Tarot

Tarot is a deck of 78 cards used for divination, playing card games, and as a tool for meditation and self-exploration. The deck consists of two parts: the Major Arcana, which has 22 cards, and the Minor Arcana, which has 56 cards divided into four suits. The origins of tarot are unclear, but the cards were likely invented in northern Italy in the late 14th century as a card game. The use of tarot for divination and cartomancy is documented from the late 18th century. The term "tarot" is derived from the French word tarot, which itself comes from the Italian tarocchi, and the Spanish tarot. In Hebrew, tarot is translated as טרוט (pronounced "tarut"). In German, it is Tarotkarten, and in Japanese, it is タロット (tarotto). The symbolism and imagery of tarot cards have evolved over centuries, drawing from various cultural, historical, and esoteric influences. The most popular deck used for divination is the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, created in 1909, which features detailed, symbolic illustrations. Tarot readings are often performed by a reader who interprets the cards' meanings and their relationship to each other to provide insight into the querent's life.