Rosanne
I really do not know how to start this thread, so please bear with me as I meander.
When looking at the 22 cards of Tarot, historians seem to direct their thoughts to the Christian allegory aspect or the triumphs of say 'Fame', to explain their inclusion in the game of Tarot. I can understand this. These images were indeed Christian/Roman/Greek in origin. Of course they were- that was what was around in Italy- along with their ancient artifacts of Greek and Roman images. No good looking for an image of the Rainbow Serpent from Australia within those early cards. Only images that were known could possibly be included.
When you look at possible allegories or Triumphs there appears to be always something not included, or conversely included, that is an anomaly. A card that should be there but is not. For example some of the Virtues but not all. A triumph of Fame but a Hanged Man also. Some astrological signs- like on the Moon card, but not all astrological signs. A something not quite complete, one way or the other. That is of course what has made the whole subject interesting. As a group they are enigmatic.
What I am interested in (as are all enquirers) is how these individual designs were gathered together for inclusion. What was the reason they were chosen?
One area of conjecture that does not seem to have much discussion is....
Are these images related to game playing alone- nothing more, nothing less.
No allegorical journey, no alchemical considerations, no holy journey of resurrection or to the Underworld, German mysticism or Neoplatonic Philosophy for example. Just what you might expect to see in a Game. That alone.
If perhaps we can clear our minds and consider each card and how it might be included to explain something of the Game- remembering that we can use only images of the time. Christian Renaissance Europe.
How for example, might it be explained that this is not an education but a game? Like dice and Tumblers/peas and can be played for money? It can have three players at the table and it is a trick/Trump taking game? It also is a skillful game, that takes wit and humour.
When looking at the 22 cards of Tarot, historians seem to direct their thoughts to the Christian allegory aspect or the triumphs of say 'Fame', to explain their inclusion in the game of Tarot. I can understand this. These images were indeed Christian/Roman/Greek in origin. Of course they were- that was what was around in Italy- along with their ancient artifacts of Greek and Roman images. No good looking for an image of the Rainbow Serpent from Australia within those early cards. Only images that were known could possibly be included.
When you look at possible allegories or Triumphs there appears to be always something not included, or conversely included, that is an anomaly. A card that should be there but is not. For example some of the Virtues but not all. A triumph of Fame but a Hanged Man also. Some astrological signs- like on the Moon card, but not all astrological signs. A something not quite complete, one way or the other. That is of course what has made the whole subject interesting. As a group they are enigmatic.
What I am interested in (as are all enquirers) is how these individual designs were gathered together for inclusion. What was the reason they were chosen?
One area of conjecture that does not seem to have much discussion is....
Are these images related to game playing alone- nothing more, nothing less.
No allegorical journey, no alchemical considerations, no holy journey of resurrection or to the Underworld, German mysticism or Neoplatonic Philosophy for example. Just what you might expect to see in a Game. That alone.
If perhaps we can clear our minds and consider each card and how it might be included to explain something of the Game- remembering that we can use only images of the time. Christian Renaissance Europe.
How for example, might it be explained that this is not an education but a game? Like dice and Tumblers/peas and can be played for money? It can have three players at the table and it is a trick/Trump taking game? It also is a skillful game, that takes wit and humour.