English Tarot Cards
The game of tarot was not widely accepted in England until the 1870s when a number of English occultists had begun taking an interest.
Generally-speaking, the game of tarot was not widely accepted in England until the 1870s when a number of English occultists had begun taking an interest in the tarot, such as Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers (1854-1918), Arthur Edward Waite (1857–1942) and Aleister Crowley (1875-1947). Cartomantic tarots commenced being produced in the early 20th century and since then there has been a distinguished output of English Tarot Cards.
Leading up to this, the eighteenth century had brought a revival of interest in the older tradition and antiquarianism became fashionable. There was an intense curiosity about the glories of the past, a time of rediscovery and of much vague theorizing mingled with scholarship. From about 1850 England saw the rise of a growing interest in spiritualism, including interest in séances, connecting with the dead, the occult, etc. Madame Helena P. Blavatsky (1831-1891) founded the Theosophical Society which connected with Eastern mysticism, and a line of successors introduced Eastern spirituality to the West. These included Annie Besant (1847-1933), J. Krishnamurti (1895–1986), G.I. Gurdjieff (1866-1949), P.D. Ouspensky (1878-1947), etc., as well as Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Transcendental Meditation in the 1960s, the hippie movement, Sri Prabhupada's Hare Krishna movement and so forth. Today the range of New Age or alternative therapies available includes Tarot readings, Chakra realignment and cleansing, crystals, massage etc to a myriad of other options. Virtually anything can be found.
Back in Victorian England, MacGregor Mathers, leader of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, was the author of a popular booklet on the tarot, in which he wrote that "the Tarot, consisting as it does, of the ten numbers of the decimal scale counterchanged with the tetrad, and of a hieroglyphical alphabet of twenty-two mystic symbols, must be relegated to a far earlier period in the history of the world than that usually assigned to the introduction of cards into Europe". Mathers was no doubt aware of the new ideas originating from the East, and also offered theories on the Egyptian origins of the Tarot, and threw in some extra ideas about Gnosticism and Cabbalism.
The Rider-Waite Tarot Cards were first published in England in 1909, and printed by William Rider & Son, London. They were sold either separately, or accompanied by a book written by Arthur Edward Waite titled "The Key to the Tarot". The Rider-Waite tarot was reissued in 1910 and many times since then. It became the most popular tarot pack of the twentieth century The Rider-Waite Tarot was designed by A.E. Waite and Pamela Colman Smith, and it expresses the artist's sense of mysticism, ritual, imagination, fantasy and emotional experience within the context of Waite's astrological and alchemical symbolism. |
The Thomson-Leng Tarot Fortune Cards, like the Romany Fortune-Telling Cards, were published in 1935 for readers of women's magazines of the day and printed by The Universal Playing Card Company, Leeds more → The accompanying booklet describes the cards as "the oldest and most wonderful fortune telling cards in the world in which seers throughout the ages have recorded their knowledge", and then gives instructions on consulting the cards in 'the gypsy way'. Examination of the pack reveals that some of the symbolical motifs reappear in Fournier's "El Gran Tarot Esoterico" (1978). |
The Thoth Tarot was painted by Lady Frieda Harris (1877-1962) under the guidance of Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) during WWII, a time of great national anguish. The imagery of the cards reflects Crowley's eclectic occultist philosophy which, like Waite, included astrological and alchemical symbolism, along with other esoteric lore more → There have been several editions of this pack published since 1972 and it has become one of the more popular 20th century tarot packs. The original paintings were made with wartime materials, and are currently housed in the Warburg Institute, London, where they are beginning to show signs of deterioration. |
During the late 1940s and 1950s The Insight Institute, of New Malden in Surrey, ran correspondence courses on the Tarot, which consisted of lessons with homework which was checked by tutors. The principal of the Institute was Adrienne Arden, and the "Directors of Studies" were Richard Eden, Noel Jaquin, Colin Evans, Edward Whitman, Vera Crompton and Frank Lind, who subsequently published the correspondence course material under his own name. |
he Insight Institute also published courses on Astrology, Graphology, Chiro-Psychology, Yoga and Psychic development, as well as a set of 'Authenticated' Tarot cards. The Insight Institute Tarot course describes the origins of the Tarot as 'Indian', introduced by gypsies who spoke Romany, which accounts for the problemmatic origin of the word 'tarot', (according to the Insight Institute). |
The Rolla Nordic Tarot was first published in 1960 during the hippie tarot revival and was inspired by the Insight Institute’s tarot study course.
During the 1970s Waddingtons distributed tarot packs in England, often in conjunction with Stuart Kaplan, such as the 1JJ Tarot deck manufactured by A.G. Müller + Cie, Switzerland in 1970. Stuart Kaplan also commenced publishing 'complete and authoritative guides' on the tarot, as well as re-publishing the Rider-Waite Tarot (see above) which has now become a classic.
