Native American Tarot - tarot and indigenous traditions in one deck
Most tarot decks stick to European symbolism. This deck replaces that imagery with the spiritual traditions of indigenous North American peoples. The basic structure stays the same: 78 cards, divided into major and minor arcana. What changes are the images.
Where you would see swords, wands, cups and pentacles in a classic deck, here you find animals, ritual objects and natural elements. The Empress becomes a woman in traditional dress, surrounded by symbols of fertility. The Fool stands at the beginning of a journey through the land, not through a European fairy-tale forest.
What you see on the cards
The illustrations are rendered in warm, earthy tones: brown, red, ochre, soft green. The style is hand-painted and calm. No sharp lines or bright contrasts, but soft transitions that give the cards a soothing quality.
Each image shows a scene from daily or spiritual life: a hunter by the fire, a shaman in meditation, an eagle above the prairie. The symbolism is clear enough to read quickly, but not simplistic. There is enough detail to keep looking.
The format is standard: 66 x 120 mm. The cards have a matte finish that shuffles well and does not show fingerprints easily. The card stock is sturdy enough for daily use.
How this deck relates to the Rider-Waite
The structure is familiar. Anyone used to the Rider-Waite will recognize the basic archetypes, translated into a different worldview. The High Priestess becomes a wise woman, the Tower a destroyed ritual object.
This makes the deck accessible to those who have worked with tarot before. You do not need to learn a new system. It does ask for a different perspective: less medieval Europe, more open landscape and spirits of nature.
If you are used to traditional tarot imagery, give yourself a few readings to get used to the new symbolism. The archetypes remain, the form changes.
Who this works for
This deck does not require prior knowledge of indigenous cultures. The images speak for themselves. It does help to know the Rider-Waite structure, as the guidebook assumes that foundation.
The soft, earthy atmosphere makes the deck suitable for meditation and personal reflection. Less suited for quick, assertive readings. The energy sits in stillness, grounding, connection with nature.
About Magda Weck Gonzalez and Sergio Tisselli
Magda Weck Gonzalez developed the symbolism for this deck based on her knowledge of indigenous traditions. Sergio Tisselli drew the cards in his characteristic soft, hand-painted style.
The deck is published by Lo Scarabeo, an Italian publisher that has been producing tarot decks with cultural and spiritual themes since the 1990s.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 66 x 120 mm
- Finish: matte card stock
- Guidebook: multilingual (incl. English, German, French)
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- ISBN: 9788883953347
- Author: Magda Weck Gonzalez
- Illustrator: Sergio Tisselli
Questions we often get
Does this deck follow the traditional Rider-Waite structure?
Yes, the basic structure of 78 cards is the same. The symbolism is adapted to reflect indigenous traditions, but the archetypes remain recognizable.
In which languages is the guidebook available?
The guidebook is multilingual and includes at least English, German and French. As is usual with Lo Scarabeo, multiple languages appear side by side in the same booklet.
