The Secret of the Tarot, How the Story of the Cathars was Concealed in the Tarot of Marseilles

by Robert Swiryn

Could the teachings of an 13th Century heretical sect be revealed in a deck of tarot cards? Robert Swiryn's The Secret of the Tarot provides a fascinating look of how the Cathars, a group of religious heretics targeted for destruction by the Roman Catholic Church and the King of France, may have managed to preserve their history and spiritual messages in the Tarot of Marseilles.

Besides a gripping exploration of the history of the Cathars' fate, this thought-provoking book offers a unique vision of the tarot as it examines the ideas, spiritual messages, and colorful personalities behind each card.

www.thesecretofthetarot.com

Genres: Tarot

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2010

Reviews

[Seonaid · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book, with a brief overview of the history of the Albigensian Crusade and the persecution and destruction of the Cathars by the Catholic church, followed by a detailed card-by-card look at the Major Arcana of the Tarot of Marseille, tying the artwork and symbolism into Cathar history and spiritualism. It's a straightforward read, and certainly thoroughly researched, but of course the ultimate problem is that very little written evidence remains of the Cathars, such was the grinding of the Inquisition against them, and the entire section on the Tarot art as a secret, hidden Cathar code is pure speculation. However, Tarocchi cards were certainly popular at the time, and as their uses have evolved over the years, there is equally little evidence that the Cathars didn't use them to carry their message.

Interestingly enough, Bishop Fournier, who propelled the Inquisition against the heretics of the Languedoc, took the name Benedict XII when he became pope, a name shared by Ratzinger, Benedict XVI, another Prefect of the Holy Inquisition. I wonder what card they would have given him.

All in all, as an exploration of medieval symbolism it is fascinating, and as an esoteric read it is highly enjoyable.

[Marius · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book by Robert Swiryn covers the history of the Cathars and how this may be reflected in the Tarot Marseille. Swiryn gives a good overview of the historical events pertaining to the Cathars. The sources as I understand are somewhat limited, which also is reflected in this book. But the authors research is fair. The second part covers the Major Arcana of the Tarot and the connection to the Cathars. Swiryn reads into the cards different historical personalities and Cathar concepts. Some examples are; the book in the hands of the Popess could represent the secret gospels of John or the Empress could represent the Virgin Mary (And several other females apparently too..). The second part is pure speculation. Does the book succeed in its mission? Hard to say. I think the topic could have been explored more exhaustively. I also think that the author should probably have gone either with the facts, events, personalities or the spiritual message of the Cathars as they pertain to the cards, not both. Being more conclusive and more relevant to the Cathars point of view with each card would have been more helpful too, rather than this card generally means this and could mean that or the other thing. The book is kind of everywhere and nowhere at the same time. There is an impressive bibliography in the back of the book, but hard to see what these books have done for this book. The book is an interesting read but was not really up to the task in my opinion.