Tarot cards are a popular tool for divination and a staple in the repertoire of magicians and mentalists. Tarot cards are widely believed to have supernatural powers, whether or not you believe in them. They can increase awareness and provide guidance.
Marked tarots can be used in readings to add a new element of intrigue, as they are large enough for readers to see under normal lighting conditions. The markings are easy to apply and will allow you to transform the most popular deck of cards into a performance piece.
The most common modern tarot deck contains 78 cards that are divided into suits (cups, swords, coins and wands) and courts (kings, queens and knights). French card makers added the trump cards a few years after introducing tarot to Europe. They also included a set of 22 major archcana cards with esoteric and divinatory meanings that are linked to Hermetic Qabalah.
Cardsy explains that the major arcana cards can be used to find answers for all kinds of questions, from personal matters to business or relationship issues and even health or spiritual concerns. They are also widely believed to be a powerful tool for meditation and visualisation.
When interpreting tarot cards, it is important to select a deck that matches your beliefs and style. Most readers prefer the Rider-Waite deck, which was created by Pamela Colman Smith to the instructions of Christian mystic and occultist Arthur Edward Waite. Other widely respected decks include the Hermetic Tarot and Crowley Thoth decks.