What does the Tarot mean to you?

[icymist]

Throughout my years on this Earth I have used many versions of the Tarot, and there's lots to choose from depending on the author of the cards, the artist with a vision, or even a form of political correctness. Whatever floats your boat you can find in Tarot cards these days. There are medicine wheel cards, Buddhist cards, feminist cards, cards made by famous personalities, and so on. Personally, I keep using the Rider Waite version and I can feel the Major Arcana as symbols belonging to a very old book. Not only may I use these cards as a study guide but, also as a gauge to check and see how my day is going (or not going for that matter). When 'seeing' with my cards it's not to predict the future but, more like observing that conditions exist for these outcomes and this is what you can do (or not do) about it.

This morning I received an interesting article in my mailbox about the Tarot from Bella Online and that made me wonder what the people on this forum have experienced. I've met women using Crowley's deck with the frames cut off of them. I've seen people use the Tarot just for amusement. I live with a person that collects many different decks simply because they "love them". What do you use? What do the cards mean to you? Are they a tool in your life? Maybe a book without words?