Important People in Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Sep 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

jamesriouxctm	07 Sep 2002
Hello all, Some of you may be aware that I'm working on a new method of teaching Tarot that I eventually plan to publish. Part of the philosophy behind the course is a balance between theory and practice, so in between the exercises and lessons there are also interludes dealing with the history of Tarot, some of the ways people believe it works, its relationship to other occult systems (astrology, the Kabbalah) and so forth. One of the interludes I am writing is a brief overview of some of the people who have shaped the Tarot as we know it today. I've drafted a short list of whom I consider to be important figures in Tarot development, both historical and contemporary. And I'd like your help in fleshing it out. Here's what I have so far: Important People in Tarot (Historical) Antoine Court de Gébelin Eliphas Lévi (Alphonse Louis Constant) Papus (Gérard Encausse) Arthur Edward Waite Pamela Colman Smith Aleister Crowley Important People in Tarot (Contemporary) Eden Gray Mary K. Greer Rachel Pollack Stuart Kaplan Brian Williams Joan Bunning Is there anybody I've missed that you think should be on here? Is there anybody on this list that you think doesn't belong here?

Umbrae	07 Sep 2002
Only Jean-Alexandre Vaillant (historical)

jema	07 Sep 2002
paul foster case lady frieda harris perhaps some more deck creator - like ellen cannon reed or arnell ando i think it is a really great idea by the way. i have often wanted a "who is who" of Tarot.

MeeWah	07 Sep 2002
James: I like this idea of a who's who in the history of Tarot! I agree with Jema about Lady Frieda Harris & her collaborative work on Thoth; also Paul Foster Case. What about Gareth Knight since his work also helped to promote Tarot? I am thinking of his writings.

Kyrielle	07 Sep 2002
Gail Fairfield. Angeles Arrien.

Diana	07 Sep 2002
edited

DarkElectric	07 Sep 2002
I would have to say Dr James Wanless, creator of the Voyager Tarot. (Contemporary) He is also an innovator in the field of Hypnotherapy.

Melvis	07 Sep 2002
I would like to second the 'nominations' of Gail Fairfield and James Wanless. How about Cynthia Giles? Her tarot history book has been cited by a great many other Tarot authors. Peace, Melvis :TSTRE

Violet Gargoyle	07 Sep 2002
Are you sticking strictly to Tarot, or are you including non-tarot divination systems as well? Also, are you including anything about the history of Tarot publishers (Like US Games, Lo Scarebeo, Llewellyn and the like). I could argue that the publishers also influence the way that we see the Tarot today.

Liliana	07 Sep 2002
This is going to sound stupid and brown nosing, but what about Solandia? Think about it, aeclectic has been online since 1996, im sure it must of been one of the first places to view many cards from decks online, same way with www.wicce.com and now www.tarotpassages.com (used to be www.artoftarot.com) They started brining tarot into a new age. :THP

Maan	07 Sep 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Liliana This is going to sound stupid and brown nosing, but what about Solandia? Think about it, aeclectic has been online since 1996, im sure it must of been one of the first places to view many cards from decks online, same way with www.wicce.com and now www.tarotpassages.com (used to be www.artoftarot.com ) They started brining tarot into a new age. :THP This does not sound stupid!! I totally agree. And when adding tarotpassages to the list don't forget that tarotpassages was formaly named artoftarot and brought to life by michelle jackson..before Diana! love and light Maan

Liliana	07 Sep 2002
I forgot to mention that, Michelle was great and definately deserves to be on the list :) :THP

Melvis	07 Sep 2002
Yes! Yes! Michelle Jackson should be there, too! (I just couldn't remember her name!) She had one of the first comprehensive sites about Tarot that I saw, and I have always been impressed with the Art of Tarot/Tarot Passages site. (But it will never replace Aeclectic in my heart, though! :D ) Peace, Melvis :TSTRE

Lee	07 Sep 2002
wicce.com is: Rev. Gina Pace Tarot Passages is: Michele Jackson and Diane Wilkes -- Lee :)

Mojo	07 Sep 2002
Don't forget Miss Cleo

jmd	07 Sep 2002
Oswald Wirth has already been mentioned, and should definitely be included, as his deck provides a bridge between classical Marseilles decks and 20th century variations, beginning with the Waite/Coleman-Smith. In terms of influencial individuals, and in addition to Stuart Kaplan, Michael Dummett and Robert O'Neill have each assisted in bringing Tarot into mainline scholarship. In terms of influences, I do think that the Order of the Golden Dawn (& hence, if you want to name individuals, especially 'McGregor' Mathers) also needs mentioning. Their influence still lives, even if the original order is no more (there are, of course, derivatives in existence). As has also been mentioned, publishers possibly also need to be acknowledged as influential (named or anonymously mentioned, as in this sentence). Here I do think the two premier ones (in terms of size at least) are US Games and AG Muller. Also, the modern usage of the internet has resulted in this very forum being possible. In addition to the sites mentioned above, I do also think that Yahoo's Tarot-L needs acknowledgement. Until recently, it was by far the largest and most active Tarot Forum, and remains highly active. Again, individual names are probably more difficult here, for the very dynamism of the sites goes beyond the wonderful facilitation made by, for example, Solandia, and includes the communities which result. Another two influences which possibly need to be mentioned are Jung (though he talks but little of Tarot) - as a whole psychological 'tradition' has emerged with that orientation; and, to my mind, very importantly, V. Tomberg, who has brought the Tarot back to its esoteric Christian roots in a form acceptable to even many within the Catholic Church. There are of course numerous others. I do think, however, that the ones originally mentioned and some others (O. Wirth, P. F. Case and Lady Frieda Harris, R. O'Neill, V. Tomberg, C. Jung, M. Dummett, and 'MacGregor' Mathers) are probably a list which could become a whole book! I suppose that inclusion or not will need to partly be determined by your own orientation (I did not include Jung in my (unpublished) 10-y.o. book, though others of 'lesser' importance were included - for example, Drs Carton and Steiner).

Lee	08 Sep 2002
I agree with jmd about MacGregor Mathers. He's probably had more of an effect on 20th century Tarot trends than anyone else since it was he, I believe, who created the particular synthesis of Tarot, Qabalah and Astrology which led to specific concepts which Waite and Crowley used in designing their decks, as well as the Qabalistic-Astrological decan system used to interpret the Minors, which, again, was used by Waite and Crowley. -- Lee

Jewel	09 Sep 2002
what about Robert Wang? I think his book Qabalaistic Tarot is a major contribution and one that has generated more interest in Tarot/Qabalah associations in an academic-like format/text.

Major Tom	09 Sep 2002
Go to the top of your screen and press the members button. From there, press the link for the Top 20 posters. Today, these will be the people who are important in the world of tarot. You could even look at the 2nd or 3rd page of this list. }) Solandia is definitely worth inclusion in this list. Moderators of this community should also be considered. Anyone holding one of the highly revered Doctor of Philosophy, Scalawag in Tarologie certificates should be considered an important person. })

Diana	09 Sep 2002
edited

The Important People in Tarot thread was originally posted on 07 Sep 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.