Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!actnyc!gcf
From: gcf@actnyc.UUCP (Gordon Fitch)
Newsgroups: sci.misc
Subject: Re: Digression
Message-ID: <826@actnyc.UUCP>
Date: 19 Apr 88 15:54:02 GMT
References: <5017@uwmcsd1.UUCP> <2790@gryphon.CTS.COM> <1221@uop.edu> <794@actnyc.UUCP> <3060@whutt.UUCP>
Reply-To: gcf@actnyc.UUCP (Gordon Fitch)
Organization: InterACT Corporation
Lines: 15

In article <3060@whutt.UUCP> mls@whutt.UUCP (SIEMON) writes:
} In article <794@actnyc.UUCP>, gcf@actnyc.UUCP (Gordon Fitch) writes:
} >                                           ...  Those who are enthused
} > about the Tarot deck generally attribute its origins to a period long
} > before the late middle ages...
} > 
} Yep, and those who are enthused about astrology generally attribute its
} origins to ancient (like, millenially B.C.) Egypt.

Many ancient civilizations were _known_ to practice a combination of
astronomy and astrology, of which they left detailed records, and, I
am told, some usable observations.  But I don't think there is any
direct record of either Tarot cards and images, or the related Cabala,
before the Middle Ages.  Of course, those who are _really_ enthused
about the Tarot attribute its origin to Hermes Trismegistus.