So, I got this book, Tarot, The Library of Esoterica, for my birthday last year. Although I skimmed through it then, I really wanted to spend quality time with it. I wanted to take my time to read it without rush.
History
Tarot possesses a rich and extensive tradition. It takes years to understand all the symbology embedded in it. I believe the main reason for this is that it has served several purposes throughout nearly seven centuries. Each generation has added another layer of meanings to it. It started as a cards game, that is certain. Around the 18th century some mystics found use for it for fortune-telling. By the beginning of the 20th century, Carl Jung was aware of tarot. His theories of archetypes and the collective unconscious show some overlap with psychoanalysis. Nowadays it is used for meditation, divination, self-knowledge and decision-making.
Storytelling
Being one of the most distinctive characteristics of the Tarot, its storytelling is something unique and captivating. The Major Arcana, or the Trump Cards, consist of 22 cards. They are numbered from 1 to 21. The Fool is either unnumbered or displays the number 0. The logic behind the sequence of these cards impresses me. When you play the game, the shuffled cards have a story to tell. If you do a reading asking for direction on a decision, the cards share their story. Or, if you try to know yourself better, the shuffled cards can reveal insights.
An innocent leaves hearth and home and sets out on the open road, unaware of both the wonders and the danger ahead. Along the way he begins to realize his own power, discovers the deep dimensionality of his inner self, and faces his weaknesses and fears, revealing a strength he did not know he had. He loves. He suffers. He makes grave mistakes and rises again to joyfully celebrate his victories. He meditates. He dances. He weeps. And as he moves forward along the winding, rocky path, he evolves, ultimately embracing all aspects of himself: body, mind, and finally, spirit.
Tarot – The Library of Esoterica, Edited and Written by Jessica Hundley
Some Cards and their Meanings
One of the most popular decks of all time is the Rider-Waite-Smith. It was a collaboration between the Tarot scholar Arthur Edward Waite and the illustrator Pamela Colman Smith. Both were members of the secret society Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Just to illustrate it, I have picked some of my preferred cards with a little interpretation of their meaning.
The Fool
A young man is precipitously walking at the edge of an abyss, apparently unaware of the dangers surrounding him. He wears colorful and extravagant clothes, which are characteristic of youth. In his left hand, he holds a white rose symbolizing purity and innocence. In his right hand, a travel bag hangs on the end of a staff. This indicates that he has embarked on a voyage. By his side a small dog showing loyalty and companionship. On the background ice capped mountains signifying the immutability of the world on face of his personal adventures. The Sun is shining bright in the sky. It is a mystic goal to be pursued deliberately; alternatively, it may be wandered off from irresponsibly.
Will he be successful on his journey? That is for us to discover.
Every person comes to this world in a specific way. They arrive pure, innocent, and unaware of the dangers. Willing or not, they embark on a self-knowledge journey. But it can also be the last step this person is taking. That is why this is the unnumbered card, or the card 0. The Major Arcana may well start with it, or end with it.
Wheel of Fortune
This card features many mystical and esoteric symbols. It draws from Egyptian, Kabbalah, Christian, Alchemical and Astrological traditions.
On the wheel itself we have the letters A, O, R, T. Depending on the direction and starting point one reads, these letters can spell TAROT. They can also spell ROTA (wheel in Latin) or TORA(H) (the book of the Law for the Hebrews). Additionally, we have the Tetragrammaton, the unpronounceable name of God, and the Alchemical symbols for mercury, sulfur, water and salt.
On the wheel is a Sphinx on top, symbolizing knowledge and strength. Anubis, the guardian of the underworld, is on the bottom but moves upward. The serpent descends, representing life force plunging into the material world. Where it will stop depends purely on chance.
On the four corners, we have the animals of Ezequiel’s vision. They are an Angel, an Eagle, a Bull, and a Lion. These same animals also represent the four Evangelists: Matthew, John, Mark, and Luke. They each are reading (or writing) on a book–the Torah or the Gospels. They can also represent the signs of the Zodiac: Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus, Leo. It all depends on the interpretation.
This card symbolizes the constant change of the world. It also reflects the eternal return heralded by the philosophers. If there is one thing that is certain, is that there will be change.
The Hanged Man
It is very common in the Tarot to pick up a card that initially appears to mean something bad. Examples include the Devil, Death, the Tower, or the Hanged Man.
This card shows a man hanging by his right foot. His left leg dangles loose, forming an inverted and mirrored number 4. It also symbolizes the cross and a triangle. He is tied to some trunks of a tree in the form of a T. The tree has live leaves on it. This indicates interaction with the forces of nature. The colors on him are also suggestive. Red on his pants represents the passions of the body. Blue on the shirt indicates calmness. Yellow on shoes and hair represents the intellect. His hands are hidden behind his back. A halo-like shining light surrounds his head, and surprisingly his face shows a calm and serene disposition.
When you consider all of this, you realize that he is there by his own volition. He has chosen to be in that position. He is making a self-sacrifice for the greater good. It’s clear then, he is meditating.
So, the bad aspect of the card is only apparent. It invites you to change your perspective. Look at things from the upside down. Take a pause and meditate. Think before acting.
Tarot in Popular Culture
There are a myriad of Tarot decks available for all tastes and purposes. Many of them were created specifically for promotional stunts. For example, the High as Hope Tarot was distributed with the album of the same name by Florence + The Machine. Another example, this limited deck, Magie Noire, was published in May 1979. It appeared in the women’s magazine Annabella to promote the perfume Magie Noire by Lancôme. That fragrance gave its scent to each of the cards. Decks like these make the dreams of collectors.
I loved the art on the limited series below, created by a Brazilian artist, Erike Miranda. “He explores traditional archetypes in a contemporary manner, drawing on influences ranging from graphic novels to fantasy art.” Browse on the Instagram link below to see the cards representing Death, the Fool, the Hermit, and the Magician.
A Tarot deck for 007
There is a curious story about two of the decks. Salvador Dalí, the famous surrealist painter, received a commission in the early 70s. He was to prepare a custom deck for the James Bond movie Live and Let Die. However, the deal fell through. Another artist was engaged: Fergus Hall who then created the Tarot of the Witches, which became instantaneously famous. You can find below the resulting scene. But at least in this case there was a happy ending. Dalí continued working on his deck. It was eventually released in 1984. The public got one more cherished deck.
Tarot is ultimately a visual art. Of course I wouldn’t manage to cover so much information on this single post. If you want to have just a glimpse of the variety and depth of the material covered in the book, watch the clip below from TASCHEN: