Mini Symbolic Tarot of Wirth - occult symbolism in pocket size
Most mini decks are scaled-down versions of existing designs. This one is different. It began as the Major Arcana of Oswald Wirth, one of the most influential occult tarot designs of the early twentieth century, and has been expanded for this edition into a full set of 78 cards.
The Minor Arcana is designed according to Wirth's esoteric system of Tetrads, a numerological and elemental structure that aligns with the Kabbalistic foundation of the Major Arcana. The result is a coherent whole in a format of 50 x 81 mm.
What you see on the cards
The imagery comes from the Marseille tradition, but Wirth refined and expanded the symbolism. Where classic Marseille cards sometimes remain cryptic, Wirth reveals connections between Kabbalistic letters, planetary symbols and Masonic iconography.
The colours are matte and muted. Mostly yellow, blue and red, with few intermediate tones. That makes the cards calm and clear, even at this small size.
The Minor Arcana shows no scenes like the Rider-Waite-Smith system, but geometric arrangements of the suits. Wands, cups, swords and pentacles are arranged in patterns that emphasize their numerological meaning.
Who this deck works for
This is not a beginner tarot. The symbolism requires basic knowledge of tarot, Kabbalah or Western esotericism. If you know Wirth's writings, or work with the Marseille tradition, you will immediately recognize what this deck builds on.
The format makes it suitable for those who travel often or have little space. The cards are small enough to carry discreetly, but the lines remain sharp and readable.
The small format works surprisingly well for large spreads. A full Grand Tableau fits on a normal-sized table without effort, and the connections remain clear.
About Oswald Wirth and this edition
Oswald Wirth was a Swiss occultist and Freemason who worked between 1889 and 1926 on a tarot that brought together the esotericism of his time. His Major Arcana became a reference for generations of tarot researchers.
This modern edition has been completed by Mirko Negri, an Italian tarot expert, and illustrated by Bruno Letizia. They designed the Minor Arcana according to the principles Wirth described in his writings but never worked out in cards himself.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 50 x 81 mm
- Weight: 160 g
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Guidebook: multilingual instructions by Mirko Negri
- ISBN: 9780738777870
- Major Arcana design: Oswald Wirth
- Minor Arcana addition: Mirko Negri
- Illustrator: Bruno Letizia
Questions we often get
Does this deck contain the full 78 cards or only the Major Arcana?
It contains all 78 cards. The original publications by Wirth often left out the Minor Arcana, but this edition is complete.
Is the symbolism still clearly visible at this small size?
Yes. The lines are clear and the colour fields large enough to distinguish the symbols without difficulty. Only those who have trouble with small details may find some elements harder to read.
