My Tarot journey started when I was three years old. I found my first Tarot deck inside a chocolate Easter egg while celebrating the holiday in Italy.

Discovering a Tarot deck inside a chocolate Easter egg, typically reserved for children's toys or trinkets, was unusual. However, this strange and unexpected find left a lasting impression on me.

Myself holding a giant chocolate Easter egg

The deck of cards was of Swiss-German origin but manufactured in Hong Kong. From the moment I laid my eyes on it, I was captivated by the enigmatic characters depicted on them. My father and I spent hours playing with the cards, gazing at the pictures and envisioning the surreal landscapes and realms these characters inhabited.

I vividly recall the distinct blue case of the deck. Its front image portrayed a man engaged in combat with a lion, a scene that resonated deeply with my childhood memories. The deck seemed to accompany me, reappearing in different drawers. It felt like a constant presence, perhaps foreshadowing events to come, marking the start of my journey as the Fool.

Within my family, there existed unspoken beliefs surrounding Tarot cards. Only individuals with a familial connection to a Tarot reader could use them. Additionally, there was a pervasive belief that Tarot cards held malevolent powers and were to be avoided. These perceptions, coupled with the idea that one could only read Tarot cards if they were received as a gift, represent some of the prevalent stereotypes associated with Tarot.

My fascination with Tarot was revived during my teenage years when I chanced upon a man selling antique books. I found myself drawn to his business establishment, nestled in an ancient building with vaulted ceilings along a narrow street. I recall the unique atmosphere of the place: the damp air, the smell of old pages, and the distinct chill of the stone walls, which persisted even in the hottest summers. Stepping through the old wooden door into the room, I felt like I was traversing a realm of undiscovered treasures. I spent entire afternoons searching through stacks of uncatalogued dusty books, seeking anything related to witches, potions, or strange rituals. Amidst erotic fiction, medieval art, and comics, I occasionally stumbled upon esoteric volumes dating from the 1970s to the 1990s, some still bearing markings from their previous owners.

One such discovery was a unique copy of Court de Gebelin's "On The Tarot," one of the earliest treaties on Tarot dating back to the 18th century.

Cover of the Italian edition of De Gebelin’s

“On Tarot”

Gebelin, a former Protestant pastor, proposed a theory in his book suggesting that tarot cards were the Tables of Thoth. He referred to Tarot as 'Ta-rosch,' claiming it to be the doctrine of Mercury, bestowed upon humanity by the Gods' messenger. Gebelin linked the cards and their symbolism to Egyptian myths. This theory lacks historical validity and is often regarded as an early example of Egyptomania. Nevertheless, it has persisted in popularity throughout the years.

For instance, in his analysis of card XVII, it is evident that Gebelin believes The Star represents Sirius, while the maiden symbolises Isis, Lady of the skies, associated with the seven stars and the seven planets.

Trump XVII, The Star, Tarot De Marseille deck

De Gebelin's exploration of tarot cards often commences with the final card of the deck, The World (XXI). He justifies this approach by drawing inspiration from Egypt, where the language is written from right to left, thus considering card XXI as the first of the deck.
By doing so, he attempts to organise the cards chronologically to explain humanity's mythical past and political present. He examines three periods commonly referenced by Greek and Roman historians: the Golden Age, the Silver Century, and the Age of Iron.
In his timeline, the Golden Age is symbolised by card XXI, depicting a cosmic egg, followed by card XX, portraying the creation of matter, and card XIX, illustrating humanity's birth. The Devil (XV), whom De Gebelin identifies as Typhon, the harbinger of chaos, symbolised the eventual downfall of the Golden Age.
The Silver Century is marked by Temperance leading up to Justice, representing humanity's evolution, such as Pythagoras' divination by numbers (The Wheel of Fortune, X).
The Age of Iron is characterised by The Chariot, representing war, leading up to The Fool, depicting humanity's flaws (the Fool's sachet) and regrets (the dog biting the Fool).

Trump XXI, The World, Rider Waite-Smith Deck

Although I found De Gebelin's approach simplistic and riddled with historical and anthropological errors, his analysis revealed that Tarot fundamentally speaks to the human condition. From my old notes, I quote:
"0 Madness, The Fool; Time (XXI, The World), Creation (XX, Judgement); The Tower's destruction, natural catastrophe (XVI, The Tower), the collapse of all certainties and the mockery of destiny; Humanity (X, The Wheel of Fortune) trapped in a vicious cycle, haunted by death (XIII, Death), driven by base instincts and obsessions that hold us captive (XV, The Devil).
The study of the stars and celestial vault (The Sun XIX, The Moon XVIII, The Star XVII); The solitary path of the wise (IX, The Hermit), with a lantern illuminating the journey in search of the four virtues: Strength (XI), Temperance (XIV), Justice (VIII), and Prudence (The Hanged Man, XII).
The birth of socio-political institutions; The wedding (The Lovers, VI), the cycle of the seasons (The Chariot, VII); society's leaders (The Hierophant V, The High Priestess II, The Emperor IV, The Empress III); The Lord of Destiny (The Magician, I), the experiencer, the architect. From a foolish act, life is born. Is life a foolish journey?"

Despite numerous efforts, we lack a definitive understanding of the origins of Tarot or its intended significance. Perhaps, rather than pursuing a universal truth, it is more meaningful to seek a personal one. With this perspective, I've decided to embark on a personal journey to explore the teachings and mysteries of the Tarot in greater depth.

In 2016, I relocated to London and stumbled upon the College of Psychic Studies by chance.

The College’s fireplace, decorated for last year’s Spooky Soirée, 31 October 2023

Established in 1884, the College was founded to provide a dedicated space for studying psychic and spiritual phenomena. It was later overseen by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the renowned crime fiction writer and creator of Sherlock Holmes. Among the array of courses offered by the College, tarot reading caught my attention.
In 2017, I enrolled in a three-month intermediate tarot course at the College. Once a week, after fulfilling my daily student duties at university, I would journey to South Kensington and attend classes in the enchanting Victorian mansion that housed the College. Rumours circulated about the mansion being haunted by a multitude of spirits and ghosts, including the spectral presence of Doyle himself.

In class, I explored one of the most renowned tarot decks: the Rider Waite-Smith. This deck emerged from a collaboration between Arthur Waite, a British occultist and Golden Dawn member, and Pamela Colman Smith, an artist and occultist who studied art at the Pratt Institute in New York. The Rider Waite-Smith deck was innovative, featuring complete scenes with human figures engaged in various activities. This inclusion extended to the minor arcana cards. The vibrant colours and detailed scenes offered a fresh perspective on Tarot.

Minor Arcana (Cups), Rider Waite-Smith deck

In her design process, Pamela Colman Smith drew inspiration from the Sola-Busca Tarot, a mysterious Renaissance deck previously discussed in my first blog post (check it out if you haven't already!). We practised reading tarot cards to each other as an exercise. It helped me learn a more structured approach to divination and develop an intuition about the cards. I also understood the importance of creating a unique connection with the person I was reading for.

A leaflet portraying Pamela Colman Smith

In 2020, I delved deeper into my fascination with Thelema and began studying the Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris. This exploration inspired me to create my Tarot deck, a journey I'll elaborate on in the upcoming second part of this blog post.

Finally, I'm excited to announce that I am offering Tarot readings. Bookings are currently available on my website under the "Tarot" section. If you're intrigued by the idea of a session with me, select "Book here", and we will set it up.

Until next time.

Tarot Tales: A Personal Journey (Part I)

Tarot Tales: A Personal Journey (Part II)

The Hauntings of Charlton House