Black and white Tarot decks: minimalism, beauty, clarity. Tag Archives: dark tarot decks Dark tarot decks

Dark Tarot decks allow you to penetrate into the darkest corners of the subconscious to resolve conflict issues and communicate with otherworldly forces. Dark Tarot card decks explore our thoughts and the hidden corners of the human soul. A secret is encrypted in the Arcana of the Tarot, and the word “arcanum” itself translated from Latin means “secret” that is to be revealed. The Dark Tarot most fully illuminates and reveals all layers of human negativity, helps to identify evil intent and nip it in the bud, and it also helps well in matters involving risk to life and career. Recently, there has been a revival of interest in mysticism, secrets and unusual abilities. Many people are attracted to fantastic creatures and otherworldly images. Among them are mysterious vampires and ghosts, black angels and demons. Dark Tarot cards are invariably associated with fortune telling, magic and the unknown.

Magic aimed at destruction, associated with forces that should not be awakened or disturbed, is considered dark. Dark magic uses many rituals that cause damage and harm to the enemy, associated with lapels and slander, carrying the transfer of someone else's illness and communication with all sorts of evil spirits. Dark Tarot decks, shrouded in the mystery of the dark characters of afterlife myths and legends, are directly related in theme and design to dark forces and dark magic. To decide on a dark deck, rely on your own feelings. We will introduce you to the most popular dark decks, which give off very powerful and dark energy that you may not be able to handle, so take seriously and scrupulously the issue of choosing cards from the dark category.

Gothic Tarot by Joseph Vargo

(The Gothic Tarot Joseph Vargo) - a dark deck of Tarot cards by author and artist Joseph Vargo is full of mysticism and is suitable for fortune telling for brave souls. This dark tarot deck, associated with vampires and the gothic, works well when it examines personal relationships and emotional experiences, but at its core the deck is universal and suitable for a variety of readings. The Vargo Dark Tarot deck, which combines the properties of the classic Rider Waite Tarot and the Marseille Tarot, is recognized as one of the most objective and universal. She reveals the most hidden aspects of personality in a whimsical way and makes any fears understandable. Joseph Vargo's Gothic Tarot cards will openly tell you about all the passions and affections, the causes and consequences of events. Their story will thicken and warn of danger. If you want to know and manage your secret desires and fears, to distinguish will from compulsion, then you will be interested in dialogue with this dark Tarot deck. Maps will help you understand another side of the wild demons of your subconscious that determine the motives of our actions and relationships.

The Vargo Gothic Tarot deck is called dark and gloomy, bright and merciless. But at its core, this is a life-affirming deck that makes you think about the meaning of life and understand that while we are alive, everything is in our hands, and while we still have hopes and opportunities in this world, we are capable of many accomplishments. Joseph Vargo has created a truly objective deck of cards that combines harmony and chaos, light and darkness. Vargo's Gothic Tarot cards are equipped with images of strange and mysterious creatures, stone chimeras and vampires that evoke horror and awe. The deck was not published immediately, precisely because of its gloomy and dark essence. The first publishing house that Joseph Vargo applied to refused to publish a deck of Vargo Tarot cards, calling them “devilish” and the product of “warlocks.” The basis for this was chimeras and ghosts, faces distorted by melancholy and inscriptions on the cards, like on one of them: “Abandon hope forever.” The deck was published in 2002 by the American publishing house Monolith Graphics.

Crazy Moon Tarot or Deviant Moon Tarot

(Deviant Moon Tarot) rightfully won the title of the best deck of Tarot cards of all time in 2010 according to the results of voting among Tarot card fans. The author and artist of the Deviant Tarot of the Moon deck is the talented artist Patrick Valenza. This unique deck with mystical symbolism is associated with the dark sides of our subconscious, it is considered a Gothic deck. The beginning of the deck was laid back in the early 80s, when the author created 13 major Arcana of the deck. After this, collectors and lovers of tarot readings eagerly awaited the appearance of this unique deck for almost 30 years. Since childhood, Patrick Walesa has been fascinated by strange fairy tales and unusual images, ideas of the occult and the Tarot. Patrick Walesa created a dark Crazy Moon Tarot deck based on the meanings of classic tarot card decks, but with characters and faces that are stylized depictions of the Moon.

