Great Tarotists of Yesteryear:
Etteilla
By James W. Revak

 

Éclaircissement from Etteilla's TarotA Brief Explanation of Éclaircissement From Etteilla’s Tarot

Etteilla’s Éclaircissement [Enlightenment] is equivalent to the Sun of more traditional decks.  Its principal meaning is indicated by the keyword Éclaircissement near the top of the card.  Its reversed meaning is indicated near the bottom by the keyword Feu [Fire].

In additional to divinatory meanings, Etteilla assigned correspondences to the card.  First, he associated it with what he called the Second Element, i.e., Feu [Fire].  Therefore, 2e Elément [2nd Element] appears at the top and bottom.  In addition, as already noted, the reversed meaning is Feu [Fire].

Second, he associated it with the first day of a creation myth.  Therefore, 1e Création [1st Creation] appears at the top and bottom. 

Finally, he associated it with Taurus.  Therefore, the symbol for this sign of the zodiac appears in the upper left and lower right.

Illustration credit: Adapted from Grand Etteilla: Ou Tarots Egyptiens, based on Etteilla’s original deck of c. 1788, published by France Cartes. 

 

PREVIOUS    CONTENTS    E-MAIL AUTHOR    HOME
Free Bulletin Tells You When Villa Revak Is Updated! I Want More Interactive Adventures In Tarot!
Copyright © 2001 James W. Revak.  All rights reserved.  Version 1.1 (10/23/01).