Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient Roots to Modern Usage (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: pictorial key, paving tiles, woodcut tarocchi, Golden Dawn, The Minor Arcana, Court de Gébelin (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Thirty years ago, at the very start of the modern tarot renaissance, Paul Huson showed us how to uncover the mythical images and truths of the tarot. Now he has returned to incorporate modern scholarship into a visionary new concept for deciphering the mystery of the tarot’s origins and meaning.”
(Rachel Pollack, Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot )

“Paul Huson brings to his quest for the origins of tarot the insight of an accomplished practitioner and the scholarship of a dedicated historical detective. The result is a fascinating ‘biography’ of the tarot images, tracking their shifting forms and attributions from their earliest appearances. Mystical Origins of the Tarot will undoubtedly be a classic in the field of tarot studies.”
(Robert Moss, author of Conscious Dreaming and Dreamgates and creator of the “Tarot for Dreamers” study course )

"Huson has produced the most enjoyable and fascinating history of the Tarot."
(Paul Hughes-Barlow, Supertarot, September 2004 )

"For people interested in traditional cartomacy, this book is the best source we have in English. . ."
(Sherryl Smith, American Tarot Association, October 2004 )

". . . a well researched, well written resource that allows [readers] to follow the origins and development of Tarot. . ."
(Bonnie Cehovet, World Tarot Network, 2004 )

"If you already have some knowledge of the various cards, and some experience in reading, you will find Huson's scholarly analysis and deconstruction of Tarot mythology invaluable."
(Kevin Filan, Mysteries Magazine, Feb-Apr 2006 )

"Mystical Origins of the Tarot is Huson's most solid work to date, and I highly recommend it to all serious students of tarot."
(Psyche, Spiral Nature, July 2007

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Product Description

A profusely illustrated history of the occult nature of the tarot from its origins in ancient Persia

• Thoroughly examines the original historical source for each tarot card and how the cards’ divinatory meanings evolved from these symbols

• Provides authentic 18th- and 19th-century spreads and divination techniques

• Reveals the divinatory meanings of the cards as understood by diviners in the Middle Ages and Renaissance

The origins of the tarot have been lost in the mists of time. Most scholars have guessed that its origins were in China, Egypt, or India. In Mystical Origins of the Tarot, Paul Huson has expertly tracked each symbol of the Minor Arcana to roots in ancient Persia and the Major Arcana Trump card images to the medieval world of mystery, miracle, and morality plays. A number of tarot historians have questioned the use of the tarot as a divination tool prior to the 18th century. But the author demonstrates that the symbolic meanings of the Major Arcana were evident from the time they were first employed in the mid-15th century in the popular divination practice of sortilege. He also reveals how the identities of the court cards in the Minor Arcana were derived from a blend of pagan and medieval sources that strongly influenced their interpretation in tarot divination.

Mystical Origins of the Tarot provides a thorough examination of the original historical source for each card and how the cards’ divinatory meanings evolved from these symbols. Huson also provides concise and practical card-reading methods designed by the cartomancers of the 18th and 19th centuries and reveals the origins of the card interpretations promoted by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and A. E. Waite.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books; illustrated edition edition (May 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892811900
• ISBN-13: 978-0892811908
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #150,597 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive study of Tarot symbolism, August 25, 2004

By	Nigel Jackson "'Nigromancer'" (Adocentyn) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Where Paul Huson's 1972 work `The Devil's Picture Book' presented a rich melange of broad speculations regarding the emblems of Tarot, his new book `Mystical Origins of the Tarot' approaches the subject along entirely different and decidedly radical lines, challenging preconceptions and removing layers of fanciful superimposition which have hitherto obscured Tarot's roots. He subjects the images of traditional Tarot to a penetrating and rigorous process of historical analysis and thematic elucidation employing an approach which can best be described as `symbolic archaeology' - the results are quite remarkable. The research brought to bear on the origins of the enigmatic cards is impressive, thorough and original: for instance the four suits signs of the Minor Arcana are painstakingly traced via the surviving decks of Mamluk Egypt to the heraldic symbols denoting the Four Virtues and the four Mazdean castes of ancient Persia. An important paradigm-shift in understanding is achieved via the author firmly locating each of the figures of the Major Arcana in the beguiling world of popular religious dramas, mysteries and miracle-plays in the High Middle Ages - he even provides examples of their speeches from the original dramas. The chapter on the Major Arcana in this context is as illuminating as it is convincing.
Furthermore Paul Huson goes deeply into the traditions underpinning the cartomantic significance of each card, giving the divinatory rundown from Pratesi's Cartomancer of 1750 to A.E. Waite in 1910 along with his own suggested keywords for readings. One surprising turn-up for the books transpires when the author locates the direct source of the Golden Dawn Decanic system of the Minor Cards in the section on the 36 Decan images in Book II of the Arab grimoire called the Picatrix. The 16 legendary personages identified with the court cards likewise opens up fascinating points of symbolic comprehension.
The sections on practical cartomancy will be found invaluable by both beginners and seasoned users of the cards: a great deal of utile information and insight is imparted which will facilitate practise. I especially like the techniques for `linking' the cards.
The above gives but an indication of some of the absorbing contents of this inspiring book. In its own way the research it unfolds is as compelling to follow as a detective story as the author indefatigably tracks down the emblematic minutiae of Tarot symbolism to their archaic and mediaeval originals.
Ranging with great erudition from Shia, Sufi and Magian symbologies, to Neoplatonic doctrines, mediaeval mystery-plays, 18th century cartomancers and scholarly art history this packed study delivers such a veritable feast of fresh information and insight on the subject of Tarot that beginners and veteran tarotists alike will find it a real treat to read and an indispensable resource for reference. It is illustrated throughout with a wealth of examples of card-images, allegorical emblems and images skilfully executed by the author. This is very likely the definitive study on the subject. Highly recommended.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paul Huson has done it again!, June 26, 2004

By	paulle clark "Paulle" (Taos, New Mexico) - See all my reviews

Mystical Origins of the Tarot is a wonderfully researched history of the Tarot. Mr. Huson gives the reader a fascinating look into this ancient science and for the novice it is a "must have" volume. Beautifully illustrated, the cards are presented and defined with colourful historical facts. The various"spreads" are explained with clarity and simple easy to follow directions. In my first attempt at a "layout" the divination which appeared made perfect sense to me. This is a very special gift for anyone interestd in the Tarot.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really interesting, February 11, 2008

By	whippetmom - See all my reviews

Paul Huson explores the roots of the symbolism of the tarot in this excellent volume. From Mamluk cards, to triumphal parades to medieval dramas, he shows how the symbols in the tarot grew out of visual images that would have been familiar to all in their time and place. In his sections on card meanings, he cites interpretations from Etteilla, Mathers, Waite, and the Golden Dawn, which are fascinating to compare. This is a very valuable book for anyone interested in the history of tarot.