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

Deck © 1997 by Louisa Poole
Booklet © 2000 -- "MerryDay Tarot Numerology Invisible Kingdom" by Louisa Poole

The "Merry Day Tarot" is a Tarot system that emphasizes numerology aspects.  Each card has its traditional Tarot number, but there are also numbers at the bottom of each card to represent the numerological correspondence of each card.  There are other characteristics that make this deck uniquely different from a traditional Tarot system while still maintaining many things that are familiar to the typical Tarot structure.  I have been fascinated with this deck for a long time, because it incorporates other meaningful aspects into its structure. Numerology is of course the most obvious addition, but it also adds some astrology concepts as well.  The accompanying wire-bound book is entitled "MerryDay Tarot Numerology Invisible Kingdom" (which apparently came out later than the cards were published).  In addition to an emphasis on the numerology structure of the deck, it designates a planet or a sign for each of the Major Arcana cards.  Seasons and elements are assigned according to the following:  Swords/Air = Spring; Wands/Fire = Summer; Cups/Water = Autumn; Pentacles/Earth = Winter.  So this deck can offer timing as do other Tarot decks, although this association might be different than some are accustomed to using for timing attributes.

The Fool can be considered as card number zero or as number twenty-two in this deck.  It is noted as 0/22, so it can be used as the first card of the Major Arcana or the last card.  My preference is always for the Fool to be first to portray beginnings.  The Fool is thus considered to be named "the Fool" as well as "the Wizard" and both names are featured on the card.

Ten of the Major Arcana cards have been renamed from traditional tarot as follows:

• Magician = Apprentice
• High Priestess = Oracle
• Hierophant = Mentor
• Chariot = Student
• Hermit = Teacher
• Wheel of Fortune = Lady Destiny
• Hanged Man = Journeyman
• Death = Metamorphosis
• Temperance = Time Lord
• Devil = Tempter

All of the Pages are called "Elemental" cards, but not elemental in terms of air, fire, water, or earth.  Each suit has a different animal or mythical figure.  They are as follows:  Swords = Elemental Pegasus; Wands = Elemental Unicorn; Cups = Elemental Mermaid; and the Page for the suit of Pentacles = Elemental Centaur, Satyr.

The Aces are different as well.  Each Ace is considered the elemental Dragon for that particular suit.  For the Swords, we have the Air Dragon; for the Wands, we have the Fire Dragon, for the Cups, it is the Water Dragon, and for the suit of Pentacles, the Ace is called the Earth Dragon.

For those who purchased the MerryDay Tarot prior to the year 2000 (before the book came out for the cards), this deck would have been a bit tough to follow, although not impossible.  It was later that a booklet came out for the cards, including a lot of information on numerology and a brief section related to astrology as well.  This wire-bound book is 154 pages in length, and it gives some information about each of the cards and why changes were made to some of the card titles.  Before 2000, all that one had with this deck was a card insert that is like having 2 cards stuck together which open up like a book (only no pages inside of it).  It's just enough space to list the cards and one or two keywords for each one -- and these keywords are the same as the ones listed on each card.  So this was not likely all that helpful for those who got the cards before they could get the accompanying book that came out a few years later.

Another interesting thing with the "Merry Day Tarot" is that the Tens of each suit are all considered to be positive -- rather than the 10 of Swords and 10 of Wands showing any kind of hardship, oppression, or burden.  The author believes that if one travels the distance between one and ten with courage, integrity, and awareness, the result should be wisdom and relief rather than dismay or adversity.  I have to say that I do like that association, because I have always felt that if you were reaching a point of completion that the tens of the Tarot convey, then there should be some kind or relief or reward to have gotten that far.

The author does not agree with using reversed cards, but that is a point that I strongly disagree with.  Using reversals is a personal choice that, for some of us, really opens up a broader range of implications, meanings, and overall interpretations.  By using reversals, we can find out areas in our lives that may encounter blocks in the future, or areas in our lives that will become less restricted over time.  It can be argued that this same information can be attained by using all the cards upright.  The author adamantly states on page 6 of the book that "reversed cards are not an acceptable course of action.  There are enough difficulties associated with the upright cards; there is no need to add more obstacles along the way."  Obviously I am not a reader that agrees with her philosophy in the slightest way.  In fact, some of the interpretations in her book for the cards can be considered quite contradictory when she notes positive information for a card, but then also mentions something that could be possibly negative for that same card.  If one is not using reversals, then unless the spread specifically has card positions for blocks or challenges, there is usually not much of a way to determine whether to apply a positive or negative connotation to that card where the information is contradictory to her statement about not needing to add more obstacles when there are already enough difficulties associated with upright cards.

The front  of the box for this set of cards titles this deck as "MERRY DAY TAROT DECK" -- using two words for "Merry Day."  However, the back of the box makes "Merry Day" as one word:  "MerryDay."  It's written as one word on the book as well.  I am not sure what the reason is for the difference, unless it was an error.  I think the author did intend for it to be written as one word with the M and the D both capitalized, because that is how she refers to the cards throughout the book as well.

Various cultures are featured in this deck.  The Swords suit features Asian people, Wands are African and Egyptian, Cups feature Native Americans, and the suit of Pentacles presents a Celtic culture of people.

The cards measure approximately 2-3/4" x 4-1/2."  They have a matte finish and are made from a somewhat thin cardstock which you can still see the nubs on some of the cards where they were separated after printing.  That is really not a big deal to me, as I don't feel that it takes anything away from the lovely cards.  The art is really fascinating.  It is an elaborate form of watercolor, and it's interesting to see what the author and artist chose for each of the cards.  You'll find a mix of serious and whimsical in a fantasy land of dragons, fairies, leprechauns, unicorns, mermaids, and so forth.  There are actually a number of cards in this deck that do follow traditional Tarot themes . . . but also a number of them that stray from traditional as discussed above.  But overall, this is a really interesting and engaging Tarot system.

I think a lot of people had gotten frustrated with this Tarot deck before the accompanying book became available.  I was lucky in that when I bought the "Merry Day Tarot," the book was out by then, too.  So I got them together, and I'm so glad that I was able to get the book, too.  It is very helpful in understanding Louisa Poole's Tarot system.  The book is proof that the author really did have a definite vision for her cards.

For those whose interest has been captured by the "Merry Day Tarot," I'm sad to say that this deck is out of print.  I have not been able to find it available, other than with Amazon marketplace sellers on occasion.  And as you'll probably want to get the book that goes with this deck, if you do find a seller who has this deck, be sure to inquire if they have the book that goes with it.  Otherwise, you may be frustrated with the cards if you don't have the book that explains so much about this particular Tarot system.  With that said, this is definitely a deck that I think will be more useful to the experienced Tarot reader, especially those who have a basic knowledge of numerology and at least some familiarity with astrology.  One need not be an expert in numerology or astrology by any means, but at least knowing a little bit about those topics can be helpful in using the "Merry Day Tarot."

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Size of Cards:  2-3/4" x 4-1/2"

Included with deck: A bifold card that lists keywords.  A 154-page book is available separately.

Major Arcana:
Fool/Wizard, Apprentice, Oracle, Empress, Emperor, Mentor, Lovers, Student,
Strength, Teacher, Lady Destiny, Justice, Journeyman, Metamorphosis,
Time Lord, Tempter, Tower, Star, Moon, Sun, Judgment, World

Suit Names: Swords, Wands, Cups, Pentacles

Court Cards:  King, Queen, Warrior, Elemental

Back Design of Cards: A black and white design with "MERRYDAY TAROT DECK" written on each card back.