I don't know how this will affect "ascension" but you can regard the Tarot as a book of Wisdom disguised as a deck of cards. The Major Arcana are important and you can set yourself in a meditative state and reach into the symbolism. Rider Waite is a particularly good pack for this. They also form a sequence and it's easier to interpret a "reading" (I'm told) if you're aware of it. However, I use them for balance between the paths that join them. As John32241 above says, they'll enhance your psychic skills and certainly point you towards wisdoms.

There's a good site that explains their meanings and has a lot about different decks and ideas. Moderators, please note I'm not deferring to another forum, the forum linked below is closed but it contains a lot of useful and seasoned tarot information, card meanings by very experienced people, etc.

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/meanings/