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tarot_tutorial [2012-03-09 13:15] – created 83.101.5.51parn:tarot_tutorial [2013-04-24 11:09] (current) – Page moved from tarot_tutorial to parn:tarot_tutorial alkan
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 At FoAM, we're interested in blending such seemingly unrelated stories by asking what do plants and tarot have in common? The answers are manifold - from looking at plants that can influence our mood to make us act as The Fool or The Empress, to plants having physical characteristics of The Star or The Hermit. The links can be made on the symbolic, iconographic, botanical, physiological, hermetic and many other levels. Plants are so embedded in our culture, that linking them to deep cultural archetypes in tarot unveils the intricate relationships we have with the vegetal realm, extending far beyond mere food and fuel.  At FoAM, we're interested in blending such seemingly unrelated stories by asking what do plants and tarot have in common? The answers are manifold - from looking at plants that can influence our mood to make us act as The Fool or The Empress, to plants having physical characteristics of The Star or The Hermit. The links can be made on the symbolic, iconographic, botanical, physiological, hermetic and many other levels. Plants are so embedded in our culture, that linking them to deep cultural archetypes in tarot unveils the intricate relationships we have with the vegetal realm, extending far beyond mere food and fuel. 
  
-Let's start at the beginning, with a lecture by Paola Orlic about Tarot. +Let's start at the beginning, with a lecture by Paola Orlic about Tarot. {{::foam-tarot-tutorial.pdf|slides}}
  
 +[[http://lib.fo.am/tarot_notes|More detailed notes from the tutorial]] 
 +
 +[[the_story_of_tarot|Article based on presentation notes on this page]]
  
 ==== WHAT IS TAROT? ==== ==== WHAT IS TAROT? ====
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   * 4 suites containing 10 numerals and    * 4 suites containing 10 numerals and 
   * 4 court cards    * 4 court cards 
-  * 21 numbered trumps and 1 unnumbered picture card- The Fool. +  * 21 numbered trumps and 1 unnumbered picture card - The Fool.  
 As some scholars believe-the 4 suits most probably derived from early Arabic card games while for the Trumps it is believed that were an invention during the Renaissance period in Italy. The first known tarot cards were created between 1430-1450 in northern Italy- Milano, Ferrara and Bologna when additional trump cards with allegorical illustrations were added to the common 4-suit pack.  These new decks were originally called “Carte da trionfi” or Triumph cards, and the additional cards known simply as Trionfi, which became “trumps” in English.  The first literary evidence of the existence of “Carte da trionfi” is a written statement in the court records in Ferrara in 1442 but the oldest surviving tarot cards are 15 fragmented decks painted in the mid 15th century for the Visconti-Sforza family- the rulers of Milano. As some scholars believe-the 4 suits most probably derived from early Arabic card games while for the Trumps it is believed that were an invention during the Renaissance period in Italy. The first known tarot cards were created between 1430-1450 in northern Italy- Milano, Ferrara and Bologna when additional trump cards with allegorical illustrations were added to the common 4-suit pack.  These new decks were originally called “Carte da trionfi” or Triumph cards, and the additional cards known simply as Trionfi, which became “trumps” in English.  The first literary evidence of the existence of “Carte da trionfi” is a written statement in the court records in Ferrara in 1442 but the oldest surviving tarot cards are 15 fragmented decks painted in the mid 15th century for the Visconti-Sforza family- the rulers of Milano.
  
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 Moreover, some sermons inveighing against the evil inherent in cards can be traced to the 14th century such as:  Moreover, some sermons inveighing against the evil inherent in cards can be traced to the 14th century such as: 
-  * Bernard of Siena’s sermon reviling cards as the invention of the Devil in 1423! +  * Bernard of Siena’s sermon reviling cards as the invention of the Devil in 1423 
-  * the most famous sermon “Sermones de Ludo Cum Aliis” written by a anonimous Franciscan monk from mid 15th or early 16th century which is considered today the officially first known source listing all the 22 trumps+  * the most famous sermon “Sermones de Ludo Cum Aliis” written by a anonimous Franciscan monk from mid 15th or early 16th century which is considered  
 + 
 +today the officially first known source listing all the 22 trumps
 In this sermon Franciscan monk openly condemned all kinds of card games and dice plays considering them sinful activity pointing out especially a list of those cards called “Triumphs” whose imagery he calls “demonic” assigning Tarot invention to the Devil himself!  In this sermon Franciscan monk openly condemned all kinds of card games and dice plays considering them sinful activity pointing out especially a list of those cards called “Triumphs” whose imagery he calls “demonic” assigning Tarot invention to the Devil himself! 
  