When creating his Black Pearl, an alternative interpretation of the traditional Tarot, Patrick was inspired by walks through abandoned cemeteries and asylums. In the Deviant Tarot of the Moon deck of cards, the artist uses photographs of century-old tombstones and distant smokestacks, insane asylums and abandoned buildings. Industrial and mysticism, delightful fantasies and nightmares, destruction and creation, tradition and novelty - all these are components of the Deviant Moon Tarot deck. The deck is published by the American publishing house U.S. Games Systems is rightfully considered one of the. Taking such a dark Tarot deck in your hands, you will certainly feel the influence of its surreal images on the psyche and subconscious. The Crazy Moon Tarot deck is intended for serious, complex readings on conflicts or complicated life situations, as well as for deep introspection and study of one’s “inner demons.”

Black Tarot Royo

(Luis Royo Black Tarot), filled with powerful erotic fantasies, is made by the lord of fantasy Luis Royo, who opens the door to the passionate Gothic world and to the quivering universe of the soul. Dark forces have long attracted humanity with their bloody power and unknown strength. The illustrations of all 78 cards reflect a dark and gloomy world, revealing wide the fifteenth card of the Major Arcana, called "The Devil". The dark Royo Tarot deck works well in psychological and complex situational readings for introspection and studying internal motives that need to be coped with. Each of us has secret corners in the soul, darkness and demons, those facets of the soul that we don’t want to talk about out loud. These uncomfortable desires and attachments are connected to our dark secrets, and the impartial Tarot Royo is deeply in touch with our subconscious and points us to the real evil that must be overcome to resolve difficult conflict and emotional situations in life.

The Royo Dark Tarot deck of cards is a strong, but not ominous, gothic deck, with clear graphics and vivid stories, coupled with deeply detailed drawings. All Arcana are decorated with a black frame, numbered and signed in 4 languages. The back of the deck is symmetrical and is well suited for working with interpretations of inverted cards. In the Dark Tarot Royo there are only a few cards, the illustrations of which are similar to the Rider-Waite school; angels and demons come to the fore as real life characters. The highlight of the deck was the author’s non-standard approach to depicting the Arcana, in which demons of the soul and femme fatales occupy one of the central positions. The entire Tarot Royo deck is an intensity of passions, a meeting of men and women, fantastic creatures and warriors, a clash of opposites, a struggle of contrasts, good and evil. On the Dark Royo Tarot, you should not try layouts such as the “Card of the Day”; the deck will not give the necessary advice, and the “Celtic Cross” layout, on the contrary, can sparkle with new colors. You will definitely want to have such a stunningly beautiful deck in your collection!

Tarot Black Grimoire or Tarot Necronomicon

(Dark Grimoire Tarot) is one of the well-known dark decks by author and artist Michele Penco. Not everyone will decide to buy a Tarot of such a plan and such a theme. This Tarot has several names: some call it “Grimoire Tarot”, some add to this the characteristic “Black”, in the Russian version of the publication the definition of the “Necronomicon” deck is added. To make it more clear why they renamed it “Necronomicon”, it must be said that the Major Arcana are inspired by the work of Lovecraft, and the book “Necronomicon” is his invention. Many of his works are built around this mythical book, the name of which in Greek translation sounds like “Testament of the Dead.” The author of the instructions for the deck, Giovanni Pelosini, tells which mythical characters from the book “Necronomokon” each Major Arcana is associated with. But, one way or another, the fact remains: the Black Grimoire Tarot is one of the most famous among the dark Tarots, and one of the most capricious.

The wayward character of the deck is not suitable for everyone; when choosing this deck, be prepared for the fact that not the most pleasant sides of your character and soul will be revealed. The Minor Arcana of the deck are associated with the ancient books of magic, the Grimoires, and present fascinating and disturbing visions of the dark side of the psyche. A grimoire is a book describing magical procedures and witchcraft spell recipes for summoning spirits and demons. The deck can immediately become familiar, and you will begin to work with it easily and naturally. But we must not forget that this is one of the subjugating decks, therefore, when choosing the Black Grimoire Tarot, you need to be extremely careful. A flow of energy immediately comes from the deck, which can initially charm, but then begin to work against the owner. Be careful with it, because when you open the deck, you reveal yourself, your secret thoughts and desires, true feelings and fears. But if you can cope with the energy of the Black Grimoire, then this deck will be a faithful assistant and will help you achieve inner harmony.

Tarot Necronomicon

(The Necronomicon Tarot - Anne Stokes, Donald Tyson) by the author of the deck, Donald Tyson, and science fiction artist Anne Stokes, was created based on the collection of works by Howard Lovecraft “The Cthulhu Mythos” about the world of ancient magic and ancient civilizations of other planets. The deck's arcana suits and palace cards are standard. Artist Anna Stokes' imagination comes to life in 78 mesmerizing illustrations of Tyson's mythical and monstrous world, the Necronomicon, while remaining true to the basic structure and traditions of the Tarot. The traditional Arcana images are based on the White Tarot deck, but the seventy-eight classic Arcana Tarots are completely reworked for the world of the dark Tarot. The deck is definitely a category of dark, gothic and demonic tarot decks. Critics say this is one of Llewellyn Publishing's darkest decks.

