In this episode of Tarot for Fools, we take a deep dive into one of the most important — and often overlooked — influences on the tarot: Kabbalah.
The Rider–Waite–Smith tarot deck didn’t just appear out of thin air. Its creators drew on the symbolic system of Hermetic Kabbalah, fusing Jewish mysticism with Western occult traditions, astrology, numerology, and the magical philosophy of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
At the heart of this system is the Tree of Life — ten spheres (the Sephirot) connected by 22 paths. Each Sephira represents a stage of energy, from divine spark to material manifestation, and in tarot, these are mirrored in the numbered cards of the Minor Arcana.
In this episode, we cover:
What Kabbalah is, and how Hermetic Kabbalah differs from Jewish Kabbalah.
The Tree of Life and how its ten Sephirot map onto the numbered cards in tarot.
How the Aces through Tens of each suit embody the energy of the Sephirot in different ways.
Why the cards are neither strictly positive nor negative — and how A.E. Waite’s own perspective influenced some of the Rider–Waite–Smith imagery.
The concept of the Four Worlds of Kabbalah (Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah, Assiah) and how they connect to the four suits of the tarot.
A deeper reflection on how tarot works: how the physical cards act as symbols in our world (Assiah), bridging into archetypes (Briah) and universal meaning.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s the link between tarot and Kabbalah, or how to move beyond keyword-style tarot readings into something more layered, this episode will give you a foundation for exploring the esoteric roots of the numbered cards in tarot.
Welcome to the very first (proper) episode of Tarot for Fools — a podcast for anyone curious about the tarot, whether you're just starting out or already deep into your practice.
In this opening episode, Martin (aka The Tarot Bear on TikTok) kicks things off by exploring the basics:
Where did the tarot really come from
What’s the difference between the Major and Minor Arcana?
What do the suits represent, and how do elemental correspondences shape the meanings of cards?
What do the court cards represent, and how do their medieval roles help us interpret them today?
You'll also hear about Martin's own tarot journey — from book-based readings to deeper, more symbolic understanding — and how learning more about the esoteric systems behind the cards (like Kabbalah, astrology and numerology) has transformed his practice.
This episode covers:
Legends about the Library of Alexandria and tarot’s “secret” history
How tarot evolved from a 15th-century card game to a tool for divination
Why the Rider–Waite–Smith deck became the modern standard
The role of Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings — and how gender, power, and personality show up in court card readings
A practical approach to using elemental associations without getting lost in theory
At the end of the episode, Martin tees up what’s coming next: a deeper dive into the hidden systems underpinning the tarot, and a thoughtful look at how tarot “works” — especially for readers who aren’t sure they believe in spirit guides or psychic gifts.
Whether you're in it for the symbolism, the story, or just the strange magic of how the cards seem to know things — this episode sets the stage.
In this introductory episode, I share how my tarot journey began from a sceptical (maybe even downright cynical) worldview to one that intellectualised the Tarot through a psychological framework and how, over time and with plenty of experience, something deeper began to emerge.
I talk about what shifted me from treating tarot as a party trick to an academic side project, to embracing its role as a spiritual tool for insight, hope and connection.
This podcast isn’t about gatekeeping, asserting my unassailable expertise or claiming any mystical powers that give me special insight into the spirit world. But it is about understanding the rich symbolism and esoteric roots of tarot, and why learning them can deepen Tarot readings, both for yourself and others.
Tarot for Fools is a space to explore the Rider–Waite–Smith deck (and others down the line), Western Hermeticism, and the deeper principles that shape tarot philosophy and the very idea of divination.
Whether you're brand new or already reading tarot for others, this is a place to learn, reflect, and hopefully uncover something more.
If you want to know more about me, you can find me on TikTok @Tarot.Bear where I share some info and insights on my learning journey and pull some cards for folks looking for guidance. In the meantime, enjoy the show and subscribe to help this podcast grow.