Stairs of Gold Tarot

Published April 21, 2013 Updated January 21, 2024

Whilst the titles of the cards are in Italian, the Hebrew and Sanskrit letters on the Trump cards denote, respectively, associations with the Cabbala and Vedic metaphysics.

1979 Italy Tavaglione Cartomancy Tarot

The “Stairs of Gold” Tarot cards designed by Giorgio Tavaglione contain multiple attributions which appear somewhat complicated at first sight. Whilst the titles of the cards are in Italian, the Hebrew and Sanskrit letters on the Trump cards denote, respectively, associations with the Cabbala and Vedic metaphysics. In addition there are signs of the Zodiac, Numbers, Celestial alphabet letters and other cryptic symbols incorporated into the ornate borders, as well as the imagery of the Tarot itself, all of which offer the prospect of very in-depth readings with plenty of esoteric correspondences. We could not find any runes or ogham characters amongst the many mystical signs. The minor arcana cards have the same borders and also some symbols.

“Stairs of Gold” Tarot cards designed by Giorgio Tavaglione, 1979

Above: “Stairs of Gold” Tarot cards designed by Giorgio Tavaglione, 1979. 78 cards + title card, plus 80 page explanation booklet. In addition to the general edition there was a gold-edged version limited to 1000 copies signed by the artist. The artist's vision was that this deck was like the steps of a staircase leading from creation/birth upward to ultimate realization. The original symbols of the Tarot major cards have been rendered in a superbly artistic style, but the complicated mystical symbolism may be somewhat obscure for a beginner.

avatar
94 Articles

By Rod Starling (1936-2023)

Member since January 09, 2013

Rod Starling was one of the founding members of the 52 Plus Joker card collectors club. He authored many articles for the club's quarterly newsletter, Clear the Decks. His collection encompasses both foreign and American decks. Rod also authored a book titled The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards.

Related Articles

2019 Justice playing cards

Justice playing cards

Ethical concepts in a deck produced by Riccardo Conturbia’s Passione Playing Cards Ltd.

1897 Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien

Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien

The design of the cards draws inspiration from various religious and philosophical traditions merged...

1981 Alan Tarot Deck

Alan Tarot Deck

Reprint of a Tarock pack originally designed by Argio Orell for the Austrian Lloyd shipping company....

1975 Tarot Baraja Egipcia

Tarot Baraja Egipcia

Curious Tarot with Egyptian-style trumps issued by Franco Mora Ruiz from Mexico.

2021 Le Tarot de Sète

Le Tarot de Sète

Reinterpretation of the Tarot de Marseille by Julien Labat, an artist from Sète.

2022 Oracle Rock

Oracle Rock

Cartomantic set depicting rock and pop stars, designed by La Rata, with a book by Virginie Despentes...

1990 Tarot Philatélique

Tarot Philatélique

Tarot game pack with French postage stamps on all the courts, aces and trumps.

1976 Eki karuta

Eki karuta

Japanese fortune-telling cards based on I Ching, with bold, modern designs.

1991 Il Tarocco del Mondo Nuovo

Il Tarocco del Mondo Nuovo

Imaginative Tarot card designs by Amerigo Folchi relating to Columbus and the New World.

1992 22 Artisti Liguri in 22 Arcani

22 Artisti Liguri in 22 Arcani

Collaborative set of major arcana devoted to Christopher Columbus and his voyages of discovery.

1992 Carte di Colombo

Carte di Colombo

Fully illustrated pack designed by Pier Canosa commemorating the 500th anniversary of the discovery ...

1975 The Tarot of Meditation – Yeager Tarot

The Tarot of Meditation – Yeager Tarot

Marty Yeager’s original Tarot of Meditation from 1975, republished later by U.S. Games Systems, Inc....

1987 Engel-Tarot

Engel-Tarot

Set of major arcana designed by Alois Hanslian depicting angels throughout.

1983 Carte di Natale

Carte di Natale

Designed by Pier Canosa as a Christmas pack for the Cortina Art Gallery in Milan.

1984 Tarot Actuel 1984

Tarot Actuel 1984

Major arcana to cut out, issued with the French magazine Actuel, using photographic images.

Lyon pattern made in Italy by Pietro de Santi

Lyon pattern made in Italy by Pietro de Santi

The Lyon pattern was initially developed in France during the 16th century. As Lyon was a trading hu...