Tarot cards have been used for divination and storytelling for centuries, though they were also used in many games during the Renaissance and early industrial eras. The modern surge of tarot as a divination tool, however, comes from the Rider-Waite deck, which has been published in its present form for more than a century.
Tarot decks vary in style and content. Some provide illustrated pip cards, while others only have meaningful illustrations on the trump cards that make tarot decks unique. While some tarot decks sometimes provide a clear meaning on each card, others are more esoteric, presenting the reader with a figure and encouraging creative thought.
The open-endedness of the tarot deck provides a path to draw intuition and feelings to the fore. Readers tap into the latent psychic energy within themselves and use the cards to open their eyes to the psychic senses and gut feelings they might otherwise ignore. Over time, this practice can encourage a more mindful and open view of the world.