Healing Light

The Enigmatic First Mention of Tarot

In our previous post Mysterious Origins, we touched upon the lives of ten key figures who left their mark on the evolution of Tarot. One name stood out for its brevity: Jacques Gringonneur. Today, we’ll attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding this elusive individual who holds the title of being the first to mention Tarot in print.

A Glimmer in the Dark

Unfortunately, details about Jacques Gringonneur are scarce. Historical records offer only a flicker of information, placing him sometime around 1500 as an Astrologer and Qabalist, and possibly a painter, with links to Charles VI of France. His claim to fame rests on a single line found within a legal document from that period. The document mentions the confiscation of playing cards, including “Triomphes” (French for “triumphs”), a term some believe could be an early reference to Tarot.

Was He a Player or a Bystander?

Whether Gringonneur was a player in the world of Tarot – a cartomancer, a cardmaker, or simply someone familiar with the game – remains unknown. His brief mention could simply be a bystander’s reference to a popular game of the time.

The Quest for More

The lack of details surrounding Gringonneur only adds to the intrigue. Historians and Tarot enthusiasts continue to search for further evidence of his role, hoping to shed light on the early usage of the term “Triomphes” and its connection to Tarot.

Beyond Gringonneur

While Jacques Gringonneur may be a fleeting figure, his mention serves as a crucial stepping stone in tracing the path of Tarot. It suggests that by 1500, Tarot, or a very similar game, was already established enough to warrant mention in official documents.

The Journey Continues

The story of Tarot’s evolution unfolds like a captivating narrative. From Gringonneur’s cryptic mention to the influential figures we explored previously, each piece adds to the story. Stay tuned as we continue our exploration of these fascinating individuals who have shaped the practice of Tarot reading.

#TarotHistory #JacquesGringonneur #MysteryOfTheFirstMention #Triomphes #EvolutionOfTarot #PlayingCards #OccultHistory #tarotreading #tarotreaders #tarotcommunity #tarotreadersoffacebook #tarotreadersofinstagram