A combination of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (arguably*) coming out of copyright together with a resurgence in the popularity of Tarot has seen an incredible number of decks released over the last few years.
These decks can be split into two main categories with 3 divisions within each category. The two categories are:
Generalised : That is, they use a very wide (general) theme such as 'dragons' to unify the deck.
Specified : Decks that use a fairly narrow and tightly pre-defined theme such as 'Game of Thrones.
The three divisions within each category are:
Representation : Where the cards are instantly recognisable as being representative of Pamela Smith's illustrations from the RWS deck.
Interpretation : Deeply influenced by the RWS illustrations yet subtly different from RWS. This could be a change of setting (e.g. The Fool is no longer on the edge of a cliff), a variation to The Fool's actions (e.g. The Fool is now heading down the cliff), or a change to The Fool himself (e.g. changed to a marionette or mermaid).
Abstract : Where the cards are not at all (or not easily) recognisable as RWS except by way of an extended study or a deep understanding of both Tarot and the theme.
Understanding which of these categories/divisions a decks falls into helps considerably in selecting a suitable deck to meet your specific purpose and level of experience.
Let's have a look at a few decks using a standard RWS Fool (left) as the control. Remembering, of course, that Smith's Fool was itself a representation/interpretation of the many Fools that came before it! But, we have to start somewhere and the Waite-Smith cards are the most widely recognised (and most copied). The card contains a large amount of symbology but for this blog we will primarily focus on five:
Nearing the edge of a precipice.
Not focused on the danger/risk ahead.
Accompanied by a dog (historically a cat).
Carrying a white rose / feather in cap.
Small bag of possessions over the shoulder.
Decks using a generalised theme that are representations on RWS
Davide Corsi's Fool from 'Tarot at the End of the Rainbow' is an excellent example of the use of a generalised theme. The theme of the deck is broadly "inspired by [...] British and Irish folk tales" which allows Corsi a wide range of artistic expression while remaining close to the RWS design concepts. Other than artistic expression there are few differences between Corsi's and Smith's Fools. (i) The rose is gone, (ii) the feather has become a candle, and (iii) I'm not sure if the fairies are warning or distracting the leprechaun but he faces the same danger/risk of the precipice. The dog still bounds alongside, and the Fool's possessions are carried in a small bag at the end of a staff.
Such decks are excellent for beginners as you could pick up almost any generic Tarot book (relating to RWS) and begin interpreting the cards.
If new to Tarot I strongly recommend selecting a general theme that you enjoy then search for a deck that uses close representations of Pamela Smith's illustrations. IMHO attachment to a theme makes such decks preferable for learning Tarot.
Decks using a generalised theme that are interpretations on RWS
These decks interpret RWS through a theme (as opposed to representing the art using a theme). I prefer decks in this category as they offer new insights into the meanings of the cards (and allow considerable freedom from the over-determined RWS cards).
Aly Fell's illustrations in Barbara Moore's Steampunk Tarot are a perfect example. The RWS cards have been interpreted through a steampunk lens offering familiar, yet strikingly different cards that allow a reader new insights.
Here, The Fools stands atop a roof in Victorian England (hardly the same risk as presented by the precipice) in a starlit, if smog-filled, night. His belongings, no longer a bag, are two chimney brushes. The dog sits calmly by awaiting The Fool's next move/decision.
Another example of 'interpretation' is reviewed in my blog entry One Fool, Two Faces. This marionette Fool has turned and is heading down from the precipice.
A final example is from The Mermaid Tarot by Leeza Robertson (Author), Julie Dillon (Illustrator). Here we see The (mermaid) Fool leaving the ocean and taking first steps on land. The staff and bag of possessions from Smith's Fool remain but the companion animal, rose and feather are gone. I assume the risk remains/exists in moving to land, but the mermaid seems both aware and focused; the acceptance of any risk is entirely intentional.
The decks that fall into this category are best suited to those with at least an intermediate knowledge of Tarot. They also greatly benefit from guide books tailored to the specific deck (generic works on Tarot are likely to offer little insight into the cards and are more likely to confuse the reader).
Decks using a generalised theme but an abstract approach
Victorian Steampunk (by Liz Dean) is another deck using the steampunk theme but this Fool is as far from Moore's and RWS's as it's possible to get! The (rather strange) dog remains, as does the rose, but The Fool is replaced by a clockwork butterfly (or several butterflies?). The precipice is (perhaps) off in the far distance atop one of the mountains and (I presume) the egg represents new life and a new journey.
The standard suits (Pentacles, Swords etc) are gone and replaced with Dragonflies, Bees, Beetles and Moths.
I'm sure if you know Tarot well the deck could be easily mastered and may offer interesting insights. For the rest of us... best to look elsewhere.
...And just because it is also steampunk.
Demarcation is not an easy task. 'Wisdom From The Gods Of The Machine' (by John Matthews) is another steampunk deck that lies somewhere between interpretation and abstract.
The suits have changed and our Fool is now an apprentice. He still has his bag (no staff) and a feather in his cap. He is far more recognisable as The Fool than the butterflies from the Victorian Steampunk deck.
But is there a risk? Is it a new adventure? I guess an apprenticeship is a new journey of sorts. One to think about...
Decks using a specified theme that are representations on RWS
The TV Series Tarot (another by Davide Corsi) takes television series as its theme. In many ways this may seem quite general. However, it is specified in that the programs and characters pre-exit and are quite tightly defined. This deck attempts the task of selecting TV characters/TV series that closely match the RWS card in question. With this particular deck it's a little hit and miss. (To get the most from it also requires that you recognise the 78 shows depicted on the cards).
The Fool, however, is perfect! Who else but this madman in a box could be used to represent The Fool? He is forever setting out on new journeys with no idea when or where he will arrive or what he will face. The Doctor is forever stepping off the precipice into whatever risks/dangers await without any apparent care for his own safety.
"No plan, no backup, no weapons worth a damn, oh, and something else I don't have: anything to lose! " - Dr Who (Matt Smith), 'Pandorica Opens'.
"Emperor Dalek : But you have no weapons, no defences, no plan.
The Doctor : Yeah, and doesn't that just scare you to death?" - Dr Who (Eccleston), 'The Parting of the Ways'.
If you know Dr Who then you gain instant insights into this representation of The Fool. Even if you don't, this card is faithful to the RWS source. The Doctor stands on a precipice (if on an alien world) with his faithful companion (K9), his bag on a staff and feather in hat. The Rose has had to go in favour of the Doctor's sonic but the card is instantly recognisable.
Decks using a specified theme that are interpretations on RWS
Two decks came to mind that offer interesting RWS interpretations. The first is Barbara Moore's 'Tarot in Wonderland' (Illustrations by Eugene Smith) which depicts Alice as The Fool innocently jumping down the hole and taking the first step in her (Fool's) Journey through Wonderland. Alice, however, is no distracted Fool. She jumps down the hole with both purpose and intent.
There is another Wonderland deck that takes the more obvious approach of selecting the Mad Hatter as the Fool and depicting him as an RWS representation. That's fine as an approach but the deck feels forced and doesn't entirely work. Personally, I find the choice of Alice as Fool and following her 'journey through Wonderland' far more inspired and insightful. Moore/Smith have created a beautiful deck, but, it works best if you know the Alice in Wonderland story. Again, a deck for intermediate level users and I would highly recommend getting the box set that includes Moore's book.
The second deck I chose is the 'Game of Thrones Tarot' by Liz Dean (Illustrated by Craig Coss). This choice of theme is perfect for Tarot as the series is jam-packed with archetypes and characters/situations that just scream 'I match this character/card in the Tarot deck!'
The cards are interpretations of RWS (fortunately they did not try to force the GoT characters into poses from the RWS deck). If you know the show even reasonably well then you have already done more than half the work in mastering this deck.
Tyrion Lannister entirely embodies The Fool archetype in the Shakespearean sense. He is no innocent. Rather, he hides his capacity and intellect behind the appearance of a drunken fool. He has little fear and truth is his first and finest weapon. He says what needs to be said without any consideration of consequences and, somehow, sails through while others fall.
On the card we see him in the dragon's den which he entered despite the risk as opposed to being oblivious to it. But this Fool is no hero, nor foolhardy; he is simply accepting of context and what must be done. Sometimes choice, if it exits, is a luxury.
Decks using a specified theme but an abstract approach
The card to the left is from the 'Herbcrafter's Tarot' deck; Author Latisha Guthrie ( Illustration by Joanna Powell Colbert ).
These cards are difficult for any except an accomplished reader. They are, perhaps, best suited to someone with a good understanding of both Tarot and the theme (herb craft) that is being employed.
It is hard, at first, to find ties between this card and Smith's RWS illustration. Only with careful study/contemplation does the symbology start to surface. The layout (flowers centre/stones pointing outwards) represents a compass (the Fool's Journey), The Fool's bag is visible (lower right) and a spirit animal (now a butterfly) remains. Digging deeper we find dandelions "can be viewed as symbols of a free-spirited soul, of innocence, and of playfulness." (florgeous.com/dandelion-flower-meaning).
I guess the seed head of a dandelion blows free... and from there the journey into the depths of this card begins.
Quite wonderful! But not a deck for the casual reader.
*Copyright : It is arguable if the RWS copyright ended in 2012 (70 years after A.E.Waite's death) or if the copyright ends this year 70 years after Pamela Colman Smith's death.
** Davide Corsi's decks on the La Scarabeo site
** Barbara Moore's decks on Tarot Shaman
** Liz Dean's Homepage
Decks referenced in this blog:
The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck By Professor Arthur Edward Waite (Author), Pamela Colman Smith (Artist). Publisher US Games Systems Inc.
Tarot at the End of the Rainbow By Davide Corsi (Artist), Publisher Lo Scarabeo
The Steampunk Tarot By Barbara Moore (Author), Aly Fell (Artist), Publisher Llewellyn
Mermaid Tarot By Leeza Robertson (Author), Julie Dillon (Artist), Publisher Llewellyn
Victorian Steampunk Tarot : Unravel the Mysteries of the Past, Present, and Future By Liz Dean (Author), Bev Speight (Artist), Publisher CICO Books
The Steampunk Tarot: Wisdom from the Gods of the Machine by John & Caitlin Matthews (Authors), Wil Kinghan (Artist), Publisher Tuttle
TV Series Tarot By Gero Giglio, Davide Corsi (Artist), Publisher Lo Scarabeo
Tarot in Wonderland By Barbara Moore (Author), Eugene Smith (Artist), Publisher Llewellyn
HBO's Game of Thrones Tarot By Liz Dean (Text by), Craig Coss (Artist), Publisher Chronicle Books
The Herbcrafter's Tarot By Latisha Guthrie (Author), Joanna Powell Colbert (Artist), Publisher US Games Systems Inc.
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