The Classic Tarot deck represents a significant historical artifact within the realm of divination and cartomancy. Its origins trace back to 19th-century Italy, specifically Milan in 1835, where it was published by the Lombard engraver Carlo Dellarocca under the supervision of the printer Gumppenberg. This deck is a reproduction of that original work and gained immense popularity, leading to extensive copying throughout Italy for over a century. It serves as the foundation for the Ancient Italian Tarot. The deck is characterized by its exquisite detail, lush colors, and expressive figures. The card titles are presented in Italian, with the Major Arcana numbered in Roman numerals, with the exception of the Fool and Death cards. A distinctive feature of this deck is the inclusion of keyword meanings in four languages—Italian, English, French, and German—printed in a white vertical border on the left side of each card. It is important to note that this border was not part of the original 1835 design. In the Minor Arcana, cards are not named individually, except for the court cards. Currently, this deck is published by Lo Scarabeo of Italy and distributed by Llewellyn in the United States. It is also widely recognized as the Classical Tarots.
Historical Context and Origins
The history of the Tarot is complex and shrouded in various theories regarding its exact origins. While many symbols make pinpointing a single source difficult, there is ample evidence of Kabbalah symbolism, including Hebrew letters, alongside Pagan, Christian, and Eastern mystical symbols. The etymology of the word "tarot" itself is debated. Some theories suggest it derives from the Italian word "trionfi," meaning triumph, while others point to "tarocchi," which has no known meaning outside of its relation to the cards. Another hypothesis links the name to the Italian river Taro. Occultists have also claimed connections to Arabic or ancient Egyptian roots, suggesting that playing cards were imported into Europe from Egypt.
The modern Tarot deck as it is known today appeared in Italy during the 15th century. Due to the necessity of hand-painting, these decks were expensive and accessible primarily to royal and aristocratic families, such as the Visconti family, whose centuries-old cards are displayed in various global locations. While it is said these families used the cards for gaming rather than divination, it is also possible that they concealed psychic and spiritual activities to avoid backlash from the church.
Tarot found broader freedom of expression after the Renaissance, becoming part of all strata of society and openly used for divination. In 1785, Etteilla, a French occultist, became the first professional Tarot reader, popularizing the cards and exploring their connections to astrology and the four elements (earth, water, fire, air). Over a century later, Carl Jung connected specific cards to archetypes, concluding that Tarot could play a key role in psychoanalysis. Subsequent teachers have claimed that meditating upon the cards can facilitate the creation of new realities in one's life.
Structure of the Classic Tarot
The Classic Tarot, like many traditional decks, adheres to a 78-card framework. This system is divided into two primary sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent significant life themes and archetypal energies. The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards that address everyday situations and practical choices.
Major Arcana
The Major Arcana in the Classic Tarot includes the following cards, presented here with their Italian titles and standard English equivalents based on the provided keyword data: * Il Matto (The Fool): Representing innocence, new beginnings, and a free spirit. * Il Bagattel. (The Magician): Symbolizing willpower, desire, creation, and manifestation. * La Papessa (The High Priestess): Connected to intuition, the unconscious, and the inner voice. * L'Imperatrice (The Empress): Associated with motherhood, fertility, and nature. * L'Imperatore (The Emperor): Denoting authority, structure, control, and fatherhood. * Il Papa (The Hierophant): Relating to tradition, conformity, morality, and ethics. * Gli Amanti (The Lovers): Focusing on partnerships, duality, and union. * Il Carro (The Chariot): Signifying direction, control, and willpower. * La Giustizia (Justice): Representing cause and effect, clarity, and truth. * L'Eremita (The Hermit): Indicating contemplation, the search for truth, and inner guidance. * Ruota (Wheel of Fortune): Associated with change, cycles, and inevitable fate. * La Forza (Strength): (Implied from standard structure) Representing inner strength, bravery, compassion, and focus. * Il Appeso (The Hanged Man): (Implied) Symbolizing sacrifice and surrender. * La Morte (Death): (Implied) Representing transformation and endings. * La Temperanza (Temperance): (Implied) Denoting balance and moderation. * Il Diavolo (The Devil): (Implied) Relating to bondage and materialism. * La Torre (The Tower): (Implied) Signifying sudden change and upheaval. * La Stella (The Star): (Implied) Representing hope and inspiration. * La Luna (The Moon): (Implied) Relating to illusion and fear. * Il Sole (The Sun): (Implied) Symbolizing joy and success. * Il Giudizio (Judgement): (Implied) Representing reflection and reckoning. * Il Mondo (The World): (Implied) Signifying completion and integration.
Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Coins (also known as Pentacles). Each suit contains ten numbered cards (Ace through Ten) and four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King).
