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The Tarot, Its Occult Signification, Use in Fortune-telling, and Method of Play
Introduction; Symbolism Of Each Of The Keys; Meanings Of The Cards; Methods Of Divination; Tarot Game Play; Occult Significance Of The Tarot Cards.
"Samuel Liddell (or Liddel) "MacGregor" Mathers, born as Samuel Liddell (January 8 or 11, 1854 - November 5 or 20, 1918), was one of the most influential figures in modern Occultism. He is primarily known as one of the founders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a ceremonial magic order whose offshoots still exist today.
The idea that cards were first "invented' to amuse Charles VI of France is now exploded; and it is worthy of note in this connection that their supposititious "inventor" was Jacques Gringonneur, an Astrologer and Qabalist. Furthermore, cards were known prior to this period among the Indians and the Chinese. Etteilla, indeed, gives in one of his tracts on the Tarot a representation of the mystical arrangement of these cards in the Temple of Ptah at Memphis, and he further "Upon a table or altar, at the height of the breast of the Egyptian Magus (or Hierophant), were on one side a book or assemblage of cards or plates of gold (the Tarot), and on the other a vase, etc." This idea is further dilated upon by P. Christian (the disciple of Eliphas Levi), in his "Histoire de la Magie," to which I shall have occasion to refer later.
The great exponents of the Tarot, Court de Gèbelin, Levi, and Etteilla, have always assigned to the Tarot a Qabalistico-Egyptian origin, and this I have found confirmed in my own researches into this subject, which have extended over several years.
"Samuel Liddell (or Liddel) "MacGregor" Mathers, born as Samuel Liddell (January 8 or 11, 1854 - November 5 or 20, 1918), was one of the most influential figures in modern Occultism. He is primarily known as one of the founders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a ceremonial magic order whose offshoots still exist today.
The idea that cards were first "invented' to amuse Charles VI of France is now exploded; and it is worthy of note in this connection that their supposititious "inventor" was Jacques Gringonneur, an Astrologer and Qabalist. Furthermore, cards were known prior to this period among the Indians and the Chinese. Etteilla, indeed, gives in one of his tracts on the Tarot a representation of the mystical arrangement of these cards in the Temple of Ptah at Memphis, and he further "Upon a table or altar, at the height of the breast of the Egyptian Magus (or Hierophant), were on one side a book or assemblage of cards or plates of gold (the Tarot), and on the other a vase, etc." This idea is further dilated upon by P. Christian (the disciple of Eliphas Levi), in his "Histoire de la Magie," to which I shall have occasion to refer later.
The great exponents of the Tarot, Court de Gèbelin, Levi, and Etteilla, have always assigned to the Tarot a Qabalistico-Egyptian origin, and this I have found confirmed in my own researches into this subject, which have extended over several years.
hardcover
First published November 12, 26
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About the author
S.L. MacGregor Mathers
255 books126 followersSamuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, born Samuel Liddell Mathers and having allegedly added MacGregor as a claim to a Highland heritage for which there is little other evidence, was an English occultist best remembered as a founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
His translations of medieval grimoires and other obscure occult texts, while often criticized for their accuracy or incompleteness, served to make this otherwise inaccessible material more widely available to English-speaking audiences, and remain among the most popular of his works.
His translations of medieval grimoires and other obscure occult texts, while often criticized for their accuracy or incompleteness, served to make this otherwise inaccessible material more widely available to English-speaking audiences, and remain among the most popular of his works.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 3, 2024
I think of all the recent books on Tarot I've read, Mathers' has had the most functional value. This seems to be a comfortable bridge between Wescott and Waite, while offering the most definitive values of the cards without the distraction of grail or otherwise obsessions. Mathers does seem more convinced here of Egyptian and Oriental influence than previous writers, though the links are not well defined outside of reference to Levi, which I have not yet reviewed.
I'm confused by the inclusion of P.D. Ouspensky's work, as I'm not sure it is in agreement with Mathers--I don't know if this was tacked on for this edition or if it was always included. Regardless, it allows for additional context, even without full agreement (given that none of the cumulative works from Golden Dawn members seem to agree, it's just as valuable to look outside of them to broaden the scope).
I'm confused by the inclusion of P.D. Ouspensky's work, as I'm not sure it is in agreement with Mathers--I don't know if this was tacked on for this edition or if it was always included. Regardless, it allows for additional context, even without full agreement (given that none of the cumulative works from Golden Dawn members seem to agree, it's just as valuable to look outside of them to broaden the scope).
October 2, 2020
Interesting
You learn something new everyday. I appreciate the history and explanations. The breakdowns are very helpful. The book is an easy read.
You learn something new everyday. I appreciate the history and explanations. The breakdowns are very helpful. The book is an easy read.
November 2, 2024
concisa introducción
September 24, 2021
The missing link between RWS and Thoth.
This book makes it crystal clear where A. E. Waite and Aleister Crowley changed the Golden Dawn method of Tarot reading. I would almost consider it required reading in order for us to understand either of those decks fully. By comparing this to Waite and Crowley's work, Waite's disregard for divination is made even more obvious, and Crowley's personal prejudices (and arguably projections) are in full display. Don't take my word for it, compare the 10 of Cups!
It's unfortunate that Mathers was not upfront about the Major Arcana, much akin to Waite, but thankfully we have other sources for those cards, namely some parts of Israel Regardie's "The Golden Dawn," and Crowley's "Book of Thoth." Still, for the pip cards, this is really a stellar work.
It can be a little jargon-heavy, but you can filter the "occultbabble" to a certain extent and still grasp the meanings Mathers was pointing to, usually in more condensed form at each card's last paragraph.
This book makes it crystal clear where A. E. Waite and Aleister Crowley changed the Golden Dawn method of Tarot reading. I would almost consider it required reading in order for us to understand either of those decks fully. By comparing this to Waite and Crowley's work, Waite's disregard for divination is made even more obvious, and Crowley's personal prejudices (and arguably projections) are in full display. Don't take my word for it, compare the 10 of Cups!
It's unfortunate that Mathers was not upfront about the Major Arcana, much akin to Waite, but thankfully we have other sources for those cards, namely some parts of Israel Regardie's "The Golden Dawn," and Crowley's "Book of Thoth." Still, for the pip cards, this is really a stellar work.
It can be a little jargon-heavy, but you can filter the "occultbabble" to a certain extent and still grasp the meanings Mathers was pointing to, usually in more condensed form at each card's last paragraph.
January 3, 2020
Between the confusing, long-winded explanations, the meanings that I’ve pretty much never heard used for the cards they’re used for, and the mis-numbering of cards to make symbolic connections, I’m really not sure where I stopped reading with an open mind and started reading just to say I’d finished. There are so many more informative and better tarot books, but I am one of those who just wants to say they read it so I did. And I won’t repeat it.
February 29, 2012
Mathers is better than Waite, but not by much. Golden Dawn tradition, of course. This stands as Mathers' exposition on official G.D. Book T material.
February 29, 2012
Can you tell I'm not a fan of most of the G.D. bunch?
August 22, 2013
It was okay but I though it could have used a bit more information. For the price ($.99) it is not bad though.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews