Tarot - a History
To tell the whole history of Tarot cards would take several websites, let alone one, but it is important to have some idea of where the cards came from. This is because readers can use the history to have a better understanding of the cards, their symbology and meanings and thus produce much more accurate readings.
Many historians believe Tarot began life as simple playing cards, not unlike our own playing cards today and people read far too much into what they believe was just a popular parlour game. But as the cards themselves have not changed dramatically since their early days, it does beg the question what kind of party game could have been played with images that are sometimes a little disturbing!
Kabbala is probably the most important historical link, although this topic is subject to much discussion and controversy. Although the cards made their debut in Italy, at the end of the fourteenth century, the link between Kabbala and Tarot, put forward much later by Frenchman Eliphas Levi in the nineteeth century, is very significant.
There are 22 secret meanings of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, on which Kabbala is based. The Tree of Life features heavily in Tarot, also in Kabbala. There are 4 suits to Tarot, the number 4 also features heavily in Kabbala, with 4 trees progressing through 4 worlds. Strangely in recent times, as Tarot has increased in popularity, so has Kabbala.
When your studies have reached advanced point, some study of Kabbala and its teachings should help you further understand your cards.
To tell the whole history of Tarot cards would take several websites, let alone one, but it is important to have some idea of where the cards came from. This is because readers can use the history to have a better understanding of the cards, their symbology and meanings and thus produce much more accurate readings.
Many historians believe Tarot began life as simple playing cards, not unlike our own playing cards today and people read far too much into what they believe was just a popular parlour game. But as the cards themselves have not changed dramatically since their early days, it does beg the question what kind of party game could have been played with images that are sometimes a little disturbing!
Kabbala is probably the most important historical link, although this topic is subject to much discussion and controversy. Although the cards made their debut in Italy, at the end of the fourteenth century, the link between Kabbala and Tarot, put forward much later by Frenchman Eliphas Levi in the nineteeth century, is very significant.
There are 22 secret meanings of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, on which Kabbala is based. The Tree of Life features heavily in Tarot, also in Kabbala. There are 4 suits to Tarot, the number 4 also features heavily in Kabbala, with 4 trees progressing through 4 worlds. Strangely in recent times, as Tarot has increased in popularity, so has Kabbala.
When your studies have reached advanced point, some study of Kabbala and its teachings should help you further understand your cards.
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