(Please Note: The Celebration Edition of the Tarot of the Bohemians differs from the Jubilee Edition, in that the full color plates have been rendered in greyscale for affordability, and the cover has been changed to differentiate the two editions from each other. Otherwise, the text remains the same. ) ABSOLUTE KEY TO OCCULT SCIENCE THE TAROT OF THE BOHEMIANS The Most Ancient Book in the World. FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF INITIATES By PAPUS Gerard Anaclet Vincent Encausse, b. 1865 d. 1916 Original Title: Clef absolue de la science occulte Translated from the French By A. P. Morton Newly edited and revised by Robert L. Angus Including updated images THE Tarot pack of cards, transmitted by the Gypsies from generation. to generation, is the primitive book of ancient initiation. This has been clearly demonstrated by Guillaume Postel, Court de Gebelin, Etteila, Eliphas Levi, and J. A. Vaillant. The key to its construction and application has not yet been revealed, so far as I know. I therefore wished to fill up this deficiency by supplying Initiates, i. e. those who are acquainted with the elements of occult science, with an accurate guide, which would assist them in the pursuit of their studies. The uninitiated reader will find in it the explanation of the lofty philosophy and science of ancient Egypt; whilst ladies are enabled to practise the use of the divining Tarot, by methods which we have rendered easy in Chapter XX. The book has been so arranged that each part forms a complete whole, which can, if necessary, be studied separately. I have used every effort to be as clear as possible; the public that has warmly welcomed my other books will, I hope, forgive the imperfections inherent to a work of this kind.