The secrets of the tarot
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The secrets of the tarot
Barbara G. Walker’s "The Secrets of the Tarot" is a dense, scholarly undertaking that eschews simplistic divinatory pronouncements for a deep dive into the cards' historical and mythological underpinnings. Its strength lies in Walker's meticulous research, which traces potential links between Tarot imagery and ancient matriarchal cults, drawing heavily on her extensive knowledge of comparative mythology. The book’s analysis of the Major Arcana, particularly its interpretation of figures like The High Priestess and The Empress through the lens of pre-patriarchal deities, is compelling. However, the sheer volume of comparative material, while informative, can sometimes overwhelm the central thesis, making the text feel more like a historical treatise than a guide to the cards themselves. A notable passage is Walker's discussion of The Tower, which she links not just to sudden upheaval but to the potential for societal restructuring based on forgotten matriarchal principles. Ultimately, "The Secrets of the Tarot" is a valuable, if challenging, resource for those seeking the Tarot's deep historical currents.
📝 Description
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Barbara G. Walker published "The Secrets of the Tarot" in 1984, examining the cards beyond simple divination.
Barbara G. Walker's 1984 book, "The Secrets of the Tarot," moves past basic card interpretation to analyze the Tarot's historical and symbolic depth. Walker investigates the cards not as independent tools for fortune-telling, but as expressions of older myths, archetypes, and philosophical ideas. This work is for serious students of Tarot, occult history, and comparative mythology. It appeals to those interested in the Tarot's origins and evolution, not just its divinatory use.
Walker's study places the Tarot within the intellectual currents of the late 20th century. This era saw a renewed focus on ancient goddesses, matriarchal societies, and different views of religious and mythological history. Her writing engages with feminist scholarship and occult traditions that questioned patriarchal interpretations of history and symbols. Published in 1984, the book aligns with other contemporary works that re-examined Western esoteric traditions.
Walker's book emerged during a period of significant reevaluation within esoteric circles. It connected Tarot imagery to ancient goddess traditions and matriarchal societies, challenging prevailing patriarchal interpretations. This work engaged with feminist scholarship and occult revival movements that sought deeper, often pre-Christian, roots for Western symbolism. By linking the Tarot to Gnosticism, Mystery cults, and various pagan mythologies, Walker positioned it as a repository of ancient wisdom, rather than a purely Renaissance invention.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain an understanding of the Tarot's potential pre-Christian and matriarchal roots, as explored through Walker's comparative mythology approach, which differs from standard occult interpretations. • Learn how specific Major Arcana cards, such as The Empress, might be reinterpreted through the lens of ancient goddess traditions, offering a fresh perspective beyond conventional symbolism. • Appreciate the 1984 publication context, situating Walker's work within a critical re-examination of Western esoteric history and feminist scholarship.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of "The Secrets of the Tarot"?
The book's primary focus is on the historical and mythological origins of the Tarot, exploring its potential connections to ancient cultures and symbolism rather than solely its use in divination.
When was "The Secrets of the Tarot" first published?
Barbara G. Walker's "The Secrets of the Tarot" was first published in 1984, placing it within a period of significant re-evaluation of esoteric and mythological traditions.
Does the book offer practical guidance on reading Tarot cards?
While it analyzes the cards' symbolism, the book is more of a scholarly examination of their history and meaning than a practical guide for beginners seeking to learn divination techniques.
What kind of research does Barbara G. Walker employ?
Walker employs extensive research in comparative mythology, ancient history, and religious studies, drawing parallels between Tarot imagery and figures from various global traditions.
What distinguishes this book from other Tarot guides?
Its distinction lies in its deep historical and mythological analysis, particularly its exploration of potential matriarchal influences and pre-Christian symbolism, offering a unique academic perspective.
Is the book accessible to someone new to the Tarot?
It can be challenging for absolute beginners due to its academic depth. It is best suited for those with some prior knowledge of Tarot or a strong interest in its historical and mythological context.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Matriarchal Origins
Walker posits that the Tarot, particularly the Major Arcana, may retain elements of ancient matriarchal societies and goddess worship. She suggests that figures like The Empress and The High Priestess could represent archetypes rooted in pre-patriarchal belief systems, predating later patriarchal interpretations of divinity and societal structure. This theme challenges conventional occult readings by tracing symbols back to potential earth-centered, feminine deities and rituals, offering a radical re-contextualization of the cards' power and meaning.
Mythological Parallels
The work extensively maps Tarot imagery onto figures and narratives from diverse ancient mythologies, including Egyptian, Greek, Celtic, and Babylonian traditions. Walker argues that the archetypal journeys depicted in the Major Arcana mirror initiation rites and cosmological myths found across these cultures. For instance, the Fool's journey is presented not just as a personal quest but as a reflection of universal creation myths and the cyclical nature of existence as understood by ancient peoples.
Symbolic Evolution
Walker traces the potential evolution of Tarot symbols from their earliest possible roots, suggesting that their meanings have been layered and transformed over centuries. She examines how symbols might have been adapted, suppressed, or reinterpreted as cultures and religions shifted, particularly with the rise of patriarchal dominance. This perspective highlights the Tarot as a living repository of forgotten wisdom, capable of revealing insights into historical shifts in human consciousness and spirituality.
