A CULTURAL HISTORY OF TAROT: FROM ENTERTAINMENT TO ESOTERICISM. By HelenFarley. London and New York: Bloomsbury, 2019. Pp. x + 270. Hardback, $175.00; Paperback, $46.95.

Tarot cards are known by virtually everyone, yet the basic facts about their function, origin, and interpretation are shrouded in so many bizarre theories that it is almost impossible to have a clear understanding of them. In A Cultural History of Tarot, Farley tackles this ambiguity through a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating elements from esotericism, history of games, and art history. This approach allows Farley to construct “a cultural history,” meaning that she begins “from the assumption that the history of Tarot become entirely comprehensible when viewed in conjunction with the cultural contexts in which they occurred.” Through this framework, Farley presents a well-rounded analysis that carefully situates tarot cards within their historical, social, and cultural evolution. In the first chapter, Farley explores card games that preceded tarot, surveying various theories about their origins, including possibilities in India, China, Egypt, and the Arab world. She dispels the idea that tarot cards existed before regular playing cards, establishing that tarot is a later development rather than an ancient or mystical predecessor. Chapters Two and Three situate the origins of tarot in Renaissance Italy, most likely in Milan, and emphasize its recreational beginnings, distinct from the esoteric meanings later attributed to the cards. Here, Farley reconstructs the probable original significances and variations within the tarot deck, revealing that it was initially a game before acquiring mystical connotations. It is in the second part of the book (Chapters Four, Five, and Six) that Farley analyzes the development of tarot's esoteric interpretations. She traces these roots back to the occultist fascination with Egypt, which is characteristic of eighteenth-century France. This exploration is further expanded in Chapter Five, where Farley examines how these ideas migrated to England, where figures like Aleister Crowley and W.B. Yeats contributed to the creation of new spiritual meanings—and new decks—of the tarot. The final chapter (Chapter Six) investigates recent developments, detailing how tarot continues to adapt to each new cultural landscape, including feminist interpretations, Caribbean religious practices, and Native American beliefs. Farley's book is highly recommended for those who appreciate a historical and scholarly approach, as it provides a comprehensive and evidence-based narrative. However, her analysis of an extensive range of sources, including pseudo-academic and esoteric materials, as well as her clear and enjoyable style of writing, ensures that the book can be appreciated by anyone with an interest in tarot, regardless of background or level of expertise. This broad appeal makes A Cultural History of Tarot an essential resource for understanding the multifaceted journey of tarot cards through time and across cultures.