The Fountain Tarot emerges as a contemporary 79-card deck that reinterprets traditional tarot through a lens of modern art, geometry, and spirituality. Conceived as a synthesis of the mystical approaches of Aleister Crowley and the familiar system of Arthur Waite, this deck aims to capture the joys and sorrows of life while celebrating the concept of 'oneness'. Jason Gruhl, the writer behind the deck's companion text, describes it as a blend of classic symbolism and contemporary art, melding the past and present to express the divine. The imagery, created by artist Jonathan Saiz through original oil paintings, is characterized by its use of smooth lines, the golden ratio, and the beauty of forms, resulting in a deck that is haunting yet beautiful, subtle yet powerful.
The primary focus of The Fountain Tarot is personal development. It encourages users to elevate their perceptions of themselves and their place in the Universe. Unlike decks that might demand bold, drastic changes, The Fountain Tarot brings a quiet energy to the forefront, emphasizing that the little things in life often hold the greatest meaning. It invites users to look closely at the small details and aspects within the cards that might initially be overlooked, suggesting that deeper meaning often hides in plain sight. This approach resonates with the idea that clarity and wisdom come from quiet observation and listening to the self.
A distinctive feature of this deck is the inclusion of a 79th card, "The Fountain." This card replaces a traditional number with the lemniscate symbol (infinity sign). It is not a humorous addition but a serious one, symbolizing "waking from the dream of separateness and identity," "oneness," and "the end of seeking." It represents the space beyond human experience where anything can happen, or the true source of everything—unshakable chaos from which order emerges. This card speaks of clarity, possibilities, and wisdom, and its meaning is open to personal interpretation.
Visually, the deck is noted for its contemporary style, with a color palette that is both intense and diaphanous. The imagery is fluid and easy on the eyes, leaving room for intuitive interpretation. The card back design is symmetrical and well-balanced, reflecting the thought put into the deck's aesthetics. The cards feature silver gilding on the edges, are of standard size (7 x 12 cm), and use a contemporary, uppercase font that is easy to read without overwhelming the artwork.
The companion booklet, written by Jason Gruhl, is described as thoughtful, well-written, and more than a generic guide. It provides meanings for the cards in both upright and reversed positions, with special attention paid to numerology, symbolism, and geometry. While it serves as a starting point, it is concise enough to fit within the magnetic-closure hard cardboard box designed by Andi Todaro. The deck's packaging itself is noted for its attractive, glossy design with a grunge look and shimmering rainbow colors, reflecting the deck's overall attention to detail.
The Fountain Tarot is considered straightforward and easy to understand, making it a suitable choice for beginners. Its clear imagery and the potential for intuitive reading allow it to be used professionally. It combines the approach of Crowley with the system of Waite, creating a golden mean between the two schools while maintaining the tradition of 78 classical images plus the additional Fountain card.
The Fountain Tarot: A Synthesis of Art, Geometry, and Spiritual Insight for Personal Development
The Fountain Tarot is a 79-card deck that represents a modern re-envisioning of tarot, integrating geometry, internet culture, art, and spirituality. Created by Jason Gruhl and artist Jonathan Saiz, the deck is designed to capture the full spectrum of human experience—joys and sorrows—while celebrating the concept of 'oneness'. It stands as a synthesis of the mystical traditions of Aleister Crowley and the more accessible system of Arthur Waite, offering a balanced approach to divination and personal insight.
Core Philosophy and Artistic Vision
At its heart, The Fountain Tarot is a tool for elevating perception. Jason Gruhl states that the deck "mixes classic symbolism with contemporary art, melding the past and present to express the divine." The artwork, rendered in oil paintings by Jonathan Saiz, is characterized by its use of geometry and the golden ratio. The imagery is described as fluid, easy on the eyes, and often permeated with a "primordial energy of chaos" that develops into order. This visual language avoids New-Age kitsch while evoking the sense of mystery found in the original Rider-Waite deck.
The deck's atmosphere is one of quiet contemplation. It encourages users to look beyond the obvious and find deeper meaning in the small details of the cards. For instance, in the Two of Cups, one might see the bottom curve as both a portal and a cup, or notice the focus on one cup while another is overlooked. This attention to nuance reflects the deck's philosophy that the most significant insights often come from observing the subtle aspects of life.
The Unique "Fountain" Card
A defining characteristic of this deck is the inclusion of a 79th card: The Fountain. Unlike other recent decks that have added extra cards for humor or novelty, The Fountain card is a serious addition that aligns with the deck's spiritual tone. Instead of a number, it bears the lemniscate (infinity) symbol. Its meaning is profound and multifaceted:
- Symbolism: It signifies "waking from the dream of separateness and identity," representing the state of 'oneness' and "the end of seeking."
- Interpretation: It represents the space beyond human experience where anything can happen, or the true source of everything—unshakable chaos.
- Practical Use: It offers insight into everyday situations, speaking of clarity, possibilities, and the wisdom that comes from quiet self-listening.
While some readers may choose to omit this extra card, many find its inclusion logical and meaningful, adding a layer of depth to readings.
Deck Structure and Physical Characteristics
The Fountain Tarot maintains the standard structure of tarot decks with the exception of the additional card. The suits and court cards are traditional, with the minor variation that Pentacles are referred to as Coins. The Major Arcana follow the Rider-Waite ordering, with Justice as VIII and Strength as XI. The court cards consist of Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings.
Physically, the deck is a high-quality product. It features:
- Cardstock: Flexible and durable, with a low sheen that minimizes glare.
- Edging: Silver gilding that does not impede shuffling.
- Size: Standard dimensions of 7 x 12 cm.
- Typography: A contemporary, uppercase font that is legible and unobtrusive.
- Back Design: A symmetrical, well-balanced design that reflects the deck's aesthetic.
- Packaging: A hard cardboard box with a magnetic closure, designed by Andi Todaro. The box has a glossy, grunge look with rainbow holographic elements, conveying an airiness and sublimity.
Companion Guide and Interpretive Framework
The deck includes a 112-page companion book written by Jason Gruhl. Although compact, it is described as insightful and thoughtfully written. It provides upright and reversed meanings for all cards, with a particular emphasis on numerology, symbolism, and the geometry of the images. The guide serves as a starting point for interpretation rather than an exhaustive dictionary, encouraging readers to develop their own intuitive connection with the cards.
For those familiar with traditional tarot systems, The Fountain Tarot is considered easy to understand and adapt to. Its straightforward nature makes it accessible to beginners, while its depth and unique perspective offer value to experienced readers. It is seen as a deck with great potential for professional use and for sharing with students.
Summary of Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Card Count | 79 cards (78 traditional + The Fountain) |
| Art Style | Contemporary oil painting, geometric, uses golden ratio |
| Key Themes | Personal development, oneness, finding meaning in details |
| Unique Card | "The Fountain" (lemniscate symbol) - represents chaos, source, clarity |
| System | Synthesis of Crowley and Waite traditions |
| Physical Quality | Silver-edged, flexible cardstock, magnetic closure box |
| Guidebook | 112 pages, focuses on numerology, symbolism, geometry |
| Target Audience | Beginners to professional readers |
The Fountain Tarot is more than a visually appealing deck; it is a carefully constructed tool for introspection and guidance. By blending traditional tarot symbolism with modern artistic and philosophical concepts, it offers a unique path for exploring the self and the universe. Its emphasis on quiet observation and the synthesis of different esoteric traditions makes it a versatile and meaningful addition to the world of tarot.