Quest Tarot
Deck by Joseph Martin
© 2003 Llewellyn
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The
Quest Tarot incorporates a variety of metaphysical
concepts which are well explained in the 296-page
guidebook entitled "The Compass: Guide to the Quest
Tarot." The book is indeed a needed "compass" to
navigate through the many features that this deck of cards
offers! After the first section on "Caring for Your
Tarot Cards," the book has sections on the following uses
for the Quest Tarot cards:
- The Stars, Planets, and Constellations
- The Yes/No Feature
- How to Foretell Timelines
- The Gemstones
- The Hebrew Letters
- The I Ching
- Reading Physical Characteristics
- The Rune Stones
- Spelling Out Words
Because so many extra things have been incorporated into the Quest Tarot, I really wish these cards would have been made a bit larger. Some of the special features are difficult to see. The cards measure 2.8" x 4.6," so even if the size had been increased by just a small amount, this would have been really nice to better hold all the extras provided in this special Tarot deck.
The Major Arcana and cards 2 through 10 of the pip cards have corresponding planets or signs. This is noted through the circle in the upper left corner of the card, along with the small circle next to it. For example, the Two of Wands is noted as Mars in Aries, and the large circle in the upper left of the card features the Aries sign symbol, and next to that in the smaller circle is the Mars planet symbol. If a card is just featuring a sign, then there will not be a planet denoted in the smaller circle next to that. A short description is provided for each designation.
Next is the Yes/No feature incorporated into the court cards. There are five possible responses to this feature which are determined by looking at the center large circle at the top of the card which contains daggers in a certain position:
- Yes = two daggers pointing upward
- No = two daggers pointed downward
- Maybe = one dagger points upward, the second dagger points downward
- The Answer Lies in the Future = two daggers pointing to the right
- The Answers Lies in the Past = two daggers pointing to the left
The Aces have a tiny clock in the upper left circle of each card, used to foretell timelines in a reading. The circle in the upper right hand corner features a seasonal correspondence as well: flowers for spring, snow for winter, a setting sun for summer, and falling leaves for the fall season. Detailed instructions on how to determine timing with these features are provided in the book. A worksheet is also included to calculate timing with the timeline formula. This can make it easier and less confusing if you are writing things down and following a step-by-step order.
Next, the author discusses gemstones and includes charts to associate gemstones with the months of the year, the astrological signs, mythical and ayurvedic birthstones, and for the planets, stars, and their stones. He also provides a description of each stone.
Hebrew Letters is the next topic in the book, and these letters are found on the Major Arcana cards. Martin provides the meanings behind each Hebrew letter which can be incorporated into the interpretation of the card if one chooses to use this feature of the cards.
The I Ching and the Runes are the next two sections respectively in the guidebook, and the author has provided some easy-to-understand meanings behind these concepts which can also be incorporated into a reading. He explains that it would take hundreds of pages to thoroughly cover these concepts, and thus, he offers a "shorthand" version to get one started in finding the numbers and symbols and the related meanings.
There are
also features that show how to determine skin, hair, and
eye color, as well as an age -- age being in terms of
whether a person is much older, older, about the same age,
or younger than you. This is derived from the court
cards.
Many of the cards also have a tiny letter in the upper corner of the card's title banner located at the bottom of the card. A combination of cards, depending on how many words are in a question, can be used to find letters which can spell out words. If there is no letter given on the card, it is considered a "wild card" for the letter and can be used as any letter in combination with the other letters that come up. This is an interesting little feature that I enjoyed playing with. I didn't find it to be helpful or accurate in spelling out names, but I did find it to be accurate in spelling out other things.
On
the back of the box, it talks about a Tarot deck that
could be used like a Ouija board to get yes/no answers or
spell out words. I definitely don't consider this
Tarot deck to be like a Ouija board. I'm just not a
fan of Ouija boards myself, and thus, if I actually felt
this deck was anything related to that, I don't think I
would use it. It's a fun, interesting, and
insightful deck that includes a lot of extras that can be
incorporated into a reading . . . but all of that does not
make it a Ouija board.
Case in
point, the cards did not provide accurate letters for
anyone living in my household. Maybe this is because
we shouldn't ask something that is so obvious and that we
already know, but I have heard of others trying it out and
getting accurate responses about their children's names .
. . but for me, it just didn't work.
