Egyptian Art Nouveau Tarot

Egyptian Art Nouveau Tarot - Rider-Waite in Egyptian Art Nouveau style

Art Nouveau and Egypt share a fascination with ornament and symbolism. This deck combines both. Giulia F. Massaglia takes the structure of the Rider-Waite system and places it in a world of pharaohs, hieroglyphs and golden decorations.

It is published by Lo Scarabeo. The cards follow the familiar division of 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. Anyone who knows the Rider-Waite will immediately recognise the compositions.

What you see on the cards

The imagery is warm and decorative. Warm gold tones, terracotta and deep blue dominate. Each card has an Art Nouveau border with organic forms and floral motifs, executed in the same elegant style as the image itself.

Figures wear Egyptian clothing and headdresses. Gods appear with their traditional attributes. Hieroglyphs and lotus flowers recur regularly. The lines are fluid, not strictly geometric.

The cards measure 66 x 120 mm, a size that sits well in the hand. The cardstock is sturdy and has a smooth finish. They shuffle easily.

How this deck works in practice

Because the structure is Rider-Waite, you can use most tarot books and sources to interpret the cards. The Egyptian symbolism adds a layer but does not change the basic layout.

The included guidebook is multilingual and contains brief practical explanations for each card. There are a few basic spreads. The text is concise, not an extensive philosophical exploration.

When drawing a card, also pay attention to the border. The Art Nouveau ornaments often reinforce the emotion or theme of the central image.

About Giulia F. Massaglia and Jaymi Elford

Giulia F. Massaglia is an Italian illustrator who has designed multiple tarot decks for Lo Scarabeo. Her style is characterised by attention to historical detail and decorative coherence.

Jaymi Elford wrote the accompanying texts. She is a tarot author known for clear, accessible explanations of symbolism.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
• Card size: 66 x 120 mm
• Weight: 260 g
• Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
• Guidebook language: Multilingual (English, French, German, Spanish)
• Material: Sturdy cardstock with premium finish
• Illustrator: Giulia F. Massaglia
• Author: Jaymi Elford

Questions we often get

Is there an English guidebook included?
Yes. The guidebook is multilingual and includes English, French, German and Spanish. The visual symbolism is clear enough to work with even without extensive text.

How does this deck differ from a standard Rider-Waite?
The structure and compositions are the same. The difference lies in the artistic execution: Egyptian clothing, gods, hieroglyphs and Art Nouveau borders instead of the medieval setting of the original.