The Grand Etteilla Tarot represents a foundational chapter in the history of cartomancy, distinguished as one of the earliest decks explicitly designed for occult purposes and divination. Originating in late 18th-century France, this deck was the creation of Jean-Baptiste Alliette, who adopted the pseudonym "Etteilla." Unlike earlier tarot decks primarily utilized for gaming, the Grand Etteilla was systematized to provide specific divinatory meanings, marking a pivotal shift toward the modern practice of tarot reading. The deck is characterized by its unique structure, which incorporates influences from Kabbalah, Hermeticism, numerology, and astrology, alongside a distinct set of Egyptian themes. Its cards feature titles in both French and English, often accompanied by keywords that offer immediate interpretive guidance. While the artwork is frequently described as primitive or abstract compared to later decks, its historical significance lies in its pioneering approach to assigning upright and reversed meanings to each card. This system provided a rigid interpretive framework that has influenced the evolution of tarot symbolism and reading methodologies.
Historical Context and Creation
The Grand Etteilla Tarot emerged from the work of Jean-Baptiste Alliette (1738–1791), a French occultist, printer, and publisher. Alliette is widely recognized as the first professional tarot reader known to history, making his living through card divination starting around 1785. His use of the reversed surname "Etteilla" as a pseudonym was a deliberate choice to create a distinct identity for his esoteric endeavors.
In 1789, Alliette published The Grand Etteilla Tarot, a deck that departed significantly from traditional tarot symbolism. This publication followed his earlier work, Manière de se récréer avec le jeu de cartes nommées tarots (Way to recreate yourself with the deck of cards called tarots), published between 1783 and 1785. This book is considered the original reference work for Tarot cartomancy. Etteilla claimed to have learned the method of reading cards from an Italian source, though his interpretations were heavily influenced by various esoteric traditions, including Kabbalah and Hermeticism. He integrated concepts of the four classical elements and the four humors into his system, creating a complex web of correspondences.
A key historical claim associated with Etteilla is that he was the first to issue a revised tarot deck specifically designed for occult purposes rather than game playing. In keeping with the belief that tarot cards are derived from the Book of Thoth, Etteilla’s tarot contained themes related to ancient Egypt. This focus on Egyptian symbology was a significant departure from the standard playing card and tarot designs of the time. The museum displays a variety of Etteilla tarot decks, highlighting the numerous versions published over the years, which retained the core concepts but sometimes presented them with slight variations in design and interpretation.
Deck Structure and Characteristics
The Grand Etteilla Tarot is a complete pack of 78 playing-cards for cartomancy. It is divided into the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). The suits traditionally used are Cups, Ducats (or Coins), Swords, and Rods (or Wands). In this specific system, the card numbering for the Major Arcana differs from modern standards: Strength is assigned the number 11, and Justice is assigned the number 9.
The physical characteristics of the deck, as described in historical records, include: * Card Size: Approximately 2.60 x 4.72 inches (6.60 cm x 12.00 cm). * Language: The cards feature text in both French and English. * Visual Design: The illustrations are often described as somewhat primitive or abstract, featuring large white borders. However, some variations are noted to have beautifully intricate artwork. * Keywords: A defining feature of the Grand Etteilla is that each card bears two keywords (in English and French) directly on the face of the card. These keywords serve as a guide to the card's divinatory meaning. * Numerological and Astrological Markings: The cards are numbered in each corner and framed with a light blue border in some versions. Furthermore, the deck incorporates numerology and astrology, with each card associated with specific astrological correspondences and numerical values that contribute to its significance.
Divinatory Methodology and Innovations
The Grand Etteilla Tarot is historically significant for being the first deck to assign specific divinatory meanings to individual cards, both in upright and reversed positions. This was a radical departure from earlier decks, which lacked standardized divinatory interpretations. Etteilla’s system provided a rigid interpretive structure where fixed meanings were assigned to each card.
Upright and Reversed Meanings
One of the most notable innovations introduced by the Grand Etteilla was the concept of reversed cards. Etteilla included upright and reversed meanings printed directly on the cards themselves. This practice added depth and nuance to readings, allowing for a more detailed analysis of the querent's situation. The inclusion of these meanings on the card face made the deck accessible to a wider audience, democratizing the practice of tarot reading.
Influence of Esoteric Systems
Etteilla’s interpretations were not arbitrary; they were deeply rooted in the esoteric traditions of his time. * Astrology: The deck integrates astrological correspondences, linking specific cards to zodiac signs and planetary influences. This allows the reader to incorporate timing and cosmic energies into the reading. * Numerology: The numerical values of the cards are integral to their interpretation. The sum of numbers, the individual digits, and their symbolic meanings play a role in determining the card's influence. * Elements and Humors: Etteilla published ideas of correspondences between the tarot, the four classical elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water), and the four humors (Melancholy, Choler, Phlegm, Blood). This holistic approach aimed to balance the physical and spiritual aspects of the querent's life. * Egyptian Symbology: The deck is rich in Egyptian imagery, reflecting the 18th-century fascination with ancient Egypt as a source of wisdom and occult knowledge. This symbology is often coded and requires knowledge of Etteilla’s specific system to interpret fully.