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 ==== TAROT DECKS ==== ==== TAROT DECKS ====
- 
  
 === VISCONTI-SFORZA DECK === === VISCONTI-SFORZA DECK ===
  
 The oldest surviving Tarot cards are 3 early to mid-15th century sets, all made for members of the illustrious Visconti family, rulers of Milano. The oldest of these existing Tarot decks was most probably painted to celebrate a mid-15th century wedding joining the ruling Visconti (Bianca-Maria) and (Francesco) Sforza noble families of Milan, probably painted by Bonifacio Bembo and other miniaturists of the Ferrara school. When you hear today the term “Visconti-Sforza tarot” you have to be aware that it is used collectively to refer to incomplete sets of approximately 15 known decks now located In various museums, libraries an private collections around the world.  The oldest surviving Tarot cards are 3 early to mid-15th century sets, all made for members of the illustrious Visconti family, rulers of Milano. The oldest of these existing Tarot decks was most probably painted to celebrate a mid-15th century wedding joining the ruling Visconti (Bianca-Maria) and (Francesco) Sforza noble families of Milan, probably painted by Bonifacio Bembo and other miniaturists of the Ferrara school. When you hear today the term “Visconti-Sforza tarot” you have to be aware that it is used collectively to refer to incomplete sets of approximately 15 known decks now located In various museums, libraries an private collections around the world. 
-Unfortunately, no complete deck has survived; rather some collections have a few face cards, while some consist of a single card. But most notably when today we use the term Visconti-Sforza decks we talk about the three most famous collections such as:+Unfortunately, no complete deck has survived; rather some collections have a few face cards, while some consist of a single card. But most notably when today we use the term [[tarot:vs|Visconti-Sforza]] decks we talk about the three most famous collections such as:
  
-  Pierpont-Morgan Bergamo tarot deck- also known as Colleoni-Baglioni and Francesco Sforza produced around 1451. Originally composed of 78 cards it now contains 74 preserved (20 trumps, 15 face cards and 39 pips cards). The Pierpont Morgan Library in New York has 35 of them, Accademia Carrara in Bergamo has 26 of them in its catalogue while the remaining 13 are in the private collection of the Colleoni Family in Bergamo. Trumps and face cards have a gilt background, while the pip cards are cream-coloured with a flower and wine motif.  The two significantly missing trumps are the Devil and the Tower.  +  Pierpont-Morgan Bergamo tarot deck- also known as Colleoni-Baglioni and Francesco Sforza produced around 1451. Originally composed of 78 cards it now contains 74 preserved (20 trumps, 15 face cards and 39 pips cards). The Pierpont Morgan Library in New York has 35 of them, Accademia Carrara in Bergamo has 26 of them in its catalogue while the remaining 13 are in the private collection of the Colleoni Family in Bergamo. Trumps and face cards have a gilt background, while the pip cards are cream-coloured with a flower and wine motif.  The two significantly missing trumps are the Devil and the Tower.  
-  Cary –Yale tarot deck, named after Cary family’s collection of Card Games, absorbed into the Yale University Library in 1967, it is also known as the Visconti di Modrone set, and had been dated back to cca 1466. Some scholars have suggested this may be in fact the oldest of sets, perhaps commissioned by Filippo Maria Visconti at the onset of the project. From this deck 67 cards remained preserved (11 trumps, 17 face and 39 pips)  +  Cary–Yale tarot deck, named after Cary family’s collection of Card Games, absorbed into the Yale University Library in 1967, it is also known as the Visconti di Modrone set, and had been dated back to cca 1466. Some scholars have suggested this may be in fact the oldest of sets, perhaps commissioned by Filippo Maria Visconti at the onset of the project. From this deck 67 cards remained preserved (11 trumps, 17 face and 39 pips)  
-  Brera-Brambilla set named after Giovanni Brambilla, who aquired the cards in Venice in 1900. but from 1971 the deck has been in the catalogue of the Brera Gallery in Milano. Apparently commissionied to Bonifacio Bembo by Francesco Sforza in 1463 it ow consists of 48 cards with only two trumps remained- The Emperor and the Wheel of Fortune.+  Brera-Brambilla set named after Giovanni Brambilla, who aquired the cards in Venice in 1900. but from 1971 the deck has been in the catalogue of the Brera Gallery in Milano. Apparently commissionied to Bonifacio Bembo by Francesco Sforza in 1463 it ow consists of 48 cards with only two trumps remained- The Emperor and the Wheel of Fortune.
            
