The 1JJ Swiss Tarot is a historical variation of the classic Marseilles tradition, utilized for both card games and divination. Originating from the Tarot de Besançon, which itself descends from the Tarot de Marseille, this deck is distinguished by its substitution of Roman deities for religious figures. Specifically, the Popess and Pope of the Tarot de Marseille are replaced by Junon (Juno) and Jupiter. This alteration was historically implemented to avoid offending the Catholic Church, as the deck was marketed in regions with both zealous Catholics and Protestants. The deck is structured as a standard 78-card Tarot deck, comprising 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. It features Roman numeral indexing and non-reversible cards, adhering to traditional aesthetics that include 19th-century costumed figures and woodcut-style imagery.
While the deck is used for the card games Troccas and Troggu, it is also employed for divination. The 1JJ Swiss Tarot is considered a pip card deck, meaning the Minor Arcana cards (with the exception of the Court Cards) generally lack the illustrative scenes found in the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) system. Consequently, reading this deck often requires a reliance on traditional symbolism associated with the suits and numbers, or a familiarity with the Marseilles system. The deck retains the standard Marseilles suit names: Coupes (Cups), Deniers (Coins), Epees (Swords), and Batons (Wands), and Court Cards named Roi (King), Reine (Queen), Chevalier (Knight), and Valet (Page). Some modern English versions may alter suit names to Pentacles and Wands, which is considered anachronistic by purists.
Historical Origins and Evolution
The lineage of the 1JJ Swiss Tarot traces back to the Tarot de Besançon, a regional variant of the Tarot de Marseille. The specific "1JJ" designation refers to the figures of Jupiter and Juno. Historical records indicate that versions of this deck have existed for over a century. One notable iteration was created by Swiss cardmaker Johann Georg Rauch circa 1831-1838, identifiable by a "JGR" mark on the Four of Coins. A later version circa 1865 utilized Rauch's woodblocks but removed the "JGR" mark. The titles on these early decks were in French, whereas the current US Games version published in 1970 features English titles.
The deck was the first Tarot deck presented by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. The accompanying Little White Book (LWB) for this edition is described as minimalist, offering basic naming conventions for the cards without extensive discussion of suits or court cards. The imagery is based on 19th-century woodcut reproductions, characterized by black, white, and primary colors.
Major Arcana: The Trumps
The Major Arcana of the 1JJ Swiss Tarot follows the traditional Marseilles numbering with specific deviations regarding the figures of Juno and Jupiter. The Fool is numbered 0, and the deck maintains the Marseilles ordering of Justice (8) and Strength (11).
The Major Arcana cards are listed as follows: 0. The Fool 1. The Magician 2. Junon (Juno) 3. The Empress 4. The Emperor 5. Jupiter 6. The Lovers 7. The Chariot 8. Strength 9. The Hermit 10. Wheel of Fortune 11. Justice 12. The Hanged Man 13. Death 14. Temperance 15. The Devil 16. The Tower 17. The Star 18. The Moon 19. The Sun 20. Judgement 21. The World
The Hierophant and High Priestess Substitutions
The most significant deviation from the standard Tarot de Marseille is the replacement of the Popess (High Priestess) and Pope (Hierophant) with Junon and Jupiter. This substitution is not merely cosmetic; it shifts the archetypal energy from ecclesiastical authority to Roman mythology. Junon (Hera) represents the feminine divine aspect, often associated with marriage and protection, while Jupiter (Zeus) represents the masculine divine aspect, associated with sovereignty and sky. This allows for a reading framework that bypasses religious iconography in favor of classical mythology.
The Fool and The World
Commentary on the deck notes that the Fool in this specific rendition has been transformed into a standard court jester in motley, lacking the dog, backpack, and setting often associated with the card in other traditions. Similarly, the World card is noted to be missing two of its sacred animals. These details suggest that while the deck adheres to the Marseilles structure, the specific artistic rendering of the 1JJ Swiss Tarot has unique characteristics that differ from other Marseilles reproductions.
Minor Arcana: The Suits and Pips
The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards, divided into four suits: Coupes (Cups), Deniers (Coins), Epees (Swords), and Batons (Wands). The pips (numbered cards 2 through 10) are generally non-scenic, relying on the arrangement of suit symbols to convey meaning. This requires the reader to memorize the traditional associations of the numbers and suits, or to map the meanings onto the Rider-Waite-Smith system visually.
