Tarot Readings

Tarot cards began as the trick-taking game tarocchini in Northern Italy between 1430 and 1450 for wealthy families. Historical records firmly establish its origin in Renaissance Italy. These decks featured illustrated trump cards added to standard suits. In the late 18th century France, tarot shifted to fortune-telling, and later became tools for introspection.The first tarot cards emerged in Milan, Venice, and Florence, likely adapted from Mamluk playing cards introduced during the 14th century. Referred to as carte da trionfi (cards of triumphs), these cards were intended for competitive, trick-taking games.Early hand-painted decks, including the renowned Visconti-Sforza deck, comprised 56 suited cards (cups, swords, coins, batons) and 22 allegorical cards, resulting in a total of 78 cards.

By the 1530s, the game was widely known as Tarocchi. As tarot gained popularity in France during the 17th and 18th centuries, manufacturers revised designs to facilitate more economical and rapid mass production. In the 1780s, French occultists Antoine Court de Gébelin and Etteilla (Jean-Baptiste Alliette) asserted that tarot contained secrets from the Egyptian "Book of Thoth," establishing its association with fortune-telling. Etteilla produced the first tarot deck specifically intended for divination in 1789. Introduced in 1909, this deck was the first to fully illustrate all 56 suit cards (pip cards), not solely the trump cards, thereby setting the standard for modern psychological and intuitive readings. Currently, tarot is predominantly employed for meditation, introspection, and personal reflection rather than gaming.

Tarot is a tool. It is not the final say in any situation. We must remember that we all have free will. It is irresponsible of anyone reading or offering spirit messages to lead the receiver to feel anxious or afraid. This is fearmongering and often associated with money.  

Tarot, for me, is not about foretelling outcomes or managing anxiety. It is about perceptive clarity, compassion and courage.

My goal to is witness the cards and not be the authoritative voice on the path you are following. 

Please email Reverend Jennie to book a reading.