Tarot in North America
When tarot cards arrived in North America in the early 20th century, they were cut off from their Italian roots and subsequently wrapped in an aura of mysticism that would continue throughout its exposure. The spread and popularity of the Tarot in North America was highly linked with capitalism, populism, and democratic openness.
Tarot and Capitalism in the US
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Chronology
1917
Hariette and F. Homer Curtiss publish The Key to the Universe or a Spiritual Interpretation of Numbers and Symbols, illustrated with the Rider-Waite Smith, Egyptian, Tarot de Marseilles, and Wirth decks.
1944
Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot deck, with paintings by Frieda Harris, is first published in a limited edition, marking a significant milestone in esoteric tarot.
1909
A.E. Waite and Pamela Colman Smith release the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, accompanied by the book The Pictorial Key to Tarot. This deck becomes the foundation for Anglo-American tarot traditions.
1920
Paul Foster Case establishes B.O.T.A. (Builders of the Adytum), an organization that draws heavily on Golden Dawn teachings and significantly influences tarot's esoteric use in America.
1959
The Rider-Waite Smith deck and The Pictorial Key to Tarot are printed by University Books, making the deck widely accessible in the United States.
1951
The British Witchcraft ban is repealed, allowing Tarot decks to be printed and sold freely and facilitating their import and distribution in North America.
1960
Eden Gray's The Tarot Revealed is published, making tarot user-friendly and accessible to the general public, setting the stage for its late 20th-century popularity.
1970
David Palladini releases the Aquarian Tarot, one of the first of many Rider-Waite Smith spin-off decks that become popular in North America.
1974
New Tarot by Hurley & Horler, developed in part at Esalen in California, breaks with traditional imagery, reflecting the era's experimental spirit.
1971
U.S. Games Inc. acquires the rights to publish the Rider-Waite Smith cards, ensuring their continued availability and popularity in the American market.
1976
Womanspirit Circle in Santa Cruz, California, becomes the birthplace of several feminist tarot decks like A New Woman’s Tarot and the Amazon Tarot, reflecting the feminist movement's influence on tarot.
1980
Michael Dummett's seminal work The Game of Tarot is published, providing a comprehensive history and analysis of the tarot deck and its usage.
1984
Mary Greer publishes Tarot for Yourself, a workbook that encourages readers to form personal meanings for the cards, promoting a more intuitive and personal approach to tarot reading.
1981
The Motherpeace deck by Vicki Noble and Karen Vogel, the first round and feminist-focused tarot deck, is released, gaining wide distribution.
1991
Thalassa organizes the first BATS (Bay Area Tarot Symposium) in San Francisco, creating a significant gathering for tarot enthusiasts and practitioners.
1996
Through the internet, an online community is born, with pioneering discussion lists like Alt_Tarot and Tarot_L on Yahoo.
2002
Ruth and Wald Amberstone organize the first Reader’s Studio in New York, creating a major annual event for tarot professionals and enthusiasts to gather and learn.
2020s
Tarot continues to evolve with the integration of digital platforms, diverse cultural influences, and new artistic interpretations, maintaining its popularity and relevance in North American culture.