Tarot History 101:
An Interactive Quiz
By James W. Revak

Eclaircissement from Etteilla's Tarot

Etteilla assigned three correspondences to Eclaircissement [Enlightenment], which is equivalent to the Sun of more traditional decks. 

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, the reversed meaning, which appears near the bottom, 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: Eclaircissement [Enlightenment] from Etteilla’s Tarot (adapted from Grand Etteilla: Ou Tarots Egyptiens, which is based on Etteilla’s original deck of c. 1788, published by Grimaud). 

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