Tarot News
♦THE THREE TABS BELOW have been added to the menu of this website. I hope you will visit them often. Email me Annette@ArcanaPress.net to ask questions and share your knowledge with other Tarot enthusiasts.
MYSTERIES—Finally, A new mystery added 9/23/22.
YOUR QUESTIONS & TIPS—Discussion about the Marseilles-style Fool. 9/27/22
34 MOONS—Take a look at the moon cards of 34 different Marseilles-type decks.
♦ REVIEWS OF RESTORED DECKS by Yves Reynaud.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS NOTEBOOK Special offer continues in 2022. (Scroll down.)
An INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR Neuroscience based performance coach, Dan Johnson, interviews the author here: https//www.vibrationalintelligence.com/18-tarot-techniques-marseilles-tarot-triadic-tarot-with-annette-wakulenko.html Connect with Dan and to listen to other interesting interviews with teaching professionals. https://www.vibrationalintelligence.com/podcast.html
See EXTENSIVE REVIEWS by beloved Tarot enthusiast and author, Sherryl E. Smith. Both the book,The Tarot: A Strange and Wondrous Thing, and the deck, The Triadic Tarot of 2017 are covered including a sample reading of her own. Sherryl specializes in Tarot history and historic reproduction decks. Visit her site: https://tarot-heritage.com Click Blog and then Tarot Books. Under Tarot Decks, scroll down to The Triadic Tarot.
THAT OLD DECK IN A DRAWER If you have a Marseilles-type Tarot, maybe one of these, you can learn to read it. There is no need to buy a new deck—practice with the one you have. The little tan book shown below, teaches the triadic method for reading non-scenic pips. It is available for just a stamped self-addressed envelop. 
How to Read The Tarot de Marseille
For the cost of your self-addressed, stamped envelope, ArcanaPress will send you its little tan book—20 pages of information for reading ANY non-scenic pip Tarot. It teaches an updated version of the triadic reading method first published by Papus in 1896. Great little gift for a Tarot geek friend!
At 4 x 5-3/8,” this booklet fits into a standard card or business envelope. Print your address CLEARLY and affix a Forever Stamp. Fold and place that envelope in another addressed to: ArcanaPress, LLC. / P.O. Box 244 / Genoa, Ohio 43430 ORDER WHILE THEY LAST!
Marseilles Minis
Marseilles Minis (in the menu) are short exercises that teach you to interpret Marseilles-style cards. Illustrated with the Triadic Tarot, the interpretations apply to any non-scenic pip deck.
♦ FIRST IMPRESSIONS NOTEBOOK
If you just haven’t committed to ordering The Tarot: A Strange and Wondrous Thing,(shown below), now is a great time, because when you order, you will receive a free copy of First Impressions. This notebook is designed for use in IN-PERSON workshops. We will pair it (as long as they last) at no additional cost with every book ordered—until further notice.
The exercises in this 100-page notebook will help you develop a deeper understanding of the Major Arcana. It is illustrated with the Triadic Tarot of 2017, but it can be used with any Marseilles-type Deck—the difference being that standard rectangular cards have just upright and reversed meanings, while square Triadic cards can be read in four orientations.
Old European Tarots
For a limited time, I offer a FREE 90-minute lecture on the old common Tarots of Europe to anyone who would like to host such an event within a 2-hour drive of Toledo, Ohio. This is a fascinating topic for your library, bookclub, or metaphysical meet-up. Many charming historic reproduction decks are now available, but few books written in English teach you to read their non-scenic pips. Learning to read the Tarot in this more intuitive way, especially those mysterious non-scenic pips, will open the door to your enjoyment of the Tarot legacy. To learn about lectures, call 419-855-3307 or email: Annette@ArcanaPress.net. (Lecture includes screen presentation and handouts.)
The Triadic Tarot of 2017
This is the perfect gift for the Tarot enthusiast who loves the look of traditional European Tarots but cannot figure out how to read their non-scenic pips. The Triadic Tarot of 2017 and its 60-page “Little White Book” (above right) makes the Triadic method especially easy to learn and remember. See this deck under CARDS in the menu. $37.00 + Shipping.
Marseilles Minis, (in the site menu) are short exercises that teach you to interpret Marseilles-style cards. It is illustrated with this deck, The Triadic Tarot.
The Tarot: A Strange and Wondrous Thing
FINALLY—an in-depth book about the old common Tarots of Europe. You will not only learn to read non-scenic pips, but also Tarot philosophy, symbolism, color, spreads, and spread analysis. There are charts, graphs, illustrations, and book and deck reviews. (Color throughout) See BOOKS (in the Menu) to read 7 pages of excerpts. $74.00 + Shipping.
Cards and Books are very limited 1st Editions and sold separately. See the special offer above that describes the notebook you will receive at no additional cost (while they last) when you order this book. Questions? Email Annette@ArcanaPress.net
Sherryl E. Smith is a long-time Tarot enthusiast and beloved writer and reviewer of countless decks, but what is really special about her, is that she writes about the many historic deck reproductions and recreations that are now available. She has been most kind in reviewing both the cards and book extensively–even including a card layout. I am deeply honored by her thoughtful analysis. Find the Triadic review in her blog under “decks“. She is also on Facebook so, for an outside opinion, visit Tarot-heritage.com and visit often for updates and reviews.
Books on European Tarots written in English are rare, and only a few by Europeans have been translated into English.
The Spiritual Roots of the Tarot: The Cathar Code Hidden in the Cards by Russell A. Sturgess reveals what he believes to be the Cathar’s greatest treasure. There is much to learn here including the significance of various details of the imagery. Especially interesting are revelations of where persecuted Cathars found refuge and perhaps perfected the versatile symbolism of the trump images in a way that made them meaningful not only to their own followers, but also to those of Judaism, AND to Catholics (much to the chagrin. of the Church) Each of us sees what we need—such are the riches of the Tarot legacy.
