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The Magian Tarok: The Origins of the Tarot in the Mithraic and Hermetic Traditions (Edition, Revised and Expanded) — Tarot Divination

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The Magian Tarok: The Origins of the Tarot in the Mithraic and Hermetic Traditions (Edition, Revised and Expanded)

Name: The Magian Tarok: The Origins of the Tarot in the Mithraic and Hermetic Traditions (Edition, Revised and Expanded)
Price: 14.44 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Flowers, Stephen E
ISBN: 9781620558690

✍️ Flowers, Stephen E

Reader Score

4.5

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Stephen E. Flowers' groundbreaking work meticulously uncovers the hidden genesis of the Tarot, asserting its deep roots in the ancient Mithraic tradition of the Persian Magi and the Hermetic lineage. He challenges popular notions of Egyptian or Romani origins, instead revealing how a 'magical alphabet' known as the Stoeicheia formed the foundational template for the cards. This revised edition invites readers to explore the intricate connections between the Major Arcana's sequencing and Mithraic initiatory rites, offering a profoundly new understanding of the Tarot as a cosmic map.

Flowers, Stephen E

📚 all books by this author (10) →

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Tarot & Divination

Praise for this book

“Every occultist of whatever stripe has at least one tarot deck. Most of them have either no clue as to origins or, worse still, have bought into bad eighteenth- or nineteenth-century pseudo-mythology. The deeper roots in Roman and Persian symbols are well traced here by Stephen E. Flowers, who is both a practicing magician and a respected scholar of Indo-European religions and languages.”

— Don Webb, author of Overthrowing the Old Gods

🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 2019 📖 192 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781620558690

Fun Fact

Stephen E. Flowers delivers a meticulously researched and deeply compelling argument for the Tarot's origins in the Mithraic and Hermetic traditions. This book is a scholarly tour de force, challenging long-held assumptions and offering a fresh, profound perspective on the cards' symbolic language. While it may disappoint those seeking a practical reading guide, it is essential reading for anyone serious about the historical and esoteric underpinnings of the Tarot, firmly establishing itself as a pivotal work in the field of Tarot scholarship.

📝 Description: The Magian Tarok: The Origins of the Tarot in the Mithraic and Hermetic Traditions (Edition, Revised and Expanded)

Reveals the historical roots of the symbology of the Tarot in the Mithraic tradition of the Persian Magi and the Hermetic tradition - Explores the Magian teachings on the Stoeicheia and how this magical alphabet was the template for the Tarot - Explains how the sequencing of the Major Arcana is related to the images used in Mithraic initiation - Looks at the original meanings of the Major Arcana using Mithraic symbolism, as well as the deep-level connections of the Tarot with Egypt, the Romani people, the Semitic tradition, and runes The Tarot is a mythic map of the world and of consciousness. It offers a meta-language of signs and symbols that communicate their meaning precisely. Yet the true origins of the Tarot remain shrouded in mystery. These oracular cards have long been thought to have come from Egypt or from the "Gypsies," but as Stephen E. Flowers reveals, their original roots lie in the Mithraic tradition of the Persian Magi. In this book, Flowers explores the historical roots and mythology of the symbolic images that became known as the Tarot. Drawing on theories first pioneered by the Swedish scholar Sigurd Agrell (1881-1937), he reveals the genesis of the Tarot's symbolism in the great Hermetic tradition at the same time the Magical Papyri were being written in Greco-Roman Egypt. He explains how the sequencing of the Major Arcana is related to the images used in Mithraic initiation, elements of which were then integrated into existing Roman and Egyptian traditions. Exploring the Magian teachings on the Stoeicheia, an alphabet that acted as a map for understanding the order of the cosmos, he demonstrates how this alphabet of magical symbols was the template for the Tarot. The author also shows how the 22 Major Arcana cards were related to the 22 letters of the Roman alphabet used for oracular purposes in ancient times. Looking in-depth at the principles of Mithraism, the author explains how the Roman form of Mithraism, a guiding factor in the early shaping of the Tarot, was itself a synthesis of Iranian Magianism, Greek stoicism, Babylonian astrology, and Greco-Egyptian Hermeticism. Exploring the cards themselves, Flowers then looks at the original meanings of the Major Arcana using Mithraic symbolism and its offshoots. He also explains the truth behind many of the myths surrounding the Tarot, including their deep-level connections with Egypt, the Romani people, the Semitic tradition, and runes. By restoring the original mysteria to the icons of the Tarot and learning their true origins, we can better understand the insight these powerful cards impart in divination.

