Description

What It's About First published in 1889, this seminal work serves as a comprehensive guide to the "absolute key to occult science." It shifts the perspective of the tarot from a simple card game to a sophisticated system of universal laws. By examining the deck through the lens of ancient Egyptian wisdom and the Hebrew alphabet, it provides a rigorous framework for understanding the metaphysical structure of reality. Key Concepts The text centers on the Tetragrammaton (YHVH) as a key to unlocking the tarot's structure. It explores the correspondence between the 22 Major Arcana and the paths of the Tree of Life, while integrating astrological influences and the mathematical principles of sacred geometry to explain how the cards represent both the macrocosm and the microcosm. Why It Matters This book was a primary catalyst in the 19th-century occult revival. It transformed how the Western world perceives the tarot, influencing major figures and organizations like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. It remains an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the philosophical and mystical roots that underpin modern divinatory practices. About the Author Gérard Encausse, better known by his pseudonym Papus, was a French physician and one of the most prolific occultists of his era. A founder of the Martinist Order and a member of various esoteric societies, Papus dedicated his life to synthesizing diverse mystical traditions into a cohesive "occult science" that remains influential in the study of hermeticism today. About This Edition This is an English translation by A. P. Morton, first published in 1896.

Provenance

Why this book is in the catalog

Included because retained bibliographic metadata links this work to Alchemy and Hermeticism, Astrology, Divination and oracles, Initiatory orders and secret societies, Occultism and esotericism, and Sacred geometry, symbolism, and numerical mysticism.

Occultism and esotericism
Controlled discovery queries from global-grey matched “Occult Teachings and Traditions”. Retained metadata contains “esoteric” in the description, “occult” in the description, “occult” in the subject metadata, and 1 additional metadata match(es).
- “Occult Teachings and Traditions”· via Global Grey ebooks
- “esoteric”· in description
- “occult”· in description
- “occult”· in subject
- “Occult Teachings and Traditions”· in subject
Alchemy and Hermeticism
Retained metadata contains “hermetic” in the description and “Hermeticism” in the description.
- “hermetic”· in description
- “Hermeticism”· in description
Astrology
Retained metadata contains “astrological” in the description.
- “astrological”· in description
Divination and oracles
Controlled discovery queries from openlibrary matched “Divination” and “Tarot”. Retained metadata contains “Tarot” in the title, “Tarot” in the description, “Divination” in the subject metadata, and 2 additional metadata match(es).
- “Divination”· via Open Library
- “Tarot”· via Open Library
- “Tarot”· in title
- “Tarot”· in description
- “Divination”· in subject
- “Tarot”· in subject
Initiatory orders and secret societies
Retained metadata contains “golden dawn” in the description and “Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn” in the description.
- “golden dawn”· in description
- “Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn”· in description
Sacred geometry, symbolism, and numerical mysticism
Retained metadata contains “Sacred geometry” in the description.
- “Sacred geometry”· in description

Membership records how this book met the catalog’s discovery criteria — relevance to a tradition, not a judgment of the book’s claims.

Read & download

Free, public copies reported by our sources. Links open the source directly.

Global Grey ebooks
Global Grey describes the underlying texts in its catalog as public domain; its branding and website name remain protected, and users must assess local law.
Internet Archive
Publicly readable scan; copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. Publicly accessible item; copyright status was not independently determined.

marks a direct file download. Rights vary by country; each source states its own terms.

Buy or borrow

Links to ISBN 0879801581; other editions may be cheaper. WorldCat shows libraries near you that hold a copy.

Editions

Open Library reports 6 editions; 2 cataloged here.

Edition	Date	Publisher	Language	ISBN	Access	Links
Global Grey ebook edition (available formats vary by title)	—	Global Grey ebooks	English	—	Public download	Global Grey ebooks (opens in a new tab) Global Grey ebooks (opens in a new tab) Global Grey ebooks (opens in a new tab) Global Grey ebooks (opens in a new tab)
the most ancient book in the world : for the exclusive use of initiates Open Library record	1896	G. Redway	English, French	—	Public	Open Library (opens in a new tab)