Tarot
Tarot: The true origins of the Tarot hides behind the viel of history and has yet to be discovered although many have and are still in search for this prize. Some believe they were in use as long ago as the early 1300's in Italy. It wasn't until the late 1800's that A. E. Waite claimed that Tarot cards could be used to predict possible future events. Waite created the Rider-Waite deck based on the works of Eliphas Levi, and published the cards in 1896. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is the most widely used version currently in existence. The Tarot was then introduced into the Western culture in the early 1900's, and were extremely popular during World War I.
Eliphas Levi, a Catholic Priest, writer, and teacher, in the late 1700's created a Tarot deck which would lead further generations to expound upon and create Tarot cards of their own. Levi was born and trained for the Catholic Priesthood, but he also studied many other religions and subjects as well. He studied the Jewish, Hindu, Polish religions, Masonic traditions and Cabalism. Levi also spent time studing astronomy, astrology, and the metaphysics. His first Tarot deck was incorporated with his deep knowledge of religions, the elements in nature (fire, water, earth, air), and what were believed to be powerful astrological events and symbols. References to scriptures from The Bible are shown in some of the cards. Levi claimed he created the cards as a tool to aid his students in the art of spiritual enlightenment, self improvement, and self awareness.
