Astro-Tarot Deck

by
~*~Velvet Angel ~*~

Astro-Tarot

~*~ This deck is suitable for any question you wish to ask of the Tarot. ~*~

Deck by Russell Grant. Illustrations by Kay Smith

The Astro-Tarot Deck is a whimsical approach of combining Tarot and Astrology, and the result is a charming deck which references famous fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and mythology. This is not a traditional Tarot structure, since astrology concepts are incorporated into the deck.

The cards are lighthearted and charming -- which makes using these cards fun, because you don't have to take anything *too* seriously . . . yet you can still receive the answers you seek as well as guidance, advice, and inspiration just like you find in other Tarot decks.

The first 22 cards presented in the deck are the traditional Trumps (or Major Arcana) that you find in any regular deck of Tarot cards. Next are 4 traditional Aces. This is where resemblance to the traditional Tarot Structure stops and the innovative addition of Astrology starts. After the 4 Aces, there are no other traditional cards contained in the deck. Instead, the Aces are followed by cards for the 12 signs of the Western Zodiac and the 12 signs of the Chinese Animal Zodiac, the 9 planets, and the 5 astrological aspects of Ascendant, Midheaven, New Moon, Full Moon, and Moon's Node. This combination presents 64 cards, numbered from 0 (The Fool) to 63 (Node).

A 144-page book accompanies the cards, and I definitely recommend purchasing the cards as a deck and book set. You may feel very "lost" without the book that goes into the Tarot/Astrology interpretations for these unique cards. In fact, it is intended to be sold as a book and deck set, entitled the "Astro-Tarot Pack," but when I made my first attempt to purchase the set, all I got was the book due to seller's misadvertisement. I sent the book back and found the actual book and card set at the Tarot Garden. The price is steep for this unique set, because of the fact that it's out of print and hard to find, especially in the United States. It has been available in Britain, but it's a very rare item to see on American store shelves.

In the accompanying book, Russell Grant, includes corresponding information for each of the 12 Astrology Houses and shows how each card applies for each of those houses. I find it to be a fascinating approach, especially in doing readings for horoscope/astrology spreads that use
12 - 24 cards to focus on each month for an upcoming year. In fact, much of the House information is written much like a horoscope. It's quite interesting, and even more fascinating to see how it all fits together.

Readers who find it hard to take a cute or whimsical deck seriously may not like this deck, even with the incorporation of Astrology. But I like to think that a Tarot reading should be fun as well as provide serious information . . . so for me, sometimes this is the perfect kind of deck for a change of pace :-)

Number of Cards in Deck: 64

Size of Cards: 2-1/4" x 4-1/4"

Included with deck: Sold as a book and deck set, unless you buy individually from independent sellers.

Major Arcana:
Fool, Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant, Lovers, Chariot, Justice (#8), Hermit, World, Strength (#11), Hanged Man, Death,
Temperance, Devil, Tower, Star, Moon, Sun, Judgement, World

Suit Names: No Suit Cards