The Tarot Draconis emerges as a distinctive deck within the realm of divination, offering a unique synthesis of traditional tarot structure and the mythological power of dragons. Created by artist Davide Corsi and published by Lo Scarabeo in 2013, this 78-card deck adheres to the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition while immersing the user in a world of primordial chaos, visionary guidance, and epic battles. Unlike standard decks, the Tarot Draconis utilizes the imagery of dragons—creatures of pre-history and immense strength—as the central figures to explore themes of magic, wisdom, life cycles, and potential. For spiritual seekers and those interested in holistic energy, this deck provides a tool for navigating life’s challenges and understanding the deeper currents of existence through the lens of mythical beasts.
The deck is the work of Davide Corsi, a well-known tarot card artist recognized for his fantasy graphic style, as seen in his previous work on the Tarot of the Elves. The Tarot Draconis is described as having solid art that is easy on the eyes, combining the epic grandeur of ancient fantasy with the iconic force of the traditional Rider-Waite tarot. The companion material includes a 64-page little white booklet available in six languages, which, while providing general information, lacks individual card interpretations according to some reviews. Despite this, the deck is praised for its durability, with cards that are roughly the size of ordinary playing cards but slightly thicker, housed in a durable, glossy box with an embossed leather texture.
The Philosophy and Imagery of Tarot Draconis
The core philosophy of the Tarot Draconis is rooted in the symbolism of dragons as guides, teachers, and sources of heroic inspiration. The source material describes these dragons as being "of the dragons of pre-history, of primordial chaos, of mythical and majestic beasts of huge strength and with visionary capacities." These attributes are utilized to help users overcome obstacles, guard treasure, win fights, and conquer deepest fears and epic battles. The deck is designed to assist in expressing heroism on a life-long journey, mirroring the narrative arc of the Major Arcana from the Fool (0) to the World (XXI).
The visual presentation of the deck is characterized by a dark-hued palette and a "strangely lifeless" aesthetic, which may contribute to the sense of ancient, primordial energy. The art is described as a "bold dragon painting" that captures the primal purity of winged beasts. The back design features a gold dragon head in the center circle on a red and black background, which is reversible, allowing for reversed card readings. The deck follows the standard structure of 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana, with suits of Chalices, Swords, Pentacles, and Wands, and court cards of Knave, Knight, Queen, and King. This adherence to the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition ensures that users familiar with standard tarot layouts can easily transition to using the Tarot Draconis, while the dragon imagery offers a fresh energetic perspective.
Navigating Life’s Journey: The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana of the Tarot Draconis follows a traditional narrative journey, but the presence of dragons infuses each card with a sense of mythic weight and magical potential. The journey begins with the Fool, representing potential and new beginnings, often depicted through the symbolism of the "Dragons Egg" mentioned in the source material. As the user progresses through the cards, they encounter various dragon archetypes that reflect the stages of personal and spiritual development.
The descriptions provided in the source material suggest that the Major Arcana cards in this deck are designed to reveal what is going on in a person’s life and to identify potential problems or solutions. The dragons serve as the central actors in this drama, embodying the themes of each card. For example, cards dealing with battle and conflict likely feature dragons of immense strength, while cards focusing on wisdom and knowledge may depict dragons as ancient teachers. The ultimate goal of the Major Arcana journey in the Tarot Draconis is to reach The World card, symbolizing completion and the beginning of a new cycle, guided by the visionary capacities of the dragon guides.
The Minor Arcana and Suits
While the source material focuses heavily on the Major Arcana and the overall theme of dragons, the Minor Arcana maintains the traditional suits and court cards. The suits—Chalices (emotions), Swords (intellect and conflict), Pentacles (wealth and material concerns), and Wands (energy and action)—are interpreted through the lens of dragon mythology. The court cards (Knave, Knight, Queen, King) likely represent different aspects of dragon nature or different types of dragon energies that influence the user’s life.
The Minor Arcana cards are described as providing insights into what could lead a person to potential problems or solutions. By integrating dragon imagery into the RWS-based scenes, the deck aims to offer a more primal and powerful interpretation of daily situations. For instance, a Pentacle card dealing with wealth might not just show coins, but a dragon guarding a hoard of treasure, emphasizing the themes of security, value, and the need to protect one's resources.
Divination Spreads and Techniques
The Tarot Draconis offers specific spreads designed to harness the energy of dragons. These spreads are detailed in the companion materials and are included in courses such as the Total Tarot Collection. Two specific spreads are mentioned in the source material:
- The Dragon’s Breath Spread: This spread utilizes only the Major Arcana cards. It is designed to identify a neglected goal and understand how success can be achieved. By focusing on the high-level archetypal energies of the Major Arcana, this spread helps users see the broader picture of their life path and where their focus needs to be directed.
- The Flight of the Dragon Spread: This is a six-card spread that could reveal a person's life path. The use of six cards suggests a structured reading that covers past influences, present circumstances, future potential, and the underlying spiritual journey, all viewed through the guiding influence of the dragon.
These spreads are integrated into a larger course on Tarot reading, indicating that the Tarot Draconis is intended not just as a divination tool but as a system of study for those wishing to deepen their understanding of tarot and dragon wisdom.
User Experiences and Practical Considerations
Reviews of the Tarot Draconis highlight both the artistic strengths and practical aspects of the deck. The art is consistently praised for being beautiful and solid, with a romantic flair that appeals to fans of fantasy and mythology. The companion book is described as well-written, providing substantial information about both tarot and dragons, though it is noted that the book does not offer individual card meanings, which some users found lacking.
Practical considerations regarding the physical deck include: * Durability: The cards are generally considered sturdy, though one review noted that the card paper is "a little fragile." * Size: The deck is roughly the size of ordinary playing cards but slightly thicker. * Language: The guidebook is available in six languages, but some users may receive a version in a language other than English if not specified. * Box Quality: The packaging is durable and features an embossed leather texture, which is well-received.
Despite minor criticisms regarding the lack of individual card interpretations in the guidebook, the overall recommendation for the Tarot Draconis is positive. It is recommended to those who enjoy dragons and tarot, offering a great story, interesting mechanics, and a beautiful art style. It serves as a powerful alternative to the Rider-Waite style, retaining a romantic flair while introducing the epic grandeur of dragon mythology.
Conclusion
The Tarot Draconis stands as a unique and evocative tool for divination and spiritual exploration. By weaving the ancient symbolism of dragons into the traditional framework of the tarot, Davide Corsi has created a deck that speaks to the heroic journey within every individual. The dragons serve as guides through the Major Arcana, offering strength and vision to overcome obstacles and conquer fears. With specific spreads like the Dragon’s Breath and Flight of the Dragon, users can engage directly with these energies to uncover neglected goals and map out life paths. While the companion material may have gaps in individual card meanings, the deck’s artistic merit and thematic depth make it a valuable asset for spiritual seekers looking to add a layer of mythic power to their tarot practice. As a divination system, it encourages users to embrace the primal purity of the dragon and navigate their life’s epic battles with wisdom and courage.