Maria Shaw's Tarot Kit for Teens

Maria Shaw's Tarot Kit for Teens. Teens who want to discover and unlock their psychic abilities will find no better guide than Maria Shaw, who has a knack for making new age subjects accessible to the young adult market.

Maria covers all the basics, from a smattering of history to in-depth descriptions of all major and minor arcana cards. Common concerns such as how to prepare for a reading, how to cut the cards, how to ask questions, and how to choose the best days for readings are discussed in detail. Sixteen different card spreads, including teen love layouts, the guardian angel / spirit guide spread, and the big question spread, give new readers lots of options.

The deck itself is age-appropriate, containing non-threatening images that are appealing to young adult interests.

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Table of Contents: Maria Shaw's Tarot Kit for Teens

Contents
Introduction ix

Chapter One
The History of the Tarot 1

Chapter Two
The Major and Minor Arcana 5

Chapter Three
Tarot Tips 13

Chapter Four
Preparing for a Reading 19

Chapter Five
Ancient and Modern-Day Spreads 29

Chapter Six
Love Layouts 41

Chapter Seven
Specialty Spreads 47

Chapter Eight
Developing your Psychic Abilities 53

Chapter Nine
The Heart of the Tarot 57

Afterword 173

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Excerpt: Maria Shaw's Tarot Kit for Teens

2 The Major and Minor Arcana

THERE ARE SEVENTY-EIGHT CARDS in the tarot deck, and these cards are divided into two units. Twenty-two are major arcana cards, and fifty-six are minor arcana. Arcana means profound secrets.

The major arcana is connected to the big events in our lives, such as graduation, marriage, death, and any life-altering triumphs and tragedies. These are the most powerful cards in your deck because they represent life's major turning points, and as a result, their impact is more profound than that of all the other cards. When giving a reading, make special note of the major arcana because they will have the biggest effect on the overall picture of what lies ahead. The major arcana begins with the Fool, numbered zero. Some decks place the Fool first in the deck, and in others you will find that it is the last card in the major arcana.

The minor arcana is made up of the rest of the cards, and has to do with our day to day activities and issues such as work, school, and the like. These cards are divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each card in the suit is numbered one to ten. These are followed by the four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King. By tuning into the minor arcana's images, we can capture a glimpse into our everyday lives and the details that help make up the overall picture.

The Major Arcana
Remember, the major arcana cards are the most important and meaningful part of your deck. These are picture cards with a name or title at the bottom of each card. The major arcana is broken down into three groups consisting of seven cards each:

The material world: The first group deals with the outside world and situations connected to it. Think of your relationships, family, the laws of society, schooling, and the like. This group also includes possessions, the comforts of life, and the choices you make that determine how you live. The cards in this group include the Fool, the High Priestess, the Empress, the Emperor, the Hierophant, the
Lovers, and the Chariot.

Intuitive nature: The second group of the major arcana concerns itself with your intuitive mind. It represents faith, hope, love, and spirituality. This grouping relates to decisions you make based on feelings rather than logic. For me, these cards concern themselves with issues that touch the heart. The cards in this group include Justice, the Hermit, the Wheel of Fortune, Strength, the Hanged Man, Death, and Temperance.

Change: The third group contains the most powerful cards in the entire deck. They combine the issues of the first two groups and will help or challenge your personal concerns and life path. These cards reach beyond society's rules and regulations, for they represent spiritual laws. In this set of seven, the power of the universe, which creates life-altering events and situations, is the most evident. The cards in this group include the Devil, the Tower, the Star, the Moon, the Sun, Judgment, and the World.

The Minor Arcana
The minor arcana is broken down into four separate suits of fourteen cards each. Forty of the minor arcana cards are like a regular deck of playing cards. The four other cards in each suit are called court cards. Each suit deals with a specific area of life. You could do a reading with just the major arcana, but it would be incomplete. The minor arcana reveal important details, such as people you will come in contact with, specific events, and so much more.

The Suits
Cups = love and relationships: Whenever you draw a Cups card, you will be dealing with love and affairs of the heart. This suit is also associated with spirituality and intuitive abilities. When you read this card, allow your intuition to guide you and let your feelings flow. Think emotions, intent, and desire. If you draw many cards in the Cups suit, recognize that situations and upcoming events will tend to be based on feelings rather than intellect.

