New Era Elements Tarot - contemporary imagery with traditional structure
Most tarot decks are stuck in medieval symbolism. This one is not. Eleonore F. Pieper replaces knights, chalices and pentacles with images from modern life, without letting go of the core of the Rider-Waite and Crowley systems.
The result is a deck that speaks about career, relationships and personal growth in terms that are recognisable to anyone living in the 21st century. The four elements remain central, but the images are now.
What you see on the cards
All cards are rendered in sepia, which gives a timeless quality without the distraction of bright colours. The illustrations show contemporary situations: no castles or thrones, but scenarios you recognise from your own life.
The court cards represent four different world cultures. This is not a decorative choice, but a deliberate way to make the deck globally accessible. The elements Fire, Water, Air and Earth are explicitly linked to the four suits, making readings more transparent.
The deck contains 80 cards instead of the usual 78. Pieper added two extra cards to further develop the elemental and modern dimension.
How you work with it
The 116-page guidebook is in English and contains card meanings, background on the elements and a specially designed spread. The format is compact: 64 x 114 mm, practical for daily use.
Because the images are realistic, you read the cards faster than with abstract symbolism. This makes the deck suitable for beginners, but also for anyone who wants to use tarot for practical questions about work, relationships and personal dynamics.
Pay attention to which elements follow each other when laying out the cards. This deck makes it visible whether a situation calls for action, emotion, logic or practical grounding.
About Eleonore F. Pieper
Eleonore F. Pieper, Ph.D., is an artist and tarot specialist. Her background combines academic training with spiritual interest. For this deck she wanted to break through the barrier of archaic symbolism and make tarot available to an audience that does not recognise itself in medieval icons.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 80
- Card size: 64 x 114 mm
- Finish: satin
- Guidebook: 116 pages, English
- Illustrations: sepia
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
- Creator: Eleonore F. Pieper, Ph.D.
Questions we often get
Why 80 cards instead of 78?
Pieper added two extra cards to further develop the elements and the modern context. Which two they are and how they function is explained in the guidebook.
Is this deck a good choice if I am just starting with tarot?
Yes. The modern imagery makes the meanings more intuitive than traditional symbolism. The structure remains Rider-Waite and Crowley, so what you learn here applies to other decks as well.