The power of the Necronomicon Tarot can shock with images of terrible monsters, amaze with the introduction of unfamiliar gods and frighten with its symbolism and plots. The Necronomicon of Howard Lovecraft, the author of one of the darkest grimoires in the history of magic, tells about the wanderings of the mad and tormented magician Abdul Alhazred. He wanders through deserted and desolate lands in search of the greatest and darkest magic, in search of answers to questions about the essence of otherness and the nature of Darkness. The authors based the creation of the Necronomicon Tarot deck on the collection of grimoires “The Cthulhu Mythos” by Lovecraft about the ancient civilizations of other planets and the world of ancient magic. These Arcana will not be given to just anyone; you will first need to tame the Necronomicon Tarot, but do you have the courage? The deck seems to be dozing in a black translucent bag, sleepily looking at this world through the veil. Maybe let these forces sleep for another eternity? But there is no doubt that working with them will be fruitful and productive. Only a person who already has experience communicating with the Tarot, only someone who has strong energy or a gift, will be able to make this Tarot deck their working one. The deck will be of interest to fans of the works of Howard Lovecraft, Donald Tyson and artist Anna Stokes, connoisseurs of beautiful decks and, of course, everyone whose list of interests includes “ceremonial magic” and “necromancy”.

Tarot of Legends

- Francis Favole Tarot is a majestic and beautiful, dark and unusual gothic dark deck. The creators of the deck were inspired by the works of the Spanish artist Victoria Frances with their unique flavor of fantastic grotesquery and accurate life observations. The 22 Major and 56 Minor Arcana are made in a traditional interpretation and preserve the classical hierarchy of the Tarot, but the gloomy and dim images of Victoria introduced the complex drama of life and death into the cards. Despite the fact that the Minor Arcana are not drawn and the usual suits of wands, cups, swords and pentacles are replaced by butterflies, crosses, masks and roses, the dark Tarot Legends deck is quite talkative. A calm person who knows how to listen to silence and loves gothic art will understand its quiet rustle. If this is your deck, then you will hear the quiet whisper of its predictions, but if the cards are silent, then you will have to say goodbye to the thought of these cards.

The tragic scenes of suffering and allegorical figures of the Tarot of Legends deck are marked by sublime spiritual beauty, lyricism and tragedy of psychological experiences. In the mysterious twilight of the Arcana, decorative details glow in red, yellow and blue colors, creating a special enchanting atmosphere of black magic. Favole Tarot produces a powerful emotional impact. If we remember that black magic is the magic of the earth, then it becomes clear that for its manifestation the presence of living and dead matter, sacrifices and the dead is necessary. The souls of the dead with their strong energy are guides to another dark and dangerous afterlife, and the restless souls who quickly and so suddenly left our upper world strive to get into it again. He draws them like butterflies to the fire in order to inhabit other people's living bodies under masks, so the dark deck of Tarot Legends cards bears this vicious trace, and you should work with it quite carefully, because the risk of crossing this line is great.

If you have not yet decided on the choice of deck, but have already realized for yourself that you want a dark deck, then I present to your attention the popular Dark Decks with symbolic examples to choose from:

Tarot of the Shadows - Tarot Of The Shadows- the deck is not for beginners, but for experienced practitioners, although, as everywhere else, there are exceptions, like a born black practitioner who immediately “grows” into the dark deck. It is not recommended to use ordinary and everyday layouts for everyday use. The deck was released in 2003 and gained wide popularity, establishing itself as an energetically strong deck. By choosing this deck, the practitioner must have even more energy to control it, and not vice versa. Otherwise, it will be the cards that make adjustments to a person’s life, not the person himself. The Tarot of Shadows is also suitable for those who want to find out all the secret and hidden corners of the human soul and identify negativity in another person.

Tarot of the Demons- is usually both the main deck and auxiliary to the Tarot of Shadows. The deck is good, not consisting only of demons; working with it without experience is quite difficult. The deck is not conversational with a person who has no experience. Clodagh is similar to the classic Tarot in its meaning but has its own characteristics. This is one of the dark decks that is not recommended to be played over trifles. I use it to determine negativity, not only on a person but also indoors. The deck either accepts its owner immediately or simply allows itself to be used periodically. Before choosing this deck, you need to listen to yourself well. Interpretation can easily take place at the associative level.

