Some questions commonly asked are; "How can a deck of cards possibly tell you anything about anything?" This basically sums up the common sense view of the cards. The cards can make a real difference in the way you perceive and deal with the challenges in your life. The origin of the tarot is a mystery, we do know for sure that the cards were used in Italy in the fifteenth century as a popular card game. Wealthy patrons commissioned beautiful decks, some of which have survived. The Visconti-Sforza, created in 1450 or shortly thereafter, is one of the earliest and most complete.

You're seated in front of your first tarot reading. You've shuffled, cut and laid out your cards. Your first thought is probably, "Now what do I do?" Reading the tarot is an art, not a science. There can be no set rules that apply all the time because every person is unique. How could a system of formulas ever provide guidance that honors that uniqueness?On the other hand, there are some ways to approach the cards that have proven valuable time and again. They work because they bring form and focus to intuitive responses. They provide a framework around which you can build the special message of each reading.

These exercises give you a chance to practice the concepts presented in the lessons. Do the ones that appeal to you, and take them at your own pace. You don't have to do any exercises before continuing with the lessons. They are completely optional. The later exercises do build on earlier lessons, so it's best not to skip ahead. For some exercises, there are examples of possible responses. The phrase check suggestions lets you know when this is the case.