The English (or Rigel) Tarot Cards were published by Rigel Press Ltd, London, UK, 1975. These were claimed to be ‘Authentic English fortune telling’ Tarot cards, said to be based on a 15th century original found in the British Museum. However, these claims are misleading more►
Waddington's Girl Talk Fantasy Fortune Cards were published in 1989 & 1992: 40 cards. The recommended age is 8-12 years, and simple instructions are given for laying out the cards and telling fortunes, also cautioning that "of course, no one can really predict the future "
The Psychic Companions, formerly The Psychic Friends Network and based in Lancashire, runs a phone-a-psychic service using either tarot, runes or numerology. A set of tarot cards and runes is available, along with a quarterly magazine covering a variety of psychic topics, workshops, prize draws and classified ads. The customer pays for readings at the rate of £1 per minute.
There are a total of 26 cards in the pack: 22 Major Arcana plus the four aces of the tarot deck. Each card is clearly numbered at the top, in Helvetica typeface, and inscribed along the bottom in a half-uncial style of calligraphy, so that the data can be given to the psychic over the telephone. The leaflet accompanying the cards describes the tarot as "one of the most important forms of western mysticism".
Russell Grant astro-tarot
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
The Beatles playing cards
Two packs featuring photos of The Beatles issued by the same publisher in 2004 and 2005.
Costume Playing Cards
Four centuries of costumes from the Costume Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Commoners playing cards
Created by Ian Cumpstey dedicated to the common land and the countryside.
Liber Ludorum
Liber Ludorum playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey in the insular style, United Kingdom, 2019.
Pike and Clover playing cards
Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.
Inglewood Hunting Deck
Inglewood Hunting Deck created by Ian Cumpstey, United Kingdom, 2023.
Pin-Ups
A deck of 55 cards celebrating a golden age of cheeky, naughty, bold and curvy ladies in film.
Classic Movie Posters
A deck of 55 cards presenting vintage classic movies and their stars.
That’s Entertainment
A deck of 55 cards celebrating 20th Century vaudeville, musicals and cabaret.
British Monarchs
Commemorating the royal wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on the 29th
Rock & Pop Legends
Stunning photos of a selection of US and UK music artists.
The Beatles • Yellow Submarine
A colourful deck celebrating the 1968 animated feature film based on the Lennon/McCartney song of th...
Dutch Court playing cards
Games & Print Services’ version of the Dutch pattern.
Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack
The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack, 2013....
The Search for New Games in the late 19th century
A few new games survived and are still around today; most came and went and are only witnessed in th...
Miniature Card Dominoes
A miniature set of Goodall domino cards (5.9 x 3.5 cms) still in perfect condition.
T. Drayton & Son
Bezique and Whist boxed sets by T. Drayton & Son, London, c.1875.
Colour doodle deck
“1952-2002 commemorative deck” customised with doodles by an uncredited artist, UK, 2011.
I Gatti Originali di Evelyne Nicod
Etchings of cats on a set of major arcana created by Evelyne Nicod.
Tarot de Madrid
Black-and-white photographs of models whose faces are made up using elements found on the major arca...
Alice in Wonderland: we’re all mad here
Alice in Wonderland themed playing cards, UK, 2020.
Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger
Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger, Passau, Bavaria, early 19th century.
Wren 300 playing cards
Papercuts by Chloe Campbell of the 52 Wren churches in the City of London.
Marlow playing cards
Visitor attractions and businesses to be found in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
Playing Politics 2010
“Playing Politics ’10: With no expenses spared” featuring caricatures by Oliver Preston, published b...
Playing Politics ’92: Pack of lies
Playing Politics ’92: Pack of lies with caricatures by Grant Robertson, UK.
B-Deck
“B-Deck” scurrilous playing cards poking fun at a former UK prime minister.
Animal Tarot by Joseph Fetscher
French-suited Natural History Tarot deck by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820.
Winstanley Geographical cards
Facsimile of Winstanley’s Geographical cards produced by Harold & Virginia Wayland, 1967.
Meal Tub Plot
Meal Tub Plot playing cards [facsimile] with 17th century sketches by Francis Barlow.
Golf playing cards
Golf playing cards published by Marks & Spencer, UK.
Mythological and Allegorical tarot
Mythological and Allegorical tarot produced by Peter Paul Fetscher junior, Munich.
Great inventions playing cards
Great inventions playing cards designed by Gary Wyatt, United Kingdom, 2011.
Christmas 1980 playing cards
Festive courts on a Waddingtons pack designed to celebrate Christmas 1980.
Gone to Pot: Gardener’s playing cards
‘Gone to Pot’: special playing cards for keen gardeners, United Kingdom.
The Tarot Strikes Back
Roy Huteson Stewart's The Tarot Strikes Back combines Star Wars with Rider-Waite tarot imagery.
Animal Tarot by Andreas Benedict Göbl
French-suited Animal Tarot deck produced by Andreas Benedict Göbl, Munich.
Tottering-by-Gently
‘Tottering-by-Gently’ playing cards with cartoons by Annie Tempest.
Sally Ferries playing cards
Sally Ferries Euro playing cards and phrase pack, United Kingdom, c.1990s.
Swiss Scenic Tarock
Scenic Tarock deck produced by Fabrique de Cartes J. Müller & Cie (Schaffhouse), Suisse.