Discover the best Tarot de Marseille: A comparative guide for beginners

Pros

The Tarot by Paul Marteau, published by Grimaud, stands out for its bold and codified use of colors. With a palette limited to five main colors - red, blue, green, yellow, and pink - each hue carries a specific meaning. Red symbolizes action, blue receptivity, yellow materiality, green spirituality, and pink the human. This approach gives the cards an immediate and profound sense, offering beginners a more accessible and enriching interpretation.

Cons

However, the choice of bright and sometimes dark colors, without subtle nuances, can be perceived as shocking or disturbing. Additionally, the coarseness of the lines, thick and lacking finesse, even for the time, leaves something to be desired in terms of artistic quality. These aspects can diminish the aesthetic and intuitive experience of reading.

The Cards

Focusing on specific cards like TEMPERANCE and L'ETOILE, one observes Marteau's unique approach. The pink wings of TEMPERANCE suggest an earthly, human angel, a messenger that is part of us. The blue hair of L'ETOILE, on the other hand, could symbolize wisdom or spirituality, adding an additional dimension to the card's interpretation.

Divinatory Use

For beginners in divination, Marteau's codified colors can greatly facilitate card interpretation. This feature makes the tarot particularly accessible, although some familiarity with the color system is necessary for a complete interpretation.

Symbolic Richness

Although the colors offer immediate understanding, learning the traditional symbols of tarot remains essential for a complete and profound interpretation. Thus, this tarot requires an investment of time and study to fully master its symbolic richness.

My Opinion

Despite its historical popularity, Paul Marteau's Tarot is far from ideal for regular divination practice. Its success seems more linked to its status as the only Tarot de Marseille available on the market for a long time. The crude quality of the lines and garish colors can be off-putting. While it is an essential item in every tarot reader's library, its daily use is not recommended. This tarot is more a collectible than a practical divinatory tool for daily readings.

My Review

Don't miss my complete review where I dive deep into the details of this tarot. Discover detailed card analyses, an objective evaluation, and a gallery. Whether you are a beginner or experienced in tarot reading, click here to explore all the uniqueness of Paul Marteau's Tarot: 🔮 Read the Full Review 🔮

Pros

The Jodorowsky / Camoin Tarot stands out for its harmonious coexistence between creativity and respect for the canonical form of the Tarot de Marseille. This deck is characterized by an enriched and pleasant color palette, dominated by pastel tones that bring a touch of softness and modernity. Esoteric elements, though present, are integrated discreetly, allowing classic use of the cards without excessive distraction.

Cons

However, the elements added by Jodorowsky and Camoin, while subtle, can introduce unnecessary complexity and confusion, especially for beginners. These additions reference traditions outside of Tarot, such as Kabbalah and Freemasonry, which can be counterproductive for those seeking a more traditional experience.

The Cards

• L'IMPERATRICE: The eagle on the woman's coat of arms in one of the cards is an example of the authors' unique approach, symbolizing a process in formation rather than a handicap.
• LA FORCE: Strength presents intriguing numerical details, such as six fingers and six teeth, seemingly symbolizing exceptional strength and solid grounding. This detail may be inspired by ancient historical tarots bearing this detail, which in my opinion, is more an engraver's error than a deliberate intention.
• LE MAT: A tiny detail is present in the image of LE MAT: the 3 dots on top of the character's walking stick. According to Jodorowsky, it represents the Christian Trinity or the first three sephirots of the Kabbalah Tree of Life. Those who have long followed Jodorowsky and love his entire body of work will find in his tarot his very cerebral approach to Art, his metaphysical considerations on spirituality, and especially his profusion of ideas and connections in his creations.

Divinatory Use

The elements added by the authors enrich the initiatory message but do not necessarily contribute to divinatory practice. For those seeking a pure and traditional divinatory experience, this tarot may be less suitable.

Symbolic Richness

The Jodorowsky / Camoin tarot is a complex work, with references to external traditions that can be confusing for beginners. Novices might prefer tarots with more modern graphics and without additions, such as the Fournier Tarot or that of Bruno de Nys.

My Opinion

The authors claim that their tarot is based on an original historical tarot, but their assertions lack concrete evidence (no dates, no names are provided about this tarot). The oldest French tradition tarots (Vieiville, Noblet, Dodal) do not resemble the Jodorowsky-Camoin tarot, raising questions about the authenticity of their claims. In conclusion, the Jodorowsky-Camoin Tarot de Marseille is a work that mixes respect for tradition and the personal creativity of the authors. Although visually appealing, it can pose challenges for beginners who might get lost in the graphic details added by the authors.

My Review

Read my complete review where I reveal the details of this unique tarot. Whether you are a beginner or experienced in tarot reading, click here to explore this tarot where tradition and innovation meet: 🔮 Read the Full Review 🔮

Pros

The Grand Universal Tarot by Bruno De Nys stands out for its modernization of the appearance of the Tarot de Marseille, offering images more accessible and attractive to a contemporary audience. This initiative is particularly commendable in the context of the competition from modern Rider-Waite-Smith tarots, aiming to democratize the Tarot de Marseille and make it more relevant for today's users.

Cons

However, this tarot significantly deviates from the traditional standard of the Tarot de Marseille, with personalizations that may not please purists. Additionally, the overload of symbols can complicate learning for beginners, making the approach to tarot more intimidating.

The Cards

• THE DEVIL: The expressive faces vary from anguish in the card of The Devil to joy in that of The Sun. While expressiveness can make the characters more human, it tends to break the necessary neutrality in the interpretation of the cards.
• LA PAPESSE: The addition of symbols like the library and the sun's rays illuminating her head enriches the meaning of the card, evoking knowledge and gestation.
• L'IMPERATRICE: The presence of the cat at the foot of the throne is striking. The author seems to evoke the strength and agility of the feline, but its link with The Empress remains open to interpretation.

