What Is The Origin Of Tarot Readings?

Tarot cards are a set of cards used in tarot games and fortune-telling. They were invented in Italy in the 1430s, adding a fifth suit of 21 specially illustrated cards called trionfi to the existing four-suited pack. French Freemason Antoine Court de Gebelin published a complex analysis of the Tarot in 1781, revealing that the symbolism in the Tarot was actually derived from the Kabbalah. The origins of tarot cards are complex, involving the merging of various cultural influences, international travel, game theory, and the use of tarocchi, an Italian word meaning “foolishness”. Some believe that Tarot cards originated in ancient Egypt for divination purposes, while others argue that their symbolism can be traced back to the Kabbalah.

Tarot card reading is a form of cartomancy where practitioners use tarot cards to gain insight into the past, present, or future. The playing game of tarot originates from around 1441, Italy, and the cards were used in divination around 1781 (1765 for regular bridge or poker playing cards). Tarot cards likely originated in northern Italy during the late 14th or early 15th century. The oldest surviving set, known as the Visconti, is the oldest surviving set.

The idea that tarot came from Egypt and was transmitted to Europe by wandering Romani people can be attributed to a French author named Antoine Court de Gebelin. Playing cards first appeared in Europe in the 1370s, probably in Italy or Spain, as imports or possessions of merchants from the Islamic Mamlūk. Although most tangible evidence points to tarot cards having originated in Europe, some theories suggest a connection between tarot symbolism and the origins of card games.

Is tarot ok for Christians?

The notion that tarot cards can exert control over one’s life is a pervasive one, yet there is a paucity of empirical evidence to substantiate this claim.

Is tarot related to Judaism?

Tarot, a traditional Jewish mystical practice, has been attributed to the Kabbalah, an ancient Jewish mystical practice focused on understanding the universe’s mysteries and gaining power in the world. Dovid Krafchow’s Kabbalistic Tarot interprets the 78 cards of a deck as part of a “tree of life”, symbolizing different phases in a person’s life and the challenges and blessings they may encounter. Other Jewish mystical traditions include the Jewitch Collective, a support center for Jews, pagans, and those who love them, which uses Earth magick and Jewish traditions to advocate for LGBT rights, address climate change, and address other issues.

The Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute, headquartered in New York, combines traditional Jewish ritual with mystical practices of connecting with the self and the Earth. Priestesses ordained through the Institute experiment with new rituals deeply rooted in Jewish practice. Sarah Chandler, an ordained Kohenet since 2015, shares her experience with incorporating divination practices like tarot into Kohenet practices.

Are tarot cards mysticism?

Tarot cards, originally used by Italian nobles and aristocrats as playing cards, evolved into a cornerstone of mysticism and spiritual exploration. They were initially used for skill, strategy, and luck in a game called “tarocchi”. However, they also had hidden potential for unraveling life’s mysteries, divining the future, and exploring the human psyche. Italy played a significant role in this transformation, with the Visconti-Sforza deck, created in the mid-15th century for the Duke of Milan, being one of the earliest surviving tarot decks. The deck’s intricate imagery and symbolism hint at a deeper, more mystical purpose, yet to be fully revealed.

What does kabbalah say about tarot?

Lévi, a French tarot expert, compared Tarot to a book and believed that it could provide universal wisdom within a few years. He believed that Tarot’s wisdom preceded even the Law of Moses. Lévi continued Gébelin’s line of thought, recognizing the correlation between the 22 Major Arcana cards and Hebrew alphabet letters. He also connected the first ten cards of each suit to Kabbalistic Sefirot and believed that each suit corresponded with a letter of God’s name.

Lévi’s tenets reached England and were further enhanced by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society established in 1887 in London. The Hermetic Order’s influence on modern Tarot and Western spiritual movements is significant, as it disbanded and split into various groups.

Did tarot cards originate in Africa?

The provenance of the tarot deck has been a topic of scholarly interest for two centuries, with the consensus being that it originated in the Renaissance court of northern Italy. However, the precise connection with Egypt remains elusive.

Did tarot originate in Egypt?

