ABSTRACT
As a historical source, games could support the study of perceptions related to the afterlife from the ancient times and down to the present. This chapter opens with a brief presentation of how games were related to the concept of death and the soul in ancient times. Then, it proceeds to the use of games and game equipment in the world of occultism, focusing especially on the relation of tarot cards to foreseeing the future and seeking esoteric knowledge. Next, the author considers how games were used for millennia as didactic tools to introduce children and adults to various doctrines and moral values and principles. Finally, the study of the relationship between games and religion includes the consideration of the efforts by religious authorities to control gaming by issuing ecclesiastical laws and banning games, mainly games of chance, usually with not much success.
