Product details
- ISBN 9781801522120
- Dimensions: 178 x 254mm
- Publication Date: 28 Apr 2026
- Publisher: Aeon Books Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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Unlock the esoteric wisdom and hidden symbolism in the four suits of the Tarot’s Minor Arcana: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles
This revolutionary guide offers a fascinating and structured exploration of the second half of the Tarot, which is often neglected in Western occult studies, revealing rich esoteric and philosophic significance.
Unlike the more widely studied Major Arcana (discussed in Mebes’ The Encyclopaedia of Occultism), the Minor Arcana – comprising the four suits of Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles – are often dismissed as mundane or purely practical.
In The Minor Arcana of the Tarot, however, Mebes elevates them to a level of spiritual instruction, interpreting them as central forces in mystic study, rooting his teachings in Hermetic, Kabbalistic, and mystical Christian traditions.
His systematic approach guides the reader clearly through each card of the four suits, including the court cards, encouraging meditative engagement with the cards, and emphasising their place in the wider Western esoteric tradition.
Yury Pankratov’s clear and accessible translation from the original Russian is a must-read for any serious student or practitioner of the occult.
G. O. Mebes (1868–1930/1934) was one of the most prominent Russian esotericists of the early 20th century. A mathematics professor, he gained renown for his public lectures titled A Concise Course in the Encyclopedia of Occultism. Mebes held key roles in Russian Freemasonry, Rosicrucian, and Martinist orders. In 1912, he severed ties with the French Martinist order to establish an Autonomous Martinist Order of Russian Obedience. Although Mebes was persecuted by the Soviet state and died in exile, his teachings endured and influenced several generations of occultists both in Russia and abroad.
Yury Pankratov, a native of Russia, earned his PhD in Computer Science before developing an interest in Western esotericism. His journey into the occult began in 2012, inspired by the writings of John Michael Greer, who was then the Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. This led Yury to study ceremonial magic, particularly the Golden Dawn tradition, as well as Hermetic sciences like astrology and alchemy. In 2015, Yury relocated to the United States, where he now lives with his wife, Anastasia.