 With a very interesting notion that in all of those decks lack significant 4 cards namely: the Devil, the Tower, the Three of Swords, and the Knight of Coins raising theories among tarot scholars from being lost or possibly never made.  With a very interesting notion that in all of those decks lack significant 4 cards namely: the Devil, the Tower, the Three of Swords, and the Knight of Coins raising theories among tarot scholars from being lost or possibly never made. 
 +
 If I had to propose my own opinion here I would add: I truly believe they existed indeed but at one point in Visconti family were on purpose removed or omitted from the deck by some superstitious family member (maybe even according to some advice)–most possibly in order to get rid of bad luck or simply not to bring misfortune to the family! If I had to propose my own opinion here I would add: I truly believe they existed indeed but at one point in Visconti family were on purpose removed or omitted from the deck by some superstitious family member (maybe even according to some advice)–most possibly in order to get rid of bad luck or simply not to bring misfortune to the family!
  
 === MARSEILLE DECK === === MARSEILLE DECK ===
  
-The Tarot of Marseilles (or Marseille deck), also widely known by the French designation “Tarot de Marseille”, is one of the standard patterns for the design of tarot cards. It is a pattern from which many subsequent tarot decks derive.+The [[tarot:tm|Tarot of Marseilles]] (or Marseille deck), also widely known by the French designation “Tarot de Marseille”, is one of the standard patterns for the design of tarot cards. It is a pattern from which many subsequent tarot decks derive.
 The Tarot deck was probably invented in northern Italy in the 15th century and introduced into southern France when the French conquered Milan and the Piedmont in 1499.  The Tarot deck was probably invented in northern Italy in the 15th century and introduced into southern France when the French conquered Milan and the Piedmont in 1499. 
 +
 The name Tarot de Marseille is not of particularly ancient vintage; it was coined at least as early as end of 19th century (1889 Papus- French occultist) and was popularized in the 1930s by the French cartomancer Paul Marteau, who used this collective name to refer to a variety of closely related designs that were being made in the city of Marseille in the south of France, a city that was a centre of playing card manufacture.  The name Tarot de Marseille is not of particularly ancient vintage; it was coined at least as early as end of 19th century (1889 Papus- French occultist) and was popularized in the 1930s by the French cartomancer Paul Marteau, who used this collective name to refer to a variety of closely related designs that were being made in the city of Marseille in the south of France, a city that was a centre of playing card manufacture. 
  
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   * XXI. Le Monde (The World)   * XXI. Le Monde (The World)
   * no number. 0/XXII Le Mat (The Fool)   * no number. 0/XXII Le Mat (The Fool)
- 
  
