History of Tarot

They say the cards never lie.

They whisper their secrets in symbols, speaking to those willing to listen. A fool stepping off a cliff. A tower crumbling in fire and ruin. A cloaked figure, lantern in hand, wandering into the darkness. The Tarot is a language of mystery, of revelation, and—if we’re brave enough—of transformation.

But where did this deck of strange and sacred images come from? And how did it become so deeply woven into the occult traditions that still haunt our imaginations today?

To understand Tarot, we must step back into the shadows of history, into candlelit rooms where forbidden knowledge was exchanged in hushed voices, where robed figures traced symbols into the air, and where secret societies sought to grasp the threads of the unseen.

Personal Experience

There was a time when I wouldn’t touch Tarot cards. I didn’t judge people who used them (because I have always had an intense curiosity about them), but I had been taught that all forms of divination were wrong—that they separated a person from God. Though I’m still a believer, this never rang true to me. When I finally felt released to explore Tarot and other forms of divination, I realized they’re just a tool—a bridge—for communication to come from one side of the veil to the other. I respect everyone’s different opinions and beliefs on this—so please know that even if you feel differently, we’re not in conflict. Not at all. There are many other ways to reach the divine other than divination. Prayer and meditation being the most common. Whether you have a mere curiosity, no interest at all, or are a seasoned Tarot user, all are welcome here. Over the coming months, because I’m attempting to learn Tarot, I’ll be sharing fictional stories to help any who would like to learn the card meanings and how the cards may appear in our lives. Each story will delve into one card. I hope you’ll find these stories to be inspiring and helpful.

The Hidden Origins of the Tarot

Many believe the Tarot originated as a simple card game in 15th-century Italy, known as “tarocchi.” A nobleman’s amusement, nothing more. But some whisper that its images held deeper meanings even then, echoes of forgotten wisdom from ancient Egypt or the Kabbalistic traditions of Jewish mysticism.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, occultists saw something more in the cards—more than a game, more than just ink on paper. Each image, they claimed, held a connection to the divine, a doorway to hidden truths. The Tarot was no longer a parlor trick. It had become a sacred text, a cipher for the soul.

And no group embraced this belief more fiercely than the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

The Golden Dawn: A Secret Society of Seekers

It began in the 1880s, a time when London’s fog-stained streets concealed many secret gatherings—mystics, scholars, and dreamers, all searching for something beyond the veil of the ordinary.

Three men—William Westcott, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and William Woodman—claimed to have discovered ancient documents, written in cipher, revealing the structure of a lost esoteric order. Whether these documents were truly ancient or a clever fabrication remains debated, but the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was born from them.

The Order was more than a society. It was a school of magic, a labyrinth of rituals, alchemical symbolism, and arcane teachings. Its members studied astrology, numerology, Egyptian gods, and, of course, the Tarot. They believed the deck was a map of the soul’s journey, a key to unlocking higher consciousness.

At the heart of this mystical movement were some of the most infamous occultists in history.

The Figures Behind the Curtain

Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, the Order’s guiding force, was a man of theatrical grandeur. He often dressed in elaborate robes and claimed to channel wisdom from ancient spirits. His ambition and obsession with secrecy eventually fractured the group.

Florence Farr, a brilliant actress and High Priestess of the Order, brought a poetic elegance to the teachings, infusing the ceremonies with her hypnotic voice and dramatic presence.

Aleister Crowley, the most infamous of them all, was both the Golden Dawn’s brightest student and its most dangerous enemy. Charismatic, rebellious, and ruthless in his pursuit of power, he would go on to form his own occult philosophy—Thelema—after clashing with Mathers.

The Order eventually crumbled under the weight of its own rivalries, but its influence never faded. Its teachings seeped into modern occult practices, into the foundations of Wicca, Thelema, and even psychology.

And the Tarot? It remained.

The Rider-Waite Tarot: A History of Mysticism, Art, and Symbolism

There is a deck known to almost all who have walked the path of the Tarot. Its images are iconic—the Fool, with his foot poised over the edge of a cliff; the Magician, hand raised to the heavens; Death, robed in black, a pale horse beneath him. Even those who have never held a Tarot deck in their hands would recognize these illustrations, their meanings woven into the fabric of modern mysticism.