Suit Characteristics
- Coupes (Cups): Corresponds to the element of Water. Represents emotions, relationships, and intuition.
- Deniers (Coins): Corresponds to the element of Earth. Represents material wealth, health, and the physical world.
- Epees (Swords): Corresponds to the element of Air. Represents intellect, conflict, and challenges.
- Batons (Wands): Corresponds to the element of Fire. Represents action, creativity, and willpower.
Court Cards
The Court Cards follow the traditional French hierarchy: * Roi (King): Mature male energy, authority, mastery of the suit's element. * Reine (Queen): Mature female energy, nurturing, and internalization of the suit's element. * Chevalier (Knight): Action, movement, and the transmission of energy. * Valet (Page): Young energy, beginnings, and messages.
Divination and Reading Methodology
Reading the 1JJ Swiss Tarot presents a specific set of challenges and opportunities due to its design. Because the Minor Arcana pips lack the narrative scenes of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, readers often utilize one of two approaches:
- Marseilles Methodology: This involves reading the cards based on the number, suit, and geometric arrangement of the symbols on the card. This method relies heavily on numerology and the elemental associations of the suits.
- Visual Association: Some readers use the 1JJ Swiss Tarot by holding the visual impression of the card and associating it with the corresponding Rider-Waite-Smith image. For example, viewing the pip arrangement of the Ten of Swords and recalling the RWS imagery of a looming threat or finality.
The deck is described as accommodating for readers who wish to move beyond the specific scene-based interpretations of the RWS system. The lack of detailed scenes allows for a more intuitive or abstract interpretation, preventing the reader from being locked into the specific narratives provided by the RWS illustrations.
Suit and Number Associations
To aid in the interpretation of the pip cards, the following table outlines the general energetic qualities associated with the numbers within the suits. These associations are derived from traditional Tarot numerology and the elemental nature of the suits.
| Number | General Vibration | Suit Association (Brief) |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | Initiation, Potential, Seed | The pure essence of the suit's element. |
| Two | Balance, Partnership, Choice | Duality and the relationship between two forces. |
| Three | Growth, Expansion, Synthesis | The result of the union of two; creation. |
| Four | Stability, Structure, Foundation | A resting point, establishment, and security. |
| Five | Conflict, Challenge, Disruption | Instability and the testing of the foundation. |
| Six | Harmony, Victory, Adjustment | Balance returning; the resolution of conflict. |
| Seven | Assessment, Planning, Persistence | A period of re-evaluation or minor victory. |
| Eight | Action, Movement, Mastery | The execution of plans; the suit in motion. |
| Nine | Completion, Fruition, Hope | The fulfillment of the suit's energy before the cycle ends. |
| Ten | End of Cycle, Exhaustion, Transition | The culmination and resetting of the cycle. |
Practical Considerations for Users
For homeowners, business owners, and spiritual seekers interested in using the 1JJ Swiss Tarot for guidance, several factors should be considered:
- Language: The original and most authentic version of the deck is in French. English versions are available but may contain anachronistic changes to suit names (e.g., Deniers to Pentacles).
- Visual Style: The deck utilizes 19th-century costumed figures and woodcut-style imagery. The aesthetic is distinct from modern Tarot decks and may require an adjustment period for those accustomed to highly detailed, symbolic art.
- Reversibility: The cards are not reversible, meaning reversed card meanings are not typically used in this deck. Interpretations rely on the upright meanings and the context of the spread.
- Pip Card Reading: Since the Minor Arcana pips are not scenic, the user must be comfortable interpreting abstract arrangements of symbols or be willing to memorize traditional Marseilles correspondences.
The deck is often praised for its ability to allow the reader to "see" beyond the specific imagery. By avoiding the detailed scenes of the RWS deck, the 1JJ Swiss Tarot encourages a more direct connection to the archetypal energies of the cards, filtered through the lens of Roman mythology and historical tradition.
Conclusion
The 1JJ Swiss Tarot serves as a bridge between the classic Tarot de Marseille and the needs of modern readers seeking a traditional tool for divination. Its unique substitution of Juno and Jupiter for the Popess and Pope reflects a historical desire to secularize or mythologize the Tarot structure. While the deck presents challenges—specifically the lack of scenic Minor Arcana and non-reversible cards—it offers a rich, traditional experience for those willing to engage with its historical roots and pip-based symbolism. It remains a testament to the evolution of Tarot, adapting to cultural sensitivities while preserving the core structure of the 78-card system.