Why Bother With Tarot History?
When you start learning Tarot, you might wonder: “Why do I need to know where these cards came from? Can’t I just start reading them?”
The answer is: history gives meaning. Imagine learning to play the guitar without knowing where music comes from. You could play notes, but the soul would be missing. In the same way, knowing Tarot’s past helps you respect it and connect with it deeply.
The Very Beginning – Tarot as a Game
Surprisingly, Tarot did not begin as a mystical tool at all. Around the 14th and 15th centuries, in countries like Italy and France, Tarot was simply a card game. People called it Tarocchi.
- Wealthy families would ask artists to paint beautiful decks for them.
- The cards had detailed pictures, often with bright colors and gold designs.
- These were used for entertainment, like how we play rummy or poker today.
Example: Imagine a noble family in Italy hosting a celebration. Instead of giving guests only wine and music, they bring out a special painted deck of Tarot cards for a new card game. Everyone laughs, plays, and enjoys. At that time, no one thought of Tarot as fortune-telling—it was just fun.
The Transformation – From Games to Symbols
Fast forward to the 18th century. Thinkers, scholars, and mystics began looking at Tarot differently. They noticed the pictures on the cards weren’t just random art—they seemed to carry deeper meaning.
- A card like The Sun wasn’t just a pretty picture of the sun; it looked like a symbol of hope and happiness.
- The Wheel of Fortune made people think about how life keeps changing.
- Mystics started connecting Tarot with astrology, numbers, and spiritual teachings.
Example: Imagine you find an old deck of cards. On one card, there’s a man holding scales and a sword. You might instantly think: “That’s about justice or fairness.” This is how people began realizing the cards told universal stories.
Famous Tarot Decks That Shaped History
- Tarot of Marseille (1600s, France)
One of the oldest styles still used today. The art is simple but full of meaning.- Readers still use it because its raw images force you to focus on intuition.
Example: In the Marseille deck, the Death card is drawn in a very plain style, without words. It forces the reader to think beyond fear and see endings as new beginnings.
- Readers still use it because its raw images force you to focus on intuition.
- Rider–Waite–Smith Deck (1909, England)
This is the most famous deck for beginners, and chances are, if you’ve seen Tarot, it’s this one.
- Designed by Arthur Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith.
- Pamela was an artist who added rich details and symbols to every single card.
- This made Tarot easier to learn because pictures tell stories clearly.
Example:- The Three of Swords in this deck shows a heart pierced by three swords under stormy clouds. Even if you’ve never studied Tarot, you instantly feel: “This is about heartbreak or pain.” That is why this deck is still the go-to for beginners.
3. Thoth Tarot (1940s, England)
- Created by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris.
- More complex, filled with astrological and magical symbols.
- Popular among advanced readers, but not always beginner-friendly.
Example:- The Thoth Magus (Magician) card shows a figure juggling many symbols. It looks busy and layered—like an encyclopedia of spiritual signs.
Tarot in Today’s World
Today, Tarot is everywhere—not only with mystics or fortune-tellers but also with ordinary people who want guidance.
- Self-care tool:- Many pull one card daily for reflection, like journaling.
- Therapy support:- Some psychologists use Tarot imagery to help clients explore feelings.
- Creative spark:- Writers and artists pull cards when stuck, letting the images inspire them.
Example: A writer unsure about her story’s ending might pull The World. The card shows completion and wholeness, inspiring her to give her character a satisfying closure.
Why Beginners Should Care About History
You don’t need to memorize every date or name. But knowing Tarot’s journey makes your practice richer.
- When you hold a deck, you’re holding hundreds of years of human imagination.
- You’ll appreciate that Tarot is not superstition—it’s culture, art, and wisdom combined.
- It reminds you that Tarot is not set in stone. Just like it evolved from games to guidance, your personal practice will evolve too.
Human Touch
When I first learned that Tarot started as a game, I laughed. It made me relax. I realized Tarot wasn’t born out of fear or control—it was born from play and creativity. That thought gave me courage. If people 600 years ago could use Tarot for joy, why can’t we use it today for guidance and growth?
Conclusion
Tarot’s history is a beautiful journey:
- It began as a simple game in Italian courts.
- It transformed into a book of symbols and spiritual wisdom.
- It grew into the Rider–Waite deck we use worldwide today.
Every time you shuffle your cards, remember—you’re part of a tradition that has been alive for centuries.
Next Lesson → You’ve seen how Tarot transformed from a simple card game into a powerful tool of wisdom. But how did I personally step into this world? In the next chapter, I’ll share My Journey Into Tarot—the chaos, the questions, and the first magical moment when the cards began to speak to me.