The brevity of this article is necessary, as the space this topic deserves would take a whole book. Speaking of book, the main source for this article is Mystical Origins of the Tarot, by Paul Huson. Another work, Origins of the Tarot, by Dai Leon, was also consulted.
sufism
Ibn al-Arabi
Who was the Sheik al-Akbar? 
Ibn al-Arabi was born in Murcia (modern day Spain) in 1165 A.D. but grew up in Seville.
As an adolescent spirituality and mysticism attracted him. He was but sixteen years of age when he first went into seclusion. During this time he had a deep spiritual awakening.