Decoding the Mystic Mobile

written by Samantha Aguilar

A Rich History

Tarot cards have a rich and intriguing history that blends mysticism with cultural evolution. Their origins trace back to 15th century Europe, where they were initially used as playing cards. The earliest known tarot decks, such as the Visconti-Sforza deck, were created for Italian nobility and contained intricate artwork. The Visconti-Sforza deck (above) is one of the oldest and most significant tarot decks known today.

Although the complete deck does not exist, the surviving cards provide valuable historical and cultural insights due to its early origin. In the 18th century, tarot cards were associated with mysticism and divination. This shift was influenced by various esoteric traditions and the work of influential figures like Antoine Court de Gébelin, who theorized that tarot had ancient Egyptian origins and contained hidden wisdom.

The 19th century saw the rise of the occult movement, which further popularized tarot as a tool for divination and spiritual insight. Prominent occultists like Eliphas Lévi and later, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, contributed to the development of the modern tarot structure, including the standard 78-card deck with its Major and Minor Arcana.

Today, tarot cards are used for various purposes, including personal reflection, guidance, and artistic expression. They have evolved into a diverse and globally recognized tool, blending historical tradition with contemporary practices.

Origins of the Rider-Waite
Tarot Deck

British occultist Arthur Waite was a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn and apparently a longtime nemesis of Aleister Crowley, who was also involved in the group and its various offshoots. Waite got together with artist Pamela Colman Smith, also a Golden Dawn member, and created the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, which was first published in 1909.

At Waite’s suggestion, Smith used the Sola Busca artwork for inspiration. There are many similarities in the symbolism between Sola Busca and Smith’s final result. Smith was the first artist to use characters as representative images in the lower cards. Instead of showing merely a cluster of cups, coins, wands or swords, Smith incorporated human figures into the artwork, and the result is the iconic deck that every reader knows today.

The imagery is heavy on Kabbalistic* symbolism, and because of this it is typically used as the default deck in nearly all instructional books on Tarot. Today, many people refer to this deck as the Waite-Smith deck, acknowledging Smith’s enduring artwork.

Now, over a hundred years since the release of the Rider-Waite deck, Tarot cards are available in a practically endless selection of designs. In general, many of these follow the format and style of Rider-Waite, although each adapts the cards to suit their own motif. No longer just the domain of the wealthy and upper class, Tarot is available for anyone who wishes to take the time to learn it.

*Kabbalah is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism.

The Major Arcana

Tarot is a divination system that uses a set of 78 cards as a way to peer into the future or examine hidden aspects and perspectives of a situation. It can be a means of therapy for some, and help channel inner intuition for others. Here, we’ll discuss what the cards represent along with a beginner–friendly spread.

There are hundreds of different Tarot decks available. Some are based upon famous artwork, movies, books, legends, mythology, and even movies. Choose a deck that feels right for you. If you’re not sure which deck is the best one for you, and you’re a beginning Tarot reader, pick up the Rider-Waite deck.

It is the one used most often as illustration in Tarot instruction books, and it’s a fairly easy system to learn. Later on, you can always add new decks to your collection that you feel more of a connection to.

The first 22 cards of the deck are the Major Arcana. These cards have symbolic meanings focused on the material world, the intuitive mind, and the realm of change. The remaining 56 cards are the Minor Arcana, and are divided into four groups or suits: Swords, Pentacles (or Coins), Wands and Cups. Here is a guide to the Major Arcana and what the Arcana represents.*

For more information
visit thecut.com
A Beginner’s Guide
to Tarot Cards!

0/The Fool:
Beginnings
Innocence
Possibility
Potential
Freedom
Initiation
Risk

1/The Magician:
Manifestation Desire
Spark
Dreaming
Imagination
Capability
Courage

2/The High Priestess:
Intuition
Inner wisdom
Divine femininity Deliberation
Balance

3/The Empress:
Nature
Creativity
Abundance
Expansion
Connection
Love
Growth

4/The Emperor:
Authority Discipline
Caution
Ambition Organization Control
Leadership

5/The Hierophant:
Tradition
Education
Ritual
Examination Adventure
Humility

6/The Lovers:
Unity
Duality
Community Acceptance Partnership
Relationships

7/The Chariot:
Control
Willpower
Triumph
Self control Independence Perseverance

8/Strength:
Courage
Compassion Resilience
Stamina
Patience
Wisdom
Personal power

9/The Hermit:
Introspection Contemplation Inner guidance Solitude
Authenticity
Care