Tarot "Necronomicon" Black Grimoire - Dark Grimoire Tarot is one of the well-known black decks. The wayward character of the deck is not suitable for everyone; when choosing this deck, be prepared for the fact that not the most pleasant sides of your character and soul will be revealed. The deck may immediately become familiar to you and you will begin to work with it as if you had always done it, naturally and easily. But we must not forget that this is one of the subjugating decks, so when choosing Necronomicon you need to be extremely careful and careful. A flow of energy immediately comes from the deck, which can charm, but then begin to work against the owner.

The Gothic Tarot Joseph Vargo- this dark deck works well when it examines personal relationships and emotional experiences, but in essence the deck is universal. She is more loyal than all the previous ones, so with due patience and no doubts, even a beginner can work with her.

"Tarot of Thoth" by Aleister Crowley - The Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot— this deck is full of esoteric symbols, including those from Egyptian mythology. The deck was created for those who know how to show imagination and compare symbolism. The cards will not speak to everyone; you need to tune in to it ahead of time before making a purchase. If a person, while tuning in, does not hear the resonance, then you should not take on these cards, because they will be silent with the owner, despite the brightness and abundance of symbols. If the cards were easy, then you can make different layouts and pull out the card of the day.

Giger-Baphomet Tarot - Baphomet Tarot- This is one of the darkest and gloomiest decks, consisting only of the major arcana. Not everyone is ready to work with it, since the strongest energy of these cards is not suitable for everyone. The deck is engaged in pumping out the energy of the owner if you do not approach it competently and with caution. There are not many people who want to work with this deck; it is contraindicated for impressionable people with a very flexible psyche. The deck consists only of the major arcana and is not used for everyday readings and is closely connected with the other world.

New Orleans Voodoo Tarot - The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot- a strong deck that represents life and death. Beginners are not recommended to start with it, because the deck combines the energy flows of the symbolism of Voodoo magic and Tarological features. For everyday situations or answers to questions about her own position in any matter, she will answer, but she will take too much from the questioner, and she is a bit gloomy for that. It is better to use it to determine negativity and love prospects. Only it is difficult to read for the person with whom I immediately became attached. These Tarots depart from the classical interpretation that echoes other decks.

Tarot Lucifer— there are a lot of rumors about this deck. It is not possible to say one hundred percent that the deck is stronger than some of those presented here. She is unique. You can't write anything good or bad about her. It simply exists, and if these cards speak to you, then they suit you, although sometimes the interpretations that come from them into consciousness may be false. But it is possible that this deck most likely chooses its owner from the very moment a person looks at it.

Tarot of Legends - Favole Tarot- a beautiful, interesting and unusual dark deck. Quite talkative, suitable for a calm, non-emotional person. A person who knows how to listen to silence. She becomes completely quiet when she tries to tell something, and if you constantly tug at her and rearrange her, she will not speak. You need to lay out these maps and listen. If you can hear them whispering to you, then this is your deck; if not, then you will have to say goodbye to the thought of these cards. They will speak poorly and barely audible, and will not lead you into the depths of their meanings.

Cruel Thing Tarot- This is a relatively young deck. And at first glance it may seem completely unserious and unattractive. But once you take a closer look at her, you can immediately feel how aggressive her energy is. A person capable of transforming this energy in himself will be able to handle this deck very easily. And this will be mutual education. It is advisable that its owner be no older than thirty years of age.

Before choosing a dark deck, think again whether you are ready for it. If the decision is final, then when choosing a deck, base it not on the reviews of other tarot readers, but on your own feelings. These are some of the most popular dark decks. Some really give off very strong and dark energy, which the owner may not be able to cope with, so take seriously and scrupulously the issue of choosing cards from the dark category.

If you own one of the decks presented here, you can leave your comment.

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Lenormand School

Hello. Before signing up for training with me, I suggest you familiarize yourself with my videos on YouTube and articles on the website...