 ==== TAROT – USE IN DIVINATION ==== ==== TAROT – USE IN DIVINATION ====
  
 At one point of history Tart cards eventually came to be associated with the idea of divination, mysticism and magic. This was actually a late rather than early development, as we can tell from period sources on card divination and magic. The Tarot was not widely adopted by mystics, occultists and secret societies until the 18th and 19th century. This tradition begun in 1781. when Antoine Court de Gebelin, a swiss clergymen and Freemason, published “Le mond Primitif” a study of religious symbolism and its survivals in the modern world. De Gebelin ((Gebelin (1719 –1784) was a kind of a renaissance man- among other things he was engaged (just to give you an idea of what kind of “homo universalis” he was)- he was supporter of American Independence who contributed the new theories of economics (his brother from the same free mason lodge of Les Neuf Soeurs was Benjamin Franklin), and of the "animal magnetism" of Mesmer (with whom he died in an electrical experiment, apparently of an electrically induced heart attack)!. At one point of history Tart cards eventually came to be associated with the idea of divination, mysticism and magic. This was actually a late rather than early development, as we can tell from period sources on card divination and magic. The Tarot was not widely adopted by mystics, occultists and secret societies until the 18th and 19th century. This tradition begun in 1781. when Antoine Court de Gebelin, a swiss clergymen and Freemason, published “Le mond Primitif” a study of religious symbolism and its survivals in the modern world. De Gebelin ((Gebelin (1719 –1784) was a kind of a renaissance man- among other things he was engaged (just to give you an idea of what kind of “homo universalis” he was)- he was supporter of American Independence who contributed the new theories of economics (his brother from the same free mason lodge of Les Neuf Soeurs was Benjamin Franklin), and of the "animal magnetism" of Mesmer (with whom he died in an electrical experiment, apparently of an electrically induced heart attack)!.
 +
 His great project had for its goal to set out to reconstruct the high primeval civilization. Reinterpreting Classical and Renaissance evocation of the Golden Age in mankind's early history. Court de Gébelin asserted that the primitive worldwide civilization had been advanced and enlightened. De Gebelin is also considered to be the intellectual grandfather of much of modern occultism. His centers of focus are the familiar ones of a) universal origins of languages in ancient time and b) the hermeneutics of symbolism. While his views on hermeneutics and religious matters were largely conservative, his original ideas and research on the origin of language earn him a place among pioneers of linguistics. Court de Gébelin presented dictionaries of etymology, what he called a universal grammar, and discourses on the origins of language. His volumes were so popular he republished them separately, as Histoire naturelle de la parole, ou Précis de l'Origine du Langage & de la Grammaire Universelle ("Natural history of the Word, or a sketch of the origins of language and of universal grammar"), in Paris, 1776.With regard to mythology and symbology, he discussed the origins of allegory in antiquity and recreated a history of the calendar from civil, religious, and mythological perspectives.)) first called attention to the unusual symbols of the Tarot de Marseille and claimed that the symbols in fact represented the mysteries of Isis and Thot. He furthermore claimed that the name “Tarot” came from the Egyptian words “Tar” meaning “Royal” and “Ro” meaning “road/ path, way” concluding his theory with that the Tarot represented a “royal road” to wisdom. His great project had for its goal to set out to reconstruct the high primeval civilization. Reinterpreting Classical and Renaissance evocation of the Golden Age in mankind's early history. Court de Gébelin asserted that the primitive