The Mythic Tarot represents a distinctive approach to traditional tarot, blending the symbolic structures of the cards with narratives from ancient Greek mythology. Developed by Juliet Sharman-Burke and Liz Greene, with illustrations by Tricia Newell, this deck and its accompanying guidebook aim to make the esoteric concepts of tarot accessible through familiar mythological stories. By grounding the archetypal imagery of the tarot in the myths of figures such as Pandora, Jason, and Orestes, the system provides a psychological and spiritual framework for personal exploration. This article examines the structure, symbolism, and practical application of the Mythic Tarot, drawing exclusively on the provided source materials.
Structure and Composition of the Deck
The Mythic Tarot is a standard 78-card deck, divided into the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). The deck was published in 1986 by Llewellyn, with a companion instruction book and a separate workbook released in subsequent years.
Major Arcana
The Major Arcana follows the traditional numbering and titles but interprets them through Greek myths: - Fool, Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant, Lovers, Chariot, Justice, Temperance, Strength, Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Hanged Man, Death, Devil, Tower, Star, Moon, Sun, Judgement, World.
Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits, each associated with a specific mythological cycle: - Wands: Linked to the adventures of Jason and the Argonauts. - Cups: Linked to the love story of Eros and Psyche. - Suits: Linked to the tribulations of Orestes and the House of Atreus. - Pentacles: Linked to the resourcefulness of Daedalus against the Minotaur.
The numbered suit cards utilize "story pictures" to convey meaning, while the court cards consist of King, Queen, Knight, and Page.
Psychological and Mythological Foundations
The deck’s primary innovation is its reliance on Greek mythology to provide psychological depth. The creators intended to sweep away the "medieval dust" associated with traditional tarot, bringing the system into the modern era by utilizing narratives that resonate with Western consciousness.
The Role of Myth
The instruction book, The Mythic Tarot, describes the myths, symbols, and meanings for each card. The premise is that by understanding the trials and triumphs of mythological figures, users can better understand their own unconscious drives and challenges. For example: - The Star: Depicts Pandora looking upward with hope despite having opened Zeus' box of miseries. This illustrates resilience and hope in the face of suffering. - The Hanged Man: Represents Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods and was chained to a rock as punishment. The book describes this card as an image of "voluntary sacrifice for a greater good."
Gender Archetypes and Critiques
The reliance on Greek myths has led to specific archetypal representations. The source material notes that the main protagonists in the associated myths are often male heroes (Orestes, Jason, Daedalus), with the exception of Psyche in the Cups suit. This has drawn criticism regarding gender balance, as the deck heavily features male protagonists as "heroes" and female figures largely in supportive or reactive roles (e.g., Psyche as a human obsessed with a male god).
The Companion Guidebook
The instruction book is a substantial 216-page volume (or 224 pages in the package edition) that explains the origins of the Tarot, how it works, and how to read the cards. It is designed to be clear and simply presented from a Western psychological point of view.
Content and Utility
The book covers: - Origins: It addresses the history of tarot, notably avoiding the common myths that the cards originate from Ancient Egypt or Gypsies. - Spreads: It includes instructions for the standard Celtic Cross spread. A cloth imprinted with card outlines for this spread is included in the set. - Exercises: A separate Mythic Tarot Workbook by Juliet Sharman-Burke offers exercises and extra information to help users experience the deck.
Reliability and Interpretation
While the book offers depth, users are advised to exercise critical judgment. One source critique notes that there are instances where the visual depiction on the card differs from the book's description. Specifically regarding the Hanged Man: - The Book: Describes the sacrifice as a "crucifixion" and links it to Prometheus. - The Visual: Shows a figure chained to a rock, not crucified. - The Advice: "If the card shows one thing & the book says another, forget the book! You'll go crazy otherwise."
This suggests that while the book provides a framework, the intuitive interpretation of the imagery (Tricia Newell’s art) is equally valid. The art style itself has been described as "flatly unimaginative" and literal by some critics, contrasting with the "evocative power" of other decks.
Practical Application for Personal Growth
The Mythic Tarot is positioned as a tool for stimulating innate curiosity and developing intuition. It is intended to be accessible to laypersons, moving tarot from an "obscure occult pursuit" to a method for exploring the unconscious and personal growth.
Developing Intuition
The deck and book set encourages users to: - Engage with Stories: By learning the myths, users can connect emotionally with the cards. - Practice Reading: The inclusion of the Celtic Cross cloth facilitates structured practice. - Self-Reflection: The system is designed to help users find their bearing regarding personal life and growth.
Longevity and Quality
User testimonials included in the source data indicate that the physical deck is durable, capable of lasting through "thousands of shufflings and readings" over 16 years. However, the accompanying book has been noted to have quality issues, such as covers falling apart quickly.
Conclusion
The Mythic Tarot offers a specific, mythologically grounded approach to the traditional tarot system. By utilizing the stories of Jason, Orestes, Daedalus, and Eros, it provides a narrative structure that aids in memory and psychological association. While the deck is praised for its durability and the depth of its textual interpretations, users should be aware of potential discrepancies between the textual descriptions and the visual art, as well as the gender biases inherent in the chosen myths. Ultimately, it serves as a bridge between ancient storytelling and modern introspection, providing a structured method for those seeking to understand their unconscious motivations.