Everything You Need to Know About Tarot: History, Science & How It Works

Tarot cards have captivated human imagination for centuries. Whether you view them as mystical divination tools, psychological mirrors, or beautiful works of art, tarot offers profound insights into the human experience. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about tarot—from its fascinating history to the science behind why it works.

The Origins of Tarot: A Journey Through Time

The Playing Card Connection (14th-15th Century)

Contrary to popular belief, tarot cards weren't originally designed for fortune-telling. They emerged in 15th-century Italy as playing cards for a game called "Tarocchi." The earliest documented tarot decks appeared in northern Italian courts around 1440, commissioned by wealthy families like the Visconti and Sforza.

The original decks contained the same structure we use today:

• 22 trump cards (now called Major Arcana)
• 56 suited cards (now called Minor Arcana)
• Four suits: Cups, Coins, Swords, and Batons

The Esoteric Transformation (18th Century)

The shift from game to divination tool began in 1781 when Antoine Court de Gébelin, a French occultist, published a theory claiming tarot cards contained hidden wisdom from ancient Egypt. Although historically inaccurate, his ideas sparked a revolution.

Key figures in tarot's esoteric development:

• Etteilla (Jean-Baptiste Alliette): Created the first deck specifically designed for divination (1789)
• Éliphas Lévi: Connected tarot to Kabbalah and Hebrew letters (1856)
• The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: Integrated tarot into Western magical tradition (1888)

The Modern Tarot Renaissance (20th Century)

Two decks revolutionized tarot for modern audiences:

The Rider-Waite-Smith Deck (1909)
Created by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, this deck was revolutionary because it added symbolic imagery to all 78 cards, not just the Major Arcana. It remains the most widely used deck worldwide.

The Thoth Deck (1969)
Designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris, this deck incorporated complex occult symbolism and became popular among serious students of Western esotericism.

The Structure of a Tarot Deck

Major Arcana: The Soul's Journey

The 22 Major Arcana cards represent the "Fool's Journey"—a metaphor for the soul's evolution through life. Starting with The Fool (0) and ending with The World (21), these cards depict major life themes, spiritual lessons, and archetypal experiences.

The Three Lines of Seven:

1. Cards 1-7: The material world (Magician to Chariot)
2. Cards 8-14: The moral realm (Strength to Temperance)
3. Cards 15-21: The spiritual domain (Devil to World)

Minor Arcana: Daily Life

The 56 Minor Arcana cards reflect everyday situations across four suits:

Each suit contains:

• Ace through Ten: Numbered cards showing progression
• Page, Knight, Queen, King: Court cards representing people or aspects of self

How Tarot Actually Works: Scientific Perspectives

While tarot doesn't have supernatural mechanisms, several scientific frameworks help explain its effectiveness:

1. The Psychology of Projection

Carl Jung's Perspective:
The renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung saw tarot as a tool for accessing the collective unconscious. He believed the archetypal images in tarot cards act as mirrors, allowing us to project our unconscious thoughts and feelings onto them.

"The cards are a projection of the unconscious, and they mirror back to us what we already know but may not consciously recognize." — Paraphrased from Jungian psychology

How It Works:
When you look at a tarot card, your brain automatically seeks patterns and meaning. The ambiguous imagery allows your subconscious mind to project relevant concerns, insights, and feelings onto the card.

2. Cognitive Psychology: Pattern Recognition

The human brain is wired to find patterns and meaning, even in random stimuli (a phenomenon called apophenia). Tarot readings leverage this by:

• Presenting symbolic images that your brain interprets based on current concerns
• Creating a framework for organizing scattered thoughts
• Triggering associative thinking that connects card meanings to life situations

3. The Power of Reflection

Tarot provides structured reflection time—something rare in our busy lives. Research shows that reflective practices:

• Increase self-awareness and emotional intelligence
• Improve decision-making by forcing consideration of multiple perspectives
• Reduce anxiety by externalizing worries and examining them objectively

4. Confirmation Bias and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

When a tarot reading suggests a certain outcome:

