The Quest Tarot, created by Joseph Ernest Martin, represents a significant innovation within the realm of traditional tarot decks. Designed to function as a self-contained divinatory toolkit, this deck integrates multiple esoteric systems to provide a multidimensional perspective on readings. The deck’s primary philosophy is to facilitate rapid access to spiritual insights while offering depth for advanced practitioners. It combines the standard structure of the Major and Minor Arcana with associations from astrology, gemstones, runes, the I Ching, and the Kabbalah. The imagery is described as a "visual feast," utilizing vibrant collages that incorporate keywords directly on the cards to aid beginners. A distinctive feature of the Quest Tarot is its inclusion of a "Multiverse" card and a blank card for personalization, expanding the traditional 78-card format. The accompanying guidebook, The Compass: Guide to the Quest Tarot, details these associations and offers specific techniques for timing predictions and answering direct questions. This article explores the structural composition, unique symbolic integrations, and specialized divinatory mechanics of the Quest Tarot, drawing exclusively from available source materials.
Structural Composition and Visual Design
The Quest Tarot deck consists of 80 cards, which exceeds the standard 78-card tarot structure. This count includes 23 Major Arcana cards, 56 Minor Arcana cards, and one blank card. The additional Major Arcana card is titled "Multiverse," suggesting an expansion of traditional spiritual concepts. The physical dimensions of the cards are approximately 2 3/4 inches by 4 5/8 inches (with some sources noting 4 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches), designed to feel "sensual and smooth" for handling and shuffling. The borders of the cards are outlined in gold.
Visually, the deck employs a collage style that is both colorful and information-dense. Each card features the name, number, and a keyword directly on its face, a design choice intended to make the deck accessible to those new to tarot. The imagery draws inspiration from both ancient and modern Tarot spiritual traditions. The companion book, The Compass, is 312 pages (noted as 288 pages in one source variation) and provides detailed explanations of the card imagery, upright and reversed meanings, and the various symbolic systems embedded in the artwork.
Integration of Esoteric Systems
A defining characteristic of the Quest Tarot is the incorporation of multiple divinatory systems directly into the card imagery. This layering allows readers to access information from various perspectives, ranging from simple keyword interpretation to complex astrological and runic analysis.
Major Arcana Associations
The Major Arcana cards are matched with specific correspondences: * Runes: Each Major Arcana card is associated with a specific rune, linking the tarot archetypes to ancient Germanic alphabets used for divination and magic. * Hebrew Letters: Traditional Kabbalistic associations are maintained through the matching of Major Arcana cards with Hebrew letters.
Minor Arcana Associations
The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Stones (Pentacles). The numbered cards within these suits are linked to the I Ching. * I Ching Hexagrams: Various I Ching hexagrams are associated with the numbered Minor Arcana cards, connecting the tarot's elemental dynamics to the Chinese system of change and flow.
Astrological and Gemstone Features
Astrological symbols are prominent on the Minor Arcana cards. * Planetary and Sign Associations: Located on the upper left of the Minor Arcana cards, a circle contains a planet and the sign it occupies. This provides an astrological layer to the card's meaning. * Gemstones: The deck includes gemstone associations, though source reviews note that these symbols can be quite small and difficult to distinguish visually.
Court Cards
The Court Cards (Father, Mother, Son, Daughter) serve a dual purpose. Beyond their traditional roles in readings, they contain specific information regarding physical characteristics. They are also essential for the deck's unique "yes/no" question mechanic.
Specialized Divinatory Mechanics
The Quest Tarot introduces several novel methods for obtaining specific answers, moving beyond standard intuitive spreads.
Yes/No Question System
One of the most praised features of the deck is a mechanism for answering direct yes/no questions. This system utilizes special symbols located at the top-center of the Court Cards. These symbols are described as resembling "little daggers." * The Dagger Key: The daggers are a representation of the Swords suit, which governs thought. They represent "concise thought," leading to short, direct answers. * Possible Answers: The symbols correspond to five distinct outcomes: Yes, No, Maybe, The Answer Lies in the Future, and The Answer Lies in the Past. * Usage: By separating the Court Cards and using the dagger symbols, the reader can bypass the ambiguity of traditional spreads to get clear, direct answers similar to those provided by a Ouija board, but within a structured tarot framework.
Timing and Timeline Predictions
Timing is often a challenging aspect of tarot readings, but the Quest Tarot attempts to resolve this difficulty through specific symbols on the cards. * Clock Symbol: A clock symbol is present on each card, which is utilized in a specific system for foretelling timelines. * Aces and Time References: The Aces of the four suits do not feature planetary connections. Instead, they contain time references. A circle on the upper left of the Ace cards displays a clock with three highlighted numbers. On the upper right, a circle contains seasonal symbols: fallen leaves for Autumn, a setting sun for Summer, falling snow for Winter, and flowers for Spring. This allows for specific timing predictions based on the suit and the highlighted numbers.
Reading Physical Characteristics
The Court Cards are designed to answer questions about people discussed in a reading. They indicate physical traits such as hair, eye, and skin color. This feature adds a layer of specificity to readings, allowing the querent to verify the connection between the reading and the individuals involved.
Spelling Words
A unique and advanced feature of the Quest Tarot is a mechanism for using the cards to spell out simple words. This suggests a highly symbolic and alphanumeric approach to the deck, where the cards function not only as archetypal images but as glyphs in a broader magickal system.
The Companion Guide: "The Compass"
The accompanying book, The Compass: Guide to the Quest Tarot, is integral to the deck's functionality. It is structured to get the user "up and running" quickly without overwhelming them with the history of the associated esoteric systems (Qabalah, Astrology, I Ching). However, it does cover these topics briefly. The book includes: * Detailed descriptions of all cards and symbols. * Explanations of associations (runes, hexagrams, etc.). * Upright and reversed meanings for each card. * Sections on using the yes/no system and timeline features. * Instructions for reading physical characteristics. * A system for spelling out words. * Tarot party games, including Tarot Poker, acknowledging the historical use of tarot for gaming. * Specific spreads: a three-card spread, a ten-card spread, and the proprietary eleven-card "Quest Tarot spread." * A Celtic Cross record sheet that can be photocopied and enlarged to track readings.
Conclusion
The Quest Tarot stands out as a "universal divination tool" that bridges the gap between traditional tarot and other esoteric systems. Its design philosophy emphasizes accessibility for beginners through keywords and clear imagery, while offering layers of complexity—such as I Ching hexagrams, runes, and astrological charts—for advanced practitioners. The inclusion of direct mechanics for yes/no questions, timing predictions, and the identification of physical characteristics distinguishes it from more conventional decks. By integrating these diverse systems into a cohesive visual format, the Quest Tarot facilitates a multifaceted exploration of consciousness, offering a structured path for those seeking to navigate the "magickal planes and realms."