The History of Tarot
The story of Tarot cards is a captivating journey through time, a tale of mysticism, symbolism, and evolution. Dr. Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942), a renowned scholar of occultism, played a significant role in unraveling the secrets of the Tarot.
Waite's remarkable works, including "The Holy Kabbalah" and "The Key to the Tarot" (first published in England in 1910), demonstrated his deep understanding of the Tarot's symbolism. He famously stated, "The true tarot is symbolism; it speaks no other language and offers no other signs." But what do these Tarot cards signify, and where did they originate?
The precise origins of Tarot cards in antiquity remain shrouded in mystery. In 1781, Court de Gebelin proposed a theory in his work, "Le Monde Primitif," suggesting that Tarot cards had their roots in an ancient Egyptian book known as "The Book of Thoth." Thoth, the Egyptian Mercury, was credited with inventing the hieroglyphic system, and Gebelin believed that the Tarot's wisdom was passed down from the Egyptians and Gypsies.
Surprisingly, the emergence of Tarot cards in Europe predates Dr. Waite's influential work by over five centuries. In the historical records, a German monk named Johannes mentioned a card game called "Ludas Cartarum" played in 1377, offering a glimpse of the Tarot's early presence.
Covelluzzo, a fifteenth-century chronicler, added to the mystery by documenting the introduction of card games in Viterbo in 1379, further fueling the Tarot's enigmatic history.
In 1369, a decree issued by Charles VI of France made no mention of playing cards. However, just 28 years later, the Prevot of Paris issued an ordinance on January 22, 1397, forbidding working people from engaging in various activities, including playing cards, except on holidays. This marked the growing popularity of playing cards in Europe, hinting at their historical significance.
It is widely believed that playing cards found their way to Europe in the latter half of the fourteenth century, possibly originating in Italy as a complete 78-card deck. This deck combined the common 56 cards, known as the Major Arcana, with the 22 esoteric and emblematic Tarot cards, known as the Minor Arcana, forming the 78-card Tarot pack we know today.
During the fifteenth century, Tarot cards were often hand-drawn or painted for princely houses in Northern Italy and France. Subsequently, they were reproduced through woodcuts, stencils, and copper engraving, becoming more accessible to the masses.
In the sixteenth century, the Tarot of Marseilles gained popularity as a modified Tarot pack. Today, we find historical relics in the archives of renowned institutions like the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, containing Major Arcana cards believed to be hand-painted around 1392.
The Pierpont Morgan Library in New York possesses 35 cards from a 78-card Tarot deck dating back to circa 1484, linked to Cardinal Ascanio Maria Sforza or his mother Bianca Visconti Sforza.
Early European cards related to the Tarot pack include the Tarocchi of Mantegna, the Tarocchi of Venice or Lombardi, the Tarocchino of Bologna, and the Minchiate of Florence. These variations added depth and richness to the evolving Tarot tradition.
Tarot decks contain 78 cards divided into two major groups: the 22 Major Arcana and the 56 Lesser Arcana cards. The Major Arcana, from The Fool (Le Mat) to The World, carry deep symbolic meaning, while the Lesser Arcana is divided into four suits—swords (spades) , batons or wands (clubs), cups (hearts), and coins or pentacles (diamonds) .
The Tarot's influence extends to modern playing cards, which evolved from the medieval Tarot decks. As card playing gained popularity, the Major Arcana cards, except for The Fool (retained as the Joker), were dropped, and the Cavalier and Page were merged into the modern Jack, resulting in the standard deck of fifty-two cards.
Over the centuries, Tarot cards have intrigued scholars, occultists, and enthusiasts. Important works by various authors have delved into different aspects of Tarot cards, shedding light on their symbolism and divinatory potential.
One pivotal moment in Tarot's history was the creation of the "Rider Deck." Under Dr. Waite's guidance, the deck was designed by Miss Pamela Colman Smith, an American artist and a fellow member of The Order of the Golden Dawn. Her innovative approach presented all cards, including the pip cards, in emblematic designs suitable for divination.
Tarot cards, with their colorful and intriguing history, continue to hold a special place in the hearts of collectors, readers, and enthusiasts. They offer a means of reflection, insight, and even divination, with each card carrying a personal impact on the individual who uses them.
Today, Tarot cards are more popular than ever, sought after by people from all walks of life, from teenagers to professionals. They feature in parties, luncheons, and even Hollywood gatherings, showcasing their enduring allure and fascination.
The history of Tarot is a rich tapestry of mysticism and symbolism, and it continues to evolve, shaping its own destiny in the hands of those who seek to unlock its secrets. Dr. Arthur Edward Waite's contributions to this mystical realm are an essential part of this intriguing story.
