The Game of Thrones Tarot deck represents a unique convergence of modern pop culture and ancient divination practices. Created through a collaboration between tarot reader and author Liz Dean and artist Craig Coss, this deck offers a 78-card set that fuses the mythic storytelling of the popular fantasy drama series with the timeless wisdom of the tarot. While the imagery is drawn directly from the world of Westeros, Essos, and Dorne, the deck maintains strict adherence to traditional tarot meanings. This synthesis allows for a reading experience that is both immersive for fans of the series and accessible to those unfamiliar with its narrative, provided they understand the foundational archetypes of the tarot.
The primary purpose of this deck is to facilitate self-reflection, spiritual guidance, and divination. By integrating characters, themes, and events from the Game of Thrones series, the deck provides a fresh visual language for exploring universal aspects of the human experience. The deck is designed to be a tool for empowerment, helping individuals see their choices and the journeys behind them. Whether used for gaining insights into personal relationships, navigating challenges, or simply appreciating the artistry of the cards, the Game of Thrones Tarot serves as a bridge between a specific fictional universe and the broader spectrum of personal growth and spiritual inquiry.
The Structure and Composition of the Deck
The Game of Thrones Tarot is a standard 78-card deck, divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. This structure is identical to traditional tarot decks, ensuring that the core mechanics of reading remain consistent. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent significant life themes and spiritual lessons, while the Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards divided into four suits that address day-to-day aspects of life.
The deck’s design incorporates specific elements to enhance the thematic immersion. The card backs feature the iconic Game of Thrones logo, and the borders are adorned with intricate designs inspired by the show’s medieval fantasy setting. These visual cues immediately establish the context of the reading. The accompanying guidebook is a crucial component for beginners, offering step-by-step instructions on shuffling, laying out cards, and interpreting meanings. It details the symbolism behind each card and introduces tarot spreads adapted to the world of Westeros, such as the Red Keep and the Faith of Seven spreads.
The Major Arcana: Iconic Characters as Archetypes
In the Major Arcana, the deck features the most iconic characters from Game of Thrones, each chosen to embody the specific characteristics and symbolism of a traditional tarot card. This casting process requires a deep understanding of both the character’s narrative arc and the archetypal energy of the tarot card. The result is a deck where the visual representation reinforces the traditional meaning through storytelling.
For example, Jon Snow is depicted as the Fool card. This interpretation aligns with his journey of self-discovery and his willingness to take risks and step into the unknown, much like the Fool’s leap of faith. Daenerys Targaryen represents the Empress card, symbolizing her nurturing nature towards her people and followers, as well as her quest for power and dominion over the land. Other characters fill different roles based on their thematic resonance. The Lovers card depicts Jon Snow and Ygritte atop the Wall, a moment where their universe expands, capturing the essence of connection and choice. Arya Stark, situated at the House of Black and White, serves as the Death card. While this may seem counter-intuitive, it reflects the transformative nature of death and letting go, which is central to Arya’s journey and the traditional meaning of the card. Tyrion Lannister’s role within the deck, while not explicitly detailed in the provided text beyond a mention of his presence, is implied to carry similar weight in representing specific archetypes.
The Minor Arcana: Suits and Elements
The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits: Swords, Cups, Wands, and Pentacles. Each suit corresponds to a different element and represents a distinct aspect of life. The characters and scenes depicted on these cards are selected to tie into the overall themes of the show while reflecting the traditional meanings of the suit.
- Suits and Corresponding Elements:
- Swords: Represents intellect, conflict, and air. The imagery likely depicts scenes of political maneuvering and warfare.
- Cups: Represents emotions, relationships, and water. This suit features characters navigating matters of the heart, such as the scene of Jon Snow and Ygritte.
- Wands: Represents action, creativity, and fire. This suit would correspond to the ambitious drives and energetic pursuits of various houses.
- Pentacles: Represents material wealth, stability, and earth. This suit focuses on the physical realm, including the lands of Westeros and the treasures held by its houses.
