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    The Ancient Oracle: A Beginner's Guide to the Art of Tarot
    The Ancient Oracle: A Beginner's Guide to the Art of Tarot
    The Ancient Oracle: A Beginner's Guide to the Art of Tarot
    Ebook165 pages1 hour

    The Ancient Oracle: A Beginner's Guide to the Art of Tarot

    By John Heath

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    About this ebook

    Guiding the new Tarot reader from their very first contact with the cards up to becoming competent the ancient Oracle guides the newcomer to Tarot from their very first steps, selecting appropriate decks and paraphernalia and onwards to being able to competently read a Tarot spread. This book discards many of the methods found elsewhere and focuses on the reader, preparing them to become a Tarot reader through understanding the process rather than following instructions by rote. Included are full instructions on: selecting appropriate equipment, developing card handling techniques, four suits descriptions and meanings for all 78 cards along with many other aspects of the art of Tarot reading required for attaining the newcomer into a competent Tarot reader. A range of Tarot spreads are included in the book, this selection of spreads includes two layouts specifically designed for the student of Tarot to practice both their card handling and developing an effective narrative.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJohn Heath
    Release dateSep 10, 2016
    ISBN9781370191475
    The Ancient Oracle: A Beginner's Guide to the Art of Tarot
    Author

    John Heath

    John is a teacher, living in the Potteries area of North Staffordshire with his wonderful wife. He was born in June 1965 and after not achieving a great deal in school, he joined the Army and served as an infantryman and medic between 1981 and 1993, retiring after two operational tours, with the rank of sergeant. John was a nurse, an electronics technician, a shop worker and manager before re-discovering education and graduating with a history degree and later a postgraduate teaching qualification. John’s interests revolve mainly around history and belief.

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      Book preview

      The Ancient Oracle - John Heath

      Preface

      In this book I am going to lead you, gently and easily, into the art of reading Tarot cards. Here I do not aim to turn you into a master of the art of Tarot reading in a few simple lessons as is sometimes boasted by Tarot manuals; I intend to teach you, firstly, what Tarot reading is all about, then how to develop those basic skills and so begin your journey towards mastering the art and, most importantly, how to perform a basic reading competently. I will be dispensing with many of the conventions all too common to books on the art of Tarot reading; common features of many books on the subject that confusingly overemphasise the esoteric, features that have little or no benefit at this stage, or worse hinder learning for the newcomer to the art.

      As Tarot is for everybody, I shall vary the use of gender pronouns, where I use them, throughout this book. Tarot is not for Male or Female, predominantly or alone, Tarot reading is accessible to us all if we are interested enough to open our eyes and want to learn.

      In order to achieve my intended goal, giving you the skills and understanding to be able to practice the art of Tarot, I will provide you with detailed directions in: how to get started in the art, how to move on and develop your own techniques and understanding and throughout I will share a few hints and tips that I have found indispensable over the past 30 years or so of involvement with divination in general and Tarot in particular.

      Examining a deck of Tarot cards for the first time, you find yourself holding 78 pieces of card, each one beautifully decorated with images full of ancient symbolism, regardless of how modern the theme, connecting you to a myriad of timeless spiritual concepts. The Tarot cards in your hand each hold a treasury of ancient symbols for you to explore and use to develop your own intuitive connection to the universe. As you progress by delving into the symbolic meanings of individual cards and make your first reading, you will discover in each image, like a beautifully illuminated manuscript, a deep and holistic connection on the subconscious level with your life and environment.

      The Tarot cards are simple pieces of decorated card, they are even used as playing cards in some European countries; when used for divination however, the gateway that is opened to the immensity of the subconscious mind is anything but simple. Through exploring the Tarot you will be following the pathways of the subconscious, guided by symbols that are ancient beyond our modern reckoning, leading to who knows where.

      It is important to always remember that the Tarot is a dynamic, living thing, each practitioner adding experience and bringing new aspects to the art. This art cannot be seen as just a series of mechanics to be followed, Tarot is deeply intertwined with the practitioner in such a holistic manner that it is truly a part of that person. Tarot is a very personal art and you will, in time, develop your own unique approach in which the Tarot cards become prompts or pathways to understanding. The cards have never been or never will be all knowing repositories of truth and wisdom, such things are human in nature and when the Tarot opens a door you will be looking inside yourself for the insight and wisdom contained deeply hidden within your own soul.

      A Tarot Glossary

      Here is a short list of uncommon words that will be encountered throughout this book together with their meanings. An understanding of these definitions is key to being able to get the most from this book.

      Arcana: Literally a secret or mystery; in connection to Tarot reading, this refers to the deck being split into two distinct parts, the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.

      Court Cards: The sixteen picture cards in the Minor Arcana, they are usually, although not always, called the Page, the Knight, the Queen, and the King.

      Deck: A full set of 78 Tarot cards (Tarot cards are never referred to as a pack of cards).

      Divination: The art of seeking to foresee future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of signs, symbols and omens. In Tarot reading this refers to our interpreting symbols, order and layout of a Tarot spread.

      Major Arcana: The twenty-two cards in a Tarot deck, numbered 0 to XXI (occasionally 0 to 21 using Arabic numerals), also referred to as Trumps in some works on the art of Tarot. The Major Arcana relate to our spiritual journey through life.

      Minor Arcana: The fifty-six cards encompassing four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords & Pentacles); each numbered ace to ten, plus the four court cards. This is similar to a regular pack of playing cards. Suit names may vary, whilst retaining the symbolism, the names for the suits mentioned above are those most commonly used. The minor arcana speak to us of events and occurrences.

      Querent: In a reading, the Querent is the person asking the question. If someone is reading for herself, she is both the reader and the

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