This study reveals the historical roots of the symbolism of Tarot in the Mithraic tradition of the Persian Magi and the Hermetic tradition. Tarot is a myth that maps consciousness and the world, offering a metalanguage of signs and symbols that communicate their precise meaning. Although the true origins of Tarot remain mysterious, Stephen E. Flowers reveals that its initial roots lie in the Mithraic tradition. In the present edition, Flowers explores the historical roots and mythology of the symbolic images known as Tarot, drawing on theories of the Swedish scholar Sigurd Agrell. He unfolds the genesis of Tarot's symbolism in the great Hermetic tradition at the same time the Magical Papyri were being written in Greco-Roman Egypt.

The author explains how the sequence of the Major Arcana relates to the images used in the initiation of the Mithraists, elements that were incorporated into the existing Roman and Egyptian traditions. Examining the Magical teachings on the Elemantic, an alphabet that operated as a map for understanding the order of the universe, he demonstrates how this alphabet of magical symbols served as a prototype for Tarot. The author also shows how the 22 Major Arcana relate to the 22 letters of the Roman alphabet used for prophetic purposes in antiquity.

Evaluating the principles of Mithraism, the author explains how the Roman form of Mithraism, which shaped the early stages of Tarot, was a synthesis of Iranian Magianism, Greek Stoicism, Babylonian astrology, and Greco-Egyptian Hermeticism. Examining the cards, Flowers analyzes the original meanings of the Major Arcana using the Mithraic symbolism and its branches. At the same time, he explains the truth behind many of the myths surrounding Tarot, including its deep connections with Egypt, the Roma, Semitic tradition, and runes.

By recovering the early mysteries of the Tarot icons and learning their true origins, we can better understand the vision that these powerful cards offer in divination.

Pages: 192, Year of Publication: 1128, Dimensions: 15.2x15.2cm