Cultural Variations in Tarot: Appropriation or Appreciation?

Introduction

While many associate tarot with the mystical divination of the Romani people, its origins lie in a 15th-century card game played by the Italian elite. This historical tension is the source of a crucial, modern-day debate: When does drawing from different traditions cross the line from appreciation into appropriation?

As tarot gains mainstream popularity, practitioners are increasingly called to engage with its complex past and the power dynamics that have shaped it. Understanding the cultural variations in Tarot practices is no longer just an academic exercise; it is essential for anyone seeking an ethical and informed connection to the cards. This conversation asks us to look deeper at who benefits, whose voices are centered, and how we can honor the craft's diverse influences without causing harm.

To navigate this landscape responsibly, this article explores the nuanced history of tarot, from its aristocratic beginnings to its adoption by various occult and spiritual movements. We will examine the sociopolitical shifts that define the community today and unpack the critical difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation in your own practice.

Unpacking the Dual Histories of Tarot

To understand the modern complexities surrounding cultural variations in Tarot practices, we must first examine its bifurcated history. The story of tarot is not one singular thread but two parallel narratives that have become deeply intertwined, often contentiously. One is a story of European leisure and esotericism, while the other is steeped in the history of marginalized peoples and the practice of divination.

The European Aristocratic Origins

The earliest tarot cards, known as carte da trionfi ("cards of triumph"), emerged in 15th-century Italy. They were not initially tools for fortune-telling but rather an elaborate card game enjoyed by the aristocracy. These lavish, hand-painted decks were status symbols, reflecting the art, philosophy, and social structures of Renaissance European society. It was not until the late 18th century, primarily through the work of French occultists like Antoine Court de Gébelin and Jean-Baptiste Alliette (Etteilla), that tarot was systematically linked with mysticism, Egyptian lore, and Kabbalah, transforming it into a tool for occult practices. This esoteric framework also introduced concepts like using the cards to unlock your life path and understand one's personal spiritual journey. This history solidifies tarot's deep roots within a specific European cultural and intellectual context.

The Romani People and the Rise of Divination

The second, and more fraught, history involves the Romani people. Arriving in Europe around the same time tarot was gaining popularity, the Romani were—and continue to be—a marginalized and persecuted ethnic group. They became popularly associated with fortune-telling, and cartomancy (card reading) became one of the few economic avenues available to them. This association created the enduring and often harmful stereotype of the "gypsy fortune-teller." While the Romani did not invent tarot, their role in popularizing card reading as a form of divination is undeniable. However, this history is complex; the association was often forced upon them by an outside culture that both exoticized and criminalized their traditions, creating a complicated legacy of both cultural contribution and painful stereotyping.

This historical friction—between a tradition of elite European esotericism and a public practice shaped by marginalized peoples—is the very fault line where today's debates about ownership, respect, and appropriation erupt.

Is Practicing Tarot a Form of Cultural Appropriation?

The conversation around tarot and cultural appropriation is a central component of the ongoing tarot community cultural reckoning. As practitioners become more aware of history and power relations, the question—is tarot cultural appropriation?—has become unavoidable. The answer is not a simple yes or no but requires a nuanced understanding of context, intent, and impact.

Defining Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation

Before proceeding, it is essential to distinguish between two key terms. Cultural appropriation is the adoption of elements of a minority culture by members of the dominant culture, often without permission or understanding. It frequently involves stripping these elements of their original meaning, profiting from them, and perpetuating harmful stereotypes, thereby reinforcing unequal power structures. Cultural appreciation, in contrast, involves engaging with a culture with the intent to learn, honor, and understand. It requires respect, acknowledgment of origins, and often, direct engagement with and support for the source community.

The Core of the Debate in the Tarot Community

The debate within the tarot community is multifaceted. One perspective argues that since tarot originated as a European card game and was later adapted by European occultists, its practice by people of European descent is not appropriation. This view centers the aristocratic and esoteric history of the cards. However, a growing counter-argument highlights several critical issues. First, it points to the historical erasure of the Romani people's role in popularizing tarot as a divinatory tool and the continued harm caused by romanticized stereotypes. Second, it scrutinizes the explosion of modern tarot decks that borrow imagery, symbols, and spiritual concepts from non-Western cultures (such as Indigenous, African Diasporic, or Eastern spiritualities) without permission, consultation, or benefit to those communities. This is where many of the clearest examples of appropriation occur, reflecting significant tarot cultural shifts.

Power Relations and Historical Context

At its heart, this debate is about power relations. The modern wellness and spiritual markets are multi-billion dollar industries dominated by white entrepreneurs and consumers. When these markets commercialize practices rooted in marginalized cultures, it reflects and perpetuates unequal gender racial and class power relations in tarot. Practices for which marginalized people, particularly women and the Romani, were historically persecuted are now rebranded and sold as chic self-care tools. This dynamic, influenced by broader sociopolitical movements demanding social justice, forces the community to confront who profits from these practices and whose histories are being honored or erased. Examining specific decks and their cultural interpretations of tarot provides a clearer picture of how these complex dynamics play out in the real world.