The Wands
This suit generally relates to energy, action, and inspiration. * Ace of Wands * Two of Wands * Three of Wands * Four of Wands * Five of Wands * Six of Wands * Seven of Wands * Eight of Wands * Nine of Wands * Ten of Wands * Page of Wands * Knight of Wands * Queen of Wands * King of Wands
The Cups
This suit is associated with emotions, relationships, and intuition. * Ace of Cups * Two of Cups * Three of Cups * Four of Cups * Five of Cups * Six of Cups * Seven of Cups * Eight of Cups * Nine of Cups * Ten of Cups * Page of Cups * Knight of Cups * Queen of Cups * King of Cups
The Swords
This suit represents the intellect, conflict, and challenges. * Ace of Swords * Two of Swords * Three of Swords * Four of Swords * Five of Swords * Six of Swords * Seven of Swords * Eight of Swords * Nine of Swords * Ten of Swords * Page of Swords * Knight of Swords * Queen of Swords * King of Swords
The Coins (Pentacles)
This suit focuses on material aspects, wealth, and practicality. * Ace of Pentacles (Coins) * Two of Pentacles (Coins) * Three of Pentacles (Coins) * Four of Pentacles (Coins) * Five of Pentacles (Coins) * Six of Pentacles (Coins) * Seven of Pentacles (Coins) * Eight of Pentacles (Coins) * Nine of Pentacles (Coins) * Ten of Pentacles (Coins) * Page of Pentacles (Coins) * Knight of Pentacles (Coins) * Queen of Pentacles (Coins) * King of Pentacles (Coins)
Symbolic Interpretations and Keywords
The provided source data offers specific upright and reversed meanings for the Major Arcana cards. These keywords serve as a foundational guide for understanding the energetic resonance of each card.
The Fool
- Upright: Innocence, new beginnings, free spirit.
- Reversed: Recklessness, taken advantage of, inconsideration.
The Magician
- Upright: Willpower, desire, creation, manifestation.
- Reversed: Trickery, illusions, out of touch.
The High Priestess
- Upright: Intuitive, unconscious, inner voice.
- Reversed: Lack of center, lost inner voice, repressed feelings.
The Empress
- Upright: Motherhood, fertility, nature.
- Reversed: Dependence, smothering, emptiness, nosiness.
The Emperor
- Upright: Authority, structure, control, fatherhood.
- Reversed: Tyranny, rigidity, coldness.
The Hierophant
- Upright: Tradition, conformity, morality, ethics.
- Reversed: Rebellion, subversiveness, new approaches.
The Lovers
- Upright: Partnerships, duality, union.
- Reversed: Loss of balance, one-sidedness, disharmony.
The Chariot
- Upright: Direction, control, willpower.
- Reversed: Lack of control, lack of direction, aggression.
Strength
- Upright: Inner strength, bravery, compassion, focus.
- Reversed: Self-doubt, weakness, insecurity.
The Hermit
- Upright: Contemplation, search for truth, inner guidance.
- Reversed: Loneliness, isolation, lost your way.
Wheel of Fortune
- Upright: Change, cycles, inevitable fate.
- Reversed: No control, clinging to control, bad luck.
Justice
- Upright: Cause and effect, clarity, truth.
- Reversed: Dishonesty, unaccountability, unfairness.
The Hanged Man
- Upright: Sacrifice.
- Reversed: (Data incomplete)
Choosing and Using the Deck
When selecting a Tarot deck, it is essential to match the deck to one's purpose, whether for playing, studying, or divination. The 78-card system effectively blends Major Arcana themes with Minor Arcana practicalities. Different systems, such as the Rider-Waite® Tarot, the Thoth tradition, and the Classic Tarot de Marseille (which includes the deck described in this article), offer varying imagery and interpretive frameworks. The Classic Tarot is noted for its artful Marseilles style, based on woodcuts by Claude Burdel from 1851.
For those engaging with the deck, it is recommended to consider features such as guidebooks (though the Classic Tarot includes an instruction sheet in English only), card stock, and packaging. Simple rituals or routines are often suggested to "break in" a new deck and establish a connection, potentially improving the accuracy and flow of readings.
Conclusion
The Classic Tarot deck offers a rich tapestry of historical significance and symbolic depth. From its roots in 19th-century Milan to its structure of 78 cards divided into Major and Minor Arcana, it provides a comprehensive framework for exploring life's themes and daily situations. The specific keyword meanings associated with the Major Arcana cards—from the innocence of The Fool to the sacrifice of The Hanged Man—serve as valuable anchors for interpretation. Whether used for personal introspection, psychoanalytic exploration, or divination, the Classic Tarot remains a vital tool for those seeking to understand the archetypal forces at play in the human experience.