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        Many delightful stories surround the origins of Tarot. It may have come from ancient Egypt or India, being brought to Europe by Gypsies, or returning Crusaders. Less exciting is the possibility that it first appeared in Northern Italy during the Middle Ages.  The name could come from an Egyptian word meaning 'The Royal Way', or an Arabic one meaning 'The Way of Wisdom'. The Italian connection is the name of a river Taro. Two different packs are known to have been  in use as playing cards from about 1500 B.C.E., in both France and Italy.
        The first modern illustrated and most well known deck is the Rider/Waite, created by members of an esoteric group, 'The Order of the Golden Dawn' at the end of the nineteenth century.

        A Tarot deck comprises 78 cards.  They are larger than normal playing cards, often highly illustrated, with much symbolism, usually on a particular theme.

       Major Arcana:
                            The first 22 cards called the Major Arcana have names like Magician, Chariot and Tower.  Arcana means hidden secrets and these cards indicate life changing events and our secret world.

       Minor Arcana:
                            The remaining cards are split into four suits of 13.  These correspond to the four traditional playing card suits and represent the four elements.
 

        The numbered cards from Ace to Ten show us our more immediate course of action.

        There are hundreds of Tarot decks, each with its own appeal.  They have become quite an art form and are very collectable.  Beginners would normally start with the Rider/Waite deck because this is inexpensive, the best known, relatively easy to interpret, and is usually the basis for learning.
I now prefer to read with other decks.  Favourites of mine are the Osho Zen, Faery Wicca, Shapeshifter, and the one that I most often use is the Mythic tarot.