Wands = actions, ambitions, activities: When you draw a Wand, recognize that this suit has to do with immediate actions taken. It represents a flurry of activity and energy. Wands also represent people or situations that are exciting and creative. Wands stand for growth and development. So if you see a lot of this specific suit in your reading, know that a situation or an idea is in the beginning stages of development and ripe for expansion.

Pentacles = money, home and family, career, security: Pentacles are goldlike discs. When you draw a Pentacle card, anything that represents security may be an issue. For some people this suit relates entirely to money, but for others, the Pentacles represent a sense of belonging. Think family, church, friendship circles, and work. This suit can also represent results of actions taken and, oftentimes, prosperity and payoffs.

Swords = conflicts, problems: The suit of Swords generally represents arguments, strife, commotion, and conflicts of all sorts. But not just physical conflict. It can represent moral and ethical concerns too. These cards link themselves to any situation or crisis that creates turmoil. If many swords come up in a reading, there could be several challenges or difficulties to go through before one can reach a goal and move past problems.

Court Cards
Notice that the minor arcana cards are numbered one to ten. In addition, there are four court cards in each suit: Page, Knight, Queen, and King. Let's discover what these royal cards mean.

Page: Represents a young person, children, students, and communications of all sorts, such as e-mails, phone calls, and letters. In medieval times, pages were young men and boys who worked for kings, queens, and royal courts. They waited on their lords and ladies hand and foot. Oftentimes, they were used to deliver messages and town notices. Many a youngster wanted to be a page, for it was the education they needed to assure them a good position when they grew up. Their ultimate goal was to become a knight. In the tarot, a Page doesn't always represent a male figure. Such a card may also refer to a girl or young woman.

Knight: Represents people who take action and are goal setters. Sometimes related to challenges, life's responsibilities, and self-discovery. Hundreds of years ago, knights were men that served the king and his court. They were very well respected. It was an honor to be a knight. These men had a variety of duties, such as discovering new lands and territories as well as competing in contests that tested their skills and abilities. In your deck, Knights represent men and women who take up quests. They are goal-oriented and high achievers.

Queen: Feminine power. In the tarot, Queens represent emotions, the important women in your life, home, family, and intuition. The Queen is not a ruler like the King. Her role is that of a positive partner to his majesty. Yet, she is also considered a strong symbol of feminine power. Young married women, mothers, and even older matronly ladies are associated with the Queen card. However, in a few instances, this card can represent a man if he has maternal, emotional, and caring qualities.

King: Powerful men or men in positions of authority. Masculine energy. Decision-making. The King is the symbol of masculine power in the tarot. Usually, Kings represent men. However, women who exert much power and authority in the outside world can also be considered Kings. Since his majesty was the ruler of his land and people, his primary duty was to preserve the well-being of his kingdom. King qualities include self-assertion and leadership abilities.

Number Cards
Every card in your tarot deck, except for the court cards, is linked to a certain number. Based on numerology principles, each number has a unique meaning. Let's look further, but first I'd like to highlight a few very important cards.

Aces: Aces are the most potent card in any suit. They are number one! They offer help in difficult situations. The ace is mostly positive. When you draw one, you will usually find that help or luck is on its way.

Eights: Eights are special because they represent infinity. If you draw an eight anywhere in your spread, take extra notice because eights represent major changes that may come about in your life.

The Fool: The Fool's number is zero, and it doesn't fit in any of the arcana's three sections mentioned earlier. Therefore, it doesn't have as much strength and power as the major arcana cards. However, it is considered more potent than the minor arcana. Some readers place the Fool at the beginning of the major arcana group, and others put it at the end. Both ways are fine, but I prefer to place it at the beginning. The Fool represents a new adventure, and every time I do a reading, I look at the session as an adventure to unlock some exciting news and information. When you draw the Fool, think of yourself as ready to embark on a new adventure. Know that change is inevitable.

Individual Numbers
Now let's look at some key words to consider regarding individual numbers.

Aces: Luck, new beginnings. A plan, situation, or condition is about to take off. Something is in the beginning stages of development. It could be positive or negative depending on the position of the card.

Twos: Commitments and choices. Two represents a stagnant or waiting period. Expect more to be revealed as time progresses. Twos mean a reunion or a coming together. Sometimes a surprise of some sort is revealed.

Threes: Plans, communication. Friends, group activities, new places, and new faces are all related to the number three. Threes will, sometimes, suggest delay. But not to worry, they usually indicate that future achievements will come to pass.