Interpretation and Symbolism
The core philosophy of the Game of Thrones Tarot deck is that the meanings of the individual cards align with traditional tarot interpretations; the only difference is the visual representation. The deck strikes a balance between honoring original tarot meanings and reflecting the themes found in the show. This approach ensures that the deck functions as a legitimate tool for divination rather than merely a novelty item.
The symbolism is enriched by the familiarity fans have with the characters' journeys. Reading tarot is largely about understanding journeys and the meanings behind them. By featuring characters in multiple cards, the deck visually represents these journeys. For instance, Sansa Stark appears on the Four of Cups card, looking despondent, and later on the Star card, looking more hopeful. This progression mirrors her character arc and provides a visual narrative for the card meanings—moving from a state of emotional withdrawal or disappointment (Four of Cups) to a state of hope and inspiration (The Star).
Universal Applicability
Despite its specific source material, the deck is designed to be universal. The characters and scenes act as vessels for universal archetypes. Even individuals who have not watched Game of Thrones can connect with the imagery and draw meaning from the cards based on their personal experiences and beliefs. The "Death" card remains a symbol of transformation and letting go, regardless of whether the viewer recognizes Ned Stark or Arya Stark. The "Lovers" card remains a symbol of connection and expanding universes, regardless of the viewer's familiarity with Jon Snow and Ygritte. The deck’s ability to function on two levels—one for the fan and one for the spiritual seeker—makes it a versatile tool for a wide audience.
The guidebook plays a significant role in bridging any knowledge gaps. It details the meaning of each card and the symbolism behind it, ensuring that a tarot novice can still engage with the deck effectively. By providing a step-by-step guide to the reading process, the deck democratizes access to tarot, using the familiarity of a popular series as a gateway to deeper spiritual practice.
The Reading Experience
Using the Game of Thrones Tarot deck follows the standard protocols of tarot reading. The reader shuffles the cards while focusing on a question or intention, then draws a specific number of cards depending on the spread being used. The interpretation involves analyzing the card's position, the traditional symbolism of the card, and the specific imagery depicted in the Game of Thrones context.
For example, if a querent is asking about a relationship challenge and draws the Four of Cups featuring Sansa Stark, the reader might interpret this as a period of emotional withdrawal or dissatisfaction within the relationship, perhaps feeling trapped or unappreciated—a feeling Sansa experiences frequently in her early life. If the querent draws the Star card featuring a hopeful Sansa, it suggests a period of healing, renewal, and finding hope after a difficult time.
The unique spreads adapted to the world of Westeros, such as the "Red Keep" spread, likely offer specific layouts designed to address questions regarding power dynamics, court intrigue, or personal sovereignty. The "Faith of Seven" spread might relate to seeking guidance across different facets of life, corresponding to the seven aspects of the deity in the show. These thematic spreads add an extra layer of immersion and specificity to the reading.
Empowerment Through Choice
A central tenet of the philosophy behind this deck, as articulated by its creator, is that "the point of tarot is empowerment in seeing our choices." The deck is not intended to predict a fixed future but rather to illuminate the options available to an individual. By seeing their situation reflected in the epic struggles and triumphs of the Game of Thrones characters, users may gain a clearer perspective on their own agency. The deck acts as a mirror, reflecting the archetypal energies at play in the user's life and highlighting potential paths forward.
Conclusion
The Game of Thrones Tarot deck successfully merges the specific with the universal. It utilizes the rich lore, recognizable characters, and dramatic themes of the Game of Thrones series to give visual form to the ancient system of tarot. While the imagery is undeniably rooted in the world of Westeros, the deck’s functionality remains firmly grounded in traditional tarot interpretations. It serves as a bridge, allowing fans of the series to explore self-reflection and spiritual guidance through a familiar lens, while offering tarot enthusiasts a visually stunning and thematically rich deck. Through its careful integration of character archetypes and traditional card meanings, the deck provides a compelling tool for divination, meditation, and personal growth, proving that the wisdom of the tarot can be found in even the most modern of stories.