2016-10-20T01:01:50+03:00

Hello. Before signing up for training with me, I suggest you familiarize yourself with my videos on YouTube and articles on the website on the topic of fortune telling with Lenormand cards. If you understand that I appeal to you, the information that I explain is clear to you, and you like my style of presentation, then you are welcome. It is important to understand that in our individual lessons with you, I will share with you my wealth of experience. And most importantly, I will teach you to understand cards. If you have previously read, studied, or studied somewhere, then get ready for the fact that you may have to relearn. Not because I am the smartest and know the most. Although, believe me for sure, I know quite a bit, and I can put a scarf over anyone’s mouth. But because if some information that you could get somewhere is false, then in the correct form I will have to smash your misconceptions to smithereens. I don't want my students to be like a flock of sheep, blindly believing in a false paradigm. It’s better to have a different judgment from others, and not be Alyosha. Otherwise it will turn out like in the fairy tale “The Naked King.” Sooner or later, all the lies about the Lenormand cards will fade into the background, but you must admit, it is better to see the light now than when it is too late. I build relationships with my students on trust. If you are not ready for trusting cooperation, then you do not need to come to my classes. I want to see decent, responsible and purposeful people who are willing to work hard and grow under my mentorship. If you have any questions during the process that worry you or concern you about the topic of our training, please do not hesitate to ask. I promise to answer everything honestly, based on my research and practical experience. The training program is structured from simple to complex. Remember the main thing, no matter how difficult or easy it is for you, you will have both successes and failures. Which we...

https://site/shkola-lenorman/

School of Tarot of Shadows

I have been using the Tarot of Shadows in my practice since 2003. For me, this is an independent and interesting deck, with the help of which...

2016-10-20T05:41:47+03:00

I have been using the Tarot of Shadows in my practice since 2003. For me, this is an independent and interesting deck with which you can view various questions. In my training course I share my practical experience and my value statistics. Inadequate people and people who want to view damage, evil eyes and curses on this deck are not accepted for training. There are a carload and a small cart of similar courses on the Internet. You can contact anyone for this purpose, just not me. The deck is multifaceted and interesting. I’m not interested in sitting and talking only about damage and other rubbish. I'm interested in working with adequate students who are going to use the tool for a different category of questions. With individual training, you and I study in a closed forum in a closed section, I give you lessons, homework, answer your questions in the context of the lessons and communicate with you throughout the course. We communicate with you through correspondence and video communication. No, not on Skype. Read more about how classes are conducted in the applicant's memo on the website. While we are studying, I will tell you about each card. And we make layouts that are given as homework. I will check and correct all homework. I will cooperate only with serious students. Think carefully before applying for training. Classes last 4 months. You can continue training after 4 months if you wish. If you feel that you still need my help. One month of classes 8000 rub. Please send applications to register for individual training by email. [email protected]

https://site/shkola-taro-teney/

Tarot school

Practice tarot interpretation. Good day. Education at my tarot school is focused on teaching you to understand cards, read...

2016-10-20T09:09:03+03:00

https://site/shkola-taro/

About me

Hello. Let's get acquainted. I'll tell you who I am and what I do. And then you can tell me during the process...

2016-10-20T09:13:42+03:00

Hello. Let's get acquainted. I'll tell you who I am and what I do. And then in the process you can tell me about yourself. My name is Maria. The main direction that I bring to the masses is cartomancy. Namely, I am engaged in teaching. I teach people to read and understand symbols. And I run a consulting practice. I am a versatile person. Cartomantics is not the only area I am involved in. For example, I am also attracted to faces and actions. Reading faces, the emotions that these faces express, the ability to read a person according to the movements of his body is also an interesting science for me. I like psychology. I have two psychological degrees. A separate list of my interests: 1. Funeral rites of different peoples of the world. Understanding death. Metaphor of death. What do different peoples believe in when they perform rituals when they see off the dead on their last journey? 2. Afro-Caribbean traditions. 3. Well, of course, the rituals and values ​​of the Russian people. Holidays, why are they needed? What was the perception of these very holidays and the ritual activities that were carried out on this or that holiday. What did the Russian people believe in? What were you afraid of? What signs did the Russian people use? What cultural values ​​did Russian people have? 4. Forensics. Psychology of the criminal. Yes, yes, my crime chronicle on YouTube, where I introduce my viewers to the experiments I conducted for a reason. 5. Astrology. I think I can experience this science in all its diversity. There is Western astrology, and Vedic, and Chinese. I am engaged in Vedic astrology. But I hope that I can get to know other movements better. 6. Symbolism. The list is of course not complete. But I have listed only the most important ones. Therefore, if in the process you learn something new from me, then do not be surprised. If we talk about my project. Then I conduct educational activities. Of course, there are now many books from which you can learn a lot of useful and useless things. My projects reflect my practical experience. I don't consider myself a guru. And I don’t think that I’m worse than others. My self-esteem is quite adequate. I'm not afraid to express a loud protest...

There is probably not a single person who has not heard of or is not interested in the system of fortune telling using Tarot cards. But few people know that there are a huge number of different types of cards in the world.

And choosing the most suitable deck for yourself can be quite difficult. But if you carefully understand what types of tarot cards exist, making an informed choice will be much easier.