worldwide civilization had been advanced and enlightened. De Gebelin is also considered to be the intellectual grandfather of much of modern occultism. His centers of focus are the familiar ones of a) universal origins of languages in ancient time and b) the hermeneutics of symbolism. While his views on hermeneutics and religious matters were largely conservative, his original ideas and research on the origin of language earn him a place among pioneers of linguistics. Court de Gébelin presented dictionaries of etymology, what he called a universal grammar, and discourses on the origins of language. His volumes were so popular he republished them separately, as Histoire naturelle de la parole, ou Précis de l'Origine du Langage & de la Grammaire Universelle ("Natural history of the Word, or a sketch of the origins of language and of universal grammar"), in Paris, 1776.With regard to mythology and symbology, he discussed the origins of allegory in antiquity and recreated a history of the calendar from civil, religious, and mythological perspectives.)) first called attention to the unusual symbols of the Tarot de Marseille and claimed that the symbols in fact represented the mysteries of Isis and Thot. He furthermore claimed that the name “Tarot” came from the Egyptian words “Tar” meaning “Royal” and “Ro” meaning “road/ path, way” concluding his theory with that the Tarot represented a “royal road” to wisdom.
 +
 De Gebelin wrote that before Champolion had deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphs (1822) of course so later Egyptologists found nothing in the Egyptian language that would support De Gebelin’s “creative” etymologies, but these findings came too late. By the time authentic Egyptian text were available with proper translations, the identification of the Tarot cards with the Egyptan “book of Thot” was already firmly established in occult practice. Moreoever, because Gebelin strongly believed that the Tarot deck held the secrets of the ancient Egyptians made him develop a reconstruction of tarot history without producing any historical evidence in which he claimed that Egyptian priests had distilled the ancient Book of Thot into these images that they allegedly brought to Rome, from where they were introduced into France. An essay by Comte de Mellet included in Court de Gebelin’s “Le Monde Primitif” was furthermore responsible for the mystical connection of the Tarot’s 21 Trumps and the Fool with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. An essay made such impact to further tarot practice that within two years the fortune-teller known as the “Great Etteilla” 1785. published a technique for reading the Tarot and the practice of tarot reading was born. De Gebelin wrote that before Champolion had deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphs (1822) of course so later Egyptologists found nothing in the Egyptian language that would support De Gebelin’s “creative” etymologies, but these findings came too late. By the time authentic Egyptian text were available with proper translations, the identification of the Tarot cards with the Egyptan “book of Thot” was already firmly established in occult practice. Moreoever, because Gebelin strongly believed that the Tarot deck held the secrets of the ancient Egyptians made him develop a reconstruction of tarot history without producing any historical evidence in which he claimed that Egyptian priests had distilled the ancient Book of Thot into these images that they allegedly brought to Rome, from where they were introduced into France. An essay by Comte de Mellet included in Court de Gebelin’s “Le Monde Primitif” was furthermore responsible for the mystical connection of the Tarot’s 21 Trumps and the Fool with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. An essay made such impact to further tarot practice that within two years the fortune-teller known as the “Great Etteilla” 1785. published a technique for reading the Tarot and the practice of tarot reading was born.
  
