Spitzer is an experienced teacher, lecturer, and workshop leader. She has led classes in the study of herbal healing, mystical traditions and women’s mysteries. She has taught beginner and advanced astrology and tarot classes at N.H. Technical College, Seacoast Astrological Association, Portsmouth Adult Education and Misty Meadows Herbal Center. She is an accomplished astrologer, counseling in the challenges of change, growth and self-healing and has had articles in many publications, including “Mountain Astrologer” and “Dell’s Horoscope.” This program is free and open to all. Please call the Library, 516-6050, for more information.
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This is not good at all when public libraries distort culture in this way. Tarot cards have not always been used by mystics. Tarot cards first appeared in northern Italy during the 15th century and they were first used to play a type of trick taking card game. Contrary to popular myth, Tarot cards were not initially used for divination or any occult purpose. It was only until the 18th century that we have any evidence of the use of Tarot for divination.
ReplyDeleteThese types of presentations which distort the history of this artifact are harmful to public education. People in Europe still play actual card games with Tarot cards and there also appears to be some interest now outside Europe. It's difficult to educate people about actual games played with Tarot when our educational institutions deny the existence of any Tarot culture apart from divination.
I am in favor of public libraries giving demonstrations about Tarot cards but they should have respect for history and they should promote cultural diversity by informing the public about how Tarot cards are also used in actual games.
Our press release included information from a Wikipedia entry about tarot cards. Our speaker will talk about "Tarot as an Art Form"---not necessarily the purposes of the cards---but I'm sure she'll have her opinion about tarot card games vs divination purposes if you ask her!
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