The Tarot History
The
history of tarot cards began many centuries ago in an obscure time and
place; the theories are numerous and unproven. One of those theories
derives its origin thousands of years ago from the last vestige of the
great Egyptian library of Alexandria. However, the earliest extant
tarot cards are the beautifully illuminated Lombard pack known as the
Visconti-Sforza cards, hand painted in the mid-fifteenth century.
The
twentieth century has witnessed the publication of hundreds of tarot
decks. The outpouring of tarot embraces dozens of subjects and themes,
including medieval and Renaissance figures, fantasy subjects, images
based on mythology, different cultures and societies, folklore and
traditional tarot symbolism, from simple line drawings to the colorful
richness of fine art.
To
learn more about the intriguing and fascinating history behind the
tarot and its luminous art, esoteric meaning and rich symbolism, I
recommend "The Encyclopedia of Tarot" by Stuart R. Kaplan.
Card trick:
-Become a Knight:
Remove the four jacks from the deck and place them in a row on the
table. Explain that they represent four applicants to become "King's
Knight". Two of them will be rejected because of physical
disability. Ask the spectators to point out which ones, and why?
Secret:
Most people will never notice that only two
jacks have two eyes, the others have
only one. |