What you should know about Tarot

The very first mentions of a deck of Tarot cards appeared in the very distant past. Unfortunately, the exact date is unknown. Today, there are several theories of their origin, each of which finds new supporters every day.

Some researchers are confident that these maps contain unique knowledge of Atlantis, which was previously contained in the book of Thoth.

And after the death of the ancient civilization, they were handed over to the priests in Ancient Egypt. But the Egyptian civilization was also destroyed. According to legend, the ancient priests of Egypt, who had been keeping knowledge for a long time, decided to encrypt it in a special deck of cards.

And later it underwent significant changes. First, Kabbalistic signs from Ancient Palestine were added to the maps.

The deck was then transported to Europe. And ultimately, the very first deck, containing as many as 78 cards, was first made in Italy.

A variety of interpretations and names of Tarot cards have survived to this day, which may differ not only in meaning, but also in the number of arcana. And conditionally we can distinguish a certain classification. Although the same deck is sometimes classified as different types.

And often they are not assigned to any specific species at all. Therefore, it is often difficult for a novice tarot reader to choose the right deck for himself. But having familiarized himself with the most common ones, it will be much easier to make the right choice.

Below are the most famous types of cards that have received the widest distribution around the world.

Classic decks of cards

This category includes Tarot cards whose types were created in ancient times by an unknown author. They have 78 arcana, which are divided into several main suits. Over the several hundred years of their existence, maps have undergone significant changes, and it would be quite difficult to call them universal. After all, they are able to give answers only to certain questions.

Today, the following classic types of Tarot decks are widely known:

1. Marseille Tarot.
   This deck got its name due to the fact that it was first made in Marseille. The arcana included in the Tarot of Marseilles are executed in a special style that fully complies with all the canons of symbolism. And this type of tarot cards does not have meanings as such. And each lasso here is nothing more than a certain symbol, the meaning of which still needs to be unraveled. Each small curl can carry meaning and some kind of hint.
2. Egyptian Tarot.
   It has a mystical origin and is actively used by modern tarot readers. It is believed that the first deck was created by the famous esotericist Papus. It included tarot cards that were black and white. And only more than half a century later a color version was published. Among the features of the Egyptian Tarot, one should highlight the image of the goddess Isis on the Priestess card, the lack of a number on the Jester's lasso and the lack of drawing of the minor arcana.
3. Renaissance Tarot.
   They were first created during the Renaissance and have an appearance with special iconography. The arcana depict a world of aristocratic ideals, the origins of which allow us to look into the past and provide an opportunity to know the future. But tarologists note a certain capriciousness of these cards, which may not answer ordinary everyday questions. But their symbolism is simple and therefore the interpretation will be simple even for beginners.
4. Montaigny Tarot.
   It is considered a fairly easy-to-understand deck, which tarot readers often classify as oracles and therefore recommend laying out in addition. Cards of this type are arranged in 5 rows, completely covering the conditions of life, the world of science and art, the characters of people, as well as the celestial sphere. Montaigny's Arcana indicates and guides along a certain path of development, but often does not give exact answers to the questions posed.
5. Etteila deck.
   It is distinguished by its clear drawing and the presence of a certain interpretation, which can be easily read in the forward and reverse position. With the Arcana of Etteila, you can find out the most likely events of the future, based on the current state of affairs. Arcana are also capable of pointing out possible dangers that threaten the fortuneteller in the foreseeable future.

The listed varieties of classic decks are not the only ones. But they are rightfully considered the most popular and widespread. With it, any beginner can master the mysterious world of the Tarot card system. Especially if you show patience and diligence.

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When it comes to the number of decks a tarot reader needs to work, I usually answer that just one is enough. But with all this, I can honestly call myself a Tarot maniac. No, I don’t buy absolutely all the decks I like in a row, but I am happy to follow the new products and the best examples of the past in the Tarot industry. I read reviews, watch video presentations, surf thematic forums, scrupulously keep a list of the decks I like best, and also save galleries to my computer. And today I want to talk to you about black and white Tarot decks, which I personally think are very beautiful, minimalistic and extremely clear. Shall we talk?

Why do I like black and white decks?

You know, it seems to me that the answer to this question lies in the same area as the love for black and white photographs. Monochrome photographs, due to the absence of colors, concentrate our attention exclusively on the plot and details, without allowing us to be distracted by some extraneous, not so important little things. On the one hand, in Tarot, of course, absolutely everything matters: symbolism, color, the smallest details like the character’s pose or the background of the card. My favorite deck to this day remains Aleister Crowley, and artist Frieda Harris is known to have painstakingly worked not only on the symbols, but also on the color palette of each Arcana. Yes, I don’t argue that with the help of color you can extract a lot of additional information or catch special nuances that are invisible at first glance.

