jmd
The title is quite a mouthful, and I suppose a whole thesis on various entertwinings could possibly arise out of its myriad aspects.
Of the many reflections we at times make, it occured to me that I do not recall this specific one being discussed here before.
In Freemasonic research, it is sometimes claimed that the mass expulsions of the Huguenots (protestants) from France (especially many coming from the Languedoc region) was a real boon for the development of Freemasonry in the lowland countries (Holland and others) and Britain.
The dates certainly coincide, for Louis XIV gave the Huguenots a short time to convert to Catholicism or leave - and that in 1685.
Only a few short years before - years which already yielded numerous troubles - saw the earliest extant specifically 'Marseille' pattern, the Chosson, produced in Marseilles in 1672.
Also of interest are that many Jews who went to the southern French areas following the Spanish expulsion in the late 16th century have at times been said to be indeed close to the Huguenots in many ways. Indeed, one of the central Huguenot 'shields' was of the Burning Bush.
A rapport between the Jewish communities of the French southern towns and the likewise enquirings minds of the Huguenots may have yielded more than we may yet realise. It is of course very interesting that the Huguenots are also said to have had significant influence in the development of Accepted Freemasonry (ie, not those who actually worked the stone, but who worked with its symbols emblemetically), and the later developments of Tarot's 're-discovery' from the southern parts of France by the Comte de Mellet and De Gebelin, as well as again later by Eteilla and even later by Levi - all, indeed, Freemasons (by presumably not Huguenots).
Specifically of interest is also the possibility that a number of Jewish immigrants to Southern France may have at least outwardly adopted a protestant mantle - for their own safety.
What I here tentatively suggest is that the specifically Marseille pattern arose out of Jewish-Huguenot considerations, utilising a series of images already in existence, but re-organising it according to the Hebrew alphabet as suggested it reflects by Mark Filipas, at a time of rich cross-fertilisation between the Jewish immigration to the Languedoc region and their partial adoption and cross influence with Huguenot protestant inquiries.
Of initial interest may be Abraham Lavender's paper 'SEARCHING FOR CRYPTO-JEWS IN FRANCE:
FROM SPANISH JEWS TO FRENCH HUGUENOTS', which goes a little into the area (not into Tarot, by the way).
Apart from the possibilities in this opening discussions in areas of Huguenot scholarship (which is far from my area of expertise), it may also bring back some of the local lore connections which may also be indirectly made of the Languedoc area's vast traditions, much of which may only indirectly play into the development of Tarot.
Of the many reflections we at times make, it occured to me that I do not recall this specific one being discussed here before.
In Freemasonic research, it is sometimes claimed that the mass expulsions of the Huguenots (protestants) from France (especially many coming from the Languedoc region) was a real boon for the development of Freemasonry in the lowland countries (Holland and others) and Britain.
The dates certainly coincide, for Louis XIV gave the Huguenots a short time to convert to Catholicism or leave - and that in 1685.
Only a few short years before - years which already yielded numerous troubles - saw the earliest extant specifically 'Marseille' pattern, the Chosson, produced in Marseilles in 1672.
Also of interest are that many Jews who went to the southern French areas following the Spanish expulsion in the late 16th century have at times been said to be indeed close to the Huguenots in many ways. Indeed, one of the central Huguenot 'shields' was of the Burning Bush.
A rapport between the Jewish communities of the French southern towns and the likewise enquirings minds of the Huguenots may have yielded more than we may yet realise. It is of course very interesting that the Huguenots are also said to have had significant influence in the development of Accepted Freemasonry (ie, not those who actually worked the stone, but who worked with its symbols emblemetically), and the later developments of Tarot's 're-discovery' from the southern parts of France by the Comte de Mellet and De Gebelin, as well as again later by Eteilla and even later by Levi - all, indeed, Freemasons (by presumably not Huguenots).
Specifically of interest is also the possibility that a number of Jewish immigrants to Southern France may have at least outwardly adopted a protestant mantle - for their own safety.
What I here tentatively suggest is that the specifically Marseille pattern arose out of Jewish-Huguenot considerations, utilising a series of images already in existence, but re-organising it according to the Hebrew alphabet as suggested it reflects by Mark Filipas, at a time of rich cross-fertilisation between the Jewish immigration to the Languedoc region and their partial adoption and cross influence with Huguenot protestant inquiries.
Of initial interest may be Abraham Lavender's paper 'SEARCHING FOR CRYPTO-JEWS IN FRANCE:
FROM SPANISH JEWS TO FRENCH HUGUENOTS', which goes a little into the area (not into Tarot, by the way).
Apart from the possibilities in this opening discussions in areas of Huguenot scholarship (which is far from my area of expertise), it may also bring back some of the local lore connections which may also be indirectly made of the Languedoc area's vast traditions, much of which may only indirectly play into the development of Tarot.
