Tarot cards, originating in mid-15th century Europe, were initially used for games like Tarocchini. Spreading across the continent, they spawned variations like Grosstarok, French Tarot, and Königrufen. In the late 18th century, French occultists attributed mystical significance to tarot, leading to specialized decks for divination and cartomancy. Today, tarot exists in two forms: those used for traditional card games and those adapted for mystical practices. Interestingly, some older game-oriented decks, such as the Tarot de Marseille, have been adopted for divination purposes.
1900: French Tarot Players Switch to Tarot Nouveau
Around 1900, French tarot players shifted their preference from the Marseilles tarot to the Tarot Nouveau, leading to the Marseilles pattern becoming primarily associated with cartomancy.
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1973: Formation of the French Tarot Association
In 1973, the French Tarot Association (Fédération Française de Tarot) was formed, marking the increasing popularity of French Tarot, which had experienced a resurgence in the 1950s after being largely confined to Provence in the 18th century.
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