The Little Known History of Tarot
Among the many tools and traditions that have circulated through occult culture, none have stood the test of time or gained as much popularity as the tarot. Throughout its history, tarot has has been associated with various esoteric ideologies and the true origin of the cards has been a topic of debate. However, historical evidence points to a deck of playing cards that wasn’t used exclusively for divination and fortune telling until centuries after its creation.
Occult historian and author Mitch Horowitz sheds some light on how this powerful tool transitioned from an early version of bridge to a mystical divination tool.
The Biology of Belief
Chinese Zodiac Animals Complete Guide: The Race of Twelve
People can rarely guess this by looking at me, but I am half Chinese, and very proud of it! What an incredibly complex and colorful culture to claim as part of my own; the richness of the Chinese traditions and customs can be credited with many amazing advancements dating before America was even a twinkle in the world’s eye. One such aspect is the Chinese Zodiac containing the twelve animals that make up the cycle of our years past, present, and future.
Growing up, my grandmother instructed me, my brother, and my cousins in the way of traditions that have been passed down generation after generation. Usually, we’d gather around her home during Chinese New Year and welcome the new animal of the year (this year, 2014, is the Horse, which is my animal! Power to the Horses.).
We celebrated with a pyramid of oranges, red envelopes called li shis, delicious candies like sweet lotus root, and many a decoration in the shade of the Chinese lucky color, red. Of course, being a kid, I was most interested in the candied fruit, but the stories did grab my attention enough for me to be fascinated by the story of how the animals came to be in the Zodiac.
12 Chinese Zodiac Animals
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