But on the other hand, sometimes you really want some kind of simplicity and minimalism! I just want to pick up the cards and not think about why the Emperor’s cloak is red, the lion on the Arcana of Temperance is white, and the Hierophant holds a black key in his hands. I just want to look at the map and understand: yeah, here, for example, there is a rose, but there is no need to guess how the meaning of the symbol changes if the flower turns out to be red, yellow or blue. A rose always smells like a rose, no matter what you call it. Do you know what I mean?

That is why I once really wanted to have a black and white Tarot. Simple, understandable, easy to understand and, of course, very beautiful. And then I began my search. More precisely, it was a little different: at first I saw one black and white deck, which I simply fell in love with, and then, after purchasing it, I began to be interested in others, made in shades of gray. Today I want to show you some very unusual, interesting monochrome decks that I discovered during my search. But before that, I would like to show with one clear example why color is sometimes simply not needed.

Can a black and white deck be more informative than a colored one?

Personally, in this black and white Magician I see much more symbolism that spurs the work of intuition than in the traditional first Arcana of Waite.

And look at the Emperor! Such energy and power bursts out of the black and white card that it seems that just a little more, and the power of the Arcana will knock down everything in its path! This is not just a static ruler sitting on a throne, this is amazing dynamics!

Now compare the two Arcana of Justice! Is it possible to say that from a monochrome image we will not feel absolutely all the nuances of the card: the power of balancing, the harmony between opposites, and the importance of balance between light and darkness?

And finally, let's take a look at the Hanged Man. Comments here will probably be unnecessary.

Reviews of black and white decks - my TOP 12

Of course, not all black and white decks have such deep symbolism as the Hermetic Tarot, presented in the above examples, but many of them are interesting and unusual in their own way. Of course, I won’t be able to show you all the existing monochrome Tarot cards, so I’ve chosen for you the dozen that I like the most. Well, let's move on to a brief review, shall we? I will not include one of my favorite decks - the Wild Unknown Tarot - in the article, because I cannot classify it as completely black and white; nevertheless, it also contains some color accents, albeit in small quantities.

The stunning black and white esoteric Hermetic Tarot deck is based on the secret knowledge of the Order of the Golden Dawn. The cards include a huge amount of symbolism: here you can find astrological correspondences, geomantic figures, Kabbalistic symbols, references to numerology, and even elements of angelic writing. The deck requires a thoughtful approach, so it is absolutely not suitable for beginners. But for those who have already worked with the Thoth Tarot or other decks created in the traditions of the Golden Dawn, it will become an excellent working, and also universal, tool. I myself work with this deck, and I want to note that its energy is quite harsh, more masculine than feminine. The cards answer very accurately, sometimes so much so that the hair on your head stands on end. The deck is straightforward, without sentimentality or humor - I would say about it “cuts the truth.”

A rather rare Tarot deck of Light and Shadow was released more than twenty years ago - back in 1997. The creators of the deck were inspired by the spiritual traditions of the East and West, so the cards reflected elements of the culture of the Celts, American Indians, Africans, East India, as well as medieval Europe. On the one hand, many of the minimalist Arcana of this deck remind us of the Rider-Waite plots, but along with them there are also completely different, author’s images. It is almost impossible to get this deck for sale, so I printed it myself for the collection. I have not yet used it in practical work.

The black and white version of the Tabula Mundi deck appeared in 2014, but at that time included only the Major Arcana. A little later, the author repeated the plots of her cards in color, and already in the amount of 78 cards, and also supplemented the black and white version with the Minor Arcana. Today, you can find both of these versions for sale on foreign websites on the Internet, but honestly, I like the monochrome one better, although the color one is also very good. The deck tradition is Crowleyan. The cards attract with their sincerity, thoughtfulness and depth. Unlike the Thoth Tarot, the Tabula Mundi cards are filled with more understandable symbolism, but the deck still requires detailed elaboration - it’s unlikely to be read intuitively right away, especially the Minor Arcana. And it will be even more difficult for adherents of the Waite system to deal with it. Personally, I would have bought it for my collection a long time ago, but shipping is very expensive.

