A History of the Occult Tarot, 1870-1970

by Roland Decker and Michael Dummett

Decker and Dummett's History of the Occult Tarot is an excellent introduction to the tarot's history as an occult instrument. Despite its flaws, this book is a great starting point for anyone interested in tarot history. Unlike Dummett's other books on the tarot, it is also fairly affordable, despite being out of print.

Though the occult tarot was born in France, it owes much of its popularity to English, German and American esoteric societies. Almost all modern theories of the tarot are based on the theories of these groups. Astrological, Kabbalistic and phlegmatic correspondences were pioneered by the likes of Eliphas Levi, as well as societies like the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor and the Order of the Golden Dawn. It is with these societies that this book is mainly concerned.

History covers the beliefs and practices of these occult societies, up until the tarot revival of the 1960s and 70s. Much space––too much, in my opinion––is given to the "temple politics" that led to splits and fractions within the groups. However, this does make interesting and occasionally funny reading, as when S.L. Mathers retaliates against his enemies by cursing frozen peas (110).

The book also describes remarkable and influential people within these societies. Not all of them are widely known, even among tarotists. These profiles are one of the most interesting aspects of the book. It was through this book that I first learned about Kenneth Mackenzie, a precocious and brilliant scholar who developed an interest in the occult in later life. It was also the first place I learned about Benjamine P. Williams, a.k.a. C.C. Zain, the founder of the Church of Light. Either most of these people led interesting lives, or else Decker and Dummett do a good job of making them interesting.

An introductory chapter covers the esoteric theories which were adopted and adapted by these societies, such as Hermeticism, Kaballah and the cult of Thoth. This is the most valuable chapter of the whole book, and gives context to the sometimes bizarre and incomprehensible theories propounded by this or that society. Without it, one can imagine half-page footnotes after the first instance of some word––"Rosicrucians" for example––which would disrupt the flow of the text and lead to a more fragmented understanding of the concept, and its place in the story.

Those looking for an exegesis on tarot symbolism would do well to go elsewhere; Robert M. Place's books come to mind. Parts of History of the Occult Tarot deal with the symbolism of this or that deck, usually as it relates to history. Their section on the symbolism of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (139-141), for example, deals with artistic hints made to the secret teachings of the Golden Dawn.

The prose style of this book leaves much to be desired. Although this subject interests me greatly, I kept putting the book down, or forcing myself to go on. As a reference book it is invaluable, but I did not read it for pleasure.

Read More:

Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot

The 2-Hour Tarot Tutor

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