An Interview With Rachel Pollack - Page 6
© Elizabeth Bissette
Q In recent years many people have become interested in the Jewish mystical tradition called Kabbalah. Is there a connection between Tarot and Kabbalah?
A Kabballah interpretation is a main line of esoteric Tarot tradition. There are lots of others, but that's one that stuck. What's interesting is that the structure of Tarot is very similar to structures in Kabbalah. The imagery and symbolism are similar. The connection started about a hundred years ago. Historically, the argument has been made that since Kabballah wasn't introduced into Christianity at the time the first Tarot decks were made it isn't there.
Q Do you think an early connection is possible?
A Mary Greer pointed out that at the court of the people who commissioned the first decks there was in fact a Jewish astrologer. The tradition of astrology in Judaism is a part of Kabballah, so it is possible that he influenced the people at court. It can't be proven but that doesn't mean its not possible.
Q Does there have to be an historical connection between, say, the Bible and Tarot to view Tarot in relation to the Christian tradition?
A I think it's better to give up on that idea. If you try to establish something like that you end up getting all caught up in battles. You can say here's the Tarot. At least for a few hundred years it has been established as a tradition. The people who created and interpreted it were from Christian or Judaic traditions so it's valid to look for symbols of these traditions in the cards.
Q Can someone who's not Jewish or Christian appreciate the Jewish or Christian chapters in your book?
A I hope so. I'm really trying to use those traditions not for their own sake but as examples of spiritual thinking, how people think in terms of spirituality, myth, the soul.
Q Can someone who is not Pagan or Wiccan appreciate the modern Pagan approach to Tarot?
A I feel the same way about that as I do about someone who's not Jewish or Christian appreciating the Jewish or Christian traditions in the book. One of the things I'd like my book to do is to open people up a bit to other people's traditions. I'd really like to see that happen.
The Forest of Souls: A Walk Through the Tarot
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