Introduction to the Study of the Tarot

Introduction to the Study of the Tarot – Paul Foster Case

This book aims to show how to use the Tarot cards for the purpose of evoking thought, and thus bringing to the surface of the student’s consciousness those great, fundamental principles of Occult Science which lie hidden in the hearts of all mankind. All these principles are based upon a single truth, and knowledge of that truth is innate in every human being; but not until it has been found and brought into the light of consciousness is it available for use. Hence the portals of ancient temples bore the motto, “Know Thyself;” hence Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God, which is within you;” and Eckhartshausen declared: “As infinity in numbers loses itself in the unit which is their basis, and as the innumerable rays of a circle, are united in a single center, so it is also with the Mysteries; their hieroglyphics and infinitude of emblems have the object of exemplifying but one single truth. He who knows this has found the key to understand everything, and all at once.”

Its rich symbolism and ingenious construction make the Tarot the best of all instruments for true occult education, i. e., for “drawing out” the wisdom hidden in the heart of man. Proper interpretation of these symbols, however, requires sonic knowledge of the elements of the Qabalah. The student will find these essentials in the first four chapters of this book. In connection with them, the frontispiece should be studied very carefully, for it is, in very truth, a key to all things occult.

The circles are the ten Sephiroth. Their numbers are printed above their names, and these are also the numbers of the Tarot trumps from the Magician to the Wheel of Fortune. Below the Sephirotic titles are the numbers of the major trumps which also correspond to those Sephiroth.

To those critics who may complain that my interpretations of the Tarot differ widely from most of those published hitherto, I would point out the fact that nearly all the explanations of the Tarot that have found their way into print have been based upon the false attribution of the cards to the Hebrew alphabet, used by Eliphas Levi. He undoubtedly knew the true attribution, but for reasons which probably seemed to him sufficient, deliberately concealed it.

This is not the place to discuss those reasons; but for the benefit of any who may question my wisdom in publishing this attribution, let me say that I received it from no one. Following Court de Gebelin, who makes the zero card head the series of major trumps, and Levi, who says the cards illustrate the occult meaning of the Hebrew alphabet, I worked out this system some twelve years ago; and I believe that its results in the interpretation of the symbolism are sufficient evidence of its accuracy.

Finally, I have said nothing of the divinatory uses of the Tarot, not because I agree with those who deprecate its application to the art of divination; but rather because it is my belief that the best results in foretelling the future with the Tarot can he obtained by none who are not thoroughly grounded in the philosophy of the cares. Familiarity with their astrological meanings is practically indispensable for accurate divination. I hope, at some future time, to publish a work devoted exclusively to the astrological and divinatory uses of this remarkable alphabet of symbols.

New York City, December, 1919.

PAUL FOSTER CASE.