to be called, is currently practicing the art of Tarot in the city of Laguna Hills, California, off of Raymond and El Toro Road. Her fees are $78.00 for one tarot reading. A rather costly reading, but from experience, is definitely worth a try. The money is placed on the table, and from there the readee