10/The Wheel of Fortune:
Change
Cycles
Karma
Luck
Rapid change
Fate
Transitions

11/Justice:
Clarity
Truth
Fairness
Ideals
Ethics
Nuance
Social structures Seeking truth

12/The Hanged Man:
Release
New perspectives Sacrifice
Stillness
Patience
Discomfort

13/Death:
Endings Transformation Metamorphosis Change
Grief
Rebirth
Answers
Loss

14/Temperance:
Patience
Moderation
Purpose
Wonder
Harmony
Internal change Luck

15/The Devil:
Destructive- behaviors Playfulness Desperation Internal shadows Vices
Wildness
Desire
Temptation

16/The Tower:
Upheaval
Chaos
Disaster
Disruption Confusion
Forced assessment

17/The Star:
Hope
Faith
Healing
Recovery
Compassion
Insight
Steadiness
Self-love

18/The Moon:
Illusion
Intuition
Anxiety
Strange wisdom
Uncertainty Instinct
Ferocity

19/The Sun:
Positivity
Success
Vitality Multiplying sparks
Abundance Celebration

20/Judgment:
Reflection Absolution Awakening
Internal crossroads
Moving forward

The Minor Arcana

In contrast to the grand narratives of the Major Arcana, the Minor Arcana* symbolizes the intricacies of daily life. These cards show us the daily events and steps that lead us to that bigger picture of the Major Arcana. They delve into the details of our emotions, intellect, spirit, and practicality. Each suit represents essential elementals of life from matters of the heart, our thought processes and patterns, the actions we take, and material matters. They guide us through the nuances of our interactions, the obstacles we may encounter, and the steps we need to take to achieve personal growth.

Element: Air
Logic
Ideas
Intellect
Communication
Conflict
Awareness
Perception

Element: Water
Emotions
Intuition
Flow
Relationships
Subconscious

Element: Fire
Will
Energy
Passion
Action
Inspiration
Creativity
Desire

Element: Earth
The material realm
The Body
Money
Home
Physical-
Manifestations

Interview with a Tarot Reader

Tarot can feel daunting when you are first introduced to it. Today, we sat down with seasoned tarot reader Olivia Borth to ask what advice she would give to beginners and those who are interested in getting started.

S: What inspired your interest in tarot?
L: Tarot has always been practiced in my family. My great aunt did tarot, my older sister does tarot and she got me my first deck when I was 15!

S: How did you learn how to read tarot?
L: My big sister taught me a classic three card spread first and beyond that, I loved getting a new tarot deck and exploring what spreads they had in the little instructional booklet. Everything else about learning tarot came from doing readings for myself or for my friends and family. I made sure to take notes!

S: Are there any tips or guidance you can give for those beginning their
tarot journey?
L: Don’t be afraid to play around with it! Memorizing 78 cards and their meanings is initially a daunting task, so incorporate tarot into your daily life. A card pull to start your day, a first of the month reading, etc. I kept a notebook in order to write down card meanings and if you’re a person who enjoys astrology, as I also do, I think knowing the suits and their astrological elements can be super helpful and makes it a bit easier to get the vibe of the card and what it potentially is trying to tell you.

S: What’s your favorite
tarot card(s)?
L: I love the wheel of fortune and how it symbolizes luck and destiny and how life is constantly changing. I also love the hermit because while I always feel called out by that card for not taking– enough time to myself, I think it is telling someone to look within – and that being alone doesn’t have to be scary or daunting, there is so much to learn from oneself and that the answers you’re looking for are within you.

S: Is there a way you like to do your readings? Spreads you prefer or ways you like to get into the zone?
L: I, personally, just let cards pop out while I shuffle and use those as my spread. It feels more authentic for me, that way, especially when I’m doing readings for people who haven’t gotten them done before and aren’t fully in touch with picking cards that “pop out (or call out) to them”. As for ways to get into the zone, I like to light an incense and maybe play some songs I just can’t get out of my head and really focus on what I’m feeling (if it is a reading for myself) or focus on the other person and encourage them to think about the question they are asking before we start picking any cards.

S: What’s the best way
to reach you for readings?
L: My Instagram @Liv.bees

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