Runic Tarot Set - tarot with Norse gods and rune symbolism
Most tarot decks draw on medieval or Egyptian imagery. The Runic Tarot Set is rooted firmly in the far north. Odin takes the place of the emperor, Thor stands where the sun usually shines, and every arcanum finds its counterpart in a figure or story from Norse mythology.
What sets this deck further apart is how it handles the 24 classical runes (Elder Futhark). They are not simply decorative. Each rune is woven into the meaning of the card it appears on, so you read two systems at once: tarot structure and rune lore together.
What you see on the cards
Jack Sephiroth's artwork is detailed and dramatic, rooted in the tradition of fantasy illustration. Dark tones dominate, lines are sharp, and gods and heroes appear in battle or deep reflection. There is no romanticisation here. You see their strength, but also their vulnerability.
Every card shows a rune that connects thematically to the arcanum. That combination calls for a different approach to reading. You interpret not only the tarot framework, but also the layer of rune symbolism beneath it.
How reading with it works
This is not an entry-level deck. The imagery departs significantly from a classic Rider-Waite deck and takes time to internalise. That distance also creates room for a different kind of intuitive reading.
The cards work strongly with questions around courage, decisions, shadow work and accepting what cannot be changed. Norse mythology revolves around struggle, sacrifice and enduring fate. That makes this a direct deck, sometimes blunt, rarely comforting.
When you draw a card, look at the rune on it too. Use the guidebook to read both meanings together. The layered answer you get goes further than the tarot interpretation alone.
The guidebook
The 160-page guidebook, written by Jaymi Elford, works through three layers for every card: the tarot meaning, the mythological context and the rune symbolism. It is a lot of information, but it also provides real support for a deck that does not rely on familiar Rider-Waite imagery.
Elford has worked with divination for decades and has written several books on tarot. The guidebook reflects that experience.
About the creators
Jack Sephiroth illustrated the cards in