An Introduction to the Study of the Tarot.pdf

An Introduction

to the

Study of the Tarot

by Paul Foster Case

As an erudite book, all combinations of which reveal the harmonies

preexisting between signs and numbers, the practical value of the Tarot

is truly and above all marvelous - Eliphas Levi

Originally published in New York, 1920

Introduction to the Study of Tarot

Preface

This book aims to show how to use the Tarot cards for the purpose of evoking thought, and thus bringing

to the surface of the student's consciousness those great, fundamental principles of Occult Science which

lie hidden in the hearts of all mankind. All these principles are based upon a single truth, and knowledge

of that truth is innate in every human being; but not until it has been found and brought into the light of

consciousness is it available for use. Hence the portals of ancient temples bore the motto, “Know

Thyself;” hence Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God, which is within you;” and Eckhartshausen

declared: “As infinity in numbers loses itself in the unit which is their basis, and as the innumerable rays

of a circle, are united in a single center, so it is also with the Mysteries; their hieroglyphics and infinitude

of emblems have the object of exemplifying but one single truth. He who knows this has found the key to

understand everything, and all at once.”

Its rich symbolism and ingenious construction make the Tarot the best of all instruments for true occult

education, i. e., for “drawing out” the wisdom hidden in the heart of man. Proper interpretation of these

symbols, however, requires sonic knowledge of the elements of the Qabalah. The student will find these

essentials in the first four chapters of this book. In connection with them, the frontispiece should be

studied very carefully, for it is, in very truth, a key to all things occult.

The circles are the ten Sephiroth. Their numbers are printed above their names, and these are also the

numbers of the Tarot trumps from the Magician to the Wheel of Fortune. Below the Sephirotic titles are

the numbers of the major trumps which also correspond to those Sephiroth.

To those critics who may complain that my interpretations of the Tarot differ widely from most of those

published hitherto, I would point out the fact that nearly all the explanations of the Tarot that have found

their way into print have been based upon the false attribution of the cards to the Hebrew alphabet, used

by Eliphas Levi. He undoubtedly knew the true attribution, but for reasons which probably seemed to

him sufficient, deliberately concealed it.

This is not the place to discuss those reasons; but for the benefit of any who may question my wisdom in

publishing this attribution, let me say that I received it from no one. Following Court de Gebelin, who

makes the zero card head the series of major trumps, and Levi, who says the cards illustrate the occult

meaning of the Hebrew alphabet, I worked out this system some twelve years ago; and I believe that its

results in the interpretation of the symbolism are sufficient evidence of its accuracy.

Finally, I have said nothing of the divinatory uses of the Tarot, not because I agree with those who

deprecate its application to the art of divination; but rather because it is my belief that the best results in

foretelling the future with the Tarot can he obtained by none who are not thoroughly grounded in the

philosophy of the cares. Familiarity with their astrological meanings is practically indispensable for

accurate divination. I hope, at some future time, to publish a work devoted exclusively to the astrological

and divinatory uses of this remarkable alphabet of symbols.

New York City, December, 1919.

PAUL FOSTER CASE.

CONTENTS

The Tree of Life and the Twenty-two Paths of the Sepher Yetzirah …………frontispiece

PREFACE - page 3

CHAPTER I - page 5

CHAPTER II - page 8

CHAPTER III - page 12

CHAPTER IV - page 17

CHAPTER V - page 21

CHAPTER VI - page 25

CHAPTER VII - page 28

CHAPTER VIII - page 31

CHAPTER IX - page 35

CHAPTER X - page 38

CHAPTER XI - page 41

CHAPTER XII - page 45

Introduction to the Study of Tarot

CHAPTER I

For five centuries or more Tarot cards have been used in Europe, ostensibly for games and

fortune-telling, but really to preserve the essentials of a secret doctrine. They form a symbolic

alphabet of the ancient wisdom, and to their influence upon the minds of a few enlightened

thinkers we may trace the modern revival of interest in that wisdom.

This revival may be said to date from 1854, when Eliphas Levi published Dogme et Rituel de la

Haute Magie, the first of a series of occult books in which he named the Tarot as his most

important source of information. His influence appears in the writings of H. P. Blavatsky; it

pervades the teachings of the French occult school, headed by Papus (Dr. Gerard Encausse); it is

developed for English readers in the works of S. L. MacGregor Mathers, A. E. Waite, Dr. W.

Wynn Westcott, and others; it enters the New Thought movement in various ways, notably

through the essays of Judge Troward, and it even extends to Scottish Rite Masonry in the United

States, by way of Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma, which repeats verbatim passage after passage

from Levi's Dogme et Rituel.

Levi's opinion of the Tarot was very high. He recommended it to occult students as a key to all

mysteries. “A prisoner devoid of books,” he declared, “had he only a Tarot of which he knew

how to make use, could in a few years acquire a universal science, and converse with an

unequalled doctrine and inexhaustible eloquence. 1

My aim is to show my readers how to use the Tarot. An exhaustive treatment of this subject

would fill many volumes; but I hope to fulfill the promise of my title by giving a concise

explanation of the general plan of the Tarot, and a brief interpretation of its emblems. Let it be

understood, however, that this is merely an outline. which the student must complete with the

results of his own observation and meditation.

A Tarot pack contains seventy-eight cards. Fifty-six - minor trumps, or lesser arcana - are

divided into four suits: wands (clubs), cups (hearts), swords (spades) and pentacles (diamonds).

Each suit includes four court cards - king, queen, knight and page - and ten spot cards, numbered

from ace to ten. The spots, usually grouped in geometrical designs, are sometimes combined

with pictures illustrating the divinatory meanings of the cards. The rest of the pack - major

trumps, or greater arcana - is a series of symbolic pictures. Each has a special title, and bears a

number.

The doctrine behind these symbols has assumed many forms. The Vedas are its oldest literary

expression, but it was known, and transmitted orally from generation to generation, long before

the Vedas passed into writing. In one sense it is that true Christian religion which, according to

St. Augustine, always existed, and only began to be called Christian after the time of Jesus. It is

the truth taught by such organized schools as the Rosicrucians and Craft Masonry, and by the

Great School from which these and other similar societies have proceeded. It is veiled also by

the symbols of alchemy and astrology. Hence the Tarot speaks many languages, and its

emblems are full of meaning to every student of the ancient mysteries, no matter by what path he

1 Mysteries of Magic, London, 1897, p. 285.

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