Unveiling the Mysteries: Exploring the Historical Roots of Tarot

The Tarot, a deck of cards rich in symbolism and mystique, has long been a subject of fascination and speculation. My own fascination with the Tarot began around 2001 when I started studying the Tarot as part of my work on my PhD is Esoteric Studies. I read numerous books on the Tarot, my favourite being the classic book “The Tarot: A key to the Wisdom of the Ages” by Paul Foster-Case.

Case suggests that the origins of the Tarot are to be found in the Moroccan city of Fez around the 13th Century. Among the many other theories about its origins, one particularly intriguing idea is that the Tarot traces back to the ancient Egyptian mystery traditions, an idea popularised not least by the publication of Aleister Crowley’s “Thoth Tarot” designed by Lady Frieda Harris.

This blog post delves into the research and historical evidence to explore the veracity of this claim.

The theory that the Tarot originated in ancient Egypt is a part of a larger narrative that connects Egyptian mystery schools with esoteric knowledge and practices. Proponents of this theory suggest that the Tarot is a remnant of the ancient "Book of Thoth," a compendium of mystical wisdom attributed to the Egyptian god of wisdom, Thoth. This idea was popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries, notably by figures like Antoine Court de Gébelin and Eliphas Lévi, who believed that the Tarot held the secrets of the Egyptian mysteries.

However, let’s examine the evidence:

1. Historical Records and Archaeology:

• The earliest known Tarot cards date back to the 15th century in Europe, specifically Italy. There is no archaeological evidence to support the existence of Tarot-like cards in ancient Egypt.

• The imagery and symbols on the oldest Tarot decks, such as the Visconti-Sforza deck, are predominantly Christian and medieval in nature, rather than Egyptian.

2. The Egyptian Connection:

• The association of Tarot with Egyptian mythology and esotericism largely stems from speculative theories and the occult revival of the 18th and 19th centuries.

• While some symbols in the Tarot may appear to resonate with ancient Egyptian iconography, there is no direct link or historical documentation to confirm this connection.

3. The Influence of Hermeticism:

• The idea of a link between the Tarot and ancient Egyptian mysteries may have been influenced by the Hermetic tradition, which saw Egypt as a source of ancient wisdom.

• The Hermetic texts, although attributed to an Egyptian context, were products of Hellenistic and later periods, not direct transmissions from the ancient Egyptian civilization.

4. Academic Consensus:

• Most contemporary scholars and historians of card games and esotericism agree that the Tarot's origins are European and there is no substantial evidence linking it directly to ancient Egyptian mystery traditions.

• The narrative of Egyptian origins, while rich in symbolic and allegorical potential, is considered a part of the mythos and lore surrounding the Tarot rather than a historical fact.

In conclusion, while the theory that the Tarot originated from ancient Egyptian mysteries is a nice idea, current research and historical evidence suggests there is very little to support this claim. It seems that the Tarot's true origins lie in 15th-century Europe, and its connection to Egyptian traditions is more a product of later interpretations and esoteric philosophies (and maybe wishful thinking).

This certainly does not detract from my love of the Tarot, or the fact that it is a powerful tool for personal development and spiritual exploration, irrespective of its historical beginnings. In some ways the murky origins of the Tarot add to its mystique and intrigue. Whilst there also seems very little evidence for Case’s proposition that the origins of the Tarot lay in 13th Century Fez, that seems more likely (and to me, a more attractive idea) than ancient Egypt.