• Confirmation bias causes you to notice evidence supporting the prediction
• Behavioral change may occur as you unconsciously act in ways that fulfill the reading
• Increased attention to relevant areas of life can lead to genuine insight

5. Narrative Psychology

Humans are storytelling creatures. Tarot provides a narrative framework for understanding our experiences:

• Cards become characters in your life story
• Spreads create plot structures (past, present, future)
• Readings help construct meaningful narratives from chaotic life events

Practical Uses of Tarot Today

1. Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

Tarot serves as a powerful self-reflection tool:

• Daily card pulls prompt morning meditation on specific themes
• Journaling with tarot deepens self-understanding
• Shadow work uses cards to explore unconscious patterns

2. Decision-Making Support

Rather than predicting the future, tarot helps you:

• Consider aspects of a situation you might have overlooked
• Connect with your intuition about choices
• Explore potential outcomes of different paths

3. Creative Inspiration

Artists, writers, and creators use tarot for:

• Character development in fiction
• Visual art inspiration
• Breaking creative blocks
• Story plotting and narrative structure

4. Therapy and Counseling

Some therapists incorporate tarot as a therapeutic tool:

• Creates distance from difficult emotions
• Provides a shared symbolic language
• Facilitates discussions about life challenges
• Empowers clients to find their own answers

5. Meditation and Mindfulness

Tarot imagery supports contemplative practices:

• Card meditation: Focusing on a single image for insight
• Visualization: Using card scenes for guided imagery
• Archetypal work: Embodying different card energies

6. Manifestation Practice

In the Law of Attraction framework, tarot helps:

• Clarify what you truly desire
• Identify limiting beliefs blocking manifestation
• Align your energy with intended outcomes
• Track progress on manifestation goals

Common Misconceptions About Tarot

Myth 1: "Tarot Predicts a Fixed Future"

Reality: Tarot shows potential outcomes based on current energies and trajectories. The future isn't fixed—your choices shape it.

Myth 2: "Only Psychics Can Read Tarot"

Reality: Anyone can learn to read tarot. It's a skill that develops with study and practice, not a supernatural gift.

Myth 3: "The Death Card Means Physical Death"

Reality: The Death card represents transformation, endings, and new beginnings—rarely literal death.

Myth 4: "Reversed Cards Are Always Negative"

Reality: Reversed cards can indicate internalized energy, blocked energy, or simply a different nuance of the upright meaning.

Myth 5: "You Must Be Given Your First Deck"

Reality: This is a superstition. You can absolutely buy your own tarot deck.

Myth 6: "Tarot Is Evil or Dangerous"

Reality: Tarot is a tool, like any other. Its value depends entirely on how you use it.

Getting Started with Tarot

Choosing Your First Deck

For beginners, we recommend:

1. Rider-Waite-Smith or one of its many derivatives (clear imagery, extensive resources available)
2. A deck that visually appeals to you (intuition matters!)
3. A standard 78-card deck (some oracle decks aren't technically tarot)

Basic Learning Path

Week 1-2: Learn the Major Arcana

• Study 2-3 cards per day
• Note the imagery, symbolism, and keywords
• Pull daily cards and journal about them

Week 3-6: Learn the Minor Arcana

• Focus on one suit per week
• Understand the elemental associations
• Practice with simple readings

Month 2-3: Learn Spreads and Interpretation

• Start with 3-card spreads
• Progress to larger layouts
• Practice reading for yourself and others

Ongoing: Develop Your Intuition

• Trust your first impressions
• Note patterns in your readings
• Keep a tarot journal

Conclusion

Tarot is far more than fortune-telling—it's a rich symbolic system for self-exploration, decision-making, and personal growth. Whether you approach it as a psychological tool, spiritual practice, or creative inspiration, tarot offers a unique mirror for understanding yourself and navigating life's complexities.

The cards don't tell you what will happen—they help you understand what's happening within you. And that self-knowledge is the foundation of all meaningful change.

Ready to begin your tarot journey? Download Manifestly to combine tarot insights with your daily manifestation practice.