posted August 28, 2002 10:18 PM
The origin of the mysterious Tarot has been both a source of wonder and inquiry for centuries. Written below is an adaptation of Louise Fimlaid's interpretation of its origins in her book, "The Spiritual Study of the Tarot."In explaining the origins of the Tarot, Fimlaid writes about how the Kabalah, Numerology and Astrology are all intertwined within the wisdom the cards. According to Fimlaid, Adam received a Kabalistic book from the angel Raziel, and it was handed down to Enoch, (the seventh master of the World after Adam), and then passed to Solomon. Within the Kabalah, the Book of Yetzirah states that the uniting bond of creation has the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet and the first 10 numbers. These two types of signs are the 32 marvelous ways of wisdom. Fimlaid quotes "through word and writ man can penetrate the most divine secrets and with words and signs work wisdom."
The theory that the Tarot's symbolism may have originated from ancient Egypt was circulated by Eliphas Levin, Christian, Fabre d'Olivet, Paracelus, Writh and Papus. Moses, according to Fimlaid, born and raised in Egypt, was knowledgable in all occult subjects and was an astrologer whose knowledge was much attributed to the Kabalah. At the top of Mount Sinai, Moses received received not only the Ten Commandments, but also The Spiritual Laws of the Kabalah. Fimlaid believes the Ten Commandments are linkened to the Ten Sephiroth on the Tree of Life. Moses caused 70 scribes to record 70 books (5 of which remain). Two books were to be transmitted orally to the High Priests, to be held in secrecy and transmitted to a chosen few, orally. This is the 'oral tradition' of the Kabalah.
Another theory for the Tarot whose origins lie in ancient Egypt was that Thoth, symbolized by the head of Ibis, was responsible. He was the measurer of time, inventor of numbers and performed magic.
Hermes Trismegistus, a greek God, whose ideas, according to Fimlaid, transgress the studies of Astrology, Kabalah, Alchemy and Magic. Thoth and this man are both believed to be the same person. Word passed through time states that Hermes invented the first Tarot in order to preserve and secure the secrets of the Kabalah. Kabalah means "to receive the inner knowledge." Fimlaid states, "The Tarot is the key to the Kabalah and the Kabalah is the key to the Tarot."
Fimlaid further writes that in traditional Western Occultism, Hermetism's keystone in its philosophy is the sytem of the Tarot. Before the cards were developed, knowledge was orally passed from initiate to initiate. Higher knowledge was forbidden to be discussed, and hence the Tarot cards came into existence whose wisdom was conveyed in pictures so all could understand.
Arguments are made as to where the cards were first heard of. Some say in Austria in the 12th century. Others say the Chaldeans and Egyptians (our Linda believed so) and was later transported by the Gypsies into Israel and Greece. Fimlaid writes,
"The 'Masters', then known as the Hierophants (priests of the Eleusinian Mysteries), gave their knowledge to the Gypsies in order to preserve it. They designed the cards to hold the spiritual esoteric lessons. These cards linked together God, the Universe and Man. The Gypsies pretended that they were designed for entertainment in order to hide their true meaning."
Another story that has been passed through time, according to Fimlaid, is that the 22 Major Arcana lessons were part of the initiation ceremonies for the Egyptian priesthood. These cards, placed on the Tree of Life in the Kabalah, have been used for higher spiritual learning by Hebrew Masters. The Masons and the Eastern Star also use these paths as degrees, with the 33rd being the highest path to achieve.
Whomever was responsible for the development of the Tarot, according to Fimlaid, certainly knew ancient religions and philosphies. Because they not only depicted symbolism in the scenes, but also the contents of the Kabalah, Numerology, Astrology, color, musical tones, and Hebrew letters to bring the message of spiritual wisdom. As the development of the Kabalah progressed until after the 15th century, it incorporated all major religions within it, and teaches us that there is only one "Primal Point, one Source." Fimlaid further writes,
"The Kabalah is a spiritual study which uses the subjects of Numerology, Astrology and the Tarot to tell its story."