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 The idea of the cards as a mystical key to wisdom was further developed by Eliphas Levi ((Eliphas Lévi, born Alphonse Louis Constant (February 8, 1810 - May 31, 1875), was a French occult author and ceremonial magician who took "Eliphas Lévi," as the name under which he published his books (although he was not Jewish).  The idea of the cards as a mystical key to wisdom was further developed by Eliphas Levi ((Eliphas Lévi, born Alphonse Louis Constant (February 8, 1810 - May 31, 1875), was a French occult author and ceremonial magician who took "Eliphas Lévi," as the name under which he published his books (although he was not Jewish). 
 +
 Levi's first treatise on magic appeared in 1854 under the title Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie, and was translated into English by Arthur Edward Waite as Transcendental Magic, its Doctrine and Ritual. In 1861, he published a sequel, La Clef des Grands Mystères (The Key to the Great Mysteries). Further magical works by Lévi include Fables et Symboles (Stories and Images), 1862, and La Science des Esprits (The Science of Spirits), 1865. In 1868, he wrote Le Grand Arcane, ou l'Occultisme Dévoilé (The Great Secret, or Occultism Unveiled); this, however, was only published posthumously in 1898.  Levi's first treatise on magic appeared in 1854 under the title Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie, and was translated into English by Arthur Edward Waite as Transcendental Magic, its Doctrine and Ritual. In 1861, he published a sequel, La Clef des Grands Mystères (The Key to the Great Mysteries). Further magical works by Lévi include Fables et Symboles (Stories and Images), 1862, and La Science des Esprits (The Science of Spirits), 1865. In 1868, he wrote Le Grand Arcane, ou l'Occultisme Dévoilé (The Great Secret, or Occultism Unveiled); this, however, was only published posthumously in 1898. 
-Lévi's version of magic became a great success, especially after his death. That Spiritualism was popular on both sides of the Atlantic from the 1850s contributed to this success. He incorporated the Tarot cards into his magical system, and as a result the Tarot has been an important part of the paraphernalia of Western magicians. He had a deep impact on the magic of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and later on the ex-Golden Dawn member Aleister Crowley. He was also the first to declare that a pentagram or five-pointed star with one point down and two points up represents evil, while a pentagram with one point up and two points down represents good. It was largely through the occultists inspired by him that Lévi is remembered as one of the key founders of the 20th century revival of magic.)) and passed to the English-speaking world by The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.  Lévi, not Etteilla, is considered by some to be the true founder of most contemporary schools of Tarot; his 1854 “Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie” (English title: Transcendental Magic) introduced an interpretation of the cards which related them to Cabala.  While Levi accepted Court de Gébelin's claims about an Egyptian origin of the deck symbols, he rejected Etteilla's innovations and his altered deck, and devised instead a system which related the Tarot, especially the Tarot de Marseille, to the Cabala and the four elements of alchemy. On the other hand, to this day some of Etteilla's divinatory meanings for Tarot are still used by some Tarot practitioners. Tarot became increasingly popular beginning in 1910, with the publication of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, which took the step of including symbolic images related to divinatory meanings on the numeric cards. (Arthur Edward Waite had been an early member of the Golden Dawn). In the 20th century, a huge number of different decks were created, some traditional, some vastly different. Thanks, in part, to marketing by the publisher U.S. Games Systems, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck has been extremely popular in the English-speaking world beginning in the 1970s.+ 
 +Lévi's version of magic became a great success, especially after his death. That Spiritualism was popular on both sides of the Atlantic from the 1850s contributed to this success. He incorporated the Tarot cards into his magical system, and as a result the Tarot has been an important part of the paraphernalia of Western magicians. He had a deep impact on the magic of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and later on the ex-Golden Dawn member Aleister Crowley. He was also the first to declare that a pentagram or five-pointed star with one point down and two points up represents evil, while a pentagram with one point up and two points down represents good. It was largely through the occultists inspired by him that Lévi is remembered as one of the key founders of the 20th century revival of magic.)) and passed to the English-speaking world by The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.  Lévi, not Etteilla, is considered by some to be the true founder of most contemporary schools of Tarot; his 1854 “Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie” (English title: Transcendental Magic) introduced an interpretation of the cards which related them to Cabala.  While Levi accepted Court de Gébelin's claims about an Egyptian origin of the deck symbols, he rejected Etteilla's innovations and his altered deck, and devised instead a system which related the Tarot, especially the Tarot de Marseille, to the Cabala and the four elements of alchemy. On the other hand, to this day some of Etteilla's divinatory meanings for Tarot are still used by some Tarot practitioners. Tarot became increasingly popular beginning in 1910, with the publication of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, which took the step of including symbolic images related to divinatory meanings on the numeric cards. (Arthur Edward Waite had been an early member of the Golden Dawn). In the 20th century, a huge number of different decks were created, some traditional, some vastly different.  
 + 
 +Thanks, in part, to marketing by the publisher U.S. Games Systems, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck has been extremely popular in the English-speaking world beginning in the 1970s.
  
