The History of Tarot: Truths and Legends Behind the World’s Most Enigmatic Cards

In The History of Tarot, Giordano Berti offers a rare balance of scholarly rigor and accessible storytelling, guiding readers through the true origins, evolving symbolism, and enduring myths surrounding the Tarot.

Beginning with the earliest playing cards of the 14th and 15th centuries, Berti traces Tarot’s development through Renaissance courts, regional European variations, and the emergence of the Tarot de Marseille. From there, the narrative moves into the esoteric revivals of France and England, the influence of occult societies, and the modern psychological and spiritual interpretations that shape contemporary practice.

What makes this work especially valuable is its clarity. Berti carefully separates historical fact from long-standing legend—addressing widely circulated myths while grounding the reader in documented sources, surviving decks, and archival evidence. Whether exploring early block-printed cards, Marseille variants like Besançon and Rouen-Bruxelles, or later occult traditions, the book remains both comprehensive and measured in tone.

For readers interested in the deeper currents of Tarot—its artistic evolution, cultural transmission, and symbolic language—this is not simply an overview, but a foundational text.

A particularly compelling section explores Tarot’s modern applications, including its use in psychotherapy and personal transformation, offering a thoughtful bridge between historical study and lived practice.

At TarotArts, where historical integrity matters deeply and where we work closely with publishers like Rinascimento Italian Style Art, this is a book we consider essential. It belongs in the library of anyone who wants to understand Tarot not just as a tool—but as a living tradition shaped over centuries.