The Pythagorean Tarot (Paperback)

by John Opsopaus (Author), John Opsopaus (Author) "In designing the Pythagorean Tarot, I have tried to go back to the earliest extant decks, to understand their iconography, and to organize the cards..." (more)
Key Phrases: High Priestess, Minor Arcana, Major Arcana (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Just as ancient Greek civilization forms the bedrock of Western thought and culture, the brilliance of Pythagoras underpins much of Western esoteric tradition. Now, his vision of universal order based on numbers joins with another venerable system of magic and divination—the tarot.

The Pythagorean Tarot represents a level of research and scholarship rarely seen in the study of tarot, alchemy, or numerology. This unique system applies authentic Pythagorean numerology and aspects of Jungian psychology, alchemy, and mythology to the living symbolism of the tarot.

The result is an authentic tarot that the ancient Pythagoreans themselves might have designed, based on a Graeco-Roman metaphysical model and incorporating the immediate, timeless power and relevance of archetypal images. The Pythagorean Tarot kit includes 78 full-color cards and a 480-page companion book.


About the Author
John Opsopaus (Tennessee) is a practicing Neopagan in the Hellenic tradition who has been an active magician and diviner for thirty years. He is also a university professor with more than twenty-five years' experience reading ancient Greek and Latin.
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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; Min edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567184499
• ISBN-13: 978-1567184495
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 2.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,414 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for understanding the Tarot., July 22, 2002

By	Ruth Henriquez Lyon (Duluth, Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The subtitle of this book is "An Interpretation Based on Pythagorean and Alchemical Principles," and as such it gives a broad introduction to the symbols at the root of Western occult iconography.

In his introduction Opsopaus writes that he's written the book for neopagans who are dissatisfied with traditional decks based on the theology and esotericism of the late Renaissance. But that doesn't mean the book isn't useful for traditionalists as well. After all, much of the esoteric though of the Renaissance grew out of Pythagoras' thought and the Greek mystery traditions. I use traditional decks myself, but I reference this book constantly.

In fact, anyone interested in the history of symbols will find a wealth of material in this book. The bibliography in the back is absolutely wonderful. The section on Pythagorean numerology is the best I have read on that subject.

In addition, the cards are beautiful; the symbols are different than a traditional deck, but not so different that you can't recognize immediately which major arcana card you're looking at. The pip cards have no pictures, which is the way the early tarot decks were created. However, their meanings are easily derived by combining the numerological information with the element qualities. Opsopaus does this in his section on the pip cards.

The book starts out with a section on the background of the metaphysical ideas the author deals with, then goes on to sections on the major, then the minor arcana. The fourth section covers divination thoroughly and with some wonderful insights not covered in other books.

I first found out about Opsopaus' tarot writings on his encyclopaedic website, which has the same name as the book. I originally tried printing out the website material (before the book was published), but there was just too much. I've found the book to be a must-have in my Tarot library. It's not only scholarly but also very readable, which makes for a good learning experience.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maths and Magic synthesised, August 11, 2005

By	BPG (www.theWORDproject.com) - See all my reviews

I am a newcomer to the Tarot, which is probably not the best way to start this book. However, I'm well read in Pythagorean esoterica, and dived straight in. What can I say?

Phenomenal! The logic and symmetry which underlie Pythagoras' school of mysticism, is astounding. And, despite being extremely lucid, the author is clearly a highly qualified and academically rigorous authority on the subject.

Discovering this book honestly feels like stumbling upon some ancient priceless treasure. Perhaps the greatest preSocratic philosopher, Pythagoras treated magic and science as an indestructable whole, and the meaningfulness that emerges is a powerful antidote to our modern schizophrenic view of the world.

I didn't buy the book for the tarot deck. But having extensively researched the Tarot since, I don't think one could get nearer to profoundly insightful divination

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Find No Other Better!, January 23, 2007

By	Irish Blackthorn - See all my reviews

John Opsopaus is an incredible scholar & that is what lays the foundation for this magnificent book & deck of Tarot cards. I am a fanatical researcher of the "Arcane Arts" & have learned SO much from Mr. O's website. I have never owned a Tarot deck before & was scarcely interested as I'm as psychic as anybody & just learned to follow my hunches at an early age & I like suprises. However, after reading about each of the Major Arcana on his site, I felt compelled to get the book & deck.

As it turns out, my studies of Alchemy, Astrology, Magick & Mythology all came in handy because this book is SO thorough in it's use of symbology & numerolgy, & synthesizes these cross-culturally. This has a layering effect & I'm certain to learn even more upon subsequent readings of this tome. While there was plenty of dot connecting I could do while I read it- there was still plenty I could nowise make use of as I had no frame of reference.

If you are new to Arcane Arts this is probably NOT the best place for you to start unless you have some amazing gift of Intelligence &/or understanding beccause this IS complex. Mr. O puts the Tarot back in it's original order making one wonder WHY it was EVER changed & why SO many just blindly go along with those changes. Also, this particular Tarot is NOT a game- there is a whole industry of pseudo-occult objects & websites (read: Occult-lite or diet-Occult) that caters to the surfacey, dabblers & thank Goodness for it as that keeps us all safe. This Tarot is in depth citing around 1600 sources.

One can visit John Opsopaus' website & learn in doses before deciding whether or not they're ready to go this deeply into the Tarot but please, whoever you are, wherever you are, start telling anyone you know with any interest in the Tarot that most decks DO not use the original order of the Major Arcana & it's MOST likely that the Tarot has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with the Quaballa. (or howEVER it's spelled.)