Tarot History and The Kabbalah...

Marion had another great question to share on our Facebook Group!  "I am looking into the history of tarot and I am wondering where the kabbalah came into tarot?" ....I felt my response was too long for a "comment" on her post, plus it made for a nice little "article" as well 😎 - So, here ya go:


....In general, there is NO evidence that Jewish Kabbalah had ANY influence on the creation of the Tarot deck itself, so there is no actual "historical" connection.

The foundational text of Kabbalah, the Zohar ("Splendor" or "Radiance"), was first published in the 13th century.

Historically, Kabbalah emerged from earlier forms of Jewish mysticism, in 12th- to 13th-century Spain and Southern France, and was reinterpreted during the Jewish mystical renaissance in 16th-century Ottoman Palestine.

9159942485?profile=RESIZE_180x180The Tarot was created in Italy, during the Italian Renaissance, roughly at the same time that Kabbalah reached it's zenith, but the timing is the only thing they have in common.

Much later, beginning in the 1700's, Tarot began to be "associated" with many other traditions, continuing into the 1800's, and reaching into the 20th Century. This includes the associations with Kabbalah...

The definition of Kabbalah varies according to the tradition and aims of those following it, from its religious origin as an integral part of Judaism, to its later adaptations in Western esotericism (Christian Kabbalah and Hermetic Qabalah).

The latter (the Hermetic) being where the associations with Tarot originate, from secret societies, such as The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn....

In fact, it was two members of The Golden Dawn, Arthur E. Waite and Pamela Colman Smith, who gave us the famous "Waite/Smith" Tarot Deck (RWS, "Rider-Waite") in 1909!

A.E. Waite called this new deck his "Rectified Deck". It does include hermetic symbolism, symbolism from other traditions, and from Kabbalah - Note how the 10 pentacles, in the "Ten of Pentacles (coins)" card, are laid out in the pattern of the 10 Sephiroth (Sefirot) in the "Tree of Life", from Kabbalah...

A little less obvious is that "The Tree of Life" also overlays onto the High Priestess card very nicely as well, and other cards (see image below)...

It's important to note, however, that these cards are from the Waite/Smith Tarot Deck, which is a relatively *new deck, as the oldest surviving deck, the Visconti-Sforza, dates back to the mid-1400's! ...and when Tarot actually originated is unknown. So these images and associations are not "historical".

That said, although there is no direct historical connection between Tarot and Kabbalah, the associations naturally make sense! The Kabbalah deals with the origin and patterns of Creation, just as Numerology & Sacred Geometry, on which the structure of the Tarot deck is based.

It's not "The Fool's Journey", but rather "The Magician's Journey"! ...For more on these connections to creation, manifestation, Numerology, Sacred Geometry, catch my interview on Sharonah Rapseik's "Magic Universe" show: thetarotguild.com/videos/radio06272021

It's natural to align the 22 Major Arcana Cards of The Tarot, to the 22 pathways between the 10 Sephiroth (Sefirot) in the "Tree of Life" -- as well as the 22 letters of the Hebrew Alphabet. The 10 Sephiroth (Sefirot) themselves, aligning with Numerology, and the 10 numbered cards, in each suit of The Minor Arcana of The Tarot.

Because of the nature of what The Tarot ...IS, nearly anything can be associated to the Deck! Though I admit I am more a fan of associations, such as Kabbalah, which are structural and deeper, than ones such as Astrological Associations, which seem much more tenuous.

Have a Question About Tarot or Numerology?
Ask Me!

Dax.TheTarotGuild.com

 

Bright Blessings!
~ Dax Carlisle - Founder & President
Dax.TheTarotGuild.com

 

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Dax is the Founder & President of The Tarot Guild (Now in Our *19th Year!), and the creator of the Tarot by The Numbers™ Course! He's is also the Co-Host of the "Tarot Today LIVE!" Video Stream & Psychic Talk Radio Simulcast, with Mary Brown - Airing Saturdays! ...Over the past 30+ years, Dax has helped literally tens of thousands of Clients as a Tarot Advisor, Numerologist, Life Coach and Clinical Hypnotherapist.

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    • You're Welcome Marion! Keep the excellent Questions coming!

      You've inspired some fun articles, and I have even put it out there, to try to get others invloved!
      https://thetarotguild.com/articles/tarot-questions

      Blessings,
      ~ Dax

      Got Questions About Tarot or Numerology? ...Ask Dax!
      Hey everyone! .....We've had some excellent Questions of late, on our Facebook Group, especially from new member Marion Hansen! Thanks Marion! ...If…
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