Etteilla Jean-Baptiste Alliette (1738–1791), more commonly recognized by his reversed surname “Etteilla,” stands as one of the most influential figures in the realm of cartomancy and the broader esoteric tradition. While many are familiar with popular Tarot icons like the Rider-Waite-Smith deck or the works of famous mystics such as Éliphas Lévi, the name “Etteilla” remains less prominent – yet no less essential. Indeed, Alliette is often credited with laying the groundwork that eventually allowed Tarot to flourish as a tool for divination and spiritual growth.
In the 18th century, at a time when Tarot was still largely a card game known as Tarocchi or Trionfi in its earlier forms, Alliette embarked on a mission to formalize Tarot reading for esoteric purposes. He was among the first individuals in Europe to popularize the idea that the Tarot could serve as a device for mystical insight rather than just for fun or gambling. From publishing detailed treatises to designing specialized decks, Alliette helped move Tarot out of the gaming halls and into the salon parlors of aristocrats, intellectuals, and occult enthusiasts. This transformation paved the way for the widespread practice of Tarot reading that continues to thrive worldwide.
In this blog post, we will explore Etteilla’s life story, discuss his significance in Tarot history, examine the features and interpretations of his decks, and highlight his lasting impact on the occult world. By the end, you’ll have a far deeper appreciation for the man who truly revolutionized Tarot as a legitimate spiritual and divinatory practice.
Key Takeaways
- Etteilla’s Foundational Influence – Jean-Baptiste Alliette, or Etteilla, was one of the first to formalize Tarot as a divinatory system rather than merely a card game, laying essential groundwork for modern Tarot practices.
- Unique Tarot Structure and Meanings – Through his Grand Etteilla, he revamped the deck’s structure, offered explicit upright and reversed meanings for each card, and connected the imagery with astrology and hermetic concepts, profoundly shaping subsequent occult decks
- Democratizing Esoteric Knowledge – By publishing his methods and teachings openly, Etteilla brought Tarot reading to the broader public, challenging the secretive norms of esoteric societies and making cartomancy more accessible.
A framed arrangement of Etteilla’s tarot deck, held by the Wellcome Collection, “in the form of leaves of the book of Thoth placed in the temple of Fire at Memphis, Egypt” – Source
Early Life: Jean-Baptiste Alliette Before Etteilla
Humble Origins and Influences
Jean-Baptiste Alliette was born in Paris in 1738. Little is definitively known about his childhood, but historians suggest that he likely hailed from a modest background. Some accounts indicate that he worked as a seed merchant or possibly a barber-perfumier, both typical trades in 18th-century France. These modest beginnings, however, did not hinder his intellectual curiosity. Even as a young man, Alliette showed a deep interest in esoteric subjects, astrology, and the developing field of cartomancy.
The Seeds of Esoteric Study
Paris during Alliette’s youth was bubbling with philosophical inquiry and mystical thought, spurred by the tail end of the Enlightenment era. While France’s intellectual circles were abuzz with rationalist thought, there was also a significant undercurrent of esotericism. Under these influences, Alliette began to study astrology, hermeticism, alchemy, and other arcane arts that were circulating among intellectuals. This environment almost certainly kindled his lifelong obsession with decoding hidden messages and divinatory secrets from various symbolic systems, among them Tarot.
The Emergence of Etteilla
The Birth of a Pseudonym
Sometime in the latter half of the 18th century, Jean-Baptiste Alliette took on the alias “Etteilla,” which is simply his surname reversed. This playful pseudonym was not just a clever word reversal; it served a functional purpose. Adopting a nom de plume was relatively common among esoteric scholars and occult practitioners of the era, partly to separate their mundane lives from their more arcane endeavors. Thus, Jean-Baptiste Alliette, the tradesman, could continue his day-to-day work, while “Etteilla,” the esoteric writer and Tarot consultant, gained recognition among a different crowd.
Publishing the First Works on Tarot Divination
In 1770, Etteilla made waves by publishing a treatise that is arguably one of the earliest known documents solely dedicated to using Tarot for fortune-telling. Titled Etteilla, ou manière de se récréer avec un jeu de cartes (which translates roughly to “Etteilla, or a Way to Entertain Oneself With a Deck of Cards”), this work marked a pivotal moment in the history of Tarot. While Tarot decks had been used for various card games since at least the 15th century, the notion that these cards could be used purely for prophecy and insight was still considered niche.