📑 What's inside

Preface
Origins Shrouded in Mystery
Introduction
The Magian Tarot and Postmodern Theory
Chapter 1
A Modern History of the Tarot
Chapter 2
Magianism and Mithrism/Mithraism
Chapter 3 Magian Teachings of the Stoicheia
Chapter 4
The Magian Tarok Conclusion
Appendix A
The Persian System of Calendrical Yazatas
Appendix B
A Greek Alphabetic Oracle
Appendix C
The Magic Disk of Pergamon
Appendix D
The Northern Link
Appendix E
Tables of Greek and Roman Keys to the Tarot
Glossary Notes
Bibliography Index

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Flowers presents a bold, well-researched argument that disrupts the comfortable consensus on Tarot’s Egyptian or Gypsy roots. By tracing the cards’ genesis to Mithraic traditions and Hermetic lineages, he offers a fresh, intellectually stimulating framework for those willing to engage with dense historical analysis. However, this work is not suitable for casual diviners seeking simple fortune-telling advice or readers who prefer established, mainstream esoteric narratives without challenge. Those looking for practical spellwork or easy-to-digest mythology will likely find the academic tone and specific focus on ancient rites too specialized and disconnected from contemporary usage.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers deeply invested in the hidden history of esoteric symbolism will find immense value in this revised edition. Stephen E. Flowers offers a compelling alternative to conventional wisdom, inviting you to view the Tarot not merely as a divination tool, but as a sophisticated cosmic map derived from the 'magical alphabet' of the Stoeicheia. If you are fascinated by the intricate connections between Mithraic initiatory rites and the Major Arcana’s sequencing, this book provides a profound, grounding perspective. It is ideal for scholars and serious practitioners who crave intellectual rigor over superficial mysticism, helping you reconstruct a forgotten lineage that ties ancient Persian Magi practices directly to modern occult understanding.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you're a serious student of esoteric history, a Tarot practitioner seeking deeper historical context, or someone fascinated by the hidden connections between ancient mystery traditions and modern divination, this book offers a revelatory and scholarly exploration of the Tarot's true heritage.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Flowers presents a bold, well-researched argument that disrupts the comfortable consensus on Tarot’s Egyptian or Gypsy roots. By tracing the cards’ genesis to Mithraic traditions and Hermetic lineages, he offers a fresh, intellectually stimulating framework for those willing to engage with dense historical analysis. However, this work is not suitable for casual diviners seeking simple fortune-telling advice or readers who prefer established, mainstream esoteric narratives without challenge. Those looking for practical spellwork or easy-to-digest mythology will likely find the academic tone and specific focus on ancient rites too specialized and disconnected from contemporary usage.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Rather than discrediting, Flowers presents a meticulously researched, alternative historical narrative. He provides evidence for deeper, older influences that predate and often contradict commonly held beliefs, offering a fresh lens through which to view the Tarot's complex lineage.

No, this is a scholarly exploration of the Tarot's historical and esoteric origins, not a practical guide to divination. While it will deepen your understanding of the cards' symbolism, its primary focus is on their philosophical and historical foundations.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Mithraic Roots of Tarot

This book unveils how the symbolic language and structure of the Tarot can be traced back to the esoteric doctrines and mystery rites of the Persian Magi, particularly through the Mithraic tradition. It posits that many familiar Tarot images and their underlying meanings are echoes of this ancient spiritual system, offering a compelling alternative to long-held origin theories.

Stoeicheia as Template

Flowers introduces the concept of the 'Stoeicheia,' a magical alphabet or system of fundamental elements central to Magian teachings. The book demonstrates how this ancient esoteric framework served as the foundational blueprint for the Tarot, suggesting that the cards are not merely a collection of images but a coherent, divinely structured system derived from these primal principles.

Arcana's Initiatory Journey

A core revelation in this work is the connection between the sequencing and imagery of the Major Arcana and the stages of Mithraic initiation. The book meticulously illustrates how the progression through the trumps mirrors the symbolic journey of a seeker undergoing sacred rites, transforming the Tarot into an experiential guide for spiritual awakening and transformation.

📜 Historical context

For centuries, the origins of the Tarot have been debated, with popular theories often pointing to ancient Egypt or the Romani people. This work builds upon the pioneering scholarship of Sigurd Agrell, offering a radical departure by situating the Tarot squarely within the older, less explored currents of the Persian Magi and the Hermetic tradition, thereby re-contextualizing its place in Western esotericism.

📚 Glossary

Mithraic Tradition
Hermetic Tradition
Stoeicheia

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does the concept of a 'magical alphabet' or elemental system as the Tarot's foundation alter your perception of its inherent power and structure?
Consider a Major Arcana card you feel intimately connected to. How might its meaning or your interpretation of it shift if viewed solely through a Mithraic initiatory lens, as described in this book?
What are the broader implications for the study of Western esotericism if the Tarot's primary roots lie with the Persian Magi rather than purely Egyptian or European traditions?