Reblog: What every newbie tarot reader should know about the history and myths of tarot

Reblog: What every newbie tarot reader should know about the history and myths of tarot

How much do you need to know to about the origins of tarot to begin reading the cards? Mary K. Greer has compiled the voices of several experienced readers on the subject, and there are pros and cons on both sides. A great article and way to explore how you might want to approach learning to read tarot:

Mary K. Greer's Tarot Blog

I started off knowing nothing, using only the little white book that came with the Waite-Smith deck. However, I feel I hit a point where not knowing some historical context for the Waite-Smith and Thoth decks prevented me from moving forward from really getting to know and read tarot. Knowing the history and myths associated with the decks deepened my connection to them in ways that are indispensable to me now. It's like getting to know a friend at a deeper level--it might not be necessary to one's day to day interactions with that friend, but it does color and give depth to moments as well as foster understanding of their story, especially when it doesn't agree with my own.

[image credit: Yliade]