Etteilla’s publication brought Tarot-based cartomancy to the attention of a broader public, demonstrating ways to use the deck’s imagery to glean information about the past, present, and future. He also made the first concerted effort to link Tarot imagery with astrological and hermetic traditions, foreshadowing developments that would later be picked up by esoteric heavyweights like Éliphas Lévi in the 19th century.
Significance in Tarot History
The Professional Tarot Reader
One of Etteilla’s major claims to fame is that he is possibly the first recorded individual who actually made a profession out of reading Tarot. While fortune-tellers and soothsayers certainly existed, Etteilla was unique in that he placed a strong emphasis on Tarot, wrote extensively on it, and established a systematic method to teach others how to do so. By promoting himself as a Tarot expert, Etteilla carved out a niche profession that had never before been so formally recognized.
In doing so, he opened the door for countless successors. The idea that someone could specialize in the mystical or divinatory aspects of Tarot – rather than just dabbling as a sideline to other forms of fortune-telling – was revolutionary. This, in turn, helped establish Tarot reading as a respectable (albeit still niche) vocation, paving the way for later decks such as the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) in the early 20th century and the Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley.
Challenging the Status Quo
Unlike many contemporary occultists, Etteilla did not merely keep his knowledge within secret societies or hidden circles. Instead, he published it widely, making his methods accessible to the curious public. While this approach initially drew skepticism from some in the more clandestine esoteric societies, it also democratized esoteric knowledge. Over time, this openness contributed to the broader acceptance and study of Tarot as a legitimate philosophical and psychological tool.
Moreover, Etteilla challenged conventional wisdom by associating Tarot with the legendary (though historically unsubstantiated) Egyptian roots. He and others in the occult revival believed that Tarot symbols had originated from ancient Egypt and held hidden secrets of cosmic knowledge. Though modern scholarship disputes the idea of Tarot’s Egyptian origin, Etteilla’s theories undeniably captured the imagination of 18th-century Europe, further sparking public fascination with the deck’s possible mystical lineage.
Etteilla’s Tarot Decks
A Pioneering Redesign
Prior to Etteilla, the most common Tarot decks in circulation were variations of the Tarot de Marseille. However, these decks were designed primarily for gameplay, not for esoteric exploration. Recognizing the need for a more specialized deck, Etteilla set about creating new designs that would more explicitly convey esoteric and divinatory meanings.
He introduced the so-called “Etteilla Tarot” (often referred to as the Grand Etteilla or the Book of Thoth Tarot). This deck represented a significant departure from the Tarot de Marseille in terms of artwork, imagery, and structure, placing heavier emphasis on astrological, alchemical, and mythological symbolism. For example, his cards included references to the four elements (earth, water, air, fire), the zodiac signs, and biblical imagery. His approach was methodical and attempted to align each card with particular meanings, reversing certain elements when the card appeared upside down – one of the earliest structured uses of reversed card interpretations.
Structure and Organization
Etteilla’s decks often maintained the 78-card structure (similar to traditional Tarot), which includes:
- Major Arcana (Trumps): Etteilla renamed some of these cards and reassigned various correspondences to them.
- Minor Arcana: He placed a heavier emphasis on the pip cards (Ace through Ten), integrating specific divinatory keywords for upright and reversed meanings.
- Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King): These were also reinterpreted to align with his overall astrological and elemental scheme.
What set Etteilla apart was his commitment to systematically labeling each card, sometimes numbering them differently from the Tarot de Marseille. The deck often began with the card named “Etteilla” or “Le Fol” (The Fool) as a concept representing chaos or potential, which he aligned with the concept of creation. This reordering and relabeling of the Major Arcana was groundbreaking at the time, as it positioned the deck purely as a divination tool rather than as a gaming deck.
The Book of Thoth Connection
Etteilla frequently referred to his deck as the “Book of Thoth.” Thoth, an ancient Egyptian deity of writing, magic, and wisdom, was often linked to mystical knowledge in esoteric traditions. By tying his Tarot designs to Thoth, Etteilla further fueled the idea that Tarot was a mystical legacy handed down from ancient Egypt. While modern historians have debated these Egyptian origins and often discredited them, the symbolism resonated with 18th-century audiences. This association further entrenched Tarot’s identity as a storehouse of ancient wisdom, paving the way for future occultists like Paul Christian, Éliphas Lévi, and Papus.
The Meanings Behind Etteilla’s Cards
Major Arcana Interpretations
Etteilla infused each Major Arcana card with a direct divinatory keyword and a reversed keyword. For example:
- The Magician (Le Bateleur) might have signified willpower or skill in its upright position and trickery or manipulation in its reversed form.
