How the Tarot card meanings have changed over time and why

[@atplato]

I have a story about the three of swords you might find interesting, yesterday I did a reading for a young woman who wanted to know if a project she was working on would be successful. I ended up pulling 10 cards in total. The first were all positive and leading yes and there was some advice. Then the last card that I pulled was a 3 of swords and at first it threw me, because I had heard it called very bad. Pain from loss ect. But I didn't tell her that. Instead I felt a strong urge to say "Follow your head, not your heart." I didn't know if that was how it was supposed to be read, I was just guided to say that.

[@seekwisdom5102]

Looking at the 3 of swords, in my mind it suddenly appears: Reason will prevail over emotions, it will hurt, but it will be good long term

[@angelabudde6100]

Your response strikes a chord with me. I appreciate it!

[@Jeanne7774]

Thanks for highlighting this about the original Tarot deck. I thought that the Rider Waite was the first the classic, whereas they've in fact misrepresented the original meanings

[@djsdrumming]

When logic and emotion come together creativity comes forward, there is no blood out of this heart. So even if you go on just the image it still does not look negative, but even if so no creativity is born without something of sacrifice. Still not negative. I totally agree. I bought one of your books for kindle and I like your "every man" style. Many thanks

[@itahughes9227]

Great descriptions these particular Ryder Waite cards the swords have caused me some confusion but your explanation has made them clearer sharper. Thank you.

[@KevinLopez-rl6wq]

The 3 of Swords is a fascinating image given that it is derived from a very old historical deck called the Sola Busca from the 1500s. All the same, I think using a deck like Marseille is going to result in a superior read as there is greater flexibility using Marseille pips.

[@dacritter8397]

Excellent vid. I guess all cards can mean anything depending upon the reader - as long as they are consistent within their own scheme. The three of swords for me, with the pierced heart by all three swords represents Logic + Reason + Train of Thought (Rational Thought Progression) winning (chosen.. being realistic) over Emotional reaction or actions based on gut feelings. Rational Thoughts take precedence over Feelings in order to move forward (victory) in that situation.

[@joannaoconnor9418]

When I look at the three of swords, I see the mind or logic overcoming the heart or emotion. The ten of swords looks like the death of the ego to me. The eight of swords looks like you’re trapped in your own head,there’s an opening and a way out but you can’t see it with your blindfold. The nine looks like fear and anxiety.

[@jessieessex]

That denim pouch is ingenious.

[@VPitisci]

Hi Jessie, Glad you like the denim pouch idea. Hope it works well for you! Thanks for watching. Best - Vincent

[@bridgettblessings317]

@@VPitisci it's pretty neat!

[@kaylaa2204]

The reason 8 of swords are kinda the flipside of advancement is because it's less like advancement and more like ACTIVITY and when the thoughts are active, when you're working on thoughts, yeah, it can be restricting, you're held back by your thoughts, you're stuck in analysis paralysis. And this is why swords in rider waite appear to get worse as you approach 10, more activity tends to be a bad sign, you want the thoughts to be calm, you want to be at ease, and that is the take the RWS system has on the suit of swords The 9 you have to look at in the man's relation to the suit symbol. Really with all the cards do that. His thoughts are above him, 9 swords actaully, and he's stressed. Whats going on here is his thoughts are stressing him out. Maybe that was bad news, maybe it wasn't, thats not the point of the card. The point is he's stressed All of these things is why its popular when using the rider waite, to use reversals, so the distress of 9 of swords can be moving past stress, relaxing, accepting that bad news. If you don't read reversals, well look to surrounding cards to see what comes out of that distress I don't think it locks you in, becasue again, mental activity will almost always be distressing, but it still tells you theres activity, theres work being done, in the mind. It just means you have to disect whats in the picture and think of all the implications of it. I do think the reasons you present could mean a beginner could get quite confused because they aren't thinking past what they're seeing, very passive intellect they want to go in with

[@erinrauber3198]

Thanks for sharing this and your past memories. It's fun to listen to as I walk around cleaning. I'll be throwing cards tonight.

[@josephinesparadoxbookstore3273]

Thank you so much for this important history of tarot.

[@svetlanastarot2138]

Thank you so much for sharing and creating Vincent, this has been very insightful!

[@valentinesouthest2806]

Super 🤩 Clarification; Merci Monsieur 🍀💚🍀

[@VPitisci]

Thanks Faith. Glad you like my channel!

