The Sacred Circle Tarot is a seventy-eight-card deck rooted in the pagan heritage of Britain and Ireland, drawing upon sacred sites, symbolic imagery, and the natural traditions of the region. Created by Anna Franklin and Paul Mason, this deck seeks to remove the cabalistic and Christian iconography that has influenced tarot over centuries, presenting a truly pagan tool for modern practitioners. It combines drawings, photographs, and computer-generated images to create a visually rich experience designed to unlock deep levels of Pagan teaching. While the deck is themed around pagan mythology and sacred landscapes, it is not necessary to be a pagan to work with it. The cards serve as a tool for divination, meditation, personal growth, and spiritual development, facilitating a connection to ancient wisdom and the natural world.
The Major Arcana of the Sacred Circle Tarot has been modified to fit the pagan theme. Traditional archetypes are replaced with figures such as the Green Man (The Fool), the Druid (The Hierophant), and the World Tree (The World). Other cards include the High Priest, High Priestess, Lady, Lord, Lovers, Chariot, Warrior, Shaman, Wheel, Web, Sacrifice, Death, Underworld, Tower, Initiation, Star, Moon, Sun, and Rebirth. The suits are Wands, Cups, Swords, and Discs (Pentacles), with court cards consisting of the King, Queen, Knight, and Page. The numbered suit cards in the Minor Arcana are often accompanied by one-word definitions, such as "Stability" for the Nine of Cups, intended to assist with interpretation. However, some reviews suggest that the Minor Arcana images can be abstract, resembling pip cards, which may require the reader to rely on memorized meanings rather than purely visual symbolism.
Understanding the Sacred Circle Tarot Deck
The Sacred Circle Tarot was conceived over fifteen years by Anna Franklin, a Priestess in the British Pagan Tradition, and graphic designer Paul Mason. Their goal was to create a deck that utilized collages of photographic images to reflect the sacred sites and symbols of Britain and Ireland. Modern computer imaging technology enabled the realization of this vision. The deck is published by Llewellyn and is available exclusively as a boxed set, which includes a 336-page book titled The Sacred Circle Tarot: A Celtic Pagan Journey by Franklin and Mason. This book details the symbolism, meanings of each card, spreads, and background information, making it a comprehensive guide for users.
The imagery of the cards is designed to work on multiple levels. It features important sites such as the summit of Glastonbury Tor and the long Man of Wilmington. The plants depicted in the cards are fully described, along with their symbolism, adding a layer of botanical and herbal wisdom to the readings. The deck is described as having rich colors and a decidedly British Neo-Pagan slant. It is generally considered more suitable for those who have some grounding in pagan mythology or for readers who find that standard tarot imagery has become stale. Beginners to tarot or those new to a pagan path might find the symbolism challenging to integrate without prior study.
Major Arcana Modifications
The deck reorders and renames the Major Arcana to align with pagan traditions. Key transformations include: - The Fool becomes The Green Man: Representing the spirit of nature, new beginnings, and the untamed wild. - The Hierophant becomes The Druid: Symbolizing ancient wisdom, spiritual teaching, and connection to the earth. - The World becomes The World Tree: Representing the axis mundi, the connection between realms, and cosmic wholeness.
Suit Structure
The four suits retain their elemental associations through their names: - Wands: Associated with fire, action, and creativity. - Cups: Associated with water, emotions, and relationships. - Swords: Associated with air, intellect, and conflict. - Discs (Pentacles): Associated with earth, material matters, and stability.
Key Card Meanings and Symbolism
The Sacred Circle Tarot provides specific interpretations for its cards, often drawing on folklore and the pagan wheel of the year. The deck emphasizes the "storytelling traditions" of Celtic bards, suggesting that the images unlock narratives relevant to personal journeys.
XVI The Tower
In the Sacred Circle Tarot, card XVI is titled The Tower. The interpretation provided in the source material is distinct and potent. - Upright Meaning: The card signifies sudden changes without choice, collapse, and escape from prison or bondages. It represents accidents where plans fall apart and intentions break down. It is described as the "Finger of God," indicating a force beyond human control. Severe outcomes such as bankruptcy or sudden death are associated with this card. It suggests a necessary destruction of structures that are no longer viable. - Inverted Meaning: When reversed, The Tower indicates complete confusion. It can mean the gain of freedom, but only at a great cost. It also points to false accusations and oppression.
The Nine of Wands
The Nine of Wands in this deck is visually represented by a net of nine wands against a verdant landscape. It is a card of protection and resilience. The imagery suggests a boundary or defense system that has been established. In the context of the deck's design, the cards often feature specific locations, and the plants depicted carry symbolic weight. The Nine of Wands asks the querent to assess their defenses and stand firm.
The Nine of Cups
Named Stability in this deck, the Nine of Cups is depicted with nine cups filled with flowers in front of a sacred mound. The specific location used for this image is the summit of Glastonbury Tor. This card represents emotional fulfillment and stability. The presence of flowers and the sacred mound connects the emotional satisfaction (Cups) to the spiritual landscape of Britain. It suggests that stability is found not just in the material world but in a connection to the sacred earth.
The Green Man
Replacing The Fool, the Green Man is a central figure in pagan lore. He represents the cycle of growth, death, and rebirth in nature. In a reading, he signifies a leap of faith, new beginnings, or a need to embrace the wild and untamed aspects of the self. He is the keeper of the forest and the spirit of the land.