Fairy-tale, but at the same time gloomy, surreal, and sometimes very simple, mystical and at the same time romantic - all this can be said about the amazing Phantomwise Tarot deck. Looking at its Arcana, it’s as if you find yourself in another world - cloudy and rainy England, where, sitting by the fireplace with a cup of aromatic herbal tea in an old mansion, you really want to remember fairy tales familiar from childhood and just dream a little. Artist Erin Morgenstern managed to create a whimsical, addictive magical world based on the classic Arcana of Waite and the well-known works of Lewis Carroll. A wonderful idea and amazing implementation deserve the highest praise!

The Ritual Abuse Tarot

Since we are talking about a dark world, another dark, but at the same time satirical creation immediately comes to mind - The Ritual Abuse Tarot. If you think this is just another mindless horror story, you're wrong. This Tarot deck was created in honor of the memory of an American children's illustrator who drew pictures for horror stories. Despite the outright frightening gloom, Stephen's works have gained popularity in many countries. Scary, but beautiful - my verdict on the deck!

I present to your attention a stunning monochrome elder arcanum - The TAROT ReVISIONed deck of 22 cards. Amazingly drawn details, pronounced three-dimensionality of images, esoteric and mythological symbolism, on the creation of which artist Lee McCloskey worked for many years - all this makes us instantly immerse ourselves in the space of the map. Despite the fact that the drawings are made in black and white, it seems that the characters on the cards are truly alive. In my opinion, this is a real masterpiece, representing a very harmonious synthesis of esotericism with artistic creativity. I don't know if we should expect a sequel in the form of a full 78-card deck. If it ever sees the light of day, I will certainly find a way to purchase it.

Davids Tarot

The very minimalist black and white David Tarot deck is considered by many tarot readers to be a real gem. The meaning of each card is conveyed through a capacious, but at the same time completely simple, symbolic image. In many ways, the cards repeat Waite’s plots, but along with them there is the author’s vision of some Arcana, for example, the Lovers on the 6th Arcana kiss rapturously, on the 16th Arcana there is no Tower, but there is a hand that is struck by lightning, and the Empress and the Emperor look very unpleasant and even repulsive. And yet there is something so unusual in this creation, isn’t it? I wouldn't mind adding such a deck to my personal collection.

The surreal monochrome Tarot of the Absurd deck is a unique interpretation of the classics from artist Jessica Schenehan. Maps were drawn using vector graphics. The images of some Arcana are truly grotesque, while others look quite cute and harmless. The key feature of the Tarot of the Absurd is the presence of two Moon cards in the deck. The fact is that the author revised her view of the 18 Arcana after she became a mother, but did not remove the original drawing from the deck, leaving the tarot reader to choose independently which card of the two to use when working.

Wanderer's Tarot

Since we're talking about somewhat strange decks, we can't ignore Wanderer's Tarot - cards that the author herself calls a feminist deck for modern witches. Each card of this dark, unusual deck helps representatives of the fair sex establish contact with their subconscious and reveal all sides of their feminine and, of course, witch nature. At first, I must admit, the images of Wanderer’s Tarot put me off, but the more I looked at them, the more clearly I realized that there was clearly something in them. I can’t say that I want to buy this deck, but, for example, I would gladly accept it as a gift.

A rare, unusual and very elegant gothic deck in black tones, which was drawn by artist Ash Abdullah with ink and charcoal, is capable of winning the hearts of connoisseurs of the dark Tarot. According to the author, the main task of each Arcana is to show a certain shadow, a problem that needs to be solved at a given moment in time. According to the owners, the Diary of a Broken Soul works great with subconscious blocks, emotional trauma, and internal fears. The illustrations turned out to be really very beautiful, attractive, mystical. I want to admire them.

Let's move from a sad note to a cheerful one. The Painted Man Tarot, created by Lar de Souza, looks like it was drawn by a child. But at the same time, each plot is quite recognizable. To some, such a free and schematic interpretation of the Waite Tarot will seem too frivolous, but, as the masters who worked with the deck note, it “says” everything in essence. It seems to me that this is an ideal “travel” version of fortune telling cards that you can take with you on a trip. And cute, funny people will also cheer you up on the road.

If Tarots with cats, pandas, dragons, and other real and fictional animals exist, then why not come up with a deck that tells the life of, for example, a ferret? Do you know that such cards really exist? A simple, recognizable Waite classic, but instead of people, the heroes of the Arcana of The Ferret Tarot are ferrets. And what? I think it’s very cute, fresh, unusual. With such a deck, it’s probably nice to work on simple, everyday issues; of course, it’s hardly suitable for working through serious problems.

On this cheerful note, I conclude my review. How do you feel about black and white decks? Is the color component important to you? Do you have monochrome decks in your collection? If yes, which ones exactly? Share in the comments!