[@valentinesouthest2806]

@@VPitisci you are a fabulous, outside the box, Teacher ✨🙏🏽✨

[@youaskedtarot]

Your videos and books (I have two and one on the way) are the confirmation I've been searching for. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@DailyTarotReader]

Thanks for the video Vincent. Interesting you mentioned Dr. Terror House of Horrors. I'm 10 years younger so my first exposure to Tarot was from the James Bond movie Live and Let Die starring Jane Seymour as the Tarot reading Miss Solitaire. Still like to play that old flick from time to time. Now I need to check out Dr Terror as well. Sounds like fun!

[@VPitisci]

I think you'll like it!

[@Eliza-ik9yb]

I loving ur info style 💥💝

[@vagingo]

Subscribing to your channel was a great decision.

[@7spiritualcompass706]

I remember that movie with Peter Cushing. I had a crush on him...Lol. Watched all his movies in the theater just about every Saturday at the Matinee. You brought back some lovely memories for me. Thank you for this great informative video. Love the history and knowledge you share. Much love to you and everyone on this thread. ❤🕉

[@jonniemaemiddletonlotte6747]

The Marseille lends purer meaning to the meanings of the other cards in a tarot throw.

[@VPitisci]

I agree Jonnie. Things just fit together easily with the Marseilles deck.

[@nicholas-rochester.77]

Thankyou Vincent, very interesting. I’ve recently started reading the Tarot using the number method I’ve learnt from your videos 👍 I use the 1JJ Swiss deck.

[@VPitisci]

Hi Captain. the 1JJ Swiss is a good deck. It will serve you well I'm sure. I still use it today from time to time myself.

[@PrasiddhiPredicts]

I'm learning so much from you...and I've been reading 20 years already....I started young. Thank you Sir. You are the best. Glad I found you.

[@Katana2040]

Great video! I mentioned before that I use the Marseilles, along with the Thoth. I use the Morgan Greer deck, as well. What I really like about the Marseilles deck is that it forces you to use your own clairvoyant/creative abilities when reading the cards, instead of just providing a whole image. That in itself is valuable.

[@VPitisci]

I agree Michael. The basic images on the Marseille deck forces us to use our imagination and intuition to find meaning in the card. Good stuff!

[@Katana2040]

Yes indeed! It makes one a better reader! Once again, great video, man!

[@nycayugaducks2295]

Thank you for this ! I have the deck and I love the meanings they have . Very different from rider Waite

[@theinnertraveler2821]

Hi the meanings didn't change for all. Only for English and US people, and all other parts of the world that knew the tarot through the said traditions. In Italy, France, Spain, mediterranean generally speaking but other European countries as well, when we speak about cartomancy (not tarology), the meanings are the same as before. They are in our tradition and work very well. The feedbacks from the querents confirm it.

[@judycraven2210]

Thanks Vincent! A great history lesson!

[@VPitisci]

You're welcome Judy. Thanks for watching! Best - Vincent

[@MedullarisConus]

I as a Marseilles and Pre-Marseilles styles lover, thank you for integrating it with the RW style.🙏🏻. I'm getting your book of course!

[@VPitisci]

Hello Salvo! Thank you for your comments and I'm glad you enjoy the channel too! You asked in one of the comments in Tarot card meanings video the name of the book I use the key word maps in. The book it titled The Essential Tarot - Unlocking the Mystery. Here is a link to the amazon page to that book. Link:www.amazon.com/Essential-Tarot-Unlocking-Mystery/dp/150894265X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HI06NW08JMCD&dchild=1&keywords=essential+tarot+pitisci&qid=1596142676&sprefix=essential+tarot%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1

[@MedullarisConus]

@@VPitisci thank you! Yes! I saw the name in one of the comments and erased mine!. It's the one with the prismatic colors over the black background ✌🏻🌈. I'm expecting the Minchiate Etruria by il Meneghello! You might love it too! It is historical, with the zodiac signs, the 4 elements and the virtues and the Major & Minor Arcana.

[@DogsRGr8]

This is my new favorite channel! Thank you so much for sharing your years of knowledge and expertise with us. The Waite deck just mindlessly copied the Sola Busca 3 of swords. But didn’t use those majors.

[@DogsRGr8]

Also I agree 1000% about not being locked into Waite-Smith meanings! So restrictive!

[@VPitisci]

Thank you Diva! Glad you like my channel.

[@gracedevine9443]

Always enjoy your videos. Wish I could be at the 4th July fayre, but as I now live in Australia, I will miss it. Thank you for all theses lessons, and your generosity in sharing your knowledge and taking the time to teach so much on here. All the best always.

