Originally Tarot cards were used as part of a game, just as we use normal playing cards nowadays. However in the late 1700's, the cards were believed to be an opening into the world of the occult. Later on, in the 1800's, many people were ostracised for such beliefs and the Tarot cards were believed to be particularly evil. Now, the Tarot has become more of a natural tool used in such forms as personal counselling and as a means to see into ourselves and what is influencing and guiding our thoughts and actions.The Tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (4 suits of 14 cards each). The Major Arcana represents a stronger perspective in a reading, while the Minor Arcana are a little less strong in their meanings.
There are so many different decks nowadays, and while the illustrations appear to differ largely, there is a general similarity between the decks in their meanings and interpretations. All the same, I prefer to stick with the one deck, and that is the Rider-Waite deck. It is the most popular of decks and is covered in the majority of Tarot books and Internet sites. The pictures are simple and clear to understand which makes it a great deck to begin your Tarot readings with.