Global Tarot Interpretation: A Spectrum of Cultural Shifts

The evolution of tarot has led to a vast landscape of decks, each offering a unique lens through which to interpret its archetypes. These cultural variations in Tarot practices range from respectful homage and cultural reclamation to blatant appropriation. Analyzing specific examples reveals the spectrum of ethical engagement and highlights the impact of cultural interpretations of tarot cards.

Western Esotericism and the Rider-Waite-Smith Legacy

The Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck, first published in 1909, is the bedrock of modern tarot. Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, its imagery is deeply rooted in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society dedicated to the study of Western occult practices. Its symbolism draws from astrology, Kabbalah, and Christian mysticism, creating a distinctly Western esoteric framework. The massive influence of the RWS deck has made its system the default for global tarot interpretation, setting a standard from which other decks either derive or consciously depart.

Case Study: The Santa Muerte Tarot

The Santa Muerte Tarot is a powerful example of a deck that walks a fine line between appreciation and appropriation. It incorporates the iconography of Santa Muerte, a folk saint venerated primarily in Mexico, into the traditional tarot structure. For some, the deck is a beautiful tribute that introduces a powerful spiritual figure to a wider audience. For others, particularly those within the devotional practice, it represents the commercialization and decontextualization of a sacred and often misunderstood faith. Critics argue that using Santa Muerte's image without deep connection to the practice risks turning a complex figure of protection for marginalized communities into a trendy, "edgy" aesthetic for outsiders.

Case Study: The Dust II Onyx Tarot

In stark contrast, the Dust II Onyx: A Melanated Tarot Deck by Courtney Alexander is a celebrated example of cultural reclamation. Created by a Black artist, this deck is intentionally centered in the cultural and spiritual experiences of the African Diaspora. It replaces the Eurocentric imagery of traditional tarot with figures, symbols, and archetypes that resonate with Black history and identity. This is not an act of borrowing but an act of creation from within a culture. It serves as a tool for empowerment and reflection for a community long excluded from mainstream esoteric spaces, demonstrating how cultural interpretations of tarot can be a profound act of affirmation.

These examples show that the creation and use of a tarot deck are never neutral acts. They are embedded in cultural contexts and power dynamics, which necessitates a more conscious and ethical approach from every practitioner.

Steps Toward an Ethical and Informed Tarot Practice

Navigating the complex world of modern tarot requires mindfulness and a commitment to ethical engagement. As the community continues its cultural reckoning, practitioners can take concrete steps to ensure their practice is rooted in respect, awareness, and support for diverse creators. This applies whether you're performing a complex reading or just looking for straightforward daily guidance. Moving from passive consumption to conscious participation is key to fostering a more equitable tarot culture.

Researching the Deck and its Creator

Before purchasing a new deck, take the time to investigate its origins. Who is the creator? What is their background and their relationship to the culture or themes depicted in the deck? An artist creating from their own lived experience offers a different level of authenticity than one who is borrowing from a culture to which they do not belong. Look for interviews, artist statements, and reviews that shed light on the creator's intentions and process. This simple act of research can prevent you from inadvertently supporting a project that perpetuates harm.

Acknowledging Historical Context in Your Readings

Incorporate an awareness of tarot's complex history into your personal practice, from complex readings to pulling a card for daily insight. This means moving beyond a simplistic origin story. Acknowledge its roots in the Italian aristocracy, its development within European occult practices, and the often-erased role and harmful stereotyping of the Romani people in popularizing cartomancy. This historical consciousness adds depth to your practice and fosters respect for all the threads that make up the tapestry of modern tarot.

Supporting Creators from Marginalized Communities

One of the most direct ways to challenge the unequal gender, racial, and class power relations in tarot is to vote with your wallet. Actively seek out and purchase decks from creators who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, disabled, and from other underrepresented communities. Supporting their work helps diversify the visual and symbolic language of tarot and ensures that profits are directed toward the communities that have historically been marginalized or exploited by mainstream spiritual industries.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

To guide your purchasing decisions, consider asking the following questions:

• Who created this deck? What is their cultural background and their personal connection to the subject matter?
• How are the cultural symbols used? Are they presented with depth and respect, or are they treated as superficial aesthetics? Does the guidebook provide meaningful context?
• Who benefits from this deck's sale? Does the creator belong to the community being depicted? Is a portion of the proceeds being donated back to that community?
• What is the reception within the source community? Have members of the culture represented in the deck spoken out about it, either in support or with criticism? Listening to these voices is paramount.

Conclusion

The journey of tarot from an aristocratic card game to a global spiritual tool is marked by a complex and often contentious history of privilege, marginalization, and commercialization. Understanding this dual legacy—the European esoteric tradition alongside the often-erased divinatory practices associated with the Romani people—is no longer optional for the modern practitioner; it is essential for navigating the practice with integrity.

As the community continues its cultural reckoning, the focus must shift from a passive interpretation of symbols to an active interrogation of their origins and impact. By researching creators, supporting artists from underrepresented communities, and acknowledging the full historical narrative, we transform our practice from simple consumption into a conscious act of respect. Looking ahead, the evolution of tarot depends on our collective willingness to engage in these difficult conversations. The challenge is not merely to avoid appropriation, but to actively build a practice that is as equitable, inclusive, and deeply considered as the wisdom we seek from the cards themselves.