This early link between spirituality and cards prepared the way for their subsequent application in a number of esoteric traditions. In the late 14th century, card gamenetent slotss began to appear in Europe and took on various forms, each with a unique cultural meaning. The spiritual connotations of the tarot deck, which first appeared in Italy during the Renaissance, made it especially noteworthy. After being used for games at first, tarot cards eventually evolved into a tool for introspection and divination.