Tarot reading in the 18th Century



During the 18th century, the art of tarot reading became increasingly popular, and there were several famous tarot readers who gained widespread recognition for their skills and accuracy. Here are some of the most renowned tarot readers of the 18th century:

Marie-Anne Adelaide Lenormand: Lenormand was a French fortune teller who lived from 1772 to 1843. She was famous for her accurate tarot readings and was a trusted advisor to several prominent figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Empress Josephine. Lenormand's tarot deck, the Lenormand deck, is still widely used today.



Etteilla: Jean-Baptiste Alliette, also known as Etteilla, was a French occultist who lived from 1738 to 1791. He is considered one of the pioneers of tarot reading and was the first person to publish a tarot deck specifically for divination purposes. Etteilla's tarot deck was also the first to include numbered cards, which made it easier to use for divination.


Antoine Court de Gébelin: Court de Gébelin was a French writer and scholar who lived from 1719 to 1784. He was one of the first people to suggest that the tarot had ancient Egyptian origins and was originally used for divination. Court de Gébelin's book, Le Monde primitif, was influential in popularizing the idea of using the tarot for divination.


Giuseppe Maria Mitelli: Mitelli was an Italian artist who lived from 1634 to 1718. He was famous for his beautiful tarot decks, which were highly detailed and featured intricate designs. Mitelli's tarot decks were often used by wealthy patrons and aristocrats for divination.
Jean-Baptiste Pitois: Pitois, also known as Paul Christian, was a French occultist who lived from 1811 to 1877. He was a prolific writer on the subject of occultism and tarot reading and was the author of several influential books, including Histoire de la magie and Les mystères de la franc-maçonnerie. Pitois's work helped to popularize tarot reading in the 19th century and beyond.


These are just a few of the most famous tarot readers from the 18th century. Their work helped to establish tarot reading as a respected and valued form of divination, and their influence can still be seen in the practice of tarot reading today.