The exact history and origins of the tarot deck vary widely from continent to continent and from one theologist to another. Common theories therefore are ones which can only be referred to as possible clues to the exact origin although like the mystical deck of cards they are open to interpretation and far closer examination.

Earliest theories tell of the migration of nomadic gypsies from Egypt and India toward the west. Knowing the western world had a deep fascination for all things magical and mysterious a route was plotted to escape persecution and embark on more fertile lands around the ninth century. They brought to Europe a new and widely differing culture and heritage to that seen in the Christian dominated continent. The tarot cards were in fact a diminutive form of the bible of occult beliefs, which could be easily transported in card format and easily disguised as a visual imagery, which under scrutiny could be passed off as Far Eastern gaming cards.

These nomads were aware of the fascination they brought and the mystical occult bible they carried served as a tool with which they could exercise their mystical arts to the west. Fortune telling then became the principle use of the cards and continued to act as a covert disguise for the religious meanings they carried.

The ability to disguise true meaning and intent was inherent in the history of the tarot especially centuries later during the periods of intense persecution in the middle ages. During periods of acute oppression during the twelfth to the fourteen centuries images were open to interpretation and not as finite as the written word. This being the case religious orders and occult beliefs could shelter in safe harbor until attitudes changed. Indeed it was the fact that interpretation was so individual which led to the rapid increase in the popularity of the cards universally across the social spectrum. The illiterate as well as the noble could undertake the task of interpreting the mystical images and ancient mythical forms presented in the tarot cards.

It was however renaissance Italy during the fifteenth century that brought this covert belief to the fore and shaped the way tarot cards are perceived and looked upon today. Creatively the northern city-states of Florence and Venice were operating at a level unseen elsewhere in the world at the time. Liberal thinking flourished and culturally the hub of the western world welcomed the rediscovered beauty not only of the artwork of the tarot cards but the mystical beliefs, which were woven around them.

Post medieval tyranny had led to a state where liberal thinking and suggestion were positively encouraged and nurtured. The great time of religious persecution was deemed to be over. Libraries from monastic orders were opened up revealing secrets kept from the world for centuries pertaining to the mystical and ancient past of mankind. Egyptian manuscripts and imagery were suddenly en vogue and a new approach to man, mind the world and power bases were embarked upon.

Commissioned works of art were abounding with mystical and religious meaning and it can be stated that fascination with astrological symbolism was as great during this period as it is today. Dreams and aspirations could be played out through the cards where ideas could be derived from that which was desired rather than in centuries previous from that which was enforced.

Beautifully gold encrusted works of art appeared for use as a means of interpreting and meditation. Tarot was shaping itself in to the present form commonly known today. The advice given by the cards was open to interpretation but also open to subsequent action. Some chose to head the advice given some chose to ignore. The important thing being that a choice was freely available. The decks varied from century to century and from one interpretation to the next but now with innumerable number of tarot cards open to use the astrological, mystical and ancient art has flourished for the past five centuries and will undoubtedly continue do so well into the future.