Tarot cards have no proven origins, but many theories abound.

My favourite theory is that tarot symbolism originated as far back as Ancient Egypt times as a form of divination.

Another theory suggests that Tarot originated in China where playing cards were used before the eleventh century AD. Another places them in Italy where picture cards were used for divination and predicting the future in documented cases dating back to the 13^th century. Another says they are the story of the Grail, the search for the divine feminine, the major arcana being invented as an underground way of spreading the story of the holy grail in times of religious persecution where openly expressing an opinion that went against the church could result in death. Some still say the story of the grail depicted in tarot is that of Mary Magdalene being the Grail, and the search for her.

The first documented appearance of the cards in Europe can be traced to 1392 when an entry was made in the court ledger of King Charles VI of France for three packs of illustrated cards.

At this time Christianity reigned and it wasn't until hundreds of years later in the eighteenth century, that certain French occultists claimed that the Tarot originated in Egypt.

The mother of the Sun King Louis XIV (or Spanish Anne of Austria as she was known) was believed to be an important member of the Followers of Thoth, and as such Tarot cards were increasingly popular amongst some circles at court. Some of the more flamboyant designs that are in existence today owe more than a little to this decadent period of history.

In the nineteenth century it was noted that there was an apparent link between the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet which were said to connect with the twenty two paths of the cabalistic Tree of Life. The mystery is on-going, and to this day no concrete proof exists as to the beginnings of the Tarot.