On the Tarot – Le Monde Primitif

Unlock the Origins of Tarot as a Mystical Tradition

“On the Tarot – Le Monde Primitif” marks a turning point in tarot history—the moment when the Tarot was first re-imagined as more than a card game. In this groundbreaking 1787 essay, Antoine Court de Gébelin introduced the revolutionary idea that the Tarot held the remnants of ancient Egyptian wisdom—encoded not for amusement, but for spiritual insight. His work elevated the cards from parlor pastime to sacred text, planting the seeds for the rich esoteric tradition that still flourishes today.

This newly translated edition offers English readers full access to the foundational writings that inspired generations of occultists—from Eliphas Levi to A.E. Waite and Manly P. Hall—forever changing how the Tarot is understood and used.

Description

Originally published as part of Court de Gébelin’s encyclopedic Le Monde Primitif, this text presents the first known essays to propose the Tarot as a symbolic "Book of Destiny" or "Book of Thoth." Alongside a complementary essay by the Comte de Mellet—who introduced the connection between Tarot and the Hebrew alphabet—this volume traces the roots of tarot mysticism to their Enlightenment-era origins.

This English translation by Dantzel Cenatiempo, with a thoughtful introduction by Naha Armády, brings to life the profound cultural shift that redefined the Tarot as a tool of divination and spiritual discovery.

Features & Specifications

• Complete English translation of the original 1781 essays by Antoine Court de Gébelin and the Comte de Mellet

• Introduction by Naha Armady

• Translated by Dantzel Cenatiempo

• Sewn hardcover bound with a printed dust jacket

• 120 pages, including beautifully restored engravings reproduced from a rare 1787 edition

• Engravings are presented with exceptional clarity—crisp, clean, and richly detailed—faithfully capturing the visual texture of the original 18th-century prints

• Compact and elegant format: 4.25” x 7” (small 8vo)

• First edition limited to 1,500 copies

• Published by Ouroboros Press with a focus on longevity, fine bookmaking, and scholarly value