The origins of tarot cards are not really known. It is said that the first known deck originated in Italy sometime in the 1400's, they were known as "Tarocchi". They were not used as a "mystical tool" until the 1600's.

A tarot card deck is typically formed of 78 cards:

- Major Arcana - 22 cards with suites and they are: The Fool, The Magician, The Priestess, The Emperor, Death, The Lovers, The Devil, The Chariot, Strength, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Temperance, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement, The World,  The Hermit, The Empress, The Hierophant

- Minor Arcana - consists of fifty six cards, divided into four suits of fourteen cards each; ten numbered cards and four court cards. The court cards are the king, queen, Knight and page, in each of the four tarot suits.

There are countless different decks available today. A very popular and well used one is the Rider-Waite deck, each card in this deck is intricately detailed with symbols related to the card. Color is also used symbolically.

I usually recommend for one's to use a deck that they feel "comfortable" and "acquainted" with. Sometimes the cards choose you rather then the other way round!

Oracle cards (themed with Fairies, Angels, Animals etc) are a very common present divination tool and many different decks and variations can be found.