Reading with the Sacred Circle Tarot
The Sacred Circle Tarot offers a unique approach to reading. While the Minor Arcana cards include one-word titles (e.g., "Stability" for the Nine of Cups), the images are often symbolic rather than representational. This means the cards suggest meanings rather than directly depicting them. This style requires the reader to memorize the concepts and meanings associated with the cards, similar to the method used in the Thoth Tarot or by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
Interpretative Approach
- Visual Symbolism: The images are collages of photography and computer art. Readers are encouraged to look at the specific elements within the image—plants, landforms, and arrangements of objects.
- Site Specificity: Many cards depict real sacred sites. Knowing the history and energy of these places (e.g., Stonehenge, Glastonbury Tor) can deepen the reading.
- Pagan Mythology: The deck is deeply integrated with the pagan wheel of the year and Celtic mythology. A familiarity with these stories allows for a richer interpretation.
Meditation and Growth
Beyond divination, the deck is designed for meditation. The imagery works on the subconscious levels to facilitate personal growth. The "Web" card, for example, might be used to meditate on interconnectedness, while the "Underworld" card (card 14) can be a tool for exploring the shadow self or deep subconscious patterns.
Holistic Integration and Energy Harmonization
While the Sacred Circle Tarot is a specific tool for spiritual insight, its principles of balance, nature, and cycles can be viewed through a holistic lens. In a broader context of energy harmonization, the deck encourages an alignment with natural rhythms.
Connection to Nature
The deck's reliance on natural imagery and sacred sites serves as a reminder of the importance of connecting with the earth. For individuals seeking balance in their living or working spaces, the imagery of the deck can inspire a desire to incorporate natural elements, such as plants and natural light, which are central to practices like Vastu Shastra. The "World Tree" card, for instance, emphasizes the vertical axis, which parallels the Vastu concept of the Brahmasthan (center) as the energetic heart of a space.
Cycles of Change
The Tower card highlights the inevitability of sudden change. In holistic energy work, this can be related to the need for clearing stagnant energy to allow for new growth. Just as a forest fire clears the ground for new seeds, The Tower indicates that breakdowns are often necessary for spiritual evolution. This aligns with the philosophy that resistance to change creates more friction than the change itself.
The Role of the Practitioner
Anna Franklin, a Priestess, brings a level of spiritual authority to the deck. In the context of holistic consulting, the practitioner's connection to their own spiritual practice is vital. Whether one is advising on spatial arrangement or interpreting tarot cards, the depth of one's own grounding and connection to tradition lends credibility and depth to the guidance offered.
Suit Analysis: Wands, Cups, Swords, Discs
The structure of the Minor Arcana in the Sacred Circle Tarot follows traditional suit divisions but with a distinct pagan flavor.
Table: Suit Attributes in Sacred Circle Tarot
| Suit | Elemental Association | Core Theme | Visual Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wands | Fire | Action, Creativity, Will | Net of wands, verdant landscapes |
| Cups | Water | Emotion, Intuition, Relationships | Cups filled with flowers, sacred mounds |
| Swords | Air | Intellect, Conflict, Clarity | Abstract imagery, symbolic arrangements |
| Discs | Earth | Material, Stability, Health | Geometric patterns, earth tones |
Wands (Fire) The Wands suit deals with energy in motion. The Nine of Wands, with its net of wands, suggests that energy can be woven into a protective structure. This suit encourages the querent to take action and pursue goals with passion.
Cups (Water) The Cups suit governs the heart. The Nine of Cups, named "Stability," suggests that emotional security is achieved through a connection to the sacred (the mound). It implies that feelings of contentment are linked to spiritual grounding.
Swords (Air) The Swords suit deals with the mind. In this deck, the imagery is often less literal, requiring the reader to access the intellectual concepts behind the suit. It represents the logic, strategy, and sometimes the sorrow that accompanies clear thinking.
Discs (Pentacles) The Discs suit represents the physical world. While specific card descriptions for the numbered Discs are not detailed in the source data, the suit generally correlates to wealth, health, and the environment. The use of "Discs" rather than "Pentacles" emphasizes the pagan focus on the circle and the earth.
Considerations for Modern Practitioners
For those using the Sacred Circle Tarot today, several factors are noted in the source reviews that are worth considering.
- Experience Level: The deck is generally recommended for intermediate to advanced readers. The abstract nature of the Minor Arcana images and the reliance on memorized meanings can be a hurdle for beginners.
- Visual Aids: The inclusion of one-word definitions on the cards is a feature that some find helpful and others find annoying. It is a compromise between fully pictorial minors and purely abstract pips.
- Cultural Specificity: The deck is deeply tied to the landscape of Britain and Ireland. Users from other regions may need to translate the specific site references to their own local geography to find the same resonance, or simply accept the energy of the "Old World" as a universal archetype.
- Aesthetics: The deck uses a mix of media. Some reviewers note that the borders can be distracting, but the overall artistic quality is high.
Conclusion
The Sacred Circle Tarot offers a unique and potent tool for those seeking to connect with the pagan heritage of Britain and Ireland. By stripping away centuries of non-pagan influence, Anna Franklin and Paul Mason have created a deck that speaks directly to the earth-based spirituality of the Celtic tradition. It serves not only as a method of divination but as a guide to meditation and personal growth, unlocking the "deepest levels of pagan teaching" through its symbolic imagery.
While the deck presents challenges for the novice reader due to its abstract Minor Arcana and specific cultural focus, it rewards the dedicated practitioner with deep, layered readings. The inclusion of a comprehensive guidebook and the grounding of the cards in real sacred sites make it a valuable addition to the library of any serious tarot enthusiast or spiritual seeker. The imagery of the Green Man, the World Tree, and the sacred landscapes invites users to step into a circle of ancient wisdom, facilitating a journey of self-discovery that is as beautiful as it is profound.