• Place, Robert M. The Tarot: History Symbolism and Divination. ISBN: 1-58542-349-1

Summary

1781: The tarot deck becomes primarily regarded as a divination tool rather than a game because Antoine Court comes across the card deck at a party. He and the other guests make up nonsense about the symbolism being from ancient Egypt.

Early 1900s: The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn layers on western esoteric themes.

Down the rabbit hole

  • Place, Robert M. The Tarot: History Symbolism and Divination. ISBN: 1-58542-349-1

Summary

1770: Jean-Baptiste Alliette, the ‘first professional tarot reader’, going by the pseudonym ‘Etteilla’, publishes a book on divination with cards. He provides instructions for card spreads, and includes keywords for assigned card meanings.

1785: Etteilla publishes a book specifically on tarot card reading.

1791: Etteilla redesigns the tarot, adding hermetic and astrological elements.

Down the rabbit hole

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