The Barnes & Nobles girlies know the check-out mini kit selection was only rivaled by Scholastics Bookfair in the early-to-mid-2000s.
It was here where I discovered my love of miniature Bonsai kits, tiny zen gardens, and wildly enough, tarot cards.
It’s a common sentiment that children are more in touch with the supernatural than adults, and I absolutely believe this to be true. In the spirit of Spirit, I indulged my inner child by tracking down one of these babies, The Complete Kit of Tarot by Running Press circa 2002. This deck was like my occult gateway drug, and it paired nicely with my tumbled rock collection.
The “classic” Tarot deck that many people recognize has an interesting history. The most popular one, Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck was published by William Rider & Son, Ltd. in 1909. The deck was commissioned by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn to create a set of tarot cards incorporating their symbols and beliefs. The deck was designed and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, and was inspired by the Tarot de Marseille deck.
When the deck was printed, William Rider & Son omitted Colman Smith from the publication. Instead, Arthur Edward Waite, who wrote the text for the accompanying booklet, was published as the co-author to William Rider. Many speculate as to why Colman Smith was not given credit, but given the times of its publication, racism and sexism are universally accepted as the reasons her contribution was not included.
In any case, as the popularity of tarot grew and the deck became widely used and studied, tarot enthusiasts began to recognize and appreciate her contributions. Over time, Colman Smith’s role as the artist behind the Rider-Waite Tarot has become widely acknowledged, and she is now widely regarded as one of the most important and influential artists in the history of tarot.
Tarot practitioners use the deck as a tool for divination; which is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means. Divination is a useful tool as it allows for personal growth and self discovery.
Tarot can be used to divinate for many reasons, but below are the top 10 reasons to incorporate tarot divination into your practice.
Personal growth and self-discovery: Tarot can help you gain insight into your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Decision making: Tarot can give guidance and clarity when making difficult decisions.
Problem solving: Tarot can help you uncover the root of a problem and provide creative solutions.
Understanding relationships: Tarot can help you gain insights into your relationships with others and support you in navigating challenges.
Healing: Tarot can help you release emotional blocks and provide a new perspective on past events.
Spiritual growth: Tarot can provide a connection to your intuition and inner wisdom and offer guidance on your spiritual journey.
Creative expression: Tarot can be used as a form of art and self-expression, as well as a tool for manifestation.
Empowerment: Tarot can help you take control of your life and make changes that align with your values and goals.
Entertainment: Tarot can be a fun and engaging way to spend time and connect with others.
Accessibility: Tarot is a portable, accessible tool that can be used anytime and anywhere, making it a convenient resource for personal growth and development.
Tarot is a wonderful tool and something I’ve really enjoyed in supporting my spiritual journey. I’m really excited to start using my Barnes & Nobles “gateway” deck, and I anticipate the connection to these cards will open some pretty interesting portals for me.
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