Prediction: Tarot decks, readings soon will become mainstream

[Dover]

Prediction: Tarot decks, readings soon will become mainstream
April 09,2005

Bill Reed
Freedom News Service


The images on tarot cards can seem menacing, even evil. But a modern tarot reading doesn’t feel like a journey into the heart of the dark arts. In fact, tarot cards — along with many pursuits under the ‘‘metaphysical’’ label — have moved toward the mainstream.

How mainstream? Aleta Sira Ras does not make her psychic predictions in the back of a shady store or down a dark alleyway on the wrong side of the tracks. Nope, this tarot card reader plies her trade in the tidy suburban neighborhood in northeast Colorado Springs, Colo. Her split-level house has two dogs in the back yard, but no gauzy curtains or glowing crystal balls.

Sira Ras contends the activity is as innocuous as the setting.

"It really does have to do with the intent," she says. "You can use any tool for bad or good."

Since making their way to the United States in the early 1900s, tarot cards have evolved from a curiosity to a steady business.

...cont'd

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The Oldest Tarot Cards
http://trionfi.com/tarot/0b-oldest-tarot-cards/78-rebirth-daphne-motif/

http://trionfi.com/0/b/75/

[TNOE]

1. I don't doubt this at all

Old friends turned me onto them when I was in my late 20's and 20 years later, I'm still turning people on to them too. Although many people act like they are "afraid" of them, I merely tell them that's ridiculous, they hold no power, you are only reading your subconscious.

[stellanoir]

2. at the risk of sounding redundant,

since I've posted this before.

My favorite description for the true nature of the cards is that they are merely "flashcards from the collective unconscious."

As for them being scary, there are now several thousand, if not more decks, that are readily available. Since I deal with kids alot I tend to go with those with the gentler images.

I also tend to say that they merely represent 78 aspects of life which we all endure from time to time in varing order.

They are best used to empower people to make better decisions, as opposed to disempowering folks and inappropriately wielding some perverse fate that is out of their reach.

Like any tools, they can be misused, but more often are not.

[tanyev]

3. I just hope burning witches doesn't become mainstream again.