Tarot Origins is my favourite tarot workshop to teach, because we start right from tarot’s early beginnings, through its history, how it’s been used, the symbolism attached, and how to read the cards.
Why
Tarot’s origins are shrouded in mystery, lost in the ages of time, right? Wrong!
We actually know where tarot began and when. We’ll start there, and move through the cultural history of Europe and America as it relates to tarot cards, and how it came to become a tool for divination, and learn just what all those symbols really mean.
Learning the origins and roots of tarot will greatly increase your divinatory repertoire and give you a new appreciation for its complexities and diverse ways tarot cards can be used.
What
In this 8 week Tarot Origins workshop series, we’ll look at tarot’s exoteric and esoteric histories: the Dance of Death (not as sinister as it sounds!), the Renaissance, the fin de siecle occult revival, and modern interpretations of the tarot today.
We’ll learn about important figures like Court de Gebelin, Papus, Eliphas Levi, AE Waite, Pamela Colman Smith, Aleister Crowley, Lady Frieda Harris, and more.
Over the years so many diverse systems have attached themselves to the tarot, and we’ll look at how and why, and if (!) this makes sense, particularly through alchemy, astrology, the classical elements, the I Ching, the Hebrew alphabet, kabbalah, and a myriad of other esoteric associations.
I’ll provide notes on what we cover, we’ll go over exercises, and look at hundreds of different decks and see the effects of tarot’s history, and how it’s changed over the years.
Who
This course is great both for new students who’d like to learn more about tarot and its symbolism, and for experienced students who have been studying tarot for years and want to learn more about where this symbolism comes from, and how things like kabbalah, astrology, the elements (and more!) became attached to the cards.
While it’s a great foundational course to get started in the tarot, students may find they benefit all the more if they have some familiarity with the tarot and its symbols. That said, many, many illustrated examples will be given, so no one will feel left out!
When
The course will run from May 3 – June 28 on Sundays, from 2 – 4 pm, and will skip the May 24 long weekend.
Where
At Dufferin Street and St Clair Avenue West in Toronto, or via video conference for distance students. (Note: Distance participants will also get a bonus 20 minute private session with me via Skype after June 21st.)
Sign me up!
The course fee will be $160 for the full 8 weeks, and is offered in-person for those in Toronto, and via video conference for distance students.
I have a limited amount of in-person spaces, so please register early!
Please contact me at nico@nicomaramckay.com to reserve your spot, for more information, or if you have any questions.
I look forward to seeing you in class!
Image credit: aquarian_insight
