The Magic Of Tarot

Dear One,

Since childhood, I was drawn to the mystical realms of the unknown, like an iron to a magnet. The sheer fascination for the occult sciences led to many magical adventures along the way. Over the years, I have observed and learnt many new facets of human ingenuity and depth. The occult is not a taboo, as some of us believe; but it is just a covered truth. Once uncovered, it will shine in it's fullest glory, making you one of it's treasured patrons. Till then, it's best not to pass any judgement, lest it is misunderstood and vilified.

One such highly misunderstood art form is the Tarot (It's pronounced Taa-ro). It's origin is shrouded in obscurity and mystery, some claiming, it was a form of divination that existed in the early Egyptian civilization, and made famous by the wandering gypsies of yore. The word Tarot itself, some say, is an anagram of sorts, which holds the key to the mystery of the cards. No historic evidence supports all the claims nor there are any conclusive facts to prove otherwise.

You are free to think, that such kind of trickery or mind-washing was just to fool innocent people and make them emotionally dependent slaves. It was rampant in the middle ages, where select men and women, had a powerful sway over the general public, by their extra-ordinary abilities to predict the future and all things mundane. They were known as Soothsayers. Later, after the advent of organized religions such as Christianity and Buddhism, they were branded as practitioners of the black art, and ostracized as pagan or devil worshippers - Hence the term Dark Ages.

Humans throughout history, have been afraid and insecure about their own faith. Religion and their representatives, played catalysts to make it even worse. If they saw any other religion or belief's apart from their own, gaining ground, they immediately swung into action to pull it down (Refer to the famous witch hunts of Europe). They acted the part of moral police, promoting what they believed to be true and trouncing what they never understood. This is the insensitive frailty of us humans; we support blindly what we understand and openly criticize and censure what we don't. Does it mean, only what you understand (and believe) is true and the rest a fallacy or heresy?

Tarot, as some historians believe, was primarily a card game. Later down the ages, it became a symbol of revolt against organized orthodoxy, later transforming itself into encrypted messages for the devout. Now a days, it's used as a tool of divination, to foretell the past, present and future. There are thousands of Tarot readers in the market, trying to pass off as genuine, with their own imagination and interpretation of this ancient card mystery.

The ancients too had their own quirks and fantasies. True knowledge is that which endures the test of time. Time is the greatest misinterpreter. It spares no one. Look at Krishna or Jesus or The Buddha. Every one of them have been misinterpreted and quoted according to individual ramifications. The teachings of the bygone sages and saints were simple and straight, but their blessed followers twisted it to make it more dramatic and palatable over time, for us now to accept it as miraculous and divine.

Tarot, in it's purest form is yet unknown. Was it a card game or a tool for divination is open for speculation. Never the less, it has a vibrant history waiting to be re-discovered. History is a mystery, for those who don't want to understand. It is also a mixture of facts and fiction. Open your mind and decipher the facts from fiction; it will uncover itself through the light of new human awareness. By studying ancient history, one can prepare and alter the course of a new future.

Take up the study of history; and I am sure you will stumble upon some unknown facts that can forever change the way you think and see. (And the world, if lucky)

Peace in oneself. Peace in the world.

P.S - I have kept this post open. I am presently studying the history and the mysteries of Tarot. Once done satisfactorily, I shall write on it further. Till then, don't misinterpret, just let it be.