Esoteric Systems
The book situates the Tarot within a broader spectrum of esoteric thought, including potential links to Gnosticism and ancient Mystery traditions. Walker explores how the structured symbolism of the 78 cards could function as a map of consciousness or a system for understanding the cosmos, akin to Kabbalistic or Hermetic frameworks. Her analysis suggests the Tarot may have served as a veiled form of sacred knowledge, preserved through imagery when direct expression was dangerous or forbidden.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The Tarot is a symbolic language that predates its use as a divinatory tool.”
— This interpretation underscores Walker's central argument: the cards hold a deeper, historical significance rooted in ancient mythologies and philosophical systems, which she believes is more fundamental than their later application in fortune-telling.
“The archetypes in the Major Arcana reflect ancient goddess cults and matriarchal structures.”
— This concept highlights Walker's thesis that key Tarot figures, like The Empress, may derive from early feminine deities and societal organizations, challenging patriarchal interpretations prevalent in many historical and occult studies.
“Walker connects Tarot imagery to figures and myths from Egyptian and Greek traditions.”
— This points to the book's method of drawing extensive parallels between Tarot symbols and specific deities, stories, and cosmological ideas found in prominent ancient civilizations, demonstrating a cross-cultural symbolic language.
“The Tarot's origins are intertwined with forgotten pre-Christian belief systems.”
— This interpretation emphasizes Walker's belief that the Tarot's deepest meanings are linked to older, often suppressed, pagan and earth-based spiritualities that existed before the widespread adoption of monotheistic religions in Europe.
💡 Key Ideas
Editorial paraphrase of the work's core concepts — not direct quotes.
The cards offer a map of the psyche's journey through ancient initiation cycles.
This paraphrase suggests that the Major Arcana's sequence can be understood as mirroring the stages of spiritual or psychological development found in ancient Mystery schools and mythological narratives of transformation.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
Walker's work draws implicitly from comparative mythology and feminist scholarship, reinterpreting esoteric symbolism through a lens that prioritizes potential matriarchal and pre-Christian origins. While not strictly adhering to a single esoteric lineage like Hermeticism or Theosophy, it engages with their shared interest in archetypal symbolism. Her approach departs by foregrounding evidence from ancient history and mythology to reconstruct what she sees as a more authentic, earth-centered spiritual lineage underlying Tarot.
Symbolism
Key symbols like The Empress and The High Priestess are re-examined. The Empress, for instance, is linked not just to fertility but to ancient Great Mother goddesses and the generative powers of the earth, often associated with lunar cycles and matriarchal authority. The High Priestess is interpreted as embodying ancient mysteries and hidden knowledge, potentially connected to lunar deities or priestesshoods in early goddess cults, representing intuition and the subconscious.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary Goddess-inspired spiritual movements, feminist theologians, and scholars of ancient religions often reference Walker's work for its challenging interpretations of archetypal imagery. Her re-framing of Tarot figures through a matriarchal lens continues to inform discussions on divine feminine principles and the reclamation of suppressed historical narratives within esoteric and academic circles today.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Students of comparative mythology and ancient history seeking to understand how symbols evolve across cultures and time. • Esoteric practitioners interested in alternative interpretations of the Tarot that challenge patriarchal historical frameworks. • Scholars of Western esotericism and religious studies looking for detailed analyses that connect Tarot to pre-Christian belief systems.
📜 Historical Context
Published in 1984, Barbara G. Walker's "The Secrets of the Tarot" emerged during a period of intense scholarly and cultural re-evaluation of ancient history, mythology, and esoteric traditions. The late 20th century saw a surge in feminist scholarship challenging patriarchal narratives, alongside a renewed interest in Gnosticism, pagan revivals, and comparative religion. Walker's work engaged with these currents, proposing that the Tarot's symbolism held deep roots in matriarchal societies and pre-Christian goddess worship, a perspective that diverged significantly from more mainstream occult interpretations of the time, which often emphasized Kabbalistic or Hermetic lineages. Her approach can be seen as a counterpoint to established esoteric thinkers, offering a radically different historical lens. The book's detailed mythological analysis placed it within a broader academic and counter-cultural dialogue about the origins of Western spirituality and symbolism.
📔 Journal Prompts
The archetype of The Empress, as presented through its potential links to ancient goddess cults.
The significance of The High Priestess in relation to forgotten matriarchal wisdom traditions.
The concept of symbolic language predating divinatory use in the Tarot's history.
Parallels between Tarot figures and myths from Egyptian or Greek traditions.
The potential for Tarot symbols to represent pre-patriarchal belief systems.
🗂️ Glossary
Matriarchal Societies
Societies in which descent and inheritance are traced through the female line, and where women hold primary positions of power and authority. Walker suggests the Tarot's origins may be found in such structures.
Goddess Cults
Religious practices centered around the worship of female deities, often associated with fertility, the earth, and the cycles of nature. Walker argues that Tarot archetypes are rooted in these ancient traditions.
Archetypes
Universal, archaic patterns and images that derive from the collective unconscious and are the psychic and symbolic forms that motivate the symbols and motifs of the human experience. Walker views Tarot figures as embodiments of these.
Mystery Traditions
Ancient religious or spiritual systems characterized by secret rites and teachings, often involving initiation and esoteric knowledge. Walker suggests the Tarot may have served a similar function.
Pre-Patriarchal
Referring to a time or social structure that existed before the dominance of patriarchal systems, characterized by potentially different power dynamics and belief systems, particularly concerning gender roles and divinity.
Comparative Mythology
The study of myths from different cultures to understand their common themes, origins, and functions. This is a core methodology used by Walker in her analysis of the Tarot.
Esoteric
Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest. Walker's work studies the esoteric dimensions of the Tarot.
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