 === TAROT DECKS === === TAROT DECKS ===
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 2 main or most popular esoteric tarot decks from the 1st half of the 20th century: 2 main or most popular esoteric tarot decks from the 1st half of the 20th century:
  
-  - Rider-Waite-Colman Smith deck 1909. (conceived by A. E. Waite and painted by Pamela Colman Smith),  +  - [[tarot:rw|Rider-Waite-Colman Smith]] deck 1909. (conceived by A. E. Waite and painted by Pamela Colman Smith),  
-  - Thoth Tarot deck designed in 1944. But 1st published 1969. (conceived by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frida Harris) +  - [[tarot:th|Thoth Tarot]] deck designed in 1944. But 1st published 1969. (conceived by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frida Harris) 
  
 Waite, Colman-Smith, Crowley and Harris were all former members of the influential, Victorian-era Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn ((The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or, more commonly, the Golden Dawn) was a magical order active in Great Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which practiced magic and spiritual development. It has been one of the largest single influences on 20th-century Western occultism. Waite, Colman-Smith, Crowley and Harris were all former members of the influential, Victorian-era Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn ((The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or, more commonly, the Golden Dawn) was a magical order active in Great Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which practiced magic and spiritual development. It has been one of the largest single influences on 20th-century Western occultism.
 The three founders, William Robert Woodman, William Wynn Westcott, and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers were Freemasons and members of Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.) The three founders, William Robert Woodman, William Wynn Westcott, and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers were Freemasons and members of Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.)
 +
 The Golden Dawn system was based on hierarchy and initiation like the Masonic Lodges; however women were admitted on an equal basis with men. The "Golden Dawn" was the first of three Orders, although all three are often collectively referred to as the "Golden Dawn". The First Order taught esoteric philosophy based on the Hermetic Qabalah and personal development through study and awareness of the four Classical Elements as well as the basics of astrology, tarot divination, and geomancy. The Second or "Inner" Order, the Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (the Ruby Rose and Cross of Gold), taught proper magic, including scrying, astral travel, and alchemy. The Third Order was that of the "Secret Chiefs", who were said to be highly skilled; they supposedly directed the activities of the lower two orders by spirit communication with the Chiefs of the Second Order.)) at different respective points in time; and the Golden Dawn, in turn, was influenced by Lévi and other French occult revivalists.  The Golden Dawn system was based on hierarchy and initiation like the Masonic Lodges; however women were admitted on an equal basis with men. The "Golden Dawn" was the first of three Orders, although all three are often collectively referred to as the "Golden Dawn". The First Order taught esoteric philosophy based on the Hermetic Qabalah and personal development through study and awareness of the four Classical Elements as well as the basics of astrology, tarot divination, and geomancy. The Second or "Inner" Order, the Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (the Ruby Rose and Cross of Gold), taught proper magic, including scrying, astral travel, and alchemy. The Third Order was that of the "Secret Chiefs", who were said to be highly skilled; they supposedly directed the activities of the lower two orders by spirit communication with the Chiefs of the Second Order.)) at different respective points in time; and the Golden Dawn, in turn, was influenced by Lévi and other French occult revivalists. 
  
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 == 0 The Seeker (traditionally: The Fool) == == 0 The Seeker (traditionally: The Fool) ==
  
-Dorothy- The Seeker -from Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, and the film based on that children's classic. Dorothy, an orphan seeking to protect her dog Totto (0) from an evil and interfering neighbor (physical presence of Miss Gulch on her bicycle is transfigured into the symbolic presence of the Wicked Witch on her broomstick II/XV), decides to run away from the safe but dull haven her aunt and uncle provide (III / IV). She (Discs) is looking for color, excitement, and most of all, adventure (VII). When a tornado turns her world topsy-turvy (XVI), she sets off with her dog, Toto--and her unformed dreams (XVIII). Dorothy finds friends (four of them- 4 elements) on her uncharted journey--a scarecrow who perceives himself as brainless (Sword-air, mental sphere), a tin man in search of a heart (Cup-water, emotional sphere), and a lion looking for courage (Wand-fire, will). When Dorothy is advised that a trip to Emerald City (XXI) will provide the answers she seeks, the four (elements) travel a dangerous path as a unit, and triumph over adversity. Dorothy also discovers her dream is to return home to her aunt and uncle--and that she can go back to her place of grounding whenever she wants. She merely has to recognize and visualize her desire...and it’s hers.+[[tarot:0]] 
 + 
 +Dorothy- The Seeker - from Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, and the film based on that children's classic. Dorothy, an orphan seeking to protect her dog Totto (0) from an evil and interfering neighbor (physical presence of Miss Gulch on her bicycle is transfigured into the symbolic presence of the Wicked Witch on her broomstick II/XV), decides to run away from the safe but dull haven her aunt and uncle provide (III / IV). She (Discs) is looking for color, excitement, and most of all, adventure (VII). When a tornado turns her world topsy-turvy (XVI), she sets off with her dog, Toto--and her unformed dreams (XVIII). Dorothy finds friends (four of them- 4 elements) on her uncharted journey--a scarecrow who perceives himself as brainless (Sword-air, mental sphere), a tin man in search of a heart (Cup-water, emotional sphere), and a lion looking for courage (Wand-fire, will). When Dorothy is advised that a trip to Emerald City (XXI) will provide the answers she seeks, the four (elements) travel a dangerous path as a unit, and triumph over adversity. Dorothy also discovers her dream is to return home to her aunt and uncle--and that she can go back to her place of grounding whenever she wants. She merely has to recognize and visualize her desire...and it’s hers.
  
