The Game of Tarot

 

Many books and websites will tell you that the Tarot is not a game. This statement is only justified since many of us believe games are trivial.




We all agree it is a different game than Monopoly but everything demonstrates that the Tarot is a game:

• The Tarot is a series of cards.
• We shuffle them and pick them.
• The Tarot is also a game in France.
• Minor Cards became the "Poker" deck.
  

The uncertain nature of human games

During the first stage of our life, we play a lot of games, imitating adults with dolls, money, weapons... or we play in opposition to others in order to win. All games have a main goal: Revealing one's personality by imitating or dominating.

In the same way than other human activities, games used to be sacred; some were dedicated to gods, some others represented nature and elements:

• Soccer was initially a fight for the sun (the ball).
• Kite flying in Asia symbolized the player's soul sent in the air.
  

The difference between a game and a ritual is hard to define: both of them have no concrete usefulness.

Games as an initiation

The Tarot is a game of power because it allows the player take back control of his life. It is also a game of initiation: it simulates life, its possible goal and the most inner symbols of the human being. While a little child plays with a baby doll to reveal her maternal feelings, an adult uses the Tarot to reveal the path of his life.

Tarot and the Goose Game

The traditional Goose Game is another game the Middle Ages passed on to us. Although it is a boardgame, its similarities with the Tarot are striking:

• Death is in the middle of the Major deck in the Tarot, Death is in the middle of the board in the Goose Game.
• Both of them seem to have an initiatory path with obstacles.
• The Goose Game is played with a pawn and dice, the Tarot also has its own pawn, the Fool.