While most people are familiar with the Divination Cards of the traditional 78-card Tarot deck, which includes 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards, there are actually many variations across different cultures and time periods. These variations reflect the diverse ways in which Tarot has been used for divination, storytelling, and spiritual guidance. For instance, some decks, like the Tarot of Marseilles, are steeped in European traditions, the Sola-Busca Tarot, created in the late 15th century in Italy includes unique and esoteric imagery that influenced later decks, while others, such as the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, have become widely popular for their rich symbolism and imagery.
More Than The Standard 78
The history of Tarot sometimes includes decks that feature more than 78 cards. For example, the Minchiate Etruria Tarot, which originated in Florence in the 16th century, is significantly larger than the traditional Tarot deck, containing 97 cards. The Minchiate deck includes the standard Tarot suits and trump cards but also adds additional trumps representing the astrological signs, the four elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire), and other allegorical figures. This expansion provided a richer and more varied set of symbols for divination and reflection.
Some of these non-standard decks can contain over 100 cards, incorporating additional suits, unique cards, or expanded Major Arcana. A good example for this would be the Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti which includes extra cards to represent elements and different aspects of the human experience. Similarly, the Mystic Faerie Tarot adds extra faerie-themed cards to its traditional structure.
Other Examples
The Rocambole Tarot, although lesser known, is another variation, offering a unique twist on traditional imagery with an emphasis on adventure and dramatic themes. This deck often includes additional cards or variations in suits to reflect its storytelling nature.
The New Vision Tarot presents a fresh perspective by illustrating scenes from the back, offering a new angle on the traditional Tarot imagery. This deck encourages users to explore different viewpoints and insights.
The Transformational Tarot, available in different versions such as the Gotthold and Butler editions, offers unique artistic interpretations and additional symbolic elements, reflecting personal and spiritual growth.
The Quest Tarot is a modern deck that integrates elements of astrology, runes, and I Ching, providing a multi-faceted approach to divination. The deck’s artwork and symbolism are designed to guide users through a journey of self-discovery.
The Deva Tarot stands out with its inclusion of a fifth suit, the Triax, representing spiritual energy. This addition expands the deck to 93 cards, offering a more complex system for exploring metaphysical concepts.
The King’s Journey Tarot is a narrative-based deck that follows the life of a king through various stages and experiences, making it a powerful tool for storytelling and personal reflection.
The Fifth Tarot also adds a fifth suit representing spirit, emphasizing the connection between the physical and spiritual realms. This deck aims to provide a holistic view of the human experience.
The Healing Earth Tarot focuses on themes of nature and ecology, featuring imagery that highlights the relationship between humans and the natural world. This deck is intended to promote healing and environmental awareness.
The Tarot D: Didactic Tarot offers an educational approach, with cards designed to teach users about the history and symbolism of the Tarot. It includes detailed explanations and guides for each card.
The Tarot of the Silicon Dawn is a highly innovative deck that includes extra cards, multiple versions of certain cards, and unique holographic elements. It challenges traditional Tarot norms and encourages creative interpretations.
Various cultures have developed their own versions of Tarot-like systems, which may not strictly adhere to the 78-card format (sometimes more, sometimes less) but serve similar purposes. For instance:
- Lenormand Cards: Originating from Germany in the 19th century, Lenormand cards consist of 36 cards and are used for divination. These cards are named after the famous French fortune-teller Marie Anne Lenormand.
- Oracle Decks: These can vary widely in the number of cards and themes. Oracle decks often reflect specific spiritual, mythical, or psychological themes, and they do not adhere to the Tarot’s structure. Examples include Doreen Virtue’s Angel Oracle Cards, which feature various angelic messages and guidance.
- I Ching Cards: Based on the ancient Chinese divination system, the I Ching, or Book of Changes, these decks usually contain 64 cards corresponding to the hexagrams used in the traditional I Ching text. The I Ching has been used for thousands of years in China for guidance and decision-making.
- Sibilla Cards: These are Italian fortune-telling cards that typically include 52 cards and have been used since the 18th century. They are known for their detailed and illustrative imagery that depicts everyday life and scenarios.
- Kipper Cards: Another German divination system, Kipper cards include 36 cards and are known for their specific representations of people, events, and situations, similar to Lenormand cards.
- Hanafuda Cards: Originating in Japan, Hanafuda is a traditional card game that also serves divinatory purposes. The deck consists of 48 cards divided into 12 suits, each representing a month of the year.
These variations and expansions in Tarot and related card systems illustrate the rich and evolving nature of card-based divination practices, reflecting the cultural, spiritual, and personal influences that have shaped them over time. The diversity in card decks, from the traditional Tarot to the expansive Minchiate and various oracle and cultural decks, demonstrates the universal human desire to seek guidance, understand the future, and explore the depths of the psyche through symbolic imagery.
