However
YOU believe a connection can be demonstrated. Given that I don't actually think it can be proved either way, to go on and say that doesn't really hold up. If the letters weren't there at the start (and I don't actually think they were, myself, though I still say there's no evidence) they don't add a level of meaning in and of themselves.
Yes, I do believe that a connection between the Hebrew alphabet and the tarot trumps can be demonstrated although I don't think that connection has yet been demonstrated.
Another way of looking at this question is to ask: "Do you believe that the Hebrew alphabet and the tarot trumps are based on a common source?"
I believe that the tarot trumps, the Hebrew alphabet, the Mayan Day Names, as well as the Chinese ten stems and twelve branches are linked. I also believe that there are close connections between the early alphabet and Egyptian writing, which has been proven.
I can agree that there is no evidence of a connection between the Hebrew alphabet and tarot trumps, but if we look for a common source for these two systems then we may find clues that lead to the decipherment of the tarot. Finding that common system that predates both the tarot trumps and the Hebrew alphabet will give information about what is being drawn and or described in the alphabet letters or tarot trump pictures.
But I am puzzled by the 7 people who answered "Yes" or "Likely". Why does anyone still feel the need to believe that the Tarot trump sequence was designed with the Hebrew alphabet in mind?
Most of the answers were made years ago, so perhaps the few of us who answered "Yes" or "Likely" would change our votes if given another chance, but I wouldn't change my vote. I actually don't believe that the tarot trump sequence was designed with the Hebrew alphabet in mind, but it could have been. If both the tarot trumps and the Hebrew alphabet were based on the same set of symbols, then could you say that the tarot trumps were based on the Hebrew alphabet since we know that the Hebrew alphabet wasn't based on the tarot trumps?
First, there is no reason to believe it - there is no evidence at all.
There is no evidence to support a link between the tarot trumps and the Hebrew alphabet at the time of the creation of the tarot trumps, but could there have been an unknown connection? Could there have been a list of figures or pile of pictures that had connections to the Hebrew alphabet, but the artist wasn't aware of the connection?
- Lance
Secondly, the cards do not depict the Hebrew alphabet or the meaning of its letters in either Jewish or Christian tradition.
It is obvious that the tarot trumps do not picture Hebrew alphabet letters, but is it also true that the Hebrew alphabet letter meanings aren't incorporated in the pictures? If there are secret or forgotten meanings associated with the letters or the tarot trumps, then more could be fathomed.
- Lance
There remains only the coincidence of the number 22, and the traditions of occult teaching for the last 2 centuries - which themselves are based on this coincidence of number, and the two main traditions (French and English) don't agree on the assignations.
I can happily report that I don't agree with the assignations of the two main traditions.
-Lance
There is also the question of why the Trumps exist as they do in the first place. Fool does not equate with the "ox" of Aleph, neither does the Magician. An Empress isn't a door, and most women I have seen aren't either.
It is my opinion that the Magician does equate with the "ox" of Aleph, but that the Fool does not correspond with the "ox" of Aleph. The meanings of the Hebrew letters can be compared to the meanings of the tarot trumps and similarities and differences can be found. Epigraphic analysis of the alphabet and the tarot trumps should yield connections that support a common origin, but it is not as easy to prove that the tarot trumps are based on the Hebrew alphabet.
Those who voted "Yes" to the question may have stronger reasons than those who voted "No" since the evidence or lack of it supports the "No" position. A "Yes" vote may indicate support for a particular tradition, such as the Golden Dawn. A "Yes" vote may indicate that the voter heard about the connection and believed it at the time of the voting. A "Yes" vote may indicate that the voter has investigated the subject and has come to conclusions that support the "Yes" position. Those voting "No" have little or no respect for the "Yes" vote for the above stated reasons and for the most part cannot see how a "Yes" vote could be supported.
Since the burden of proof lies upon those voting "Yes", one would have to ask where that proof would be found or where should it be found?
Is this a Historical Research question or should a theory about the Hebrew alphabet and the tarot trumps be in the Kabbalah and Alphabets section?
Looking in the Kabbalah and Alphabets section I found the following link about this subject:
Hebrew letter correlations
http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21452
Many links in the Kabbalah and Alphabets section that deal with the subject are broken:
http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=11847
For Hebrew, a dead language, to trickle into mainstream European culture, either through texts or word of mouth, become part of a game and be seemingly so ubiquitous, there would have to be overwhelming evidence, since no culture exists in a vacuum. And I'm not talking about the odd word or book, but reams of information should exist for such a cultural impact to make any sense.
The point here is not that the Hebrew language is connected to the tarot trumps, but that the Hebrew alphabet. The tarot tradition could have begun from a single source that didn't involve reams of information, at least not available to us at present time. We also have to keep in mind that we may not yet be able to recognize the pertinent information when we first see it. Many researchers look for evidence in the format that they expect and may not have the opportunity or inclination to investigate other avenues of research.
- Lance
I imagine that most of the people who answered the poll are self-selected and therefore have an informed opinion, relatively speaking at least, of the subject, which is why it heartened me. It means that the propaganda is working. The message is that the Hebrew alphabet and the implications of Kabbalah and all the other stuff that makes people's heads spin and their imaginations take flights to giddying heights was not part of the inventor of the trump sequence's intention.
The propaganda is working, but it is false. Having an informed opinion about this question will evidently lead to a "No" response because the voters are for the most part self-selected and have come to their opinions through careful considerations. Some cite the GD or other sources for the reasons for their disbelief, but the question is focused on the beginning of the tarot.
- Lance
Try the reverse method to see if it casts any light on the positive formulation -
If someone is wrong for the right reasons, are they still wrong?
It irks that way, doesn't it? If someone has right reasoning, surely their thinking will be right.
Perhaps some of those who voted "No" did so with all the valid and right reasons yet made a wrong choice or formed an invalid opinion based on factors such as lack of information or even misunderstanding of the question. Those people will continue to believe they are right until their thinking changes somehow.
So the only way to test the quality of our poll results is for each voter to give their reasons. We can only accept those that display a mastery of the relevant data. So - how do we decide what is objectively relevant?
Yes, back to authority, as is the case in all moral questions.
In regard to my reasons for my "Yes" vote, I have previously stated them without providing actual proof or support. If we only accept those votes or voters who have a mastery of the relevant data, I also ask how do we decide what is objectively relevant? I have had training in the investigation of the relevant data (Hebrew alphabet) and can support what I talk about regarding this subject:
"The Alphabet and the Ancient Calendar Signs - Book Review"
http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=202558
So, who are the authorities in this subject? Those who have actually researched the topic or those who adopt a new "common wisdom" based on where the herd is going? There is still a lot to explore in this question from what I have read so far in this thread.
- Lance Carter (Cartomancer)