The Etteilla Tarot: Origins, History, and Card Meanings

The Etteilla Tarot is one of the most fascinating and unique Tarot decks, designed for divination and predictive readings. Its creator, Jean-Baptiste Alliette, better known by his pseudonym Etteilla, was a French occultist and Tarot enthusiast who is widely credited with popularizing Tarot as a tool for fortune-telling. This deck, rich in symbolism and history, remains a cornerstone of Tarot Reading, online Tarot, and free Tarot insights today.


Cards in this Deck

 


Jean-Baptiste Alliette and the Influence of Etteilla Tarot on the Art of Divination

Jean-Baptiste Alliette played a crucial role in the development of Tarot theory. His works and activities were the first large-scale attempt to popularize fortune-telling with cards, initially using playing cards and later Tarot cards. He established a connection between Tarot, esotericism, Kabbalah, and astrology. More importantly, he was the first to introduce decks specifically designed for meditation and divination, laying the foundation for modern Tarot reading.

Today, Etteilla Tarot remains a significant influence in the world of Tarot cards prediction and interpretation. Many practitioners still refer to the meanings of Grand Etteilla Tarot cards when performing a Tarot reading. This article delves into the life and legacy of Jean-Baptiste Alliette, his contributions to Tarot, and how his system shaped contemporary fortune-telling methods.

Historical Context and Early Years

Jean-Baptiste Alliette was born in Paris in 1738, the son of a provisions supplier. Little is known about his early life, and historical records remain scarce regarding his education and formative years. However, his writing style suggests that he had a modest education, possibly supplemented by self-study. Linguists note that his literary French was relatively poor, which indicates that he was not formally trained in academia.

In 1763, Alliette married Jeanne Wattier, but their marriage ended in divorce six years later. During this time, he made a living as a seed merchant, a profession that provided him with a modest income. Some sources in Tarot literature claim that he worked as a hairdresser or wig maker, but no concrete evidence supports this claim. The only reference to such a profession comes from Eliphas Lévi, who wrote:

“In the last century, Alliette, a hairdresser, became a Kabbalist after meditating on the Tarot for thirty years. Alliette, who called himself Etteilla, reading his name backward in a pseudo-Hebraic manner, was close to discovering all that was hidden in this marvelous book. However, he rearranged the Tarot keys incorrectly, as he did not fully understand them, thus distorting the order and meaning of the figures without completely destroying their analogies.”

Despite these uncertainties, Alliette’s influence on the development of Tarot reading and interpretation is undeniable.

First Steps in the World of the Occult

Alliette’s journey into esotericism began in the late 1760s. Like many intellectuals of his time, he was fascinated by astrology, Kabbalah, and the mystical properties of symbols. He studied the symbolism of Tarot cards, exploring their deeper connections to hidden knowledge.

At this time, Tarot was primarily viewed as a game rather than a divination tool. However, Alliette saw something more profound in the cards. Inspired by esoteric traditions, he developed a unique method of Tarot reading that transformed the ordinary playing card deck into a powerful divination tool. His system introduced structured meanings to each card, influencing later occultists such as Eliphas Lévi and the creators of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck.

Through his studies, Alliette linked the Tarot with astrological and Kabbalistic correspondences, arguing that the cards held universal wisdom. His approach emphasized Tarot cards prediction as a means of self-discovery and foresight, paving the way for modern fortune-telling.

The Pseudonym Etteilla: The Origin of the Name

In 1770, Jean-Baptiste Alliette published his first book on divination, using the pseudonym Etteilla—his last name spelled backward. This name became synonymous with Tarot card interpretation and remains widely recognized in esoteric circles today.

The choice of this pseudonym was likely deliberate. By inverting his name, he created a sense of mystique and occult symbolism, which was common among esotericists of his era. Many practitioners believed that reversing letters or words held hidden magical properties.

Etteilla’s decision to use an alias also distanced his mystical work from his personal and professional life. During the 18th century, engaging in divination and the occult was often frowned upon by religious and scientific authorities. By adopting a pseudonym, he protected himself from potential criticism while crafting a brand identity that would become legendary in the Tarot community.

Publication of the First Book on Divination

In 1770, Etteilla released his first book, “Etteilla, or a Way to Entertain Yourself with a Deck of Cards”. This publication outlined a method for fortune-telling using a standard 32-card Piquet playing deck, with the addition of a unique extra card known as “Etteilla”, which represented the querent.

The deck was divided into the four traditional suits—hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades—each carrying specific meanings. Etteilla’s approach emphasized Tarot reading free from traditional constraints, allowing for a fluid interpretation based on card position and orientation.

One of the most revolutionary aspects of his system was the concept of reversed card meanings. If a card appeared upright, it carried one interpretation, but when reversed, its meaning changed entirely. This concept later became a staple in modern Tarot reading. Some examples from Etteilla’s system include:

  • The Ten of Hearts: Upright, it symbolized a city or community. Reversed, it indicated an inheritance.
  • The King of Spades: Upright, it represented a lawyer. Reversed, it signified a widower.

Etteilla’s book became one of the first formal guides to Tarot divination, marking a major shift from Tarot as a game to Tarot as a mystical tool. His interpretations influenced future occultists and laid the groundwork for structured Tarot card meanings.

