Tarot has become such a spiritual tool for so many of us, but its roots might surprise you. It didn’t begin as a way to connect with your intuition or bring comfort in difficult moments — the earliest tarot decks were actually created for games, not guidance.

That said, the journey from playing cards to personal transformation is full of symbolism, history, and a few myths (some well-meaning, but wildly off the mark!).

If you’re new to tarot or just curious about where it all started, this beginner-friendly timeline walks you through the key stages. No jargon, no snobbery — just a relaxed look back at how these 78 cards became the soulful companion they are today.

15th Century – Beautiful, but Just a Game

Tarot cards first appeared in northern Italy during the 1400s. These early decks were known as carte da trionfi (triumph cards), and they were often hand-painted, luxurious, and privately commissioned.

But their purpose? Not divination. They were made for a game called Tarocchi — a pastime for the elite. No mystical meanings. No hidden insight. Just a beautifully illustrated game of cards.

18th Century – A New Curiosity Emerges

In the 1700s, French spiritual thinkers began to see tarot in a new light. One writer, Antoine Court de Gébelin, famously suggested that tarot held ancient Egyptian wisdom — a claim that wasn’t true, but captured imaginations across Europe.

For the first time, people started to look at tarot as a symbolic, sacred tool — rather than just a game.

19th Century – Tarot Meets the Occult

By the 1800s, tarot had been adopted by mystics, occultists, and esoteric groups like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The cards were now being linked with astrology, numerology, and the Kabbalah.

This is when tarot became the structured spiritual system many readers still work with today.

1909 – The Rider-Waite-Smith Revolution

The tarot deck most of us recognise today first appeared in 1909. Created by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck gave rich illustrations to every card — not just the Majors.

That was a huge shift. Suddenly, the cards were easier to teach, easier to learn, and far more intuitive to read with. Pamela’s artwork brought the system to life, and most modern tarot decks still draw inspiration from her style.

21st Century – Tarot for Everyone

Today, tarot is everywhere — and in my opinion, that’s a beautiful thing. From self-reflection and journaling to ritual and creativity, there are countless ways to work with the cards.

And the best part? You don’t need permission. You don’t have to “prove” anything to anyone. Whether you’re brand new or returning after years away, the cards are here for you — as they’ve been for hundreds of years.

So Why Does This Matter?

You don’t have to know tarot’s entire backstory to start reading. But knowing even a little of its history gives you something solid to stand on. It connects you to the generations of people who used the cards before you — from game players to mystics, thinkers to seekers.

And that’s really what tarot’s always been about. People. Curiosity. Growth. Trusting that the right message will land when you need it most.

Ready to explore more? Take a wander through Tarot Basics for beginner guides, card meanings, and tips to help you build confidence — one card at a time.