Fours: Creation, action. Fours mean that something is happening. They represent the manifestation of an idea or a foundation on which something new can be built.

Fives: Challenges, problems. Expect changes, either lucky or unlucky. If you are greeted with many five cards, try to keep a balance in your life.

Six: Happiness, contentment. You can overcome many obstacles with the help of a six. Sixes bring adjustments and opportunities to create more harmony.

Sevens: Options, choices. Through experiences, the sevens will help you gain much wisdom and understanding. Sometimes this number represents a period of solitude. Unexpected opportunities could present themselves as well.

Eights: Experience, commitment. Eights mean you will be able to accomplish what you set out to do. Eights are usually beneficial, even if they fall in a challenging or negative position.

Nines: Working it out, contentment. Nine means completion, the final stage to something, or fulfillment.

Tens: Resistance, caution. You may have to come to terms with issues from the past that you had hoped to avoid. The past may come back to help or haunt you. In some circumstances, you may be asked to exert more caution than usual.

(Note: If there is an abundance of one suit in your overall reading, the main theme of the reading may very well jump out at you. Say you have a lot of Cups; you can expect much news about love and relationships. If there are several Pentacles, know that security or money will be the main theme.)

Now that we've covered the basics of the tarot, let's examine some other principles before we get into the layout and interpretation chapters. These next two chapters are just as important to a good reading as knowing the meaning of the cards.

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A Simple Start to Tarot
New Worlds Isse: NW045
By: Maria Shaw

The tarot is a wonderful tool to help us unlock the answers to life that we are seeking. It has been used for hundreds of years by people all over the world as a guide to the past, present and future. The tarot can help us see things in a different light, provide answers to dilemmas and problems and can help us get in touch with ourselves on a deeper, spiritual level.

I remember my first introduction to the tarot. I knew nothing about the cards, the artwork or their meaning, and the history was foreign to me. I learned the art of tarot reading from my mother. I recall how overwhelmed I felt about the entire process shuffling, cutting and reading the deck. I was so scared I would do something wrong and even more frightened that I may misinterpret the meanings of the 78 cards and give someone a bad reading! A few years and thousands of consultations later, giving a tarot reading is now like riding a bicycle. The deck feels natural in my hands and my words flow easily when I meet with a client. I have taught many people to read their own cards. Still to this day I am asked, Is it hard to learn? Did the tarot take a long time to understand? How can anyone memorize all the meanings? Studying the tarot seems so overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

I wrote Maria Shaw's Tarot Kit for Teens with my once-novice self in mind, and for all of those beginners who may see learning the tarot as something impossible. If you follow the steps in my guide book, you'll find the tarot is easy to understand. The book covers everything from how to pick your deck to tarot spreads to card care. My book gives you lots of details you won't find in many tarot books for beginners: from the history of this ancient art to what type of box you should store your cards in, and the best time of the month to give a reading. Thanks to my four planets in Virgo, the tarot student will get lots of little known facts. You'll probably be an expert reader by the time you've finished this guide.

Did you know there are hundreds of different types of decks on the market these days? It can be very difficult to choose which deck suits you best, but my guide helps make the process simple. There are also lots of different layouts to choose from. You can start with a simple layout with just a few cards and work up to a detailed, thorough spread. Ancient spreads used by gypsies and readers hundreds of years ago are included, as well as a few teen-oriented layouts geared toward love, friends and much more.

Maria Shaw's Tarot Kit for Teens gives you a complete and detailed description of each card, including the upright and reverse positions. Some beginners still believe that the death card means someone is going to die. This is a myth. The death card is actually a good card and means re-birth or change. Another fact many people may not know is that the tarot can also tell time. A reading should be able to give you a season, month or even a day when things are likely to happen.

The Universal Tarot deck is included with the kit. I am very pleased with the cards from this collection; they have beautiful images. They are appropriate for teens and beginners of all ages because they are not scary or frightening.

The tarot is not meant to be frightening. It is meant to be a helpful guide. I always say a tarot reading is a like a flashlight. It can light your way, but you still have a choice to walk the path it has laid out before you. It can guide, but it won't decide. You still have power of free will to make your own decisions. The tarot is most helpful in giving us choices and alerting us of upcoming challenges and opportunities.

My goal in producing this kit is that anyone who wants to learn to read the tarot for themselves, family and friends, or wants to become a professional reader, will find the tarot delightful, fun, informative and easier to understand than they've ever imagined!

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