ALSO (Reviewed in “Strange and Wondrous,”) Robert Swiryn’s book, The Secret of the Tarot is yet another book linking Tarot to the Cathars. It, too, is a real treat for those of us who are Tarot history geeks!
Seeing the World: Tarot Signposts on the Path to Perception by the late Jean-Claude Flornoy and translated into English by David Vine. Jean-Claude was a man who dedicated the better part of his adult life to the study of Marseilles-style Tarots, and he was the first to my knowledge to do accurate recreations of historic decks. His understanding of the images was informed by a life steeped in French culture and richly flavored by its traditions—fascinating! Visit: tarot-history.com
All decks below are Non-Scenic Pip (NSP) Tarots. Not all are new—just newly acquired by me. Non-Scenic Pip (also called Marseilles-Type) Tarots fall into 3 general categories:♦ FACSIMILES & RESTORED TAROTS ♦ RECREATED TAROTS ♦ CONTEMPORARY TAROTS.
♦ FACSIMILES & RESTORED TAROTS
Tarot Jean-Pierre Laurent 1735 is one of two reproduction decks I purchased from Yves Reynaud. No one surpasses Yves when it comes to making high-quality repro’s of historic Tarots, and much to my delight, they keep on coming! The presentation is always beautiful. This particular deck is said to be of the “Besançon” type since it has the Jupiter and Juno” cards, but it also has the Popess an the Pope. The cards are clean and bright with the green and blue pigments having the translucent intensity of today’s Phthalo green and blue.
Tarot Jacob Joerger 1801 is a delightful version of the Tarot more fully in the “Besançon” category. It has many quirky departures from the usual images giving the deck a charmingly primitive personality. You’ll see the front-facing Moon with no rising droplets, the less-common zig-zag wall on the Sun card, and a judgment card with both the pointed rays and descending droplets. The World wreath is divided with flower motifs. Here again, the colors are clean and bright with the brilliant green and blue described above. This is a fascinating deck.
Tarot Francois Heri 1730 is another wonderful reproduction by Yves Reynaud. The small cards bear a resemblance to the French Jean Noblet Tarot of 1650/59? and yet there are differences: Juno and Jupiter replace the Priestess and Priest and still other surprises await one who compares these cards with those of the Noblet restoration by Peterson, or the beautiful recreation by the late Jean-Claude Flornoy. This Heri deck has the richness of its German-Swiss tradition. This deck would remain unknown to most of us were it not for the indefatigable dedication of Yves Raynaud. It is beautifully boxed as all of his decks. tarot-de-marseille-heritage.com
Tarot Francois Gassmann 1840, also by Yves Reynaud follows a German-Swiss folk style.The colors are light, bright and translucent in nature with the exception of the deep indigo blue which acts as an accent. The festive motifs follow the Claude Burdel style. The more usual Papesse (Priestess) and Le Pape (Priest) do appear in this deck. The cards are in the common Tarot size and proportion. This is a lovely deck. tarot-de-marseille-heritage.com
Tarot Claude Rochias 1754 by Yves Reynaud. Excellent work as always. Fresh exuberant colors / lovely fleur-de-lis pattern backs / an attractive and sturdy box. tarot-de-marseille-heritage.com
Tarot Madenié 1709 by Yves Reynaud (2nd Edition, 2016) A high quality TdM, oldest surviving of the Type II category. Colors are adjusted slightly lighter, brightening the mood and making its detailed linework more visible. Lovely satin finish. tarot-de-marseille-heritage.com
Tarot Jean-Pierre Payen 1713 by Yves Reynaud, a beautifully reproduction of a Type I TdM similar to the Dodal Tarot of 1701. Soft yellow overtones give this deck a warm sunny vibe. Beautiful satin finish. Visit: tarot-de-marseille-heritage.com
Le Tarot de Marseille 1760 by Dal Negro (Accademia Dei Tarocchi / Carlo Bozzelli). A cleanly rendered version of the Conver TdM with pleasant colors arranged according to extant versions of the historic deck. The small 2-3/16 x 4-1/16″ deck is easy to hold. Card backs have a double-sun motif. An attractive deck. www.tarocchi.net
♦ CONTEMPORARY TdM TYPE TAROTS and MINCHIATI
Tarot de Maria Celia by Lynyrd-Jym Narciso published by U.S. Games. This deck is a stylistic take on the Tarot de Marseille. Its images are imaginatively drawn and beautifully colored in the varying hues of watercolor techniques. The cards are small, 2-1/4 x 3-1/2,” and fit well in hand. Card-backs have lovely floral motifs reversed out of a terra-cotta field. Both sides have a mottled aged look. A charming deck. www.usgamesinc
Endless Skys Minchiate Tarot by Pennie McCraken is a creatively rendered version of a 97-card Italian Minchiate c. 1860-1890. The lively character of its linework combined with a limited palette of beautifully variegated color makes this deck a stand-out presentation. The deck I chose is called the golden version, but 2 other choices are available. There is a large array of card-back designs, but my favorite is an all-over pattern created from the background of the card images. See more of her decks at endlessskys.ca
NOTE: I am not compensated for book or deck reviews. The items are either purchased or personally examined by me, and reflect my own preferences, but I cannot purchase, or even know about every publication available. Decks reviewed here are of the Marseilles-type (having non-scenic pips); sometimes they are called Continental Tarots. Questions? Email me Annette@ArcanaPress.net