The Tarot is a tool of personal development that has been around since the mid-15th century in Europe and has spread around the world in various ways. Common playing cards are related to tarot and from about the late 18th century Tarot cards have been used for predicting the future (divination), guided meditation and in a range of mystical activities and mystery schools.
There are 22 cards in what is known as the Major Arcana and these can be known as life lessons or spiritual signposts in your life. The Major Arcana cards such as The Fool, The Magician, The Hermit or The Empress are cards that generally hold a greater meaning then the minutia of the nitty gritty in ones life.
The Minor Arcana consist of the remaining 56 cards making a total of 78. The Minor Arcana cards are the suit cards and are generally known as Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles – these can be likened to the standard suits in a deck of cards (spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds).