Creating a Tarot Deck

I have decided to undertake the huge task that is tarot card visioneering. I cannot seem to find a deck that is already out there which has 1) pictures I like, and 2) meanings I can understand the full scope of just by looking at the picture for a few seconds. I am not by any stretch of the imagination a graphic designer, so my options are to either take computer images and figure out how to superimpose on Photoshop (if you know how PLEASE help!) or draw them myself. If I do this, it will be like a comic book minus word/thought bubbles and any colours, and also will look like shit. So keep that in mind before recommending I do any such thing. OK I've said my piece; it's your turn!

Tags: creation, deck, make, tarot

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Permalink Reply by Sheila on January 11, 2008 at 4:16pm: There are a couple of decks that I really like, but can not find, lol. I have several decks myself, but there are a couple more I want just because I like them.

One of the decks I have, that I have not used much as of late, is the Quick and Easy Tarot deck. It has the meaning of the card on the card itself across the top of the card, and when the card is reversed, the reverse reading is written on the bottom of the card. The card picture is smaller in the center of the card. It was an interesting deck, and I use to carry it around with me in my purse, so I would have a deck and meanings handy where ever I went.

On http://altreligion.about.com/library/weekly/aa090502a.htm , they have tarot cards that you can print out on a printer, and then color for yourself. I printed some of these for my daughter and she really likes them, there are two types of cards, the Vacchetta Deck and the Waite Deck, that you can print out. I printed them on card stock paper that had design on one side, so that there was a colorful matching back on the cards, then after they were colored she laminated them. They have held up well, and she really loves them. She uses them more than any other deck she has. You could if you wanted to, leave a little extra room above and below the picture, and write a few reminder words of the meanings of the cards.

Just an idea.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sheila on January 11, 2008 at 8:14pm: I was looking through wiccan/pagan/occult online stores/sales, and I saw some blank tarot cards, regular cards, but blank so you can make your own cards. Here is the url for the page with the cards, if anyone wants to know.

http://www.wiccanway.com/tarot-decks-and-tarot-kits-s/51.htm; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Emick on February 21, 2009 at 9:36pm: These are available again at http://altreligion.net/?page_id=12

:-D; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lobita on January 11, 2008 at 8:47pm: The names of the decks escape me, but there are some that are drawn by a non-artist. They may look childish, but they're popular. I considered these as I now create my own. You can try the collage layout made popular by decks like the Golden Tarot. Collage decks are also popular and beautiful. Just look for images that appeal to you, lay them out on cardstock and see what you get. Enjoy your creative journey.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Archangel_Baw on February 2, 2008 at 11:16am: try making a tarot collage by cutting out pics from magazines that symbolize what you feel when you think of each card.
I just grabbed a stack of old magazines & cut out words and pictures that stood out to me, and put them all in a box for future use, I never have a specific card in mind while I'm cutting things out, just whatever grabs my attention.
Then at a later date when you go through the clippings, you will just get a feeling of what card they belong on.
I hope this helps, it worked for me:); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by BloodMoon Dancer on February 23, 2008 at 9:35am: I've toyed with the idea of making my own deck based on original characters I've created. The theme would work incredibly well -- it's just assigning the characters to the proper suits that's difficult.

My friend has the Vertigo tarot and it is eerily accurate. Granted, it spoke more to her since she connected with it more than I did, but on the other hand, my Faery Oracle speaks to me more than it did her. Have you ever tried just walking through a tarot section in a store and touching each one until one jumps out at you? That might be one method. Though you did mention you haven't been able to find a premade one. Hm. *headscratch* Wow, I was a lot of help, wasn't I? XD; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maple on March 3, 2008 at 10:25pm: Photoshop can be a very powerful tool if used properly. My first recommendation is to learn how to use the program before undertaking a huge task like this. Try to develop a style, and learn how to make images that when you come back in 3 months you don't think "wow, this is crap." Youtube believe it or not, has a lot of great tutorials, also http://revision3.com/pixelperfect/ is one of my favourites. http://youtube.com/results?search_query=you+suck+at+photoshop&s... has a lot of really good techniques, but has an attitude that I find to be very abrasive, I can't watch more than one video at a time.

Photoshop is one of my hobbies, so if this is the route you decide to go, let me know and I'll do what I can to help. I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I'll do what I can to help and have experience finding answers ;).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by zodiacaquarius on April 29, 2008 at 12:23am: Hi,
Tarot cards have been in use since the 15th century. Their oldest edition was found in China.
To more information about Tarot Click here; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bineshii on May 1, 2008 at 8:53am: There is a site with hundreds of decks, reviews of the decks, and shows about 4-6 cards from each deck. The decks are rated. You might get some inspiration for making your own deck by skimming though these. Then again, you might find a deck that really suits you for your own use. Give it a try! Here is the link:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by masquerade on May 1, 2008 at 3:37pm: I use Tarot s well. I had the same exact issue that you do right now. How I did it was the deck found me, the harder you look the longer it will take. Trust your gut it has never failed you before, don't listen to the influence of the immediate mind if you know what I mean. When you see it you will know 100% that this is the one!! hopefully this helps but don't worry it will happen.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lady Eva Michenet on October 2, 2008 at 11:45am: You can draw them yourself, actually, and they'd be the better for it since the images come directly from you. It honestly doesn't matter if the imges are gorgeous or not. But if you want something that looks good and is hand-drawn, you could get some tracing paper and make montages of images from the net by printing the images and tracing them in the space you mark out to put on the card. Rub graphite on the back of the tracing, tape the montage over the card and draw over the entire thing to tranfer your images. You can then use art markers to color them in, then seal the surface with Krylon's Kamar Varnish (it's an art varnish that dries clear). It'll take you a while to make your deck, but it is doable and will be unique. If you are concerned about copyright issues, bear in mind that one copy for personal use is permitted, so don't go publishing your deck! lol; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Woodlands Witch on May 11, 2009 at 12:28am: I used card stock to make two decks one the square and the other round , then used magazine pictures or even old family photos , or use coloring pages from a coloring book. No matter what they end up looking like , its the thought that goes into it ,start simple and find what works for you. good luck; ▶ Reply to This