- The High Priestess (La Papesse), often referred to in the Etteilla system by different names, was associated with secrecy, intuition, and hidden knowledge – mirroring the astrological influences Etteilla assigned.
He also introduced new cards or merged existing ones, sometimes changing the imagery to evoke Egyptian deities or astrological symbols. Thus, while a direct one-to-one comparison with the Tarot de Marseille or modern decks can be made, it requires some knowledge of Etteilla’s specialized system.
Minor Arcana Interpretations
One of Etteilla’s most innovative contributions was providing explicit meanings for the Minor Arcana cards. Traditionally, the pip cards (Ace through Ten) in Tarot de Marseille had fewer symbolic illustrations than the Major Arcana, making them more challenging to interpret. Etteilla addressed this by adding keywords or symbolic references directly on each card, making it simpler for both novices and adepts to recall the meanings.
Each suit (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles) was given a realm of influence (e.g., social matters, emotional states, conflict, material questions), aligned with astrological or elemental associations. An upright card might reveal one meaning (say, success or romance), whereas a reversed card would reveal a contrasting or deepening perspective (failure, misunderstanding, or a more subtle emotional nuance).
Court Cards
Etteilla also provided a structured approach to reading Court Cards. Rather than leaving them as ambiguous markers of people or personalities, he attempted to systematize them according to temperament, astrology, or social role. For example:
- Page of Wands might relate to a young person exhibiting fiery, impulsive traits – perhaps linked to Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius.
- King of Cups might represent an older, diplomatic figure with emotional depth, tied to the water signs of Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.
This methodical layout gave a sense of psychological depth to each Court Card, an approach that strongly influenced the way Tarot teachers and authors would interpret these cards in centuries to come.
Publications and Writings
“Etteilla, ou manière de se récréer avec un jeu de cartes”
This work is considered the seminal text that catapulted Etteilla to notoriety. He not only advocated Tarot as a fortune-telling device but also presented a rudimentary system of reading. The book was designed to be user-friendly, allowing the average person to consult the deck without prior specialized training.
Later Works and Expanded Systems
Etteilla continued to refine his methods in subsequent publications. Over time, he developed more complex correspondences and even formed societies of like-minded individuals who studied his system. These groups aimed to perfect the art of Tarot reading, incorporating astrology, numerology, and other arcane disciplines. Etteilla’s later works delve even deeper into symbolic connections, forging a method that was well ahead of its time in its breadth and complexity.
Controversies and Criticisms
The Egyptian Connection Debate
From a modern standpoint, the most contentious aspect of Etteilla’s writings might be his insistence on an Egyptian origin for the Tarot. While this notion was extremely popular among occult circles in the 18th and 19th centuries, contemporary historians and scholars of card history have shown that Tarot emerged in 15th-century Italy, not pharaonic Egypt.
However, Etteilla’s belief in these legendary origins cannot simply be dismissed as naive. Linking Tarot to Egypt created a rich narrative tapestry that captured the public imagination, lending the Tarot an aura of ancient and exotic wisdom. It also reflected a broader European fascination with all things Egyptian following Napoleon’s campaigns and archaeological discoveries in the region.
Esoteric Elitism vs. Popular Accessibility
Some of Etteilla’s critics within the occult community argued that publishing his techniques made them too accessible and therefore diminished their power. Esoteric traditions often rely on secrecy to maintain the sanctity of the teachings. Yet, Etteilla believed that Tarot should serve a practical purpose in everyday life, accessible to anyone seeking guidance or insight. This difference in philosophy sometimes placed him at odds with more guarded occult practitioners.
Legacy and Impact
Influence on Later Decks
Though modern Tarot enthusiasts may be more familiar with decks like the Rider-Waite-Smith or the Crowley-Harris Thoth deck, Etteilla’s contributions indirectly shaped them all. By laying down a structure for esoteric reading and connecting the cards to astrology and hermetic symbolism, he provided a foundation on which later occultists built. A.E. Waite, for instance, was undoubtedly influenced by 18th and 19th-century occultists who inherited Etteilla’s works, even if he diverged in the details.
Formation of the First Tarot Societies
Etteilla’s teachings helped spur the formation of proto-occult societies and Tarot study groups in France, some of which persisted into the 19th and early 20th centuries. These groups often studied Etteilla’s methods alongside other esoteric teachings, mixing them with cabalistic, astrological, and numerological elements. This collective study environment gave rise to new theories, new decks, and even more publications, keeping the flame of Tarot knowledge alive and evolving.