This is the Rider-Waite Tarot, the deck that shaped how the world understands divination. But to know its story, we must step back into the early 20th century, into the dim-lit corridors of occult societies, secret teachings, and one artist’s hand bringing the unseen into the light.

The Mind Behind the Cards: Arthur Edward Waite

Arthur Edward Waite was not a man of spectacle. Unlike Aleister Crowley, with his infamous theatrics, or Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, who wrapped himself in robes and ritual, Waite was a scholar—quiet, methodical, and consumed by a hunger for deeper knowledge. Waite was raised a Catholic by his widowed mother. In 1874, his sister Frederika Waite died, and this spurred him into psychical research. By 21, he was devouring everything he could on esotericism. He was a Freemason and believed that the Rectified Scottish Rite, more than any other Masonic Rite, revealed secret traditions that illuminated mystical spirituality.

Waite believed the Tarot was not merely a tool for fortune-telling—it was a sacred book of symbols, a guide to the soul’s journey.

The Hand That Brought the Cards to Life: Pamela Colman Smith

A deck of Tarot cards is nothing without its imagery. And for that, we must turn to a woman whose name was nearly lost to history: Pamela Colman Smith.

She was an artist, a writer, and a stage designer, deeply involved in London’s literary and theatrical circles. In 1909, Waite commissioned her to illustrate the deck that would become the most famous Tarot in the world.

Unlike earlier decks, which often depicted only the Major Arcana (or trump cards) with rich symbolism, Smith’s Rider-Waite Tarot illustrated all 78 cards, including the Minor Arcana, in full scenes. Every card was a story, each image layered with meaning.

But despite creating one of the most influential Tarot decks of all time, Pamela Colman Smith died in obscurity and poverty. She never received the recognition she deserved in her lifetime. Her legacy, though, would outlive her, as the deck she created became the standard for nearly every modern Tarot interpretation.

The Legacy of the Rider-Waite Tarot

Waite understood that the Tarot was not just a fortune-telling tool—it was a spiritual guide, a mirror to our subconscious. Pamela Colman Smith’s illustrations brought those meanings to life, allowing anyone, regardless of mystical training, to connect with the cards. The deck reflects ancient archetypes that have transcended time and cultures everywhere. It is not just a deck of cards. It is a doorway—one that has stood open for over a century, waiting for those willing to step through.

Using Tarot is a deeply personal and often transformative practice. Whether you’re reading for yourself or others, here are some of the most important things to keep in mind:

•  1. Tarot is a Tool, Not a Fixed Fate  

– The cards reflect energy, patterns, and subconscious influences, not an unchangeable destiny.  

– Think of them as a mirror for self-reflection rather than a prophecy set in stone.  

 2. Your Intentions Matter  

– Approach the cards with respect and openness. 

– Set a clear intention or question before shuffling.  

– Avoid using Tarot for manipulation or fear-based readings.  

 3. Symbolism Speaks to You Personally  

– While traditional meanings are helpful, trust your intuition and personal connections to the imagery.  

– Pay attention to how a card makes you feel in the moment—sometimes, that’s more revealing than any textbook definition.  

 4. Context is Everything  

– Consider the question, situation, and surrounding energies before jumping to conclusions.  

 5. Tarot is About Growth, Not Fear  

– Even so-called “negative” cards (like Death or The Tower) aren’t bad—they signal transformation, endings, and necessary change.  

– Embrace readings as an opportunity for insight, not dread.  

 6. Protect Your Energy & Set Boundaries  

– If reading for others, don’t allow their emotions to overwhelm you.  

– Some people cleanse their decks with smoke, crystals, or moonlight—find what resonates with you.  

 7. The Cards Don’t Control You  

– Use Tarot as a guide, but your choices and actions shape your life.  

– If a reading feels unsettling, take time to reflect rather than reacting impulsively.  

 8. Keep a Tarot Journal  

– Documenting readings helps track patterns, insights, and personal growth over time.  

– This deepens your understanding of both the cards and yourself.  

 9. Trust the Process, Even When It’s Unclear  

– Sometimes, a reading won’t make sense right away—but its meaning may unfold days, weeks, or even months later.  

– Let the messages marinate rather than forcing an immediate interpretation.  

 10. Have Fun and Stay Curious  

– Tarot is a lifelong learning experience—explore different spreads, decks, and interpretations.  

– The best readers are those who remain open, playful, and ever-learning.