Tarots

There are various approaches how to connect with spiritual world, but one is central to many magical practices - set of cards called Tarot. Origins of divination by cards is unknown. The practice was probably established in Italy, France and Germany in 14th century and has been associated with Templar Knights or Gypsies, but that is doubtful. Evidence shows that the concept of playing cards came from China, Korea or India and design of Tarots came from Europe.

Tarot cards - greater arcana

Deck of Tarot cards consist of 78 cards. 56 cards are called lesser arcana and 22 cards are greater arcana.The lesser arcana is divided into four groups: batons, cups, swords and coins and each group has ten numbered cards and four court cards: King, Queen, Knight and Page.Greater arcana represents certain symbols and images numbered from the Fool (0 or unnumbered) to the World ( number 21). Some magicians say that these symbols concern initiation into the mysteries. By solving the riddle in pictures which represents stages of life journey you have the opportunity to develop spirituality. Tarots speak in the language of unconscious and with right manners opens the door into the hidden corners of the soul.

Eliphas Levi who first related Tarots to the cabbala

Eliphas Levi (1810 - 1875) published his first work on magic, Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie, in 1855. This French occultist linked Tarot to the esoteric system of cabbala and the 22 letters of Hebrew alphabet and he connected four suits of lesser arcana to the four elements and four letters of the divine name of God.
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn adopted Levi's system but assigned the cards in a little bit different way. They added the signs of Zodiac and the planets.

The magician A.E. Waite and the artist Pamela Coleman Smith produced the most popular version of Tarot deck in 1910.
In 1944, Aleister Crowley (1875 - 1947) published The Book of Thoth and directed the artist Lady Freida Harris to illustrate a pack according to this interpretation.
These 2 decks with Golden Dawn deck are the most important in modern era. All of them was dependent on set of tarot papers called Book T. These papers were issued for members of the inner lodge of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

Book T indicated that the key of tarot was found in cabbala and that the tarot was an external symbol of the underlying pattern of the cosmos, it includes lines from the Revelation of Saint John the Divine. Only those who have been initiated into the secret mysteries can fully understand the tarot.

Hru the Great Angel is Set over the operations of the Secret Wisdom What thou seest write in a Book, and send it unto the Seven Abodes that are in Assiah. And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat upon the Throne a book sealed with Seven Seals. And I saw a strong Angel proclaiming with a loud voice. Who is worthy to open the Books and to loose the seals thereof?