The Tarot of the New Vision offers a transformative approach to traditional divination by altering the perspective of the classic Rider-Waite imagery. Authored by Pietro Alligo and illustrated by twin brothers Raul and Gianluca Cestaro, this deck was first published in 2003 by Lo Scarabeo. The fundamental concept involves rotating the traditional Tarot scenes 180 degrees, allowing the querent to view the cards from the opposite side. This shift reveals previously unseen backgrounds, new characters, and hidden symbolic elements, effectively extending the meanings of the Rider-Waite system. Rather than replacing traditional interpretations, the deck acts as a "complement and completion," inviting users to explore the unconscious or "shadow" aspects of situations and the self. By revealing the "backstage" of any scenario, the Tarot of the New Vision provides a deeper understanding of motives, behaviors, and the consequences of decisions, making it a valuable tool for personal growth and energy awareness.
The Concept of the New Vision
The Tarot of the New Vision was created with the specific intention of expanding the semantic field of the traditional Tarot system. While the Rider-Waite deck presents the view of the observer looking at the scene, the New Vision places the observer behind the key figures, looking out or facing the main characters. This creative idea was designed to broaden knowledge and awareness by showing a different reality supplemented by important details that were previously out of sight.
In some instances, the artists took "artistic license" to adjust the size of figures or objects to ensure the composition remained effective. For example, in the High Priestess and Justice cards, the edge of a curtain located behind them was allowed to fall to make the main character more visible. This deck is particularly noted for its richness in symbolism, adding new animals, birds, people, and angelic or demonic elements to the scenes.
Symbolism and Interpretation
While the base interpretation of the Tarot of the New Vision relies on the classic meanings of the Rider-Waite, the innovations introduced by the authors must be considered. The appearance of new characters, animals, and birds adds layers of meaning.
- The Empress: A white swan appears, denoting purity of soul and beauty. Children sitting behind the throne directly suggest the possibility of conceiving and bearing offspring.
- The Tower: An apple tree and a snake are visible, speaking to the relationship between decisions made and future consequences, suggesting that destruction could have been avoided depending on the individual's choices.
- The Magician: The viewer can now see what the Magician was looking at.
- The High Priestess: The view from behind the veil reveals what lies past her back.
- The 5 of Swords: A ruined building is visible in the background, hinting at a destructive battle that was previously unseen.
- The Devil and Nine of Swords: Extra demons or gargoyles appear.
- The Eight of Wands: An angel is revealed.
- The Four of Cups: A winged horse is present.
- The Seven of Pentacles: A ghost or spirit is visible.
Giordano Berti’s book, referenced in the source material, emphasizes the "shadow aspect" of the personality, presenting the card images as representing the unconscious or underlying meanings. This approach allows the querent to understand the true motives of partners in personal or business relationships, revealing secret desires, self-interest, or virtue.
Holistic Application for Personal Growth
The Tarot of the New Vision is described as a universal deck, suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. It serves as a smooth preparation for interaction with other mantic systems. The style of the artists refers to Pamela Smith, making it appealing to lovers of the classic tradition.
The deck is particularly effective for:
- Internal Blocks and Negative Beliefs: It helps the querent travel to the "backstage" of habitual behavior, allowing for the release of complexes and the correct interpretation of others' behavior.
- Relationship Harmony: It illuminates the true nature of phenomena, showing both positive and negative aspects. This enables the querent to cut off unreliable people and hold on to true friends.
- Career and Personal Achievement: By revealing the "why" behind every word, decision, or action, the deck offers a chance to reach a new level of understanding and success.
The Knight of Cups, for instance, represents love, forgiveness, and a new chance, suggesting that the querent only needs to draw the right conclusions for problems to be solved easily.
Deck Structure and Specifications
The Tarot of the New Vision is a full divinatory deck consisting of 78 cards, adhering to the standard structure.
- Major Arcana: 22 cards (0-21), named as follows: Fool, Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant, Lovers, Chariot, Strength, Hermit, Wheel, Justice, Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, Devil, Tower, Stars, Moon, Sun, Judgement, World.
- Minor Arcana: 56 cards divided into four suits: Wands, Chalices (Cups), Swords, and Pentacles (Coins).
- Court Cards: King, Queen, Knight, and Knave (Page).
- Numbered Suit Cards: Feature story pictures.
- Card Size: Approximately 2 5/8" x 4 3/4" (6.6 cm x 12 cm).
- Language: Card titles appear in English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German.
- Extras: The deck includes an instruction booklet (64 pages, 5 languages), a publisher card, and a title card.
This structure ensures that the deck remains familiar to those versed in the Rider-Waite system while offering the expanded perspective of the New Vision.
Conclusion
The Tarot of the New Vision stands as a significant contribution to the field of Tarot divination, offering a unique "backstage" view of the traditional archetypes. By rotating the perspective 180 degrees, it unveils hidden symbols and characters that enrich the interpretation of the cards. This deck serves as a bridge between the known and the unknown, allowing querents to explore the shadow aspects of their psyche and the true motives behind the actions of others. Whether used for understanding relationship dynamics, overcoming internal blocks, or seeking clarity on personal growth, the Tarot of the New Vision provides a compassionate and insightful tool for navigating life's complexities. It emphasizes that every phenomenon has a reason and that understanding these underlying causes is the key to achieving harmony and success.