by Lisa Armano

Created on: June 26, 2009   Last Updated: July 09, 2009

When consulting a psychic, one of the tools that may be used to give guidance is the tarot deck. Tarot is a very ancient spiritual science, and a skilled psychic will not only read the cards using their scientific knowledge, but use their psychic ability to read into a person's psychic field in order to best find the solution to their query. The tarot deck contains 78 pictured cards that represent influences and experiences within one's life. The pictures on the cards are imprints of subconscious symbols, and when read by an experienced psychic, can lend themselves as windows into the querent's consciousness.

The tarot deck is divided into two parts: the Minor and Major Arcana, or secrets. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards and begins with 0, which is the Fool card. The Fool represents all seekers of Truth as they embark on their spiritual journey. All successive cards are influences or lessons the Fool will be confronted with along the way. The cards of the Major Arcana are associated with astrological sun signs (constellations) and planets.

During a tarot reading, a card known as the Magician may appear. The Magician card is the first card on the Fool's journey and is connected to the planet Mercury. Mercury was called Hermes in Ancient Greece, and is best known as the messenger of the Gods, having wings on his feet (or helmet, depending on the depiction), who traveled at the speed of lightning.

The planet Mercury is one of three personality planets (along with Venus and Mars). It is associated with all forms of communication and analysis, the human nervous system, and the lower, rational mind or intellect. Mercury, on a higher level, represents the mediation between Spirit and Soul through the mind.

Historically, Hermes was Thoth-Hermes, with the Greeks shortening his name. The Romans later changed it to Mercury. The Egyptians attribute to him the authorship of many astrological, mathematical, musical, alchemical, and medical works of antiquity which also implies that he is a Magician of sorts. Mercury can lead an aspirant into the magical realms of existence through awareness of the hidden forces in nature, as well as being open to guidance from above. Yet, Mercury is a transmitter, not a source of knowledge. He does not alter or judge the information being transmitted it is up to the receiver to be clear and make good use of what is given. And so it was that Thoth-Hermes was said to have been given the transmissions

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