 **Literary Symbolism:** **Literary Symbolism:**
 +
 There is great power in a dreamer who seeks adventure for adventure's sweet sake. The four "seekers" represent the four elements/aspects of the individual:  There is great power in a dreamer who seeks adventure for adventure's sweet sake. The four "seekers" represent the four elements/aspects of the individual: 
   * Dorothy: Pentacles or earth/ missing ground (home)    * Dorothy: Pentacles or earth/ missing ground (home) 
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 **Artistic Symbolism:** **Artistic Symbolism:**
 +
 The four "seekers" are linked; you can barely see where one body ends and another begins, which reflects their collective synthesis.  The four "seekers" are linked; you can barely see where one body ends and another begins, which reflects their collective synthesis. 
 Dorothy is seen with her basket and dog, reminiscent of the more traditional (card 0) with his belongings gathered together in a pouch on a wooden stick and a white dog yapping at his heels. The house often symbolizes the ego or persona, and the fact that it is spinning, circling in the tornado (card XVI) indicates that the Seeker is being totally uprooted in chaos. But even so, the house and Dorothy land together--it follows her despite the swirling storm (XVI). Notice how the red shoes glisten at the foot of the yellow brick road! They provide a shining counterpoint to the sheen of Emerald City, showing that Dorothy's sparkle is part of her essence, even as she seeks it elsewhere. Dorothy is seen with her basket and dog, reminiscent of the more traditional (card 0) with his belongings gathered together in a pouch on a wooden stick and a white dog yapping at his heels. The house often symbolizes the ego or persona, and the fact that it is spinning, circling in the tornado (card XVI) indicates that the Seeker is being totally uprooted in chaos. But even so, the house and Dorothy land together--it follows her despite the swirling storm (XVI). Notice how the red shoes glisten at the foot of the yellow brick road! They provide a shining counterpoint to the sheen of Emerald City, showing that Dorothy's sparkle is part of her essence, even as she seeks it elsewhere.
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 === Tarot archetypes as characters in stories === === Tarot archetypes as characters in stories ===
  
- +**[[tarot:0|0 THE FOOL]]**
-**0 THE FOOL**+
   * The innocent child   * The innocent child
   * Little Red Riding Hood   * Little Red Riding Hood
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-**I THE MAGICIAN** +**[[tarot:1|I THE MAGICIAN]]** 
   * Wizard of Oz (trickster)   * Wizard of Oz (trickster)
   * Merlin (real magician)   * Merlin (real magician)
  
  
-**II HIGH PRIESTES/ POPESS**+**[[tarot:2|II HIGH PRIESTES/ POPESS]]**
   * a) The good witch:   * a) The good witch:
     * The fairy Godmother (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Glinda from Wizard of Oz)     * The fairy Godmother (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Glinda from Wizard of Oz)
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-**V THE HIEROPHANT/ POPE**+**[[tarot:5|V THE HIEROPHANT/ POPE]]**
   * Wise man often in the guise of someone of very low standing and/or is often handicapped, may predict the future to a disbelieving tragic protagonist or may be used as wise counsel for a protagonist whose show fortune will turn out far better   * Wise man often in the guise of someone of very low standing and/or is often handicapped, may predict the future to a disbelieving tragic protagonist or may be used as wise counsel for a protagonist whose show fortune will turn out far better
   * Old wise man   * Old wise man
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-**XII THE HANGED MAN**+**[[tarot:13|XII THE HANGED MAN]]**
   * Tragic hero   * Tragic hero
   * Prometheus   * Prometheus
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-**VX THE DEVIL**+**[[tarot:15|XV THE DEVIL]]**
   * lots of types but main idea: tempts the protagonist with common desires such as material goods, wealth, fame, pleasure or permit knowledge in exchange for the character’s soul   * lots of types but main idea: tempts the protagonist with common desires such as material goods, wealth, fame, pleasure or permit knowledge in exchange for the character’s soul
   * Temptation   * Temptation
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-**0 The Fool**+**[[tarot:0|0 The Fool]]**
   * Symbolism: Innocence and wonder.   * Symbolism: Innocence and wonder.
   * Archetype: The Child.   * Archetype: The Child.
  
-**I The Magician**+**[[tarot:1|I The Magician]]**
   * Symbolism: Magic and power.   * Symbolism: Magic and power.
   * Archetype: The Trickster.   * Archetype: The Trickster.
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   * Archetype: Evaluation and reward.   * Archetype: Evaluation and reward.
  
-**XXI The World**+**[[tarot:21|XXI The World]]**
   * Symbolism: Fullfilment.   * Symbolism: Fullfilment.
   * Archetype: Satisfaction, wholeness. Completition,   * Archetype: Satisfaction, wholeness. Completition,
- 
  
  
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