The Wonderland Tarot, created by Christopher and Morgana Abbey and first published in 1989, offers a unique fusion of Lewis Carroll’s beloved literary worlds and traditional Tarot structures. This deck reimagines the Rider-Waite-Smith system through the lens of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, providing a whimsical yet profound tool for introspection and divination. Unlike standard Tarot decks, the Wonderland Tarot substitutes traditional suit symbols with items drawn directly from Carroll’s narratives: Oysters represent Pentacles, Flamingos represent Swords, Hats represent Cups, and Peppermills represent Wands. The deck comprises 78 cards, featuring 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana, accompanied by a Little White Booklet (LWB) that offers upright and reversed meanings, a Celtic Cross spread, and authorial insights.
While the provided source material focuses exclusively on the deck’s construction, artistic lineage, and general divinatory utility, it does not contain specific Vastu Shastra corrections, Numerology insights, or holistic energy harmonization techniques. Consequently, this article adheres strictly to the available data, exploring the deck’s thematic depth and its potential as a tool for personal reflection, rather than making unsubstantiated claims regarding architectural or vibrational remedies.
Thematic Structure and Artistic Heritage
The Wonderland Tarot is distinguished by its adherence to the visual style of Sir John Tenniel, the original illustrator of Carroll’s books. Morgana Abbey’s artwork captures the Victorian whimsy and surrealism of the source material while aligning imagery with Tarot archetypes. The Major Arcana features familiar characters in roles that mirror traditional cards; for instance, Lewis Carroll appears as The Magician, and Tweedledee and Tweedledum are depicted as The Lovers. The deck maintains the standard Major Arcana titles, though it follows the older ordering where Justice is card 8 and Strength is card 11.
The Minor Arcana suits are uniquely themed to reflect the narrative elements of Wonderland: * Oysters (Pentacles): Representing the element of Earth, these cards likely focus on themes of material stability and growth, drawing on the imagery of the oysters from the poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter." * Flamingos (Swords): Representing the element of Air, these cards utilize the imagery of croquet flamingos to address thoughts, challenges, and conflicts. * Hats (Cups): Representing the element of Water, these cards center on the Mad Hatter and the tea party, likely exploring emotions and relationships. * Peppermills (Wands): Representing the element of Fire, these cards utilize the peppermill imagery to signify action, creativity, and energy.
The court cards retain the standard Page, Knight, Queen, and King hierarchy, ensuring that readers familiar with traditional Tarot structures can navigate the deck with relative ease. The artwork is described as capturing the "spirit of the books," matching story elements to the cards' traditional meanings, thereby bridging literary appreciation with divinatory practice.
Deck Mechanics and Physical Characteristics
The Wonderland Tarot was originally released in 1989 and has since been reprinted, notably by US Games Systems in a tin format. The physical dimensions of the cards are approximately 2.40 inches by 3.94 inches (6.10cm x 10.00cm), making them slightly smaller than standard Tarot decks but closer to the size of a regular playing deck. This size contributes to ease of handling and shuffling. The card stock is described as sturdy and high quality.
A unique feature of the deck is the inclusion of two title cards. The first provides standard information regarding the deck, artist, and publisher. The second card is a mirror image of the first and is designed to be read only when viewed through a mirror, a playful nod to Through the Looking-Glass. Additionally, the borders of the Minor Arcana cards include the equivalent playing card notation (e.g., "Five of Spades" on the Five of Flamingos), which aids in quick identification and connects the deck to standard card games. The backs of the cards feature a flowery design that is "close enough" to reversible to allow for reversal readings, though it is not perfectly symmetrical.
Divinatory Approach and The Little White Booklet (LWB)
The deck is accompanied by a Little White Booklet (LWB) written by Christopher Abbey. In early editions, this booklet included personal history and a "final thoughts" section addressing the ethics and perceptions of Tarot reading. The LWB provides upright and reversed meanings for all 78 cards. However, the structure of the Minor Arcana section is noted as somewhat unconventional, listing cards in reverse order from King down to Ace, which may require adjustment for readers accustomed to ascending order.
While the Major Arcana cards receive specific commentary linking the illustrations to their meanings, the Minor Arcana cards in the LWB generally provide standard divinatory lists without specific narrative tie-ins for every card. The booklet concludes with a 10-card Celtic Cross spread and authorial notes. The tone of the deck and booklet is described as having a "deeper side" beneath its whimsical surface, suggesting that it is suitable for serious readers as well as collectors.
Suit Correspondences and Symbolic Interpretation
The substitution of traditional suits with Wonderland imagery requires a shift in symbolic association for the reader. The source data provides the following correspondences, which are essential for interpreting the Minor Arcana:
| Wonderland Suit | Traditional Suit | Elemental Association | Primary Symbolism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oysters | Pentacles | Earth | Material wealth, health, stability |
| Flamingos | Swords | Air | Intellect, conflict, clarity |
| Hats | Cups | Water | Emotions, intuition, relationships |
| Peppermills | Wands | Fire | Action, inspiration, energy |
These substitutions are not merely aesthetic but are intended to integrate the thematic resonance of Carroll’s world into the reading. For example, the "Hats" suit (Cups) draws upon the social and emotional complexity of the tea party, while the "Flamingos" suit (Swords) evokes the precariousness and imbalance often found in the narrative of the croquet game.
Practical Considerations for Readers
The Wonderland Tarot is characterized as a deck that is "best suited for someone who already possesses a bit of Tarot acumen." While the LWB is helpful, the unique suit names and imagery require the reader to synthesize traditional meanings with the new thematic context. The deck is praised for its sturdy construction, convenient size, and the "strong, positive metaphysical feeling" reported by users. It is considered a collectible item, particularly for those with an affinity for Lewis Carroll’s works, yet it is also presented as a fully functional tool for divination.
The deck’s approach to Tarot reading is grounded in the Rider-Waite tradition but enriched by literary symbolism. It encourages a reading style that acknowledges both the "whimsical atmosphere" and the "deeper side" of the cards. Readers are advised to use the provided playing card notations on the borders to bridge the gap between the Wonderland imagery and standard card correspondences if needed.
Conclusion
The Wonderland Tarot serves as a bridge between literary fantasy and spiritual divination. By replacing standard Tarot iconography with characters and objects from Lewis Carroll’s stories, it offers a unique lens through which to view personal challenges and growth. The deck’s physical quality, adherence to the Rider-Waite structure in the Major Arcana, and inclusion of standard playing card notations make it accessible to intermediate readers, while its artistic lineage and thematic depth appeal to collectors and enthusiasts. While the provided source material does not detail specific Vastu or Numerology applications, the deck stands as a distinct tool for holistic introspection within the Tarot tradition.