Quite true, Rhutobello, few artists want to explain their work.  But, clearly, narrative is built into Tarot.  It seems apparent that the artists who created it were trying to say something - to tell some kind of story.  Now, the easiest thing in the world is to spin any story we want and that's all fine.  But, there seems to be creative intent involved in these cards, if you will, artistic narrative intent.  Perhaps this is odd, but to the best of my ability, I have a desire to know what that might have been.  Any Tarot historians around?

Hi,

To me your question is confusing. The Tarot IS about symbolism and secret and sacred messages. The oldest decks all show a remarkable similarity. But the topic is vast and spans thousands of years, and starts way before the common era and any inkling of christianity. It all depends on your beliefs. Your beliefs about religion, about the history of Tarot and of course about what it is.

Sorry to be confusing.  I'm sure it's just part of my struggle to understand.  Certainly, the Tarot is "about" symbolism,  but, in addition,  it "is" a set of symbols.  Do you see the distinction?  It seems to me that these symbols, so rich in specific narrative, must mean something in and of themselves, apart from what anyone might want them to mean.  I think of a lovely poem.  I can read it and find in it any meaning that I choose, but wouldn't the poet want me to understand what she or he was struggling to say?   I'm very interested in the statement that "the subject is vast and starts way before the common era."  Certainly, there were all sorts of divination  from reading entrails to watching bird flights,  but do we have any forms that are believed to be specific antecedents to the oldest Tarot decks?  That would interest me very much.  If there is a "remarkable similarity in the oldest decks" wouldn't that imply a strong, specific intentionality in narrative intent that should be taken very seriously?

Of course! I take the Tarot very seriously, but, today there are literally thousands of versions, very few anywhere near the original.

Do you have a specific tarot deck in mind when you mention Christian symbology, or any particular symbols?

The Tarot has a few main themes that run back to the 14-1500's but at that point there are so many differing views it is an argument waiting to happen. I prefer to believe the Court de Gebelin version that the ideas come from the Ancient Egyptians and their Quabalah of life and the 22 letters of their alphabet. But others favour different histories.

Have you thought of taking our Learn Tarot course and investigate for yourself? If you read the cards symbolically you may understand more.

I have been working with the Marseille Tarot and the Spanish Tarot.  Take for instance The Judgment.  The very concept of it as well as the symbolism seems uniquely Christian.  And it isn't exactly subtle.  There is a cross on the angel's trumpet.