The 1JJ Swiss Tarot deck represents a distinct and historically significant variation within the broader tradition of Tarot divination. As a derivative of the classic Marseilles style, it offers a unique visual and symbolic system that has intrigued readers for generations. This article provides a comprehensive examination of the 1JJ Swiss Tarot, drawing exclusively from the provided source materials to detail its origins, visual characteristics, and structural composition. It is intended for spiritual seekers and individuals interested in the historical foundations of Tarot tools used in holistic guidance and personal growth strategies.
Historical Origins and Development
The history of the 1JJ Swiss Tarot is deeply rooted in 19th-century Switzerland. The deck is a reproduction of a design that originated in that era, with versions existing for over a century. One of the earliest known iterations was created by Swiss cardmaker Johann Georg Rauch between approximately 1831 and 1838. Evidence of this specific creator can be found in the "JGR" initials present on the Four of Coins in some early versions. A subsequent version was produced circa 1865, utilizing Rauch's original woodblocks, though the identifying "JGR" initials were removed during this reproduction.
The deck is currently published by AGMuller in Switzerland and distributed by U.S. Games. While early versions of the deck featured titles in French, the current edition presents these titles in English, making it more accessible to a modern, international audience. The 1JJ Swiss Tarot holds the distinction of being the first Tarot deck presented by U.S. Games, marking its entry into the contemporary Tarot market. The accompanying Little White Book (LWB) provided with the deck is described as minimalist, offering basic naming for the court cards and major arcana without extensive interpretive discussion.
Visual Style and Artistic Characteristics
Visually, the 1JJ Swiss Tarot adheres closely to the Marseilles tradition. It features reprints of original woodcut images, characterized by black, white, and primary colored figures. The figures are depicted in 19th-century costumes, providing a specific historical aesthetic that distinguishes it from other Tarot systems.
The deck’s artistic approach extends to its Minor Arcana, or pip cards. Unlike the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck, which illustrates scenes and people on the minor cards, the 1JJ Swiss deck shows just the symbol for the suit on the pip cards. This lack of scenic imagery requires a different approach to reading, often relying on the reader’s ability to mentally map traditional meanings or to interpret the pure symbolism of the suit arrangements. The court cards are named but not extensively discussed in the guidebook. The images are described as finely detailed colored engravings, comparable to a "Soprafino" style, emphasizing precision and clarity in the visual presentation.
Major Arcana Structure and Symbolic Substitutions
The Major Arcana of the 1JJ Swiss Tarot follows the traditional numbering of the Marseilles system but contains significant symbolic substitutions that reflect its Swiss heritage and a desire to avoid religious controversy. The most notable changes occur in cards 2 and 5.
- Card 2: Junon: In place of the traditional High Priestess, this deck features Junon, the Roman goddess equivalent to the Greek Hera. This substitution replaces the figure of the Popess found in older Marseilles decks.
- Card 5: Jupiter: In place of the Hierophant or Pope, this deck features Jupiter, the Roman king of the gods, equivalent to the Greek Zeus.
These specific substitutions—Jupiter and Junon—were intentional. They were chosen to replace the Pope and Popess imagery in an effort to avoid affronting the Catholic Church. This historical context highlights the cultural sensitivities surrounding Tarot imagery in the 19th century.
The full list of Major Arcana cards as presented in the source data includes: The Fool, The Magician, Junon, The Empress, The Emperor, Jupiter, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement, and The World.
Suit Structure and Court Cards
The 1JJ Swiss Tarot is divided into four standard suits, each containing the Ace through Ten, and four court cards. The suits are Wands, Cups, Swords, and Coins. The court cards for each suit are the Page, Knight, Queen, and King.
The Wands: Ace of Wands, Two of Wands, Three of Wands, Four of Wands, Five of Wands, Six of Wands, Seven of Wands, Eight of Wands, Nine of Wands, Ten of Wands, Page of Wands, Knight of Wands, Queen of Wands, King of Wands.
The Cups: Ace of Cups, Two of Cups, Three of Cups, Four of Cups, Five of Cups, Six of Cups, Seven of Cups, Eight of Cups, Nine of Cups, Ten of Cups, Page of Cups, Knight of Cups, Queen of Cups, King of Cups.
The Swords: Ace of Swords, Two of Swords, Three of Swords, Four of Swords, Five of Swords, Six of Swords, Seven of Swords, Eight of Swords, Nine of Swords, Ten of Swords, Page of Swords, Knight of Swords, Queen of Swords, King of Swords.
The Coins: Ace of Coins, Two of Coins, Three of Coins, Four of Coins, Five of Coins, Six of Coins, Seven of Coins, Eight of Coins, Nine of Coins, Ten of Coins, Page of Coins, Knight of Coins.
Usage and Reading Methodology
The 1JJ Swiss Tarot is often approached by readers who have a background in the Rider-Waite-Smith system. The lack of scenic imagery on the pip cards presents a unique challenge. Some readers learn to read this deck by studying the RWS imagery in guidebooks and calling those images to mind when interpreting the symbol-only pip cards of the 1JJ Swiss deck.
This methodology allows the reader to bridge the gap between the symbolic purity of the Marseilles tradition and the narrative depth of the RWS system. However, the minimalist nature of the 1JJ Swiss imagery can also be seen as a strength; it allows for a more intuitive and less prescriptive interpretation, free from the specific narrative scenes found in the RWS deck. The deck is often used for traditional spreads, such as the Celtic Cross, which is mentioned in the accompanying guidebook.
Conclusion
The 1JJ Swiss Tarot is a historically rich deck that preserves the aesthetic of the 19th-century Marseilles tradition while introducing specific cultural adaptations, most notably the substitution of Jupiter and Junon for the Pope and Popess. Its visual style, characterized by woodcut images and primary colors, and its structural reliance on suit symbols rather than scenic illustrations, offer a distinct tool for Tarot practitioners. While it may require a period of adjustment for those accustomed to scene-based decks, its historical significance and unique symbolic system make it a valuable addition to the study of Tarot history and divination methods.