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The Egyptian Tarot: A Way of Initiation — Tarot Divination

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The Egyptian Tarot: A Way of Initiation

Name: The Egyptian Tarot: A Way of Initiation
Price: 25.16 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781456777005

✍️ Mertz, Bernd A

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Bernd A. Mertz presents a fascinating reinterpretation of the Tarot, asserting its profound connection to ancient Egyptian esoteric traditions. Drawing inspiration from 18th-century occultist Court de Gebelin, Mertz posits that the Tarot deck is not merely a divination tool, but a sophisticated initiatory text that miraculously survived the destruction of ancient libraries. He intricately weaves together astrology, modern psychology, and Egyptian symbolism, revealing how the cards offer a unique pathway to self-discovery and spiritual understanding, bridging millennia of hidden knowledge to the contemporary seeker.

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Tarot & Divination

🏛 Authorhouse UK 📅 2011 📖 144 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781456777005

Fun Fact

Bernd A. Mertz offers a compelling journey into the speculative origins of the Tarot, breathing vibrant new life into Court de Gebelin's provocative hypothesis. Readers seeking a deeper, initiatory understanding of the cards will find this an invaluable guide, though those strictly adhering to more traditional or medieval interpretations might find its premise challenging. It stands as a significant contribution to the esoteric Tarot literature, inviting a profound re-evaluation of the deck's spiritual potential and historical lineage.

📝 Description: The Egyptian Tarot: A Way of Initiation

Bernd A. Mertz made various trips to Egypt after he had begun to specialize in astrology and to work on its important links to modern psychology. He tells us himself why he was so fascinated that he wished to create an 'Egyptian Tarot' for our times. During his extensive reading he discovered that in the Paris of 1781 the occultist Court de Gebelin had attracted great attention in esoteric circles by asking: 'Imagine the surprise which might occur if an Egyptian book were to be discovered today, a book from ancient Egypt which might have been spared from the flames in the burning of the famous libraries and which were to contain the deep and clearest knowledge. Would I not surprise you very much if I were to assert that this book had in fact never been lost at any time past and that it has been in the hands of, so to speak, everyone in most parts of Europe? The most astonishing thing would be if one were assured that no-one ever suspected that it was Egyptian. The fact is: this Egyptian work is the only one to have survived to the present day after all the treasures and all the knowledge of the Egyptian libraries had been lost. It has become so popular that no wise person has ever taken the trouble to think about its origin. No-one has done so apart from me.. It is the Tarot." Bernd A. Mertz decided to issue his own edition of this tarot with his commentary. Michael Lacey and Rick Leaman resolved to provide a new edition to a wider public in the English language with a website offer as a challenge for those interested to take more control over their lives.

💎 Expert review

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Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Mertz presents a bold reinterpretation of Tarot as an ancient Egyptian initiatory text, weaving astrology and psychology into a cohesive narrative. While intellectually stimulating for those open to speculative occult history, this approach may alienate readers preferring traditional Rider-Waite-Smith interpretations or strict historical accuracy. It is not suited for casual diviners seeking straightforward fortune-telling methods. However, for the dedicated esoteric student willing to engage with its dense symbolic framework, it offers a rich, albeit controversial, perspective on the deck's potential as a sophisticated tool for self-discovery and spiritual bridging across time.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers deeply interested in the intersection of ancient history and spiritual psychology will find this book a compelling companion. It appeals to those who view Tarot not as a simple fortune-telling aid, but as a complex map for inner transformation. By merging Egyptian symbolism with modern psychological insights, Mertz offers a unique lens for self-discovery. Those seeking to bridge the gap between millennia-old hidden knowledge and contemporary spiritual practice will appreciate this initiatory approach. It is ideal for seekers who want to understand the deeper, esoteric roots of their tools, providing a sophisticated pathway to spiritual understanding that honors both historical tradition and personal growth.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you are a Tarot practitioner seeking a profound, initiatory understanding of the cards, or if the hidden streams of ancient Egyptian wisdom captivate your imagination, this book is for you. Mertz offers a transformative lens for your spiritual and divinatory exploration.

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Mertz presents a bold reinterpretation of Tarot as an ancient Egyptian initiatory text, weaving astrology and psychology into a cohesive narrative. While intellectually stimulating for those open to speculative occult history, this approach may alienate readers preferring traditional Rider-Waite-Smith interpretations or strict historical accuracy. It is not suited for casual diviners seeking straightforward fortune-telling methods. However, for the dedicated esoteric student willing to engage with its dense symbolic framework, it offers a rich, albeit controversial, perspective on the deck's potential as a sophisticated tool for self-discovery and spiritual bridging across time.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While Mertz's insights might inspire one, his primary focus is on reinterpreting the symbolic depth of existing Tarot decks through an Egyptian-centric framework, rather than presenting a new physical deck.

While a foundational interest in esoteric studies is beneficial, Mertz strives to illuminate these complex connections, making the material accessible to readers eager to explore these fascinating subjects.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Tarot's Egyptian Origins

Mertz champions the compelling, albeit radical, theory that the Tarot is a direct descendant of ancient Egyptian wisdom. He meticulously explores how the symbolism and structure of the cards could embody profound initiatory knowledge, preserved through centuries disguised as a common game, making it the sole surviving text from a lost civilization.

Astrology and Psychology

This work integrates the timeless principles of astrology with contemporary psychological insights. Mertz demonstrates how the archetypal energies represented in both cosmic alignments and the human psyche are deeply mirrored within the Tarot's framework, offering a holistic and multi-layered approach to understanding the cards and oneself.

Path of Initiation

More than just a tool for fortune-telling, Mertz re-frames the Tarot as a structured pathway for personal and spiritual development. He guides the reader through the cards as stages of an inner journey, designed to unlock deeper self-awareness and facilitate spiritual growth, echoing the sacred processes of ancient mystery schools.

📜 Historical context

Mertz's work boldly revives an influential 18th-century esoteric theory, primarily championed by Court de Gebelin, which posited the Tarot's origins in ancient Egypt. This perspective profoundly shifted the perception of the cards from a simple game to a sacred, symbolic system, shaping much of modern occult Tarot interpretation and connecting it to a grander esoteric lineage.

📚 Glossary

Court de Gebelin
Initiation
Esoteric

📔 Questions to reflect on

Consider a familiar Tarot card. How might its symbolism deepen or transform if you approached it as a direct transmission from ancient Egyptian wisdom?
Reflect on your personal journey of self-discovery. Which aspects of astrology or psychology resonate most strongly with your own internal 'initiation' process?
If the Tarot truly is the sole surviving esoteric text of a lost civilization, what responsibilities does that belief impose upon its modern interpreters and users?