Prophetical, Educational and Playing Cards

"Prophetical, Educational and Playing Cards" by John King Van Rensselaer is an exploration of the history and importance of playing cards. The book, penned in the early 1900s, examines how cards evolved from tools of divination in ancient religious traditions to instruments for gambling and entertainment. It argues that the symbols in card decks are linked to ancient figures like Mercury and Thoth. Starting with an examination of the three main types of playing cards—divinatory, gambling, and educational—the author explains their origin and their connection to ancient fortune-telling. The book claims that Tarot decks, with their varied imagery and symbols, are an extension of these long-ago mysteries, setting the stage for a thorough analysis of how these cards embody the rituals and beliefs of ancient cultures.