The true origin of the Tarot images is as interesting as the images themselves. One of the earliest accounts dates back to ancient Egypt. On the altar of the temple of Ptah in Memphis, Tarot images were found engraved on plates of gold. Vases, clay tablets and other objects also held these same Tarot images. It seems certain that in these early times, the value and beauty of the images represented MYSTICAL TRUTHS rather than fortune telling aspects that are accepted by todays users.

Many believe that the word TAROT is taken from the Egyptian words; TAR, PATH, RO, ROS and ROG, together meaning "The Royal Path of Life."

By the fourteenth century, the Tarot images had reached Spain. They have been used by the Romany people ever since. Many believe the Gypsies from early times are responsible for nourishing the lore of Tarot. Some of the oldest Tarot designs dating back to 1390 AD are preserved in European museums.

Authorities have found evidence of early Tarot images not only in Egypt and Spain, but in France, England, Cathy and Tibet. The images appear to have the same time origins and although the designs vary, the corresponding symbolism of detail is the same. Deep in Hebrew antiquity Tarot merged with the Kabbala. The strange fact, remains that the Tarot images belong to no one, or rather, to everyone as they are universal in understanding as well as design.

Without a doubt, the most wide spread belief probably started in the city of FEZ, Morocco. Occult tradition tells us that Alexandria, once the center for the greatest of thinkers, priests and scribes, was destroyed. In its ashes were the scrolls and tablets that had been gathered for years by its greatest thinkers. But in all corners of the world there still remained the older and wiser teachers. As a result, the destruction of Alexandria did not mean the end of preserving truths and enlightenment for the world. On the contrary, it only meant it must be preserved in a different and safer way. Preserved in such a way that the eye of the dictators in the future would somehow in their ignorance, overlook and not disturb the truths and visions that must be shared with other generations.

From all parts of the globe gathered priests, scribes, thinkers and philosophers all determined to preserve truths. They all spoke different tongues and to convey their ideas, drew pictures in the soft dirt with a stick. Without realizing it, they had found the answer. Suddenly the pictures grew in detail with more and more meanings . . . the picture itself was the answer. They knew the enlightened ones would gaze at the pictures and find truth, for they would contemplate until the answer was clear. Just as the opposite would hold true for the unenlightened who would look and see nothing . . . for him nothing to destroy. Yet that nothing he would see would destroy him.

And so the birth of some pictures, Tarot images that will last forever. May you see all there is to see. For all you will see is beauty.

To the beginner, at first glance a deck of Tarot cards may appear confusing and difficult to understand. Most everyone is familiar with a standard deck of playing cards, threfore a comparison can be made to easily recognize the symbols, suits, numbers and sections, that make up a complete Tarot deck of 78 cards.

Remove the pack from the box and place the cards face up. The first card will be "The Fool". The picture on this card might remind you of a court Jester. At the top of the card will be a zero. Your second card will be "The Magician" with the Roman numeral I (one) at the top. The third card is "The High Priestess" with the number II (two). The fourth is "The Emperor" number III (three); and so on, to "The World", card number XXI (Twenty-one). This completes one section of a Tarot deck. These twenty-two cards are known as the MAJOR ARCANA of Tarot. Each card has a basic meaning, however, the interpretations vary and differ according to the individual reader. You will learn to translate these meanings into your own thoughts and feelings.

The remaining 56 cards are known as the MINOR ARCANA, or the four suits of Tarot. This section of the deck is almost identical to our modern, playing cards in so far as each of these suits are now referred to as Diamonds, Hearts, Clubs and Spades.

Each Tarot suit is made up of 14 cards, in place of the 13 cards used in a standard deck. Tarot suits start with the Ace, and number two through ten, plus four face cards. The face cards are the "Page", the "Knight", the "Queen" and the "King". The "Jack" of the modern deck is a combination of the "Page" and "Knight".

In defining the suits, the run named "Wands" is identified by pictures of sticks or rods (wands) on an orange background. Astrologically, the color orange is symbolic of fire. All the background colors are meaningful as they represent the four elements of astrology; fire, water, air and earth. Wands ultimately become the suit of Clubs.

The next run, the "Cups" is identified by silver goblets (chalice) on a blue background. Blue symbolizes water. The suit of Cups developed into the present suit of Hearts.

The following suit of "Swords" is easily recognized by gold sabers backed with a pale yellow on most of the numbered cards. You will notice the background colors vary on certain cards within each run. As you get deeper into the study of Tarot, you will learn the reason for these deviations. We are only concerned with general identification of these suits, at this point. Yellow symbolizes air. The Swords are now the present day suit of Spades.

Green represents the earth sign, forms the background for the remaining suit of Pentacles. The symbol of a pentacle being the magic five pointed star, evolved into the suit of Diamonds.

By keeping these comparisons in mind, you will find that the Tarot deck is not so very unlike the familiar pack of regular playing cards.

After looking through the deck in sequence, intermix the cards by shuffling or merely spreading them around on the table. Do not be concerned with the position of the cards, that is, if the figures are right side up or upside down. There is no rule of order in the placement, or shuffling of Tarot cards before starting a reading. We suggest you first try reading the twenty-two MAJOR ARCANA before going into a full reading.

The mystical powers of Tarot have been used for centuries by many peers of every culture, society and nation, as records date from the earlist [sic] Tibetan monasteries to the latest inventory of the New York Public Library.

It should be remembered that Tarot fortune telling cards merely fortell [sic] indications . . . they do not compel fatalistic events . . .