[@VPitisci]

Hello MJ, Glad you enjoy my channel and thanks for watching. Australia! Yes! A little far from me! Ha! But I will keep everyone posted on how the fair goes for sure. Again, thanks for watching and thanks for your kind thoughts. Best to you - Vincent

[@TheAlcheMaze]

I have my own system for using the tarot. It's similar to the Rorshach Ink test. For that reason, I typically don't pull cards randomly from the deck and to read. However, every so often, I do just pull them and read. I find the Tarot Marseille is far superior when using the deck this way. Now, when it comes to using tarot for analyzing the psyche, I prefer the artwork of Pamela Coleman Smith. I see her artwork like I see dream images. To me, the two decks are tools for two completely different systems. One is better for divination one is better for self-analysis.

[@portlandtarot1446]

I always learn from you. Thanks. I notice that the Swords are Curved and the Wands are Straight in the Marcelle. (King of the Obvious, me.) Ever notice that the figure in the VII, IX, and X of Swords is the SAME PERSON? Look the the wraps/clothes s/he wears: same Brown and White undergarments; same Red blouse. Of course, I did a vid in it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGbVaoODpsZ2jK8 I get a chuckle from kids saying, "The RWS deck is so BORING!" (and/or some similar b.s. about the Celtic Cross being "hard" or "boring/old") with their "Vampire" or "Cat Celtic Fey" Tarot deck 'cause I've been learning and discovering and studying Marcelle & RWS decks for 40 years, since I was 13! And still learning from the O.G.s . . .

[@VPitisci]

Yes, the curved swords and straight wands help you to identify which is which! Good observation!

[@lindalavid]

Terrific and interesting info. I wonder if the RWS was more popular in UK during those sleepy years. Anywho, seems like Tarot continues to be redefined, imagined. Nature of the beast I suppose. Fun riding the wave as long as the Marseilles remains the cornerstone.

[@VPitisci]

Yes, it's funny how things end up. I don't feel Arthur Waite ever thought his Tarot deck would ever be as famous as it is. I think he thought he would be known more for his deep study in metaphysics. I think Pamela Smith's illustrated images of that deck is what made it so successful. But I agree, the Marseilles is still the cornerstone! Best - Vincent

[@hogancauldron3995]

Random comment...I think I heard you say in one of your videos that you are clairvoyant. Id love to hear more about that subject, especially in regards to the tarot. Clairvoyance isnt necessary for giving readings, right? I think you said somewhere that you use 90% logic, 10% intuition in your readings. I guess im a little worried because my intuition is sometimes hit or miss. Thanks Vincent!

[@tresjos]

Great, helpful video and I loved the trailer!!

[@VPitisci]

Yes, I remember seeing that movie in 6th grade. I thought it was so deep! Ha!!!! Glad you liked the video and the trailer too. Best - Vincent

[@tresjos]

@@VPitisci my older brothers watched all those movies and I felt that they were very deep and understood the mysteries of life haha!! Best to you as well - J

[@78cardstellastory72]

Hello Vincent. Thanks for some more great clarification of the RWS v The Marseille. We’ve talked before about Arthur and his negativity with the Sword suit, so I was really pleased to see your video. I have a request - as you know I love your Celtic Cross, and use it to answer a specific question. Can you please do a video of when a client asks for ‘a general’ reading? I’ve looked at using the question ‘How are we going?’ but would be really interested in how you do a general reading with the cross - and do you change the What Why When and How? Cheers Deb.

[@K5RTO]

Before I noticed the name "The Juggler" I thought he looked more like an alchemist... turns out, as we are aware, the snake biting his own tail is associated with alchemy, which I hadn't connected before. There are always call backs, it seems, to cards that came before. What an amazing tradition - an evolution, as it were, of archetypes.

[@ozarkoracle7389]

I’m so thankful to have found your channel. I’ve been reading RWS for years but now trying to study marseille. Your videos are helping me so much. Thank you!

