Celtic Tarot

The Celtic tarot deck is a fairly modern tarot deck.  The rich history of the Celtic people lends itself well to the archetypes of tarot and this has lead many to take up the challenge of representing classic tarot figures in decks that reflect Celtic deities and legends as a dragon is shown above.  There are today many tarot decks that incorporate Celtic mythology and mysticism.  While some decks call upon ancient gods, heroes and heroines from Celtic history others focus on Arthurian legends.  More still combine ancient mythological characters or legendary deeds from Britain and European continents.

They are pleasing to the eye with beautifully colored pictures which are meant to speak on a subconscious level.   They usually stray away from the standard court cards and in their place many use Kings, Queen, Princesses and Prince’s while the Hierophant is often replaced with the Druid card.  Many Celtic tarot decks are decidedly feminine which is appealing to those who bear Celtic heritage or have an interest in paganism.    

For instance, the Celtic tarot deck created by Courtney Davis came about as a way to re-establish the ancient wisdom of tarot using the lost legacy of Celtic Art and Mythology.   His major arcana cards are represented as Celtic archetypes which are illustrated in cards such as the Queen Macha representing Strength or the Archdruid which representing the Magician.   The court cards in this deck refer to mythological Celtic characters and the numbered cards show Celtic symbols for each suit.  Each suit bears borders made up of the intricate spirals and knot work so famous in Celtic art.

History of the Tarot
It is thought that the Cabbalists designed the tarot in 1200 in Morocco.  However, this is not certain. What is recorded is that the tarot was already in existence at this date.  Some believe that the imagery of the Tarot refers to the subconscious while others believe that the tarot came about as a means to preserving either the mysterious religion of Mitheras, Pagan Celtic traditions or the beliefs of medieval heretics

The origin of the word Tarot is unclear.  Some believe it derives from the Italian tarocchi which has no known origin although a theory exists that it relates the Taro River in Northern Italy.  Others believe it comes from the Arabic word turuq which is related to tariq meaning way.  Playing cards in Europe in the 14th Century carried suits similar to Tarot Swords, Staves, Cups and Coins and this where the tarot is thought to have derived from.  Tarot was first used for playing games and the basic rules of Tarocco appear in the manuscript of Martiano da Tortona dating before 1425.

The first known tarot cards were created in Italy in around 1430 and the oldest surviving deck consisting of 15 fragmented decks was created for the rulers of Milan date back to the 15th century.  This deck was called the Visconti-Modrone Tarot.  

Cards used for divination are in evidence from early 1540 and follow a simple method of divination by the selection of a random oracle.  Later manuscripts show rudimentary divinatory meanings for cards of the tarot as well as a system for laying them out.  Although tarot was to become associated with magic it was not widely accepted by occultists and secret societies until the 18th century.   Modern tarot began around 1960 and today there are in excess of 2000 decks each providing an insight into contemporary culture.  Each design has the purpose of revealing the thoughts and intentions of how their creators think about the world.  


Modern Psychology and the Tarot
Earlier decks were influenced by folklore or tradition while more modern decks have meaning linked to psychology.  Helped by Jungian who influenced the meanings of the Tarot when he moved away from Freud’s psycho-analytical approach to the tarot and developed his own system of symbols.

Jung believed the human psyche lived in three separate parts one being the collective unconscious consisting of archetype universal figures and symbols.  Today these archetype symbols appear in the major arcana of the Tarot.  In tarot readings they work to create a pattern or a message that allows the recipient the understanding needed to sort out their problems.  Supplying a meaning to these archetypes can be soothing for tarot readers as it allows them to understand powerful symbols in their own lives.  Working with archetypes is able to help them realize their own strengths.