While tarot cards first appeared in Italy in the mid-1400s, it is often believed that decks existed in ancient Egypt even earlier. In either case, the Italian decks which first appeared were 22 cards known as the Visconti Trumps, what is now called the Major Arcana. For, tarot card readings today are often performed with decks which feature the Major Arcana and four suits of cards known as the Minor Arcana.
Rumors have suggested that the Italian cards with all the beauty and symbolism were created with royalty in mind. Whereas, it was not until much later that the cards became popular and associated with psychic readings and divination. Once the cards were more accepted and used for divination, readings and personal insight became associated with entertainment as much as the occult.
Eventually, the Trumps became the standard playing cards among the Nobles. Before this time, those whom played the Trump cards in various games often had to decide whether to hold, discard or substitute other cards. Most nobles of the time saw the Tower, Devil and Death cards as being offensive, thus these cards were often discarded. For, it was believed that the souls of those playing such cards would be won by the Devil.
It was not so much the meaning tied to the cards but the images which caused religious leaders of the time to attempt to banish the Trump cards. In fact, the first specific reference to these cards was in a sermon. The sermon provided by an Italian Franciscan Friar some time in the mid-1400s contended that the Tower, Death and Devil cards were invented and named by the devil, with the latter being a namesake.
Even when just using the cards for simple game play, the Friar suggested those whom did so were worshiping Satan and turning away from the light. As such, the sermon condemned the cards as being part and parcel to the act of Satanism. As it turned out, the cards were never banned, while psychic and tarot readings became more popular over the centuries.
The use of decks in divination, magic and witchcraft are attributed to Antoine Court de Gebelin in the late 1700s during what is considered a rebirth of tarot. For, de Gabelin believed the cards were of Egyptian origin and contained mystical knowledge. In addition, Antoine also believed the symbols were intentionally placed and included on various cards, especially the Trumps.
De Gebelin, at least in theory believed the cards were keys to the lost knowledge and wisdom of the Egyptians. It was much later when the Major Arcana began to evolve into decks revised and distributed by a number of secret societies that hopes of revealing this knowledge came to pass. Most likely, this led to modern decks which come with guidebooks which define the artwork and provide the meaning of each and every card.
Originally regular playing cards were often used in place of the Trumps or full decks. In fact, the symbolism in most modern decks is actually based on the face and suit cards of regular decks. As such, regardless of whether playing with a regular deck or one authored by an artist or writer, the meaning behind the different suits are often the same, if not similar in nature.
Rumors have suggested that the Italian cards with all the beauty and symbolism were created with royalty in mind. Whereas, it was not until much later that the cards became popular and associated with psychic readings and divination. Once the cards were more accepted and used for divination, readings and personal insight became associated with entertainment as much as the occult.
Eventually, the Trumps became the standard playing cards among the Nobles. Before this time, those whom played the Trump cards in various games often had to decide whether to hold, discard or substitute other cards. Most nobles of the time saw the Tower, Devil and Death cards as being offensive, thus these cards were often discarded. For, it was believed that the souls of those playing such cards would be won by the Devil.
It was not so much the meaning tied to the cards but the images which caused religious leaders of the time to attempt to banish the Trump cards. In fact, the first specific reference to these cards was in a sermon. The sermon provided by an Italian Franciscan Friar some time in the mid-1400s contended that the Tower, Death and Devil cards were invented and named by the devil, with the latter being a namesake.
Even when just using the cards for simple game play, the Friar suggested those whom did so were worshiping Satan and turning away from the light. As such, the sermon condemned the cards as being part and parcel to the act of Satanism. As it turned out, the cards were never banned, while psychic and tarot readings became more popular over the centuries.
The use of decks in divination, magic and witchcraft are attributed to Antoine Court de Gebelin in the late 1700s during what is considered a rebirth of tarot. For, de Gabelin believed the cards were of Egyptian origin and contained mystical knowledge. In addition, Antoine also believed the symbols were intentionally placed and included on various cards, especially the Trumps.
De Gebelin, at least in theory believed the cards were keys to the lost knowledge and wisdom of the Egyptians. It was much later when the Major Arcana began to evolve into decks revised and distributed by a number of secret societies that hopes of revealing this knowledge came to pass. Most likely, this led to modern decks which come with guidebooks which define the artwork and provide the meaning of each and every card.
Originally regular playing cards were often used in place of the Trumps or full decks. In fact, the symbolism in most modern decks is actually based on the face and suit cards of regular decks. As such, regardless of whether playing with a regular deck or one authored by an artist or writer, the meaning behind the different suits are often the same, if not similar in nature.
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