However, I have a feeling that it may be because I already knew the answer, and since I don't like questions that are designed to play games in the way of "test the reader," this could perhaps be why I did not get accurate answers by asking such questions that I clearly knew the answer to. Even the cards are not apt to like being "tested" in such a way. So I asked some additional questions for which I will have to wait and see if the answers are correct. But the bottom line is that this feature is still fun to play with. And just as we should respect these tools, we are also supposed to have fun with our Tarot tools!
Each card
has a keyword listed beneath the name of the card.
The card title and keyword are displayed in a brown banner
or box at the bottom of each card. This deck has an
extra card in the Major Arcana called the "Multiuniverse"
which follows the "Universe" card (traditionally the
World). The reason for this additional card is
explained that "science predicts that there may be an
infinite number of universes existing at the same time in
the same space."
The card represents having many choices ahead, finding the right personal path in life, and moving forward in a new direction. It could be considered a "wild card" for the deck . . . or one might choose to use the blank card as a "wild card." The blank card can be decorated if one so desires with stickers or drawings . . . or just leaving it blank for the imagination to fill that canvas if it should come up in a reading. Personally, I just use the 79 cards in readings, omitting any other wild cards.
The
structure and order of the court cards is Son, Daughter,
Father, and Mother. Admittedly, I found this to be
confusing at first . . . until I realized that nothing is
really being changed here. The Father card, although
not coming at the top of the court card hierarchy is still
like a King, and the Mother is still like a Queen.
The Son card is like a Knight, and the Daughter is like
the Page of traditional Tarot. So you can actually
order these cards according to your own preference.
The meanings are not changed to present a Father as a
Queen or a Mother as a King. Whew -- that would be a
little confusing!
Martin felt that since we no longer live in a social structure filled with Kings, Queen, Knights, and Page, the court cards of his deck should reflect a more familial structure . . . and so Mother leads the way, followed by Father, Daughter, and then Son. I don't feel that this ordering is truly significant since the traditionally related cards don't actually change in terms of their meanings.
The "Compass Guide to the Quest Tarot" is
296 pages. In addition to the new features
incorporated into the deck as mentioned above, there are
games and spreads included . . . and of course,
interpretations for each of the cards.
I like that the author chose to include reversed card meanings. Interestingly though, the backs of the cards are not considered reversible. You can see the image below. However, the use of reversals is always a personal choice . . . whether the backs of the cards are considered reversible or not . . . and whether or not the author advocates the use or reversals. Tuning into your cards is best done by using the methods that work for you, because what works for someone else might not work for you personally, and vice versa.
Two pages are dedicated to each card. The page on the left shows an image of the card, along with the divinatory elements -- such as the corresponding planet or sign, stone associations, Roman and Hebrew Letters, and any Rune or I Ching information that is associated with the card. The page on the right includes an explanation for the card with both upright and reversed meanings.
The cards were created through computer art and 3D graphics. They are quite lovely and fascinating. The Minor Arcana cards remind me of a Marseille-Styled deck, as they feature the number of the suit on a background that is fitting for that particular card. For example, the Six of Stones features 6 Runes stones on a background of green lawns and tulips. But you don't see people in these Minor Arcana pip cards. The Six of Wands features six wands hanging over a background of water (which makes me think of the Six of Swords actually). The people in the cards look as if they are made of glass or shiny metal in gold and silver, so the minimal nudity in the cards is not at all offensive -- I don't think it would offend even the sensitive seekers.
I really enjoy using this deck, even though it's not one that I turn to frequently for my own readings. I will pick it up when I'm in the mood for an "adventure" in the Tarot, however . . . or when I want to specifically work with some of the extras that are featured in this deck. And of course, if a client requests this deck, then I am most happy to use this deck in client readings.
I really would not recommend the Quest Tarot to someone who is just beginning their journey in the Tarot. I feel it can be quite confusing for the newbie, and the extra elements featured on the cards might be distracting for the newcomer -- unless they happen to have knowledge of these added features, such as the Runes or I Ching.
Deck Details - Quest Tarot
Number of Cards in Deck: 79 (plus 1 card that can be used as a wild card if desired.)
Size of Cards: 2.8" x 4.6"
Included with deck: A blank card which can be used as a wild card. A 296-page guidebook.
Major Arcana: The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess,
The Empress, The Hierophant,
The Lovers, The Chariot,
Strength, The Hermit, The Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The
Hanged Man,
Death, Alchemy, The Devil,
The Tower, The Star, The moon, The Sun, Aeon, The
Universe,
The Multiuniverse
Suit Names: Wands, Cups, Swords, Stones (Pentacles)
Court Cards: Mother (Queen), Father (King), Daughter (Page), Son (Knight)
Back Design of Cards:
