Unveiling the Ancient African Wisdom of Tarot

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Origins of Tarot in Africa
   • The Influence of African Philosophy
   • Tarot as a Powerful Divination Tool
   • The Language of Tarot
3. Tarot and Indigenous Knowledge Systems
   • The Stolen Knowledge of Africa
   • The Development of Western Belief Systems
   • African Time Keeping and Astrology
4. The African Calendar and Tarot
   • Nature's Law: As Above, So Below
   • Tarot as an Extension of the African Calendar
   • Interpreting the Influence of Nature
5. Djehuti: The Ibis-Headed God of Wisdom
   • The Sacred Bird and its Symbolism
   • Jehuty as the Voice of Ra
   • Communication and Language
6. The Elements and Gendered Principles
   • Air and its Influence on Thought and Wisdom
   • Jehuti as the Creator of Language and Writing
   • The Masculine and Feminine Elements
7. Tarot as Cosmic Memory and Ancient Wisdom
   • Breaking Mental Barriers with Jehuti
   • Accessing Sacred Knowledge
   • Understanding the Natural Elements
8. The Structure of the Tarot Deck
   • The Major Arcana and the Houses of Wisdom
   • The Decon Spirits of the Zodiac Wheel
   • The Court Cards and the Four Elements
9. The Whitified Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
   • Exploring the History of Tarot Decks
   • The Original Tarot Deck
   • Joining Tarot Classes for a Deeper Understanding
10. Conclusion

🃏 Tarot: Rediscovering Ancient African Wisdom

The practice of tarot reading has captivated people around the world for centuries. While many believe tarot originated in Europe, its roots can be traced back to the ancient African philosophy found in the scribes and architecture of ancient Egypt. Tarot, an intricately designed deck of cards, is not simply a tool for fortune-telling, but rather a powerful divination tool that holds the key to unlocking ancient wisdom and the influence of natural elements. By exploring the origins of tarot in Africa and its connection to indigenous knowledge systems, we can uncover the profound significance behind this ancient practice.

The Origins of Tarot in Africa

The Influence of African Philosophy

Most people are unaware that the origins of tarot can be found in Africa. Ancient Egyptian knowledge systems, deeply rooted in African philosophy, were the foundation upon which tarot was built. These knowledge systems were practiced with integrity until the African people were conquered by the West, resulting in the theft and replacement of their systems with foreign belief systems. Greek and Roman Empires were built on the knowledge taken from Kemet, as they were students of students of African indigenous knowledge systems. Even Western systems like astrology, which is essentially an African time-keeping system, were borrowed from the African temples. This ancient wisdom was documented in Kemet and can still be found in various museums that now house these stolen artifacts.

Tarot as a Powerful Divination Tool

Tarot is more than just a deck of cards; it is a language of symbols and glyphs that breaks down the elements of nature. Our entire existence is built upon these natural elements, and tarot allows us to interpret how we are influenced by them. By learning the language of tarot, one can access the alchemy hidden within its symbolism. Tarot's power lies in its simplicity, as it serves as an extension of the ancient African knowledge system that Africans have practiced for centuries. Despite its foreign perception, tarot is fundamentally African in origin and holds the wisdom of the indigenous African people.

Tarot and Indigenous Knowledge Systems

The Stolen Knowledge of Africa

The theft of African knowledge systems and the subsequent replacement with foreign belief systems led to the erasure of our recognition of our own indigenous practices. However, if we remove the whitewashed veil that covers these systems, their African roots become strikingly clear. Western scholars of tarot acknowledge that all knowledge of tarot can be attributed to the ancient Egyptian deity Djehuti, also known as Thoth. Djehuti, meaning "the one who is like an Ibis," represents a principle deeply rooted in nature. The Ibis, a sacred bird in ancient Egypt associated with wisdom, symbolizes access to ancient wisdom and the hidden secrets of the universe.

The Development of Western Belief Systems

Western belief systems have been developed from the stolen knowledge of African indigenous systems. The Greeks, in particular, attribute their knowledge of tarot to Djehuti, whom they called Thoth. Djehuti is the water bird, symbolizing the principle of communication and the voice of Ra. Throughout ancient Kemetic texts, Djehuti is documented as the creator of language and writing, the inventor of the hieroglyphic system, and the neter of wisdom, magic, and science. The gods of African philosophy are not gods in the traditional sense, but rather principles derived from nature itself. These principles, gendered by the elements they rule, govern various aspects of existence. Air, for instance, governs thought, wisdom, and communication, making it incredibly significant in tarot interpretation.

The African Calendar and Tarot

Nature's Law: As Above, So Below

The original African calendar, serving as a map of the law of nature, offers insights into how nature works and influences us. It is a guide for understanding the influence of the elements on our lives. Tarot, an extension of this map and guideline, provides us with a means to interpret these influences. The law of correspondence, as above so below, is a fundamental principle in nature that resonates in tarot as well. It signifies the connection between the microcosm and macrocosm, emphasizing that what happens in the heavens is reflected on Earth. This law is universally recognized by astrologers, astronomers, and astronauts alike, as they understand the profound impact of the cosmos on our daily lives.

Tarot as an Extension of the African Calendar

Tarot, with its set of glyphs and symbols, breaks down the solar cycle, the cycle of creation, and the cycle of life and death. Through its 22 Major Arcana cards, known as the ATU of Tohuti or the Houses of Wisdom, tarot serves as a guiding force through our constant cycle of death and rebirth. These keys offer insights into the profound mysteries of existence and provide a framework for understanding the divine within ourselves and the world around us. In addition to the Major Arcana, tarot consists of 40 cards that correspond to the Decon spirits of the zodiac wheel, as well as 16 court cards that represent the four elements within the four worlds.

Djehuti: The Ibis-Headed God of Wisdom

The Sacred Bird and its Symbolism

Djehuti, also known as Thoth or Hermes in Greek mythology, is often depicted as an Ibis-headed figure. This depiction represents his association with the sacred bird and its symbolism. The Ibis is a wading bird, known for walking in natural bodies of water to find food. African creation stories acknowledge water as the first element of existence and a carrier of ancient memories. The continuous movement of water within our atmosphere, known as the water cycle, symbolizes the everlasting flow of ancient information. Djehuti, as the Ibis-headed figure, represents one who has understood all that is hidden under the heavenly vault, which is signified by the waters.

Jehuty as the Voice of Ra

In African philosophy, Djehuti represents the voice of Ra, the principle of communication. Ra, often associated with the Sun, is announced by the baboons that run to the highest points of the mountains in East African societies before sunrise, greeting the arrival of the Sun with their distinct call of "raw, oh." This is believed to be the origin of the name Ra. Djehuti, as the creator of language and writing, plays a crucial role in African cosmology. He is regarded as the god of wisdom, magic, and science, and is considered the keeper of sacred scribes. It is believed that Djehuti brought meduneter, the language of the gods, to humanity.

Communication and Language

Ancient Kemetic inscriptions, including the Dendera temple's ancient zodiac wheel, serve as evidence of Djehuti's role in the creation of language and writing systems. The Dendera inscriptions reveal the African understanding of time and the seasons, with the solar cycle governing every aspect of natural and human life. Djehuti's influence can be seen throughout Egyptian hieroglyphics, which he is credited for inventing. He is often referred to as the messenger of the gods, emphasizing his vital role in communication between the divine and humanity. Djehuti's wisdom and teachings continue to shape our understanding of language, writing, and ancient knowledge.

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