Mystical Insights at the Nantucket Atheneum

Tarot Deck Photo by Maria Waickowski

Initially skeptical, I became intrigued by tarot as I researched its accuracy. Witnessing a friend’s accurate reading and my own resonance with it, I realized it’s not a strict science, but rather a life journey map with each card as a unique guide. Encouraged by a friend’s class and a chance encounter with a Russian woman, I enrolled in Suzanne Keating’s class at Nantucket Atheneum. Another classmate, Heidi, used tarot as a problem-solving tool. Heidi said, “I used Tarot to help guide me when I had questions during my house buying process. I never do a spread but I shuffle a certain way and pick 1 card from the whole deck. I often found that I picked the same card several days in a row. Suzanne said that always happens. I used it as a tool to figure out a solution to a problem or to center myself because I was truly buying my house alone. I would choose a card and meditate on it after looking up the significance.” Tarot, a powerful truth-revealing tool, had unexpectedly become my new fascination.

Suzanne offers classes that can be found on the Nantucket Atheneum’s website under the calendar section. She offers them in the fall and there is no cost to participants. It’s a wonderful program offered by her and the Atheneum with many eager to learn everything on the subject of “Tarot” and it’s cozy because there is a nice offering of tea available. During one of the classes they conducted 3 card readings and it was a nice intimate group according to one of the participants.

Tarot Deck(Ace of Swords). Photo by Maria Waickowski

We all probably were walking into this class asking ourselves, “Can just anyone read tarot cards? It was nice to see the woman who mentioned the class and other friendly faces also participating. It is incredibly welcoming for a novice to begin learning tarot. It is best to become familiar with the imagery, learning them by heart and understanding how the cards talk to each other so that when you pull a series of cards, you understand how they flow into a type of story or journey. Suzanne had us try an activity to see what cards or patterns erupted for us with each card.

Tarot Deck and hot cup of tea. Photo by Maria Waickowski

It was neat to learn with others from various parts of the island, who all had various reasons for what brought them to this session. They ranged from wanting to practice eventually, to tarot resonating with them during difficult times and to mostly the general fascination and learning of something brand new. It turns out that this is a wonderful resource for meeting new people on the island and learning about a possible new subject for some. It could be a starting point from which one sprouts other similar “meetup” type ventures or events. It is my understanding that it may be one of the library’s most favorite courses offered.

Tarot Deck/Writing down our interpretations. Photo by Maria Waickowski

Tarot cards, originally devised in 15th-century Italy, form a unique deck used not only in tarot games but also for divination practices. These decks emerged by introducing a fifth suit of 21 specially illustrated cards, known as “trionfi” or “triumphs,” along with an enigmatic card called “il matto” or “the fool,” to the existing standard four-suited playing cards. Suzanne explained that the fool card usually prompts or designates one to know when the journey or path is about to unfold. We discussed the 4 suits of tarot cards. “Cartomantic Tarot cards derived from Latin-suited packs typically have a Minor Arcana of 56 cards, with 14 cards in each suit: Wands (alternately batons, clubs, staffs, or staves), Cups (chalices, goblets, or vessels), Swords (or blades), and Pentacles (coins, disks, or rings).”

Tarot Deck Photo by Maria Waickowski

So, what’s the intriguing history behind tarot cards? The earliest tarot-like cards had their origins in Italy and were primarily employed for a card game called “tarocchi,” somewhat akin to the modern game of bridge. These early tarot decks, exemplified by the Visconti-Sforza deck, were meticulously hand-painted and commissioned by affluent families as a symbol of their prestige and wealth. Suzanne spoke a little about history, but mainly got us to familiarize ourselves with the decks and bring your own if you can. I personally bought a deck that looked pretty and appealed to me. She suggested that it is very easy to find an appealing deck by ordering one through Wendy over at BookWorks as she often has ample supplies and interesting options. Also, another way to shop locally.

Tarot Deck on display in order of suit. Photo by Maria Waickowski

When selecting a set of tarot cards, it can be challenging to know where to start. Suzanne explained that there are some iconic cards and they are often referred to as the “Rider-Waite” tarot deck. The originator of this iconic tarot deck was Pamela Colman Smith, who was not only an artist but also an occultist. Interestingly, her name is not widely recognized, yet she made contributions to the development of Modernism, as evidenced by her work at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Her work was also featured in the October 1912 issue of The Craftsman magazine, as revealed by research.Debates among enthusiasts about tarot card origins range from claims of ancient Babylonian roots to the consensus among historians that they started as playing cards introduced to Europe from Islamic culture in the 14th century.

Tarot Deck Photo by Maria Waickowski

Tarot is the art of seeking wisdom and counsel by arranging a designated array of tarot cards, with the aim of illuminating insights about one’s history, current circumstances, or potential future. These decks consist of 22 playing cards adorned with symbolic imagery, serving dual purposes for fortune-telling and as trump cards in tarok games. Tarot, as a practice, empowers us to attain deeper understanding of our present circumstances, validate our intuitive senses, and project potential outcomes. While it may appear somewhat intimidating at first, it’s essentially a straightforward process.

Tarot Deck laid out by suit. Photo by Maria Waickowski

The various themes of the tarot cards can be summarized as follows, but highlighting only a few since there are so many to consider: The Fool represents new beginnings and childlike wonder. The Wheel of Fortune symbolizes change and a light-hearted approach to life. The Magician represents manifestation and the connection between the above and below. The Lovers card symbolizes partnership and the importance of honesty and communication. The Chariot embodies willpower and accomplishment. The World card represents completion, wholeness, and the achievement of goals

When delving into the origins of tarot card creation, it becomes evident that Etteilla holds the distinction of being the pioneer in crafting a tailored tarot deck explicitly intended for occult use, a development that transpired approximately in 1789. In alignment with the unverified notion linking these cards to the Book of Thoth, Etteilla’s tarot deck featured motifs and symbolism inspired by the ancient civilization of Egypt.

Tarot Deck Photo by Maria Waickowski

Why Tarot you may ask? It is unknown and intriguing for a starting point. It is always important to learn something new to base other decisions upon, especially since we can be thought of as a collection of our various interactions with people and experiences. Why are tarot cards so important? Tarot cards are important to different people because they are seeking guidance and a path to answers and decks can be utilized as a tool for inner wisdom. as readings give a person insight to past, current and future events based on the person’s current path at the time of the reading. We received homework at the end of the first session to do the following:

Leave them(tarot cards) out, look at them, touch them, sage them) Write it down, Meditate, Study them, What in a day reflected back to you? I am curious to go back to more sessions and discover why not discover Tarot?