Written by Fin
Picture this: It’s the 15th century, and you’re in the bustling courts of northern Italy. People are sipping wine (well, probably downing it, too), debating the merits of pointed hats, and playing a brand-new card game called “tarocchi.” Little did they know, five centuries later, we’d be using those same cards to figure out if our ex is coming back or if we should eat that leftover pizza for breakfast.
Welcome to the wild world of The Tarot—where kings, knights, and magical beings exist side by side with our everyday hopes and dreams. And if you’ve ever tried to guess which card is at the top of the deck before flipping it, don’t worry. We’ve all been there. (Spoiler alert: we’re never right.)
Grab your some Piedmon wine, put on your pointiest hat and let’s shuffle through a brief history of these infamous cards!
15th Century Origins: A Game of Trumps
Some of the earliest surviving decks are known as the Visconti-Sforza decks, lavishly painted for the Duke of Milan’s family. Think gold leaf, intricate designs, and a serious flex of wealth and power. So next time you complain about the price of your new deck, just be glad you didn’t have to hire an entire medieval workshop to paint each card by hand! That said, if you happen to have one of these elusive and beautiful decks, please send us a picture of it - we would dearly love to see!
From Party Trick to Occult Tool: 18th–19th Centuries
Fast-forward a few centuries, and Europeans rediscovered The Tarot as more than just a game. In the late 18th century, French occultists like Jean-Baptiste Alliette (Etteilla) got their hands on the deck and said, “Wait a minute—these cards are perfect for divination!”. Except in French.
Suddenly, what started as a parlour game became the new crystal ball. Folks began linking tarot cards to ancient Egyptian mysteries, Qabalah, and numerology. This transformation turned The Tarot into a spiritual, mystical tool that has continued to evolve right into the modern day.
The Rider-Waite-Smith Revolution: 20th Century
Moving into the 20th century, the game-changer was the publication of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck in 1909. Designed by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, this deck revolutionized the way we interpret the cards. With detailed illustrations on every single card (not just the Major Arcana), this deck made it much easier for peoples to learn and connect with Tarot intuitively.
Today, the Rider-Waite-Smith imagery remains a major source of inspiration for many modern decks, from cat-themed Tarot decks to cosmic starseed oracles - because who says the Four of Cups can’t have a space helmet?
Modern Resurgence
Nowadays, tarot cards are more inclusive and creative than ever. Artists across the globe are designing decks reflecting countless cultures, themes, and aesthetic styles. Whether you’re a traditionalist who swears by old-school decks, or you’re ready to lay down cards featuring your favourite TV show characters, there’s something out there for everyone.
The internet era has also played a huge part in Tarot’s boom. With countless online courses, YouTube channels, and apps (I even have one on my watch), Tarot has never been more accessible to the curious seeker.
The Future Is in the Cards
From Renaissance party game to pop-culture phenomenon, Tarot has lived more lives than your average housecat. Sometime it even ends up being discussed between two strangers in a remote recording session.
Check out the Tarot Interviews podcast for chats with Tarot enthusiasts, creators, and just about anyone who’s ever shuffled a deck. Because if there’s one thing we can all learn from Tarot, it’s that life is one big, mysterious adventure.
So, shuffle those cards, pull a spread, and see what secrets (or jokes) the universe has waiting for you. After all, with Tarot, anything’s possible - even finishing that leftover pizza without regret.