Welcome to Tarot Mania. You are about to embark on an exciting journey into the world of Tarot.

Learning to read the Tarot will help you to:

• fine tune your intuitive abilities
• discover your own psychic ability
• become more confident when dealing with others
• feel empowered when reading for others
• understand the importance of tarot in your daily life

HISTORY OF TAROT

The history of tarot has been widely documented over the years, but no one really knows how or where it originated. Reports have been documented that it originated in Italy around 1392. Bringing the Tarot images to life was an unknown Parisian painter who was commissioned by a wealthy Italian aristocratic family who wanted them painted for decoration around their mansion. The wife of the family had overheard talk in the local village about a game that the peasants played called “Le Tarote”. Intrigued, she set out to find out more about “Le Tarote” and subsequently she discovered the hidden meaning behind the cards and was determined to transfer those meanings into images.

Many historical writings about ancient cultures contain hidden references to the tarot, some even dating as early as 2000BC. The term Gypsy, is derived from the word Egypt, where egyptian nomads travelled to Europe and popularised the term “fortune telling”, using tarot cards and crystal balls to see into the future.

Modern society is now accepting and beginning to understand the role of tarot and how it can be used as a tool for self development, self empowerment and the opportunity to discover more about yourself. Sit back, grab your cards, and get ready to learn the secrets of the ancients hidden in the tarot.

    

TAROT TIP FOR THE WEEK Understanding the Hierophant can help you to unlock the powerful drive for knowledge that rests inside us all. Think of someone who you look up to as a role model, or an inspiration. It could be someone from your past or present - a teacher, friend, associate or an inspiring figure that helped you during difficult times. Write down the six things that you learned from that person, and the reasons why? What did you learn from that person and do you still apply those words of wisdom in your life now? The Tarot is made up of 78 cards and divided into two sections - the Major arcana (22 cards), and the Minor arcana (56 cards). This week we look at the next card in the Tarot Journey – the Hierophant.

5 The Hierophant - Learning, Knowledge, Wisdom, Spirituality

The inner voice of wisdom and knowledge are portrayed by the Hierophant. When you draw the Hierophant you are ready to take on a new phase of learning in your life. Lessons are being presented to you, now is the time to take the knowledge that is being offered and use is wisely. Sometimes we have to relearn the same lessons repeatedly in order to break through old habits. The Hierophant assists you in building a bridge between your spiritual side and the material aspects of your life.     
    
The image of the Hierophant also represents union and marriage. This can be a marriage of minds, two people coming together in business or it can be a blessing for the marriage of two people. The Hierophant is asking you to look deep within for the answers that you seek and to open yourself up to a new phase of learning. Historically the Hierophant has been referred to as the “revealer of light” and shows us that the light to pave the path for your destiny is within your grasp.     
    
As the energy of the Emperor signifies a time you must take responsibility for yourself and your actions, the Hierophant is telling you to survey the landscape around you and be prepared to work with others, commit yourself to a belief, a personal philosophy and know that discipline will be an integral element to your success. Identify your core beliefs and write down what it is you are wanting to learn. Have you been feeling stuck lately and don’t know how to move forward?    
  
Re-educating yourself is a great step to understanding yourself and will assist you in your personal growth. The pursuit of knowledge through the energy of the Hierophant will help you to understand your own self better as you begin your new phase of learning.     
    
The Hierophant can also represent your desire to join a group, an organization which you feel attuned to. Rules and regulations are also part of the essence of the Hierophant, but it is within these structures that you will find yourself opening up on a spiritual and emotional level as you learn to work with others and communicate your own ideas and values. You could also be introduced to someone with whom you could regard as a teacher, a guide. Masters within many cultures throughout the world are highly respected and have passed down information, traditions, secrets and knowledge to their students. You are the student and it is your time to unlock your immense drive and passion by learning from others. The Hierophant does not have to represent one person, in fact, you could find yourself learning from many different individuals, all of whom you feel a connection to.     
    
The image of the Hierophant has many traditional religious associations attached to it. The Hierophant can represent your involvement with the local church, your spiritual values, or alternatively it can be you desire to know more about a particular culture and it’s history. Other meanings associated with the Hierophant can be directly related to writing and publishing. The written word is a powerful tool for self expression and you could be ready to unleash your passion through the act of writing. However the Hierophant manifests in your life, the lesson that he is bestowing upon you points to one main fact – you are ready to open up and learn.     
    

TAROT VIBE Pick a subject that you have always been interested in, it could be a hobby, a new language, anything you like. Over the period of one week, each day write down something that you have learned about the subject. For example, you might like to learn more about a country you have always wanted to visit. On day one, write down something interesting or fascinating that you have discovered about the country – what is the capital, what is the native language, etc. The purpose of this exercise to enable you to find out more about the subject you are interested in. This can be done through asking others for advice, looking up reference books, surfing the internet, watching documentaries, going to the library. Just give it a try and you will find in time your enthusiasm will increase to discover more information.

    

Inpsyche Recommended Reading and Tarot Decks

Books:	The Power of Now – A GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT      Eckhart Tolle
	Crossing Over – THE STORIES BEHIND THE STORIES      John Edward
	The Four Agreements – A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO PERSONAL FREEDOM      Don Miguel Ruiz

    

Tarot Decks:	The Mythic Tarot
	The Rider Waite Tarot
	Osho Zen Tarot