The popular belief that tarot originated in ancient Egypt is, in fact, a myth. Tarot decks were utilized for card games for centuries prior to the late 1700s, when French pastor Antoine Court de Gebelin became the first documented professional tarot reader. He employed the cards for divination purposes.

How did tarot become spiritual?

Tarots were first used for occult and fortune-telling in France around 1780. Each card in the major arcana has a specific meaning, with the minor arcana focusing on business and career ambitions. The tarot deck is shuffled by the questioner, and a fortune-teller then lays out a few cards in a spread pattern. The meaning of a card is modified based on its position in the spread, its orientation, and the meaning of adjacent cards.

What is the science behind tarot cards?

Tarot cards have been found to have psychological influences, but they can still have beneficial effects on a person’s mental health when used in a therapeutic context. A 2009 study found that regular users of Tarot cards used them as a tool for self-reflection, providing insight into their current life situations and providing comfort during difficult times. They also used Tarot cards as a tool for positive reinforcement, drawing cards intentionally and randomly to provide insights about their own lives.

Some co-researchers kept a card with them until their goals were resolved, claiming that Tarot does not reveal new information but can provide a new perspective on an issue that can influence a plan for a possible course of action.

This study highlights the potential of Tarot as an effective therapeutic tool, despite the foundational psychological effects behind its mainstream use. Further research on the beneficial impacts of Tarot in a therapeutic setting would involve examining a larger number of participants from a wider variety of backgrounds. Regardless of the reason behind a person’s use of Tarot cards, they have maintained a strong presence in society and have the potential to do more than just predict the future.

What culture is tarot from?

In English-speaking countries, cartomantic tarot cards are available for novelty and divination. Early French occultists claimed tarot cards had esoteric links to ancient Egypt, Kabbalah, the Indic Tantra, or I Ching. However, scholarly research shows that tarot cards were invented in northern Italy in the mid-15th century and no significant use of tarot cards for divination until the late 18th century. Historians describe western views of the Tarot pack as a “successful propaganda campaign”.

The earliest evidence of a tarot deck used for cartomancy comes from an anonymous manuscript from around 1750. The popularization of esoteric tarot started with Antoine Court and Jean-Baptiste Alliette (Etteilla) in Paris during the 1780s, using the Tarot of Marseilles. French tarot players abandoned the Marseilles tarot in favor of the Tarot Nouveau around 1900, and the Marseilles pattern is now mostly used by cartomancers. Etteilla was the first to produce a bespoke tarot deck specifically designed for occult purposes around 1789, containing themes related to ancient Egypt.

Where did tarot readings originate?

Tarot cards, originating in Europe during the mid-15th century, have been a fascinating tool for personal growth and divination. The earliest known tarot-like cards were created in Italy and used to play a game called tarocchi, similar to bridge. These early decks, such as the Visconti-Sforza deck, were hand-painted and commissioned by wealthy families as a symbol of their status. The history of tarot cards is a fascinating journey, examining its origins, symbolism, and interpretations throughout history.

The Major Arcana reveals universal archetypes, while the Minor Arcana focuses on everyday matters and personal experiences. The evolution of tarot from occultism to personal growth is explored, with a focus on accessibility and online communities. The art of tarot reading is also discussed, with a focus on finding personal connections and Symbolic Resonance. The timeless magic of tarot cards continues to captivate people’s imaginations and serve as a powerful tool for personal growth and divination.

Who first read tarot cards?

Tarot card reading is a form of cartomancy where practitioners use tarot cards to gain insight into the past, present, or future. The first to assign divinatory meanings to tarot cards was cartomancer Jean-Baptiste Alliette (also known as Etteilla) in 1783. A traditional tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. French-suited playing cards can also be used. The first written references to tarot packs occurred between 1440 and 1450 in northern Italy, where additional cards with allegorical illustrations were added to the common four-suit pack.

These new packs were called carte da trionfi, triumph packs, and the additional cards known simply as trionfi, which became “trumps” in English. One of the earliest references to tarot triumphs is given c. 1450–1470 by a Dominican preacher in a sermon against dice, playing cards, and ‘triumphs’. References to the tarot as a social plague or exempt from bans that affected other games continue throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, but there are no indications that the cards were used for anything but games.