Development of the First Specialized Tarot Deck

Etteilla’s most significant contribution to Tarot was the creation of a dedicated deck designed solely for divination. While earlier Tarot decks, such as the Tarot de Marseille, were primarily used for gaming, Etteilla was the first to introduce a Tarot deck specifically intended for esoteric and fortune-telling purposes.

In 1783, he published “Etteilla, or the Only Way to Read Tarot”, marking a pivotal moment in Tarot history. Soon after, he designed his own Grand Etteilla Tarot deck, which differed significantly from previous Tarot decks in several ways:

  • Esoteric Symbolism: Unlike traditional Tarot decks, Etteilla incorporated Kabbalistic, astrological, and alchemical symbols into his cards.
  • Reorganized Major Arcana: He rearranged the structure of the cards, altering their order and meanings to fit his mystical system.
  • Specific Card Meanings: Each card was labeled with a predefined interpretation, making his deck more structured for beginners in Tarot reading.

Etteilla’s Tarot deck became the first mass-produced esoteric Tarot deck, a groundbreaking innovation that influenced all future occult Tarot systems, including the Rider-Waite and Thoth decks.

System of Divination in the Etteilla Tarot

One of the most defining aspects of Etteilla’s Tarot reading system was its structured approach to divination. Unlike earlier methods, which relied on intuition and symbolic interpretation, Etteilla’s method introduced a systematic reading process.

Key elements of his system included:

  1. Fixed Meanings for Each Card – Every card had both an upright and a reversed meaning, which became standard practice in Tarot reading.
  2. Elemental and Astrological Associations – Each card was connected to astrological influences and elemental correspondences, reinforcing its predictive power.
  3. Question-Specific Spreads – Etteilla’s method involved specific Tarot spreads tailored to different types of questions, such as love, career, or destiny.

Etteilla’s structured approach brought legitimacy to Tarot as a predictive tool, making it more accessible to a wider audience.


The Dual Interpretation of Cards: Upright and Reversed

A revolutionary aspect of Etteilla Tarot cards prediction was his use of dual meanings for each card, based on whether they appeared upright or reversed.

For example:

  • The Ace of Cups (Upright) – Represents joy, love, and abundance.
  • The Ace of Cups (Reversed) – Signifies sadness, emotional loss, or betrayal.
  • The Four of Swords (Upright) – Indicates rest, recovery, and reflection.
  • The Four of Swords (Reversed) – Suggests exhaustion, anxiety, or forced isolation.

This concept added depth and nuance to readings, making Tarot reading more dynamic and multi-layered. Today, the practice of using reversed card meanings remains a standard technique in Tarot reading free and professional sessions alike.

Symbolism and Structure of the Grand Etteilla Tarot

Etteilla’s deck diverged significantly from traditional Tarot structures. Instead of the 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana, his deck included a unique system of 78 cards with highly detailed esoteric imagery.

Some key structural changes included:

  • Card Numbering – Unlike standard Tarot decks, Etteilla rearranged the numerical order of the Major Arcana, placing “Chaos” as the first card instead of The Fool.
  • Elemental Suit Correspondences – The four suits (wands, cups, swords, pentacles) were redefined to align with the four elements: fire, water, air, and earth.
  • Astrological and Kabbalistic Symbols – Many cards contained planetary symbols, zodiac signs, and Hebrew letters, reflecting deeper mystical meanings.

These innovations laid the foundation for modern Tarot card interpretations, influencing popular Tarot reading techniques used today.

Influence of the Etteilla Tarot on Modern Readings

Etteilla’s Tarot system remains highly influential in contemporary Tarot readings. His structured approach introduced many of the key features that define modern Tarot practice, such as:

✔️ Predefined Card Meanings – His system established the fixed interpretations that are now widely used in Tarot books and online resources.

✔️ Card Reversals as Standard Practice – Before Etteilla, reversed cards were rarely considered significant. Today, nearly all Tarot readers incorporate upright and reversed meanings in their readings.

✔️ Thematic Tarot Spreads – Etteilla pioneered the use of spread layouts tailored to specific questions, a practice that has become essential in modern Tarot readings.

✔️ Integration of Astrology and Kabbalah – His system set the precedent for connecting Tarot cards with zodiac signs and mystical traditions, a technique now widely used in Tarot card prediction.

His influence can still be seen in modern divination tools, from traditional Grand Etteilla Tarot readings to digital Tarot reading free platforms, which use his methodologies for automated readings.

Key Interpretations of Grand Etteilla Tarot Cards

Etteilla’s Tarot deck introduced a unique system of meanings, blending traditional Tarot symbolism with esoteric knowledge, astrology, and Kabbalah. Unlike the Rider-Waite-Smith or Marseille Tarot decks, Grand Etteilla Tarot has a distinct structure with specific predefined interpretations for each card.

Each card in the Grand Etteilla Tarot deck has:
A fixed keyword meaning (often labeled directly on the card)
A reversed meaning, adding depth to readings
Astrological and elemental correspondences

Below is a breakdown of the most important cards and their meanings

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