When innovative ideas are put forward it’s usually possible to find a precedent somewhere in the past. Although inventors would rarely admit to it, what’s new is often merely a different perspective on the old, a fresh interpretation or novel application of something which has been around for longer than we can remember.
Frequently we’re so accustomed to the familiar that we cease to register it. Only when a stranger points out to us how beautiful a local view or architectural feature is do we stop to realise its importance. By taking time out to look around and look into the past, we may learn much of great benefit in the present and for the future.
The Tarot, for example, used for centuries in fortune-telling, originated according to some schools of thought during the Middle Ages in Italy or, we’re told, was invented in Morocco in the 12th century to aid communication in a multi-lingual society.
In the 18th century, Court de Gebelin (17??-1784) claimed the cards could be traced to ancient Egypt and contain all the wisdom and science of a once great culture (now vanished). Others since have followed the same road. There is authoritative talk of this mysterious beginning but evidence to support an Egyptian origin is scarce.
I don’t claim an Egyptian origin for the Tarot, it is derived from a far more ancient source. Evidence does exist of a link to its primitive beginnings through the ‘Star Map’ or Zodiac of Dendera.
