Old English Tarot Deck

Old English Tarot Deck - medieval imagery on Rider-Waite structure

Some tarot decks feel nostalgic without tipping into kitsch. The Old English Tarot by Maggie Kneen is set in medieval England, but it leaves the marketing language of enchantment and mystery behind. What you see are knights, craftspeople, shepherds and merchants in a style that resembles old manuscripts.

The deck adheres to the Rider-Waite tradition. The structure, the symbolism and the sequence are familiar. The difference lies in the execution: soft colours, flat compositions and figures that look as if they stepped out of a fourteenth-century book of hours.

What you see on the cards

Kneen draws with a linework that recalls book illuminations from the late Middle Ages. The colour palettes are muted: lots of ochre, rust, green and grey. No bright accents, no dramatic shadows.

The figures wear tunics and cloaks, stand in wooden interiors or on open fields. The Major Arcana show familiar tarot figures, but in historical costume. The Minor Arcana depict crafts: forging, weaving, harvesting. The overall feel is quiet.

The 70 x 120 mm format is compact. The cards sit easily in your hand and shuffle smoothly. The cardstock has a matte finish and feels sturdy enough for daily use.

Who this deck is designed for

The 48-page guidebook contains brief meanings for each card and a few spreads. Kneen writes clearly and assumes you already know the basics of tarot or are willing to look them up. This is not a beginner deck in terms of extensive explanation, but the images are accessible.

Many people use this deck for daily cards or for readings where they want calm. The imagery does not force itself, but it does invite you to look. That makes it suitable for those who do not care for excess.

Draw one card and place it in front of you for a while. The medieval setting helps create distance from immediate emotion.

About Maggie Kneen

Maggie Kneen is an illustrator best known for her work on children's books and classic tales. Her style is detailed, flat and has a timeless quality. For the Old English Tarot she combined her interest in history with the symbolism of tarot.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 70 x 120 mm
• Finish: matte cardstock
• Guidebook: 48 pages, English
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems Inc.
• ISBN: 9781572812222
• Weight: approximately 320 g
• Illustrator: Maggie Kneen

Questions we often get

Does this deck deviate from the Rider-Waite structure?
No. The sequence, the symbolism and the structure follow Rider-Waite. Only the imagery is different.

How detailed is the guidebook?
The guidebook provides brief meanings for each card and a few spreads. It is not an extensive course, but sufficient to work with if you already have some familiarity with tarot.