[@VPitisci]

Hello Ozark. I'm glad you are enjoying my channel! Thanks for watching and best to you from one reader to another! Vincent

[@surfacesilence1900]

I think today's large variety of Tarot decks has actually helped readers have more flexibility and allowed a lot more people able to read them than the old school decks. The old traditional decks are very hard to read and cumbersome. It is like using sticks to create a fire versus a Bic lighter. The Marseille deck seems like it is the first deck in circulation. I tend to gravitate to Italian decks. The Rider-Waite deck makes it easy for readers to read based on what you said earlier but "you are correct" in stating that it does limit the meanings. With that being said, the Marseille deck, I feel would be very difficult to just read via "intuition" unless you are somehow very gifted, naturally. I learned Tarot specifically via intuition without having to go through 'YEARS" of study. I used a deck that combined the Thoth and Rider Waite system. I feel that the Marseille deck would require much more study. When I was young, the internet with KZbin was not around. The Rider Waite requires enough study on the individual meanings as it is. In the last 50 years, I feel that artists have created decks that stray from the Rider Waite that allow a lot more flexibility (ie: The Voyager deck) and many others. You state the last 50 years, historically, the Rider Waite and even the Thoth have been around long before the '60s. Rider Waite was published before then and very popular...it just wasn't as easily available in a bookstore in the US. I also think Oracle decks are a complete joke. They didn't exist in any known mystic store where I grew up.

[@kaylaa2204]

That is a very elitist way of putting that. Why are oracle decks less viable than tarot? It's the exact same thing, you have pieces of cardstock with pictures that arbitrarily mean shit. Yes a few I've used are really shit systems, that I didn't like, but I've also seen a few oracle decks I've really liked Whether or not they existed in stores when you grew up doesn't make them less valid as a tool

[@ghettocountry8678]

I'm wondering where divination actually started out with the awareness of what they/culture were doing within divination....I hope I make sense... some say England, Italy, and Egypt, but I'm just wondering where it originated from.

[@amandamoroney8587]

Questions, please - Why are tarot readers as a standard wholly locked in to the images of the Rider Waite? Why are readers as a standard not reading on the value of the cards? How do I qualify this? With the Rider Waite, having done the odd reading for family or acquaintances, I have been looked at with utter disbelief because I’m not reading e.g. the 3 of swords as - he’s definitely unfaithful - it’s a love triangle, it’s heartbreak, i.e. the standard interpretation. (Still waiting on my Aquarian deck). Thank you.

[@Josherpoodle]

So helpful! Thank you.

[@VPitisci]

Thank you Josherpoodle. I'm glad you are watching my channel. Best to you on your Tarot journey! Vincent

[@wolfofcoins]

Thank you so much for this great video and a trip through modern tarot history :) I myself am a great Marseille enthusiast, but I use RWS style decks too. It was very interesting to hear how the guidebooks changed in such recent history. Those card readers in movies, it's always Death and Death with them :D

[@VPitisci]

Glad you liked this! Yes, I'm partial to the Marseille as well. Thanks for watching my channel. Best- Vincent

[@davidgagnon3781]

I don't like many of the Tarot KZbinrs because EVERYTHING is good. Death NEVER means death. In fact, in Tarot Face To Face, the keyword for Death is "LIFE"

[@AndromedaSir]

how can we get a deck of tarot cards that are free from masonic symbolism? Is the Marseilles a good option?

[@Tink13star]

3 of cups confused me. Some people read it as third party (cheating) and others read it as joyful celebration...

[@realtalk6340]

Tink13star it can be both; and it can be risky party behavior like drugs

[@kaylaa2204]

I know this was two years ago But it can be both. What it really is, it's a card of group cooperation, a collaboration, in terms of cups, emotions. So it can be a party, or in terms of say a partnership, it can be a third party being involved. Now that could mean cheating, or a polyamorous relationship going wonderfully. You have to use what you know and the overall context of the reading.

[@sieltan5618]

I drew this along with the tower when asking about a relationship; at the time I took it to mean that something might happen which ends in a breakup and a just-friends status (joyful non-romantic celebration). However, it was in fact the involvement of a third party 😔

[@dazie1357]

Looks like my learning will be ok because 1992 The Spirit Of The Tarot also has pictures that aren’t positive nor negative looking some look more nice & neat then other card’s but even the Devil & Death cards aren’t scary looking

[@boink8653]

Mr. Pitisci, I am curious, you said that when you were 16 you bought your first deck. How did you discover the Tarot? what drew you to it?

[@jonniemaemiddletonlotte6747]

Okay Dr. Terrors House of Horrors. Bring it on. LOL.

[@VPitisci]

Ha! Isn't that a riot! Ha!!

[@kavithavenkadesan4909]

Thank u so much 💐

[@VPitisci]

Im glad you liked the video Kavitha and thanks for watching! Best to you - Vincent

[@tresjos]

Hello Vincent! Can you recommend a good Marseille deck? The one in this video looks good and I like the titles in English. I have a Marseille deck but it's an awkward size to shuffle, and has very sharp corners. Which one do you use?

