Unraveling Colonial Card Use and the Troubling Context
As a fellow card appreciator, I know how fascinating the history of our tools can be. The Marseille Tarot, with its iconic imagery, holds a special place in the hearts of many diviners today. But have you ever wondered about its journey through history, particularly across the Atlantic to the early French colonies in what is now the United States?
Let's dive into the historical records and archaeological findings to uncover whether there is any evidence or indication these distinctive decks made their way to the New World before the likes of the more modern Grimoud. In doing so, it's crucial to acknowledge the problematic nature of European colonization, including that of the French, on the indigenous peoples and the land itself. We must also confront the French involvement in the abhorrent institution of slavery during this period, a stain on the history of these colonial ventures.
Why the French Came to the "New World"
The French, like other European powers, were driven by a complex mix of motivations to explore and colonize the Americas. Primarily, they sought economic gain: the pursuit of valuable resources like furs, particularly beaver pelts, which were highly prized in Europe. They also hoped to discover a Northwest Passage—a mythical sea route to Asia—that would provide a quicker trade route. Beyond commerce, there was a drive for political power and prestige, as establishing colonies expanded their empire and influence on the global stage. Lastly, religious zeal played a role, with some seeking to spread Catholicism to indigenous populations, often without genuine respect for existing spiritual traditions. These ambitions, however, came at an immense cost to the indigenous inhabitants whose lands and lives were irrevocably altered and often devastated.
The Tarot's True Identity (Back Then)
First, a crucial point: the "Tarot de Marseille" as we know it today is a relatively modern name, reportedly coined in 1856. When French colonists were settling North America in the 17th and 18th centuries, they wouldn't have used this term. More importantly, the Tarot's primary purpose back then wasn't divination or occult practices. That association came much later, largely from the late 18th century onwards, thanks to figures like Antoine Court de Gébelin and Etteilla.
In its heyday in 17th and 18th century France, the 78-card Tarot deck was all about games. Think of popular card games like Triumphi (or Trionfi in Italian) and Tarocchi, which introduced the concept of "trump" cards. The French game of Triomphe and its English counterpart, Triumph, directly stem from these early Tarot games. So, if Tarot cards were present in the colonies, they were for recreation, a way to pass the time and gamble, much like modern bridge. Not to say that they didn’t weave stories of their triumph into the play, because my bet is talking smack was +/-49% of the reason to engage.
French Footprints in the New World and Their Impact
French colonial efforts in North America were extensive, establishing key settlements like Detroit (1701), New Orleans (1718), and Baton Rouge (1719), alongside numerous other outposts across the Mississippi Valley and beyond. Life in these colonies was often tough, focused on survival, trade, and building new communities, all while displacing and disrupting the lives of the indigenous peoples who had lived on and stewarded these lands for millennia. The introduction of European diseases, conflicts over land, and the imposition of foreign governance had catastrophic consequences for native populations. Furthermore, the French, like other European colonizers, participated in the transatlantic slave trade, forcibly bringing enslaved Africans to their colonies to labor, particularly in the agricultural pursuits of the southern territories like Louisiana, perpetuating immense suffering and injustice.
Material possessions in the colonies were typically practical and essential, given the challenges of transatlantic shipping and limited space. But did they bring their favorite card games?
Playing Cards: A Colonial Staple (But Which Ones?)
It's clear that playing cards were a common form of entertainment in New France. Historical records show colonists enjoying "games of chance" in taverns, and even children played with "card decks." There's even evidence of French colonists introducing "Poque," a precursor to modern poker, to New Orleans. This game was typically played with a 20-card or later a 52-card deck.
Perhaps the most fascinating use of cards in the colonies was "card money" (monnaie de carte). Introduced in 1685 as an emergency currency, actual playing cards were used to pay soldiers and quickly became accepted in general commerce. This shows just how ubiquitous card stock was. However, later issues of card money often used plain card stock, suggesting a preference for generic material over specialized game decks.
Crucially, when playing cards are specifically identified in historical finds, they tend to be standard French-suited decks. For instance, cards recovered from the French merchant ship L'Aimable Julie (1744) were explicitly described as having "French suits – hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades."
Marseille Tarot vs. Standard Decks: A Quick Comparison
To understand why the evidence points away from the Marseille Tarot, let's look at the key differences:
Note on Esoteric Association of the “Standard” cards: While the historical record often focuses on their recreational use, it's my personal opinion, and one I plan to explore further, that standard French-suited decks and their Spanish and German equivalents have held a significant mystical association for many. Those raised in card-reading families, including diviners and teachers I know whose family practices go back generations, very often report that "regular playing cards" were indeed their standard divination deck. This suggests a parallel, often unwritten, history of their use for fortune-telling alongside their gaming function. It is also often remembered as a regular matter of fact activity. Paraphrasing a sentiment, I’ve heard again and again: - It’s just what we did. We looked for images in our tea and coffee after drinking it, and we told stories with our cards. -
The Silent Record: Where's the Evidence?
Despite extensive historical and archaeological research into French colonial sites, there's a striking absence of specific evidence for the Tarot de Marseille. While generic playing cards are mentioned and found, none are identified as the distinctive 78-card, Italian-suited Tarot de Marseille. Major museums, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, even make a point of categorizing historical decks as "ordinary playing cards (as opposed to tarot cards)," highlighting the specificity required for identification.
The lack of evidence isn't necessarily a sign of poor searching. Several factors likely contributed:
Fragile Artifacts: Paper cards are delicate and rarely survive centuries in humid colonial environments.
Prioritizing Essentials: Colonists likely brought only the most versatile and essential items, and a specialized 78-card game deck might have been a lower priority than more common 52-card decks, especially given the challenges of life built on conquest and exploitation.
Dominance of Standard Decks: French-suited decks were cheaper and easier to mass-produce, making them far more prevalent and accessible for export.
No Divinatory Purpose (Yet!): While my personal belief is that standard playing cards had a long history of divination, the formal, widely recognized "occult" association with Tarot decks in European popular culture came much later. This meant there was no overt "spiritual" reason for colonists to specifically seek out and transport these particular 78-card decks.
The Verdict
Based on the current historical and archaeological record, it's highly unlikely that French colonists brought Tarot de Marseille cards to their settlements in the present-day United States. While playing cards were definitely part of colonial life, the evidence consistently points to standard French-suited decks used for games and even as currency.
This doesn't diminish the rich history of the Marseille Tarot or its profound significance today. It simply reminds us that its journey to becoming a widely recognized tool for divination was a later chapter, long after the initial waves of French colonization in North America, a period marked by profound disruption, violence, and the enduring legacy of injustice for indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans. It also opens the door to considering the hidden, often unacknowledged, history of divination with simpler decks.
What are your thoughts on this historical mystery, particularly when viewed through the lens of a more complete and honest understanding of the colonial era and the potential for a deeper, more personal history of playing card divination? Share in the comments below!
References:
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[32] Dummett, Michael. The Game of Tarot: From Ferrara to Salt Lake City. Duckworth, 1980. (Re-added for explicit mention of Tarock game)
[33] Louisiana Cajun & Creole Tarot. Kickstarter page. Accessed July 14, 2025. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/louisianatarot/louisiana-cajun-and-creole-tarot
[34] Decker, Ronald, Thierry Depaulis, and Michael Dummett. A History of the Occult Tarot. Duckworth, 2004. (Re-added for Trionfi/Tarocchi and game of Tarot details)
