An Introduction to Occult Tarot Cards

Tarot Cards are universally recognised as a tool for reading ones past, predicting ones future and to some extent defining ones character. Over the centuries they have evolved and changed with how they are used and today we see many varieties of the cards.

The deck of Occult Tarot Cards were first popularised by Etteilla, a French occultist who made them known to a wide audience and became the first professional occultist. Etteilla published his ideas and thoughts on tarot, astrology and the four classic elements Earth, Wind, Fire and Water and made his living by card divination in the 1700's.

The Occult Tarot Card deck comprises of seventy eight cards in total and is split into two very distinct parts, the first is the Major Arcana (greater secrets) and then second is Minor Arcana (lesser secrets).

The Major Arcana has twenty two cards within its group and whilst there is some variation, the main names and numbers that comprise of the group are as follows:

1 The Magician / The Juggler

2 The High Priestess / The Popess

3 The Empress

4 The Emperor

5 The Hierophant / The Pope

6 The Lovers

7 The Chariot

8 or 11 Justice

9 The Hermit

10 Wheel of Fortune

11 or 8 Strength / Fortitude

12 The Hanged Man / The Traitor

13 Death

14 Temperance

15 The Devil

16 The Tower / Fire

17 The Star

18 The Moon

19 The Sun

20 Judgment / The Angel

21 The World

The Minor Arcana consists of fifty six cards, which are grouped into four suites with fourteen cards in each. These, again, can vary depending on who is using them but they generally have a Latin name that then relates to the four classical elements and are matched as follows: Wands and Fire, Coins and Earth, Cups and water, Swords and air. It is considered that Wands relate to creativity and will, Coins relate to material body or possessions, Cups with emotion and love whilst Swords relate to reason.

How many cards are pulled out, in what order and placed where is determined by what spread you choose. There are all manner of different spreads which can be chosen dependent on what you want to find out. From relationship tarot spreads to decision making tarot spreads it really is determined by you which one you choose.