Shairin has over 30 years experience reading cards and is focussed on Empowering you to choose your destiny, with compassion and acceptance of the currents that are flowing through and around you at this time.
Life happens and the circumstantial patterns are common to us all.
The joys and the struggles that we face at different times in our lives are depicted by the cards and choosing yours can give confirmation, clarity and confidence.
Each reading is unique and provides a window into the past, present and potential future influences at play in your life.
Your personal time for for reflection, perspective and peace will be delivered through a recorded video available at your appointment time or a Zoom meeting link when you secure your tarot time through the booking portal below.
Life happens and the circumstantial patterns are common to us all.
The joys and the struggles that we face at different times in our lives are depicted by the cards and choosing yours can give confirmation, clarity and confidence.
Each reading is unique and provides a window into the past, present and potential future influences at play in your life.
Your personal time for for reflection, perspective and peace will be delivered through a recorded video available at your appointment time or a Zoom meeting link when you secure your tarot time through the booking portal below.
Unlocking the Mysteries: The Fascinating Origin of Tarot Cards
Tarot cards, those enigmatic and captivating decks often associated with fortune-telling and divination, have a rich and intricate history that spans centuries and continents. While today they are widely recognized as a tool for gaining insight into the past, present, and future, the origins of tarot cards are shrouded in mystery, much like the secrets they are said to unveil.
A Journey Through Time
To trace the history of tarot cards, we must embark on a journey through time, traveling back to the late Middle Ages and Renaissance Europe. The tarot, as we know it today, has its roots in various cultural, artistic, and spiritual influences that converged over centuries. While the exact timeline remains somewhat murky, several key developments stand out.
Playing Cards and Tarot: A Connection
Before delving into the mysticism and divination associated with tarot, it's essential to recognize the initial purpose of these cards. The earliest tarot decks were not intended for fortune-telling but rather as playing cards. It's widely accepted that playing cards arrived in Europe via trade routes from the Islamic world in the 14th century, although some believe they have even older origins in China. These cards, which evolved into the standard 52-card deck used for games like poker and bridge, consisted of four suits – swords, cups, coins, and clubs.
The transition from playing cards to tarot cards began when additional cards, known as trump cards, were introduced into the deck. These trump cards featured a wide array of symbolic imagery, representing everything from virtues to vices, cosmic forces, and allegorical scenes.
The Visconti-Sforza Tarot: A Pioneering Deck
One of the earliest surviving tarot decks is the Visconti-Sforza Tarot, dating back to the mid-15th century. Commissioned by the Visconti and Sforza families of Milan, Italy, this deck is not only an artistic masterpiece but also an important historical document. It features intricate hand-painted cards adorned with sumptuous illustrations that offer a glimpse into the life and culture of the Renaissance period.
The Visconti-Sforza Tarot includes the standard four suits and a collection of allegorical trump cards. It was a precursor to the more modern tarot decks that came to be used for divination and esoteric purposes.
Esoteric Influences and Mystical Interpretations
As time progressed, tarot cards began to take on deeper esoteric meanings. It was in the 18th century, in France, that the tarot started to be associated with occult practices. Antoine Court de Gébelin, a French pastor and Freemason, published a work titled "Le Monde Primitif," in which he suggested that the tarot contained hidden knowledge of ancient Egyptian origin. This assertion sparked a surge of interest in tarot as a tool for divination and mysticism.
Around the same time, French occultist Éliphas Lévi integrated tarot into his magical system, associating each card with a particular aspect of Kabbalah. It was Lévi who introduced the notion of using tarot cards for personal insight and spiritual development, laying the foundation for the modern practice of tarot reading.
The Rider-Waite Tarot: A Watershed Moment
The early 20th century witnessed a pivotal moment in the history of tarot cards with the creation of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and commissioned by British occultist A.E. Waite, this deck became immensely influential. The Rider-Waite Tarot introduced more detailed and evocative imagery that resonated with a broader audience and set the standard for many tarot decks that followed.
Conclusion
The origin of tarot cards is a captivating journey that takes us from the courts of medieval Europe to the mystical circles of the 18th and 19th centuries. Tarot has evolved from a simple deck of playing cards into a powerful tool for self-discovery, personal reflection, and divination.
Today, the tarot continues to inspire and intrigue, attracting those who seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the mysteries of life. Its history, rooted in diverse cultures and time periods, reminds us that the tarot is more than just a deck of cards; it is a reflection of the human desire to explore the unknown and seek answers to life's enduring questions.
A Journey Through Time
To trace the history of tarot cards, we must embark on a journey through time, traveling back to the late Middle Ages and Renaissance Europe. The tarot, as we know it today, has its roots in various cultural, artistic, and spiritual influences that converged over centuries. While the exact timeline remains somewhat murky, several key developments stand out.
Playing Cards and Tarot: A Connection
Before delving into the mysticism and divination associated with tarot, it's essential to recognize the initial purpose of these cards. The earliest tarot decks were not intended for fortune-telling but rather as playing cards. It's widely accepted that playing cards arrived in Europe via trade routes from the Islamic world in the 14th century, although some believe they have even older origins in China. These cards, which evolved into the standard 52-card deck used for games like poker and bridge, consisted of four suits – swords, cups, coins, and clubs.
The transition from playing cards to tarot cards began when additional cards, known as trump cards, were introduced into the deck. These trump cards featured a wide array of symbolic imagery, representing everything from virtues to vices, cosmic forces, and allegorical scenes.
The Visconti-Sforza Tarot: A Pioneering Deck
One of the earliest surviving tarot decks is the Visconti-Sforza Tarot, dating back to the mid-15th century. Commissioned by the Visconti and Sforza families of Milan, Italy, this deck is not only an artistic masterpiece but also an important historical document. It features intricate hand-painted cards adorned with sumptuous illustrations that offer a glimpse into the life and culture of the Renaissance period.
The Visconti-Sforza Tarot includes the standard four suits and a collection of allegorical trump cards. It was a precursor to the more modern tarot decks that came to be used for divination and esoteric purposes.
Esoteric Influences and Mystical Interpretations
As time progressed, tarot cards began to take on deeper esoteric meanings. It was in the 18th century, in France, that the tarot started to be associated with occult practices. Antoine Court de Gébelin, a French pastor and Freemason, published a work titled "Le Monde Primitif," in which he suggested that the tarot contained hidden knowledge of ancient Egyptian origin. This assertion sparked a surge of interest in tarot as a tool for divination and mysticism.
Around the same time, French occultist Éliphas Lévi integrated tarot into his magical system, associating each card with a particular aspect of Kabbalah. It was Lévi who introduced the notion of using tarot cards for personal insight and spiritual development, laying the foundation for the modern practice of tarot reading.
The Rider-Waite Tarot: A Watershed Moment
The early 20th century witnessed a pivotal moment in the history of tarot cards with the creation of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and commissioned by British occultist A.E. Waite, this deck became immensely influential. The Rider-Waite Tarot introduced more detailed and evocative imagery that resonated with a broader audience and set the standard for many tarot decks that followed.
Conclusion
The origin of tarot cards is a captivating journey that takes us from the courts of medieval Europe to the mystical circles of the 18th and 19th centuries. Tarot has evolved from a simple deck of playing cards into a powerful tool for self-discovery, personal reflection, and divination.
Today, the tarot continues to inspire and intrigue, attracting those who seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the mysteries of life. Its history, rooted in diverse cultures and time periods, reminds us that the tarot is more than just a deck of cards; it is a reflection of the human desire to explore the unknown and seek answers to life's enduring questions.
