The Illuminated Tarot is a unique and modern approach to divination, designed to provide clarity and guidance for life's complex questions. Created by artist and reader Caitlin Keegan and published by Clarkson Potter, this deck stands apart from traditional tarot systems by offering a 53-card structure that blends the familiarity of playing cards with the archetypal depth of tarot. The name "Illuminated" is derived from the deck's purpose: to shine a light on situations, making hidden truths and potential paths more visible to the seeker. It is a system rooted in numerology rather than astrology, offering a distinct tool for both seasoned readers and those new to seeking insight through cards. The deck is the centerpiece of a larger series that includes journals, coloring books, and playing card sets, all designed to facilitate personal reflection and intuitive exploration.
The Illuminated Tarot originated as a personal project for Caitlin Keegan, who was inspired by her teenage fascination with tarot and her mother's use of Morgan's Tarot, a modern oracle. Over the course of a year, she illustrated one card per week, eventually creating a deck that could be used for both traditional tarot readings and classic card games. This dual-purpose design is achieved by structuring the 52 cards after a standard playing card deck, with the addition of a Joker, which represents The Fool in tarot. The accompanying guidebook provides keywords and introductory instructions for reading the cards, making it an accessible starting point for exploration. The deck's philosophy emphasizes intuition and personal connection, allowing each user to develop a unique relationship with the cards and their meanings.
Understanding the Illuminated Tarot System
The Illuminated Tarot is fundamentally an oracle deck, though it draws heavily from tarot archetypes. This distinction is crucial for understanding its application. Traditional tarot decks, such as the Rider-Waite-Smith, consist of 78 cards divided into the Major and Minor Arcana, offering a detailed narrative structure and specific, scenario-based guidance. The Illuminated Tarot’s 53-card format combines archetypes, creating a more complex interpretive field. Oracle decks, in general, rely more on intuition as they have fewer guiding rules and can present multifaceted meanings from a single card. The Illuminated Tarot uses a specific system to manage this complexity.
The creator, Caitlin Keegan, based the deck's combinations on "strict universal numerical laws," using numerology to determine which Major and Minor Arcana archetypes correspond to each card. This method is similar to the principles used in mathematical astrology, providing a structured yet flexible framework for interpretation. While this approach adds a layer of complexity, it also offers vast interpretive possibilities. For a reader to achieve clarity, a bond with the deck is recommended. As users spend time with the cards, their intuition grows, allowing for easier and more personalized readings. The deck is therefore considered a powerful tool for seasoned readers who are comfortable navigating less-defined symbolic landscapes, as well as for dedicated beginners willing to invest patience in learning its unique language.
Key Differences from Traditional Decks
To effectively use the Illuminated Tarot, it is important to understand its significant departures from standard tarot conventions. These differences are not deficits but rather intentional design choices that define the deck's character and reading style.
- Card Count and Structure: The deck contains 53 cards, not 78. It merges the Major and Minor Arcana into a single set, eliminating the clear separation between life's major lessons (Major Arcana) and daily events (Minor Arcana).
- Missing Knights: A notable absence in the Illuminated Tarot is the Knight figure. In traditional decks, Knights represent action, movement, news, and revelations. Their omission in this deck shifts the energetic focus, perhaps placing more emphasis on the foundational energy of the Pages, the authority of the Queens and Kings, and the overarching influence of the Major Arcana archetypes.
- Altered Pages: The source data indicates that Pages are also altered in this deck compared to traditional structures. While the specifics of this alteration are not detailed, it suggests a re-imagining of the traditional "royal court" figures, potentially changing their roles and interpretive meanings within a reading.
- The Fool as Joker: The 53rd card is The Fool, represented as a Joker. In traditional tarot, The Fool signifies new beginnings, innocence, and a leap of faith. Its role as a Joker in this deck maintains its powerful, unpredictable energy, allowing it to act as a wild card that can influence an entire spread, moving between and connecting different archetypes.
The Role of Numerology in the Illuminated Tarot
Unlike many serious tarot decks that incorporate astrology to reinforce divination results, the Illuminated Tarot is designed primarily using numerology. Each card's number is a key to its meaning, linking it to broader universal laws and archetypal energies. This focus on numbers provides a direct and systematic way to approach card interpretation.
For those who are also familiar with astrology, it is possible to overlay astrological insights onto an Illuminated Tarot reading. The guide suggests that one can consider a zodiac sign's relation to the Major Arcana archetypes to add another layer of interpretation. However, this is presented as an advanced technique that adds to the deck's inherent complexity. The core system remains numerical. The starburst illustrations on the top of each card are also a key feature, symbolizing hope and universal energy. These visual elements are designed to help the user focus their intention and connect with the illuminating purpose of the deck—to make things visible and understandable.
Card Interpretation and Suit-Based Meanings
The guidebook for The Illuminated Tarot provides detailed image descriptions, suit- and number-based interpretations, and questions for reflection. This structure allows for a reading methodology that is both intuitive and systematic. The suits, corresponding to playing cards, likely align with traditional tarot suits: Spades with Swords (intellect, conflict), Hearts with Cups (emotions, relationships), Diamonds with Pentacles (material world, finances), and Clubs with Wands (creativity, action).
The numerological approach means that the meaning of a card is derived from its number in conjunction with its suit. For example, a 7 of Hearts would combine the emotional and relational themes of the suit of Hearts with the universal energy of the number 7 (often associated with introspection, spiritual development, and challenges). This system allows for a high degree of nuance, as the combination of suit and number creates a unique archetype. The guidebook's inclusion of "questions for reflection or journaling" encourages the user to move beyond simple keyword memorization and engage in a deeper, more personal process of self-inquiry.
Practical Applications for Personal Growth and Insight
The Illuminated Tarot is designed for modern divination and self-reflection. Its primary applications are for gaining perspective, fostering personal growth, finding inspiration, and receiving spiritual guidance. The deck is particularly suited for self-readings, where the user can explore their own thoughts and feelings without the need for an external interpreter.
The system encourages a patient and intuitive approach. The creator's background as both an artist and a tarot reader is reflected in the deck's design, which prioritizes visual storytelling and symbolic depth. The accompanying journal, which includes an illustrated dream dictionary, and the coloring book, which allows users to engage with the card illustrations directly, are part of a holistic ecosystem designed to integrate the practice of tarot into daily life. These tools facilitate a deeper connection to the cards and promote mindfulness and creative expression as part of the journey toward clarity and self-understanding.
Conclusion
The Illuminated Tarot by Caitlin Keegan represents a significant evolution in the world of cartomancy. By creating a 53-card deck that functions as both a game and an oracle, it offers a versatile and accessible tool for seeking guidance. Its foundation in numerology, combined with its unique visual language and departure from traditional tarot structures, provides a fresh perspective on archetypal energies. While its complexity may pose a challenge for novices, its reliance on intuition and personal connection makes it a rewarding system for those willing to engage with it deeply. The deck serves as a reminder that illumination is the act of bringing light to the unseen, and through patience and reflection, the cards can help clarify life's path and purpose.