Sara Ahbel-Rappe, Classical Studies | 2022-2023
Tarot and Western Spirituality
An inquiry into the roots of the Tarot’s symbolism and a study of Tarot Divination
This class is equally history of magic, history of philosophy, and art history. The purpose of the class is for students to become familiar with the narrative meanings of and history of Tarot symbolism, particularly the images displayed on the so-called “Major Arcana.” These cards depict the journey of a soul through the stages of virtue and into final enlightenment and bliss. However, it is only in the deployment of this symbolism in relationship to the others cards in the Tarot deck as they represent psychic forces, that the journey unfolds. Hence, the class will also be engaged in the study of Tarot divination, both in terms of its history and in terms of actively learning contemporary methods to “read” the cards. Finally, the Tarot speaks a language that is deeply rooted in Western spiritual traditions, including Christianity, Platonism, and esoteric magic. Contemporary artists have also created new visions of this tradition, moving the artwork into the realm of liberation, anti-racist, eco-centric, and Asian fusion expressions. In order to appreciate the diversity of these new ways of understanding the Tarot, students will be engaged in creating their own Tarot decks, working in groups that share similar interests. The class will print and use these decks to share their knowledge with the larger community. It might surprise students that the Tarot can be traced back to Plato’s philosophy. Hence, its connections with Classical Studies.