Throughout the ages, mankind’s fascination with the unknown has resulted in the beliefs of different theories of magic, sorcery and other supernatural activities. While it is a natural trait for humans to be curious of what they do not know, there is something to be said for the mass conviction in these paranormal topics. It’s a mystery in itself how groups of people of all ethnicities and nationalities can have the same beliefs and interest in these topics. From witchcraft to UFO’s, it can be seen all throughout history that humans have been attracted to the unexplained.
Things like astrology and fortune telling have been looked upon as fun diversions to pass the time. Amongst these pseudoscience’s, the art of Tarot card reading has the most diverse and mysterious history. There is much confusion that surrounds the origin of these cards, as well as the original purpose of their creation. Perhaps they were perceived and used differently in different parts of the world. Perhaps they were used the exact same way. The art of Tarot card reading should be considered an art as well as an artifact with relevant historical significance rather than just a leisure activity. While Tarot card reading is not as popular as it once was, many people all over the world still carry on the tradition of fortune telling.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
There are many claims that state Tarot cards to be the first playing cards ever created, and that standard playing cards were based off of the Tarot deck. However, this is untrue; for it was the standard playing cards that were seen first in China around 1375 that are considered the first playing cards. These cards quickly spread throughout Western Europe by way of the Mamluk Empire of Egypt, who discovered them i...
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...eople were using them for divination, an act considered witchcraft and a sign of the devil.
However, although trendy, it was a confusing game if one did not memorize the definition of each individual card. American scholar of the occult, Arthur Edward Waite, sought a solution to this in 1910 when he created his own easy to use deck which “…liberated Tarot enthusiasts from having to learn complex systems of correspondence…” (tarotpedia.com.) Waite collaborated with artist Pamela Smith to redesign the cards and the Rider Company to publish what would be known as the Rider- Waite Tarot. Due to its simplicity, Waite’s deck gained popularity fast and was used more often than any others, making it the first standard Tarot deck. Since its creation, Waite’s deck has remained the most widely used deck in the world, and is still commonly used today.
STRUCTURE OF TAROT DECKS
The unknown in the universe makes humans uncomfortable. Throughout history, people have emerged with answers to mind-boggling universal life questions. Why do humans exist? Are supernatural forces real? How was the earth created? People have attempted to answer these questions with science, theories, and most of all religion. But humans don’t always get the answer to the mind-boggling universal questions right. Salem’s colonial witch trials were horrific examples of religion encouraged by fear of the unknown and imagination. The Salem Witch Trials were a direct result of religious extremism, fear, and delusion.
Blackjack has its origins in the 1700’s French casinos and it was called vingt-et-un (twenty and one);
Alright let’s recap on what we have learned about Blackjack. We covered the history of Blackjack and how it came to be the card game it is now from its origins in Europe and voyage to the America’s. Talked about casinos how to finds your table, chip values, making bets, and lastly chasing out your chips. Understanding the object of the game and the value of the cards, and how the dealer plays the game. Lastly we explain what the player options of surrendering, hitting or standing, and doubling down and how it may benefit you. In short you should have a clear grasp on the game and feel confident when you sit down at a Blackjack table.
Through the years there has been many ideas to what goes bump in the night. Mysterious, unsolved happenings blamed on the so-called supernatural. There are many myths, legends and lore based on these so called mysterious happenings. Through this research paper I am going to help to explain the biggest threats, conspiracies, and misunderstandings of aforementioned legends, myths, and lore.
