Tarot is Probably the most widely used of all 'card systems' and is certainly the subject of a huge number of books. It has a definite symbolic and esoteric structure and is capable of being studied to great depth: as a 'Book' of knowledge in image form as well as being used for meditative purposes. Tarot is widely used for divinatory purpose and, apart form the interpretative meanings of individual cards, Tarot decks are often thematic in their representation. Each reader will undoubtedly have their proffered choice of deck. A complete tarot deck consists of 78 cards which are divided into  two sections, 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. 

The Major Arcana represent the cycle of physical and spiritual forces that we encounter during life, birth, stregnth, death, religion and re-birth.

The Minor Arcana are believed to be the forerunner to the commonly known deck of playing cards which consist of four suits:

Swords=Spades, Rods=Clubs, Cups=Hearts, Pentacles=Diamonds.

The Minor Arcana cards generally represent occupations, social positions and status.