Resurgence of Interest
In recent decades, interest in Etteilla’s Tarot system has witnessed a resurgence. Tarot scholars, historians, and collectors have begun to study and reprint the original Etteilla decks. Artisans and esoteric practitioners are increasingly fascinated by the deck’s unique symbolism and the historical significance of Etteilla’s interpretive system. While modern readers may still gravitate toward more popular decks, those who seek deeper historical insight into Tarot’s evolution eventually find themselves studying Etteilla’s methods and writings.
Practical Tips for Reading Etteilla’s Deck
For those adventurous souls looking to explore Etteilla’s system in contemporary practice, here are a few recommendations:
- Obtain a Modern Reproduction: Find a faithful reproduction of an original Etteilla deck. Several publishing houses and specialized Tarot retailers offer them.
- Read Primary Sources: If possible, dive into translated versions of Etteilla’s original treatises. While somewhat antiquated, these texts provide direct insight into his logic and method.
- Study the Symbolism: Notice how each card references astrological signs, elements, or mythological figures. Understanding these layers adds richness to your readings.
- Embrace Reversals: Etteilla was one of the early pioneers of reversed card meanings. Make sure to incorporate them for a fuller, more nuanced interpretation.
- Compare With Other Decks: Contrasting Etteilla’s system with Rider-Waite-Smith or Tarot de Marseille is an excellent way to deepen your understanding of different esoteric traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Etteilla’s system too complex for beginners?
While Etteilla’s Tarot can appear intricate due to its symbolic layers, beginners can absolutely start here. The early publications by Etteilla were intended as guides for the curious layperson. The key is to go slowly, focusing on a few cards at a time and learning their astrological or elemental correspondences.
2. How does Etteilla’s Tarot differ from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck?
The Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck, published in 1909, incorporates Christian mysticism, Kabbalah, and Arthur Edward Waite’s personal esoteric insights. Etteilla’s deck, on the other hand, predates RWS by well over a century, placing stronger emphasis on Egyptian and astrological motifs. The ordering of cards and some of the imagery also differ, reflecting Etteilla’s unique interpretive approach.
3. Can I use Etteilla’s interpretations with modern decks?
You can, but it may lead to confusion, as many card names, imagery, and numerical orders differ. If you want to honor the spirit of Etteilla’s system, it’s best to use a reproduction of his deck or another deck specifically designed with Etteilla’s correspondences in mind.
4. Did Etteilla truly believe Tarot came from Egypt?
Yes, he strongly advocated an Egyptian lineage for Tarot. While modern research debunks this theory, it doesn’t diminish the historical and imaginative significance of Etteilla’s beliefs, which inspired generations of occultists.
Conclusion
Jean-Baptiste Alliette – Etteilla – was much more than a Tarot enthusiast. He was a pioneer who recognized early on that Tarot held esoteric potential far beyond a simple card game. By writing the first major treatises on Tarot divination, systematically reformulating the deck’s imagery, and professionalizing Tarot reading, Etteilla singlehandedly pushed the practice of cartomancy into the public sphere in a way that few before him had.
Though many of his historical claims, such as Tarot’s Egyptian origins, have since been challenged, there’s no denying the powerful legacy of his work. Every time you lay out a spread, consult a guidebook, or ponder the deeper symbolic meaning of a particular card, you are partaking in a tradition that Etteilla helped legitimize centuries ago. From his radical redesign of the Tarot deck to his published treatises that made these esoteric secrets widely available, Etteilla stands tall as one of the foundational figures of modern Tarot.
If you’re an enthusiast looking to deepen your knowledge of Tarot’s origins, or a historian intrigued by the evolution of esoteric practices in 18th-century France, a dive into Jean-Baptiste Alliette’s life and works is both rewarding and enlightening. His decks, methodology, and philosophical musings continue to captivate those who seek to uncover Tarot’s multifaceted identity – a blend of art, history, mysticism, and personal revelation.
In many ways, Etteilla’s contributions remind us that Tarot is as much about transformation and personal insight as it is about telling fortunes. By breaking from tradition and reshaping the deck’s imagery and interpretations, he paved the way for countless innovations in the centuries that followed. So, whether you’re shuffling your well-worn Grand Etteilla deck or placing a newly drawn card on your reading table, remember that Jean-Baptiste Alliette’s pioneering spirit is still at play. His conviction that Tarot could offer profound wisdom echoes across the centuries, inviting each new reader to partake in the ancient, ever-evolving dance of symbols and divination.
Disclaimer: This blog post draws on historical and esoteric sources for informational purposes. Always consult multiple references when studying occult history, as interpretations vary.
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