Witchcraft is said to be the most widespread cultural phenomenon in existence today and throughout history. Even those who shun the ideas of witchcraft cannot discount the similarities in stories from all corners of the globe. Witchcraft and its ideas have spread across racial, religious, and language barriers from Asia to Africa to America. Primitive people from different areas in the world have shockingly similar accounts of witchcraft occurrences. In most cases the strange parallels cannot be explained and one is only left to assume that the tales hold some truth. Anthropologists say that many common elements about witchcraft are shared by different cultures in the world. Among these common elements are the physical characteristics and the activities of supposed witches. I will go on to highlight some of the witch characteristic parallels found in printed accounts from different parts of the world and their comparisons to some famous fairytales.
aranormal activity has been a cause of fear and excitement throughout history. The unknown attracts the curiosity from those who wonder whether the supernatural is real or a figment of the imagination. Ghosts are one of the supernatural beings whose existence is questioned every day. Many want to deny the existence of ghosts because they are terrified of other phantoms who may exist and ignore the evidence that has been brought forth throughout the years. However, ghosts are supernatural pheromones whose existence still impacts today’s society.
Man has always been driven to create. We constantly shape the world around us by inventing stories of heroes and monsters, by crafting complex but passionate ideals about good and evil. Some relish in the power that this manipulation of reality wields; others are more innocent in that they are simply yielding to a universal longing for something in which to believe.
"The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies." Secret Teachings of All Ages: , Part Three. N.p., 30 June 2007. Web. 04 Dec. 2013.
These sources were: pricking, swimming and watching. Pricking was based on the theory that every witch bore the mark of the Devil which was insensitive to pain. Thus a witch's body was searched for such a mark and then pricked. If the accused did not respond to pain this signified guilt.
Lehmann A. C. & Myers J. E. Magic, Witchcraft and Religion – An Anthropological Study of the Supernatural (Fourth Edition) (Mayfield Publishing Company, 1997). Miner, H. Body Ritual Among the Nacirema. American Anthropologist 58 (1956). Tambiah, S. J. & Co., Ltd. Magic, Science, Religion and the scope of Rationality (Cambridge University Press, 1990). Taylor, C. Rationality.
There are quite literally thousands of different styles of Tarot cards. Sometimes you may find that you simply do not feel a connection with one kind. Some people believe that you should never buy your first deck, they believe that a deck must be given to you as a gift. In this way the mystical forces are finding you and not the other way round. I don’t necessarily agree with this rule as sometimes the perfect deck will find you in other ways. When I first started reading Tarot many years ago, I visited a Mystical shop and was browsing the crystals when a Tarot deck fell off the shelf in front of me and landed at my feet. What made it even stranger was that the deck in question had been hidden from my view. I believe that the deck chose me. I have used many decks since then but the connection I feel when I use those cards is still a powerful feeling. Trust your own
Astrology has had its ups and downs through history, but it always maintained that station of being. (www.astrologers.com/history.html# Relevant, p.1) After some aspects of religion became prevalent, astrology became known as the “work of the devil”. (Weblinker.com Enterprises, p.1) During the Renaissance, though, astrology became more liked than before. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) Even religious leaders began to practice astrology more often. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) People of the royal families had their own astrologers. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) That is how worldwide astrology was. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1)
While is a common conception that pre-modern societies are primitive compared to their modern counterpart, this is not often the case, theses societies have complex systems within their society especially within their spirituality and religion. It is this complexity that has allowed aspects of pre-modern societies to evolve and adapt into modern societies. Myths, rituals and sorcery have been terms to describe the activities of pre-modern societies, but these activities have also been found to exist within modern society as well. This essay will further discuss the connections between pre-modern and modern societies that has allowed for myths, rituals and sorcery to exist in the modern societies.
III. Smithson, Jayne. “Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion.” Class lectures. Anthropology 120. Diablo Valley College, San Ramon 2004.
Many events were unexplainable and maybe even seemed to be magical before science evolved to what it is today. All questions relating to the origin of life can be answered scientifically. One may question their beliefs based on scientific theory. Human life can be broken down to fundamental theory. Not only geological or biological, but also all events can be answered scientifically. Magic and magicians have certain function in society. The impossible becomes unexplainable, whether it is fact or fiction. But truly in the minds of magicians, their purpose in life is to leave a mystery, a mystery that science is unable to explain. They leave their mark and give people something to think about, a mark which will never be forgotten. Although magic is able to deceive the minds of many, few understand its effect of misdirection of the human mind.