[@VPitisci]

Hello J Neff. I use the Tarot of Marseilles by B.P. Grimaud . It can be purchased with English titles or French titles. Hope this helps.

[@tresjos]

@@VPitisci thanks very much!

[@Jam-m7m]

I was born on 1954 you and I are the same age

[@paulgillespie9855]

I think tarot has too much religious symbolism prob to suit the times I love history of it all though thanks for educating me even though I prob still have no clue x

[@garymcgrogan4934]

Beneficial "Anchors" are missing in today's world. Kids don't see the past-age, (and the values of that time), as anything to respect/adhere to. It's the same with your grade six story - the new generations have no clue to the names mentioned and of your-our era. We are primitives in their eyes - because they were brought-up with new technology and "1984" morals. They see history as being less than their society - because of their indoctrinated "progressive" social engineering. Some quotes: Common sense is not a gift, it’s a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn’t have it - Anonymous I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots. ~ Albert Einstein Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground. ~ Theodore Roosevelt • "A truth's initial commotion is directly proportional to how deeply the lie was believed. It wasn't the world being round that agitated people, but that the world wasn't flat. When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic." Dresden James. Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it. - George Orwell Constant learning is the dream of the wise; stupidity however is the history of mankind. I am sure that one day the younger generation will be ready to read books again and will wonder why they didn't enjoy them before. - Paul. F. Meekin "Within the next generation I believe that the world's leaders will discover that infant conditioning and narco-hypnosis are more efficient, as instruments of government, than clubs and prisons, and that the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." ~Aldous Huxley "A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." Demosthenes, Greek philosopher, 349 BCE "If you think that your afterlife will be better than your current life, then you're not really living. You're just waiting to die." ~ Waleed Al-Husseini "Imagine a world in which generations of human beings come to believe that certain films were made by God or that specific software was coded by him. Imagine a future in which millions of our descendants murder each other over rival interpretations of Star Wars or Windows 98. Could anything - anything - be more ridiculous? And yet, this would be no more ridiculous than the world we are living in." - Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith and Letter to a Christian Nation Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” ― Leo Tolstoy Everybody's youth is a dream, a form of chemical madness. I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism P. D. James “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” ― Aldous Huxley, Complete Essays 2, 1926-29 “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” ― George Orwell, 1984

[@Jade-ug1jd]

May I ask do you have online class? I live in California.

[@VPitisci]

Hello Jade. Not at this time. Sorry. But I feel they will be available in 2021. Thanks for asking.

[@Jade-ug1jd]

@@VPitisci Thank you for the reply:)

[@SonuYadav-hd5qk]

Thank u

[@levannah60]

On high priestess card behind pomegranate curtain is the sea.

[@VPitisci]

Hi Levannah60, Yes, Waite has the sea in the background. Not sure why he wanted it that way. Maybe the sea is supposed to represent something. Who knows. I'm not even sure what side of the room she is supposed to be in. The inside..or the outside. Maybe she is supposed to represent the Most Holy of Holy. A lot to think about if you want to follow Waites deck I guess we'll never know. Best - Vincent

[@levannah60]

Been staring at those cards for years till someone pointed it out to me. Who knew? Love your videos! I love tarot but can't really read it. That doesn't stop me from trying....like you, I picked up my first deck around 15 or 16 years old. I think it was the Golden Dawn one and it sorta creeped me out. So next was robin wood, then the Celtic tarot by Connelly? And damn if it didn't go from there...

[@jonniemaemiddletonlotte6747]

Okay I listen to this talk again. Every time helps me feel more positive about my effort to understand. I read some of the other post. One mentioned the sea behind the High Priestess. The Sea has never been fully explored thus A part of things we may not yet understand. Maybe and I am sure this again explains goes the key word Mysterious.

[@jonniemaemiddletonlotte6747]

I commented on that observation. I learned that Tarot from a little old lady 30 years ago but she never pointed that out. So when you said that Mr. Pitisci’s key word Mysterious makes it mor meaningful. Good show. I am going for the long hall with some great card reading advice and lessons with the VP.

[@SourcesWonderWoman]

ALOT OF SPIRITS TRAPPED IN TAROT CARDS...54 DECK OF PLAYING CARDS WOULD BE BETTER....

[@La_abbess]

Please elaborate, your comment is fascinating

[@micheleanngilbert9295]

Am really enjoying your channel. Have ordered your books from Amazon UK. Trying to blank the RWS imagery is difficult but I'm getting there. Love the Marseille deck, it allows you so much more head space.