Divinatory Use

The divergences from the standard of the Tarot de Marseille can pose challenges for traditional divinatory practices. Beginners might find the profusion of symbols a barrier to learning divinatory reading.

Symbolic Richness

Although visually appealing, the deck may not be the ideal choice for beginners due to its symbolic complexity. Beginners might prefer simpler decks or specific learning sets to start in tarot reading.

My Opinion

In conclusion, the Grand Universal Tarot by Bruno De Nys is an audacious attempt to modernize the Tarot de Marseille. Its visual modernization is impressive, but its deviations from the traditional standard and the complexity of its symbols may make it less suitable for beginners and purists of cartomancy.

My Review

If you are intrigued by the Grand Universal Tarot by Bruno De Nys and wish to explore its nuances and particularities further, I invite you to read my complete review. Discover the details and subtleties of this unique deck. Click here to access the full review and dive into the world of the Grand Universal Tarot: 🔮 Read the Full Review 🔮

Pros

The Jean Dodal Tarot by Flornoy is a celebration of the tradition and heritage of the Tarot de Marseille. It stands out with its unique graphic style, reminiscent of medieval stained glass, giving it a "cathedral tarot" appearance imbued with profound wisdom. This deck offers a renewal of archetypes and a deeper questioning of the meanings of the Major Arcana, making it essential for the study of the Tarot de Marseille.

Cons

Its medieval imagery may require a period of adaptation, especially for those accustomed to more modern decks.

The Cards

• LA PAPESSE: Unique with her beauty mark, she embodies a court woman, an aristocrat, reflecting the engraver's freedom of expression.
• L'AMOUREUX: The blindfolded angel, a classic representation of Cupid, evokes blind love and the changing perceptions of love through the centuries.
• LE PENDU: His nonchalance and the potential wings lend lightness and a celestial nature to the character, underscoring the importance of this card and its message.

Divinatory Use

The deck is ideal for deep divinatory practice, offering a rich and nuanced perspective on soul questions and spiritual journeying.

Symbolic Richness

While the deck may initially be a challenge for beginners, especially those coming from the Rider-Waite-Smith school, the effort of learning is rewarded with a richer and more authentic understanding of the Tarot de Marseille.

My Opinion

The Jean Dodal Tarot by Flornoy is a window to the past, offering an authentic and enriching experience of the Tarot de Marseille. Its fidelity to tradition, combined with a factual approach to the cards, makes it a valuable choice for those seeking to deepen their understanding of tarot. However, the card size, faithful to the original but out of standard, can make handling difficult for easy shuffling.

My Review

If you are fascinated by the Jean Dodal Tarot by Flornoy and wish to discover its nuances and particularities in more detail, I invite you to read my complete review. Dive into the historical and rich universe of this unique deck. Click here to access the full review and explore the world of the Jean Dodal Tarot by Flornoy: 🔮 Read the Full Review 🔮

Pros

The Marseille-Waite Tarot by Emmanuelle Iger is a bold and creative fusion of the Tarot de Marseille and Rider-Waite-Smith traditions. This combination offers unique clarity and depth, making the major arcana simple and powerful while integrating the illustrative minor arcana of the Waite-Smith system. The artwork, inspired by ancient illuminations, is visually appealing and sophisticated. Additionally, the bilingual (French and English) manual makes this tarot accessible to an international audience.

Cons

However, this complexity can be challenging for beginners, especially those not familiar with either system. Moreover, the canonical form of the Tarot de Marseille is not fully respected, which can displease purists.

The Cards

• L'AMOUREUX: The gesturing in this card is not respected, modifying its traditional interpretation. The man has his hands crossed as if they were tied, whereas in historical tarots, the man looks at the woman on the left (I am with you in thought) while extending his hand towards the right woman's sexual area (I am yours in desire). With the other hand, he holds his belt to indicate that he wants to be united and bound with the world.
• LA FORCE: Placed in position 8 instead of 11, this card breaks with the traditional sequence, modifying the symbolic journey of the tarot. Between the Chariot at 7, which speaks of conquest, and the Hermit at 9, which speaks of questioning and the path of assessment, Justice at 8 is in its place as it talks about reaping (or not) the fruits of one's labor. Strength at 11 says that the goal of the spiritual cycle (from 11 to 20) is to learn to discover and master oneself.
• LE JUGEMENT: The gesturing of the characters is not in line with tradition, which can alter the deep meaning of the card. The three people should touch elbows, signifying that the three fundamental aspects of the individual's psyche (the man, the woman, the child) unite. The individual becomes united and aligned with himself.

Divinatory Use

The combination of the two systems offers clarity and depth in divinatory reading, allowing for a richer and more varied interpretation. This tarot is particularly suited to readers who appreciate the intuition of the Rider-Waite-Smith and the mystique of the Tarot de Marseille.

Symbolic Richness

This tarot allows learners to become familiar with both major tarot systems, enriching their understanding and practice. However, it is important to note that some crucial details of the canonical form of the Tarot de Marseille are not present.

My Opinion

The Marseille-Waite Tarot by Emmanuelle Iger is a commendable initiative that brings a fresh perspective to the world of tarot. While the content is interesting and the work quality, the name of the tarot can be misleading, as it significantly deviates from the canonical form of the Tarot de Marseille. This deck is rather a pure Rider-Waite-Smith, tinted with considerations for the Tarot de Marseille, but too far removed from its traditional form to be considered as such.