Lauron William De Laurence presents a comprehensive examination of the tarot, beginning with a critical dismantling of the popular historical myths surrounding its origins. The author establishes that the tarot has no verified history prior to the fourteenth century, firmly rejecting the long-standing speculations which falsely attribute its creation to ancient Egypt, India, or China. Instead, he positions the cards as a universal system of symbolism that speaks the language of the human subconscious and esoteric tradition.
The core of the work is dedicated to the twenty-two trumps major, or greater arcana. De Laurence meticulously reinterprets each card, stripping away the vulgarized meanings accumulated by generations of cartomancists and fortune-tellers. Through a detailed analysis of figures such as the Magician, the High Priestess, the Hermit, and the Hanged Man, he constructs a coherent narrative of the soul's spiritual journey, initiation, and ultimate attainment. He argues that these major symbols encode profound metaphysical truths distinct from ordinary games of chance.
Transitioning to the fifty-six lesser arcana, the author examines the four suits of wands, cups, swords, and pentacles. While acknowledging that these minor cards have traditionally been relegated to the lower planes of fortune-telling and mundane prediction rather than high philosophy, he details their traditional imagery and divinatory significance. Each suit corresponds to specific elements of natural life, human emotion, and daily trial, offering a complete framework for practical application.
The text further addresses the mechanics of divination itself, contrasting the arbitrary nature of fortune-telling with the deeper intuitive insights available to the prepared mind. De Laurence outlines concrete methods for consulting the oracles, including the traditional Celtic cross method and alternative layouts for general life readings. These practical instructions serve to bridge the gap between abstract occult theory and the concrete mechanics of cartomancy.
Throughout the study, the author maintains a strict distinction between the superficial use of cards for gambling and their higher potential as mirrors of the human condition. He cautions against unfounded occult claims while insisting upon the genuine psychological and spiritual resonance of the symbolism. The work concludes with an extensive historical bibliography, documenting the evolution of tarot literature and cartomantic research over the preceding centuries, thereby grounding the entire study in a verifiable historical context.
