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Perspectives on the History of Tarot

Tarot, originally a 15th century card game from Italy, has evolved into a form of personal mysticism and spiritual exploration, offering new visions of expanding awareness.

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Pomeranian Tarot

Pomeranian Tarot

A Pomeranian Tarot deck with etchings by Georg Pommer published by Conrad Jegel, 1852.

Quên Tarot

Quên Tarot

A mystical voyage of love and self-discovery created by Duy Khánh Võ.

Ramses II tarot

Ramses II tarot

Ramses II Tarot deck was published c.1975 in conjunction with a Peruvian occult or esoteric magazine.

Rider Waite Tarot - details compared

Rider Waite Tarot - details compared

After the first edition of the Rider-Waite tarot in 1909 four further editions were published till approx 1940. These differ in several attributes: outline artwork, colours, lettering and card thickness.

Rider Waite Tarot early editions

Rider Waite Tarot early editions

Rider Waite Tarot early editions

Rider-Waite Tarot

Rider-Waite Tarot

The Rider Waite Tarot was created at the beginning of the 20th century by Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith.

Rolla Nordic Tarot

Rolla Nordic Tarot

Rolla Nordic Tarot was drawn by Paul Mathison.

Russell Grant tarot

Russell Grant tarot

Russell Grant astro-tarot with optimistic and motivational illustrations by Kay Smith.

Self-Guided Tarot by Cameo Victor

Self-Guided Tarot by Cameo Victor

Human beings have always yearned to understand the experience of life. The knowledge that we seek is not really hidden, we each have to find it within ourselves.

Serravalle-Sesia Tarot

Serravalle-Sesia Tarot

Serravalle-Sesia Tarot published by Fratelli Avondo, c.1880.

Shipman’s Guide: early card-packs and the Arcana

Shipman’s Guide: early card-packs and the Arcana

In late medieval Europe, among the various forms of card-sets that were tried, two were apparently found most useful.

Sola-Busca Tarocchi

Sola-Busca Tarocchi

The Sola-Busca Tarocchi, c.1491

Stairs of Gold Tarot

Stairs of Gold Tarot

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.

Sternenmädchens Wahrsagespiel Tarot

Sternenmädchens Wahrsagespiel Tarot

A colourful 1970s take on the major arcana designed by Peter Geitner, with titles in German.

Swiss Scenic Tarock

Swiss Scenic Tarock

Scenic Tarock deck produced by Fabrique de Cartes J. Müller & Cie (Schaffhouse), Suisse.

Tarocchi di Mantegna, c.1465

Tarocchi di Mantegna, c.1465

The so-called Tarocchi di Mantegna (c.1465) reflect an ideological structure bringing to mind the soul's progress towards perfection.

Tarocchini Bolognesi by Carlo Zanardi

Tarocchini Bolognesi by Carlo Zanardi

Tarocchini Bolognesi by Carlo Zanardi, c.1850

Tarocco Bolognese

Tarocco Bolognese

Tarocco Bolognese

Tarocco Indovino

Tarocco Indovino

Sergio Ruffolo’s “Tarocco Indovino” is an expanded version of his “Lo Zodiaco” cartomancy deck.

Tarocco Milanesi by Lamperti (Milan) c.1850

Tarocco Milanesi by Lamperti (Milan) c.1850

Tarocco Milanesi by Lamperti (Milan) c.1850