The Interpretive Framework
The Etteilla tarot system is complex. While it uses familiar suits, the structure and meaning of the cards do not map neatly onto other systems like the Rider-Waite. Etteilla’s own writings, particularly the Cahier de Thot, outlined the symbolism and correspondences he assigned to each card. He provided a rigid interpretive structure where each card had fixed meanings, and the spread placements carried their own significance. This systematization was crucial in transforming tarot from a game into a serious tool for divination and self-reflection.
Major Arcana in the Grand Etteilla
The Major Arcana of the Grand Etteilla consists of 22 cards. While the specific imagery and titles vary slightly between versions, the core structure remains consistent. The sequence often begins with "Chaos," representing the beginning of all things, which differs significantly from the Fool or Magician as the starting point in other systems.
Common titles found in the Grand Etteilla Major Arcana include: * Chaos (sometimes placed before The Magician or as card 0) * The Magician * The High Priestess * The Empress * The Emperor * The Hierophant * The Lovers * The Chariot * Justice (Card 9) * The Hermit * Wheel of Fortune * Strength (Card 11) * The Hanged Man * Death * Temperance * The Devil * The Tower * The Star * The Moon * The Sun * Judgement * The World
It is important to note that the ordering and specific attributions of these cards can vary between different editions of the Grand Etteilla published over the centuries. However, the inclusion of specific keywords and titles on the cards remains a constant feature.
Minor Arcana and Suit Interpretations
The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards, divided into four suits: Cups, Ducats (Coins), Swords, and Rods (Wands). Each suit contains 14 cards: Ace through 10, and the court cards (Valet, Knight, Queen, King).
The Suits
- Cups: Generally associated with emotions, relationships, and the element of Water.
- Ducats (Coins): Associated with material wealth, finance, and the element of Earth.
- Swords: Associated with conflict, thought, intellect, and the element of Air.
- Rods (Wands): Associated with action, creativity, and the element of Fire.
The Court Cards
The court cards represent people or personality types. In the Grand Etteilla, they are typically: * Valet (Page): A messenger or young person. * Knight: An active force or traveler. * Queen: A mature feminine influence. * King: A mature masculine influence.
Keywords on Cards
A unique feature of the Grand Etteilla Minor Arcana is the presence of keywords directly on the cards. For example, a card might explicitly state its meaning, such as "Love," "Sorrow," "Success," or "Obstacle." This design feature makes the deck highly accessible for beginners, as the interpretive keys are visually present.
Historical Significance and Legacy
The Grand Etteilla Tarot holds a place of importance in the lineage of modern tarot decks. It serves as a bridge between the older tradition of tarot as a game and the modern era of tarot as a tool for psychological insight and divination.
Foundation for Future Systems
By systematizing tarot divination and assigning specific meanings to each card, Etteilla laid the groundwork for future occultists and tarot designers. His integration of astrology, numerology, and elemental correspondences became standard features in many subsequent esoteric tarot systems. The concept of providing keywords on the cards, while not universally adopted, influenced the design of many educational tarot decks.
Evolution of the Deck
Over time, several versions of the Grand Etteilla Tarot were published. These variations often updated the artwork or slightly modified the interpretive keywords, but they retained the core structure established by Alliette. The deck’s evolution reflects the changing artistic tastes and occult interests of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Comparison to Other Decks
It is important to distinguish the Grand Etteilla from more contemporary decks like the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck. The RWS deck, created in the early 20th century, features illustrated scenes on the Minor Arcana cards and a cohesive symbolic system heavily influenced by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. In contrast, the Grand Etteilla features simpler illustrations (often just the number, suit, and keywords) and a different set of symbolic associations. While the RWS is often the standard for modern readers, the Grand Etteilla offers a glimpse into the origins of tarot divination and a different philosophical approach to the cards.
Reading with the Grand Etteilla
Reading with the Grand Etteilla requires an understanding of its unique system. Because the meanings are distinct from modern decks, readers cannot rely on standard RWS interpretations.
The Role of the Booklet
Many versions of the Grand Etteilla come with a booklet of instruction. This booklet is essential for understanding the full depth of the system, as it details the astrological and numerological correspondences that Etteilla assigned to the cards. It explains how the keywords on the cards relate to the broader esoteric framework.
Fixed Meanings and Spreads
Etteilla’s system is described as rigid. The meanings are fixed, and the spread placements carry their own specific significance. This contrasts with more intuitive reading styles that rely on the reader's personal connection to the imagery. For those interested in historical accuracy or a structured approach to divination, the Grand Etteilla offers a disciplined methodology.
Integration of Reversals
The practice of reading reversed cards is central to the Grand Etteilla. Because the deck was designed with reversals in mind, the meanings of upside-down cards are integral to a complete reading. This allows for a nuanced understanding of challenges, blockages, or opposing forces in the querent's life.
Conclusion
The Grand Etteilla Tarot stands as a testament to the origins of professional cartomancy. Created by Jean-Baptiste Alliette, it was the first deck explicitly designed for divination, breaking away from the tradition of tarot as a mere game. Its unique structure, incorporation of esoteric systems like astrology and numerology, and the revolutionary inclusion of keywords and reversed meanings on the cards paved the way for the modern tarot practice. While its artwork may seem primitive to modern eyes and its symbolism differs from later decks, its historical value is undeniable. For spiritual seekers and those interested in the roots of tarot, the Grand Etteilla offers a fascinating window into the 18th-century occult world and a structured, keyword-based system for seeking insight and guidance.