The Fountain Tarot is a modern, intuitive tarot deck designed as a tool for personal growth, self-discovery, and connecting with inner wisdom. Created by Jason Gruhl and illustrated by Jonathan Saiz, this 79-card deck re-envisions traditional tarot through the lens of geometry, contemporary art, and spirituality. Unlike many modern decks that may oversimplify traditional imagery, The Fountain Tarot successfully distills the essential cores of the cards while maintaining depth through a unique color palette that is both intense and diaphanous. The deck evokes the mystery found in the original Rider-Waite deck but avoids the pitfalls of New-Age kitsch. It was originally a Kickstarter project and is noted for its top-quality production, featuring silvered edges and a magnetic closure hard cardboard box designed by Andi Todaro.
The deck consists of the traditional 78 tarot cards plus a bonus card, the "Fountain Card." The suits and court cards remain standard, with the minor exception of Pentacles being represented as Coins, and the Major Arcana order adjusted so that Justice is VIII and Strength is XI. The deck encourages users to connect with the cards on a deeper, intuitive level, trusting their own interpretations rather than adhering strictly to traditional meanings. While a companion book by Jason Gruhl provides guidance and prompts, it serves as a starting point rather than a detailed encyclopedia, making the deck accessible to those familiar with standard Rider-Waite meanings while offering a fresh perspective for all readers.
The Philosophy and Artistic Vision of The Fountain Tarot
The artistic vision behind The Fountain Tarot is rooted in the celebration of 'oneness' and the capturing of life's joys and sorrows. Jonathan Saiz's original oil paintings form the basis of the card images. The creators studied various decks from different periods before finalizing the artwork, aiming to avoid the oversimplification often seen in modern decks. The result is imagery that possesses a depth belied by its apparent simplicity. The atmosphere of the deck is designed to resonate with the subtle energy of daily life, encouraging users to look at the small details and find deeper meaning in what might initially be overlooked. This focus on the "little things" is a recurring sentiment in the deck's philosophy, suggesting that profound insights often hide in plain sight rather than requiring grand gestures.
The deck's aesthetic is described as haunting yet beautiful, subtle yet powerful. The use of a vibrant, colorful style inspired by nature and the elements allows for a connection to the natural world. The back of the deck is also highly considered, featuring an abstraction resembling the refraction of light through a kaleidoscope, which stands in contrast to the often-neglected backs of other decks. The cardstock is flexible with a low sheen to prevent glare, and the canvas texture is visible, adding to the tactile experience of the deck. The font used is a contemporary, uppercase style that is easy to read without overwhelming the artwork.
The Fountain Card: Symbolism and Meaning
The defining feature of this deck is the inclusion of the 79th card, "The Fountain." This card is not a humorous addition but a serious element that aligns with the deck's spiritual tone. It is symbolized by the lemniscate (the infinity symbol), signifying "waking from the dream of separateness and identity," "oneness," and "the end of seeking."
Sources provide slightly different perspectives on its exact placement and meaning. One source describes it as standing at a distance from the Fool (0) and the World (21), representing a path that is both a road and a walking one—an "open door" to a better future and a huge supply of energy. It is viewed as unshakable chaos, the true source of everything, and even the image of God. Another source defines it as the space "beyond human experience in which anything and everything can happen."
In a reading, if the Fountain card appears, it serves as a valid part of the divination, likely pointing to a state of pure potentiality or a profound connection to the universal source.
Major Arcana Interpretations
The Major Arcana in The Fountain Tarot follows the standard plots but visualizes them through the lens of a projection of the hero or a dream breaking through the unconscious.
- The Fool: The card shows a boy jumping from a cliff with a motion vector directed upwards, symbolizing flight. A triangle appears under his feet like a bridge connecting blue stone blocks, and a pale sun is visible above his head. This represents a new beginning, with the path appearing under the feet of the boy. It aligns with Waite’s ideas but offers a distinct visualization.
- The Hero's Journey: The Major Arcana generally expresses the divine by melding classic symbolism with contemporary art. The images encourage the user to look beyond the surface. For example, in the Two of Cups (Minor Arcana), one might see the curve at the bottom as both a portal and a cup, observing that the figures are focused on the same cup while ignoring the other, prompting reflection on what that lack of attention signifies.
Minor Arcana and Visual Storytelling
The Minor Arcana of the Fountain Tarot are described as ephemeral and ghostly, yet Jonathan Saiz manages to fit the characters into a specific context. The deck features characters of various types and ages, allowing for parallels with reality. Great attention is paid to postures, attitudes, and facial expressions, which provide hidden meanings and help find the "grain of truth."
- Visual Cues: The deck utilizes visual cues to convey energy. For example, on the Ten of Coins, there is a radiance over the mountain of pentacles, while on the Eight of Swords, a black haze appears above the heroine’s head.
- Card Positioning: To avoid confusion with veiled images, the names of the Minor Arcana are indicated at the bottom of the cards, and the Major Arcana titles are printed at the top.
- Court Cards: The court cards remain as Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings, maintaining the traditional structure for those familiar with the system.
Using The Fountain Tarot for Divination and Growth
The Fountain Tarot is designed to be a tool for personal growth and self-discovery. It emphasizes personal interpretation and connection, encouraging users to trust their own insights. The accompanying book provides guidance on practice, including several simple spreads and advice on the symbolism of the cards.
One recommended practice is a daily ritual of pulling cards for deep questions. This approach allows the user to get to know the deck's energy more closely and, in turn, see themselves in a different light. The deck's "quiet energy" brings the sentiment that the little things in life have the greatest meaning to the fore. It is suitable for users who want to explore the language of the deck without needing years of prior experience. For those familiar with the Rider-Waite system, the transition to The Fountain Tarot is described as having "no trouble," provided one is open to the contemporary visual interpretation.
Production Quality and Aesthetics
The physical quality of The Fountain Tarot is a significant aspect of its appeal. The deck features silver gilding on the edges, an unusual choice compared to the more common gold edging. The cardstock is flexible, and the silver gilding does not impair shuffling or handling. The low sheen finish ensures that glare does not become a problem on darker colored cards, and the canvas texture shows through, adding to the premium feel. The cards measure 7 x 12 cm. The packaging is a hard cardboard box with a magnetic closure, designed to protect the deck and the included book.
Conclusion
The Fountain Tarot offers a balanced approach to tarot, aimed at elevating perceptions of oneself and one's place in the Universe. By mixing classic symbolism with contemporary art, it bridges the past and present to express the divine. It is a deck that values the subtle and the quiet, encouraging users to find deep meaning in the overlooked details of life and the cards. Whether used for divination, creative inspiration, or journaling, it serves as a gateway to inner wisdom and the realization of oneness.