I have been studying tarot for a little over a year now. When I first started I have to admit I was pretty skeptical. I first learned of tarot from a radio show I was listening to coast to coast am. I dont remember who the guy talking was though :(The guy explaining tarot on the show had some pretty interesting theories as to there origin,how they work, why they work and so on.) I was going thru a rather difficult period in my life and astrology and numerology were not giving me the answers I was looking for. So I turned to the tarot. I have to say once I got comfortable with the cards, the results were simply astounding.

I dont think anyone really knows for sure how the cards work or even where they originally came from. There is much speculation on both of these matters. However once you get a basic understanding of the cards they do seem to give you insight and answers to life situations, problems, and any questions you might have.

There are a couple theories as to how the cards work. One theory is that the reader forms a psychic bond between the cards and the person they are being read for. The cards simply show the reader what is going on in the persons life at that particular time. The reader can then get an idea of whats going on and can give an intuitive analysis of the situation at hand.

Another theory is that the cards simply hold the keys to our unconscience mind. All the answers are there for us already but the pictures and symbols in the pictures give us a clearer look as to whats going on.In this way the cards are used almost like an ink blot test. They help bring our unconscience thoughts to surface into conscience answers. This theory would conclude that there is nothing magical about the cards at all. Used in this way the cards simply act as a psychological tool to help give us the answers to our problems

In my humble opinion I would have to think that a good reader uses a little of both these theories. By using the cards a good reader can ask the right questions and give intuitive guidance to the problem, question or life situation at hand.

The tarot can also be used for witchcraft and spells. This seems to be a more modern use of the cards. Because spells and magick rely heavily on visualization, the cards can help in this process. For instance if you were to cast a Good Luck spell you would incorporate the Wheel Of Fortune card into your ritual. A protection spell would utilize the High Priestess or The Empress. Because the reader develops a sort of link over time with there cards they do seem to be perfect for this type of use.

As to the exact origins of the cards, nobody really seems to know for sure. Most believe they were first introduced in ancient Egypt. Some even speculate that the cards were a rememberance or history of the lost civilizations of Lemuria, and Atlantis. This theory only holds water if you accept the notion that the ancient Egyptians were actually refugees of these two civilizations after there collapse.

It is known for sure that they were introduced into early european culture (probably by gypsies) around the 14th century. They were first introduced as a card game played by royalty and then later used for divination purposes. Another theory is that the cards were a way for people to communicate in early european port towns where everyone spoke a different language. In this way people of different languages could communicate showing different pictures in the deck and pointing out different symbols that were understood by all.

Regardless of the history and origin of these cards they have proven to be an invaluable tool for both the psychic and the psychologist. Anyone who takes the time to study these wonderful cards can easily become fascinated by there meanings and symbology. I've found the study of these cards to be an exciting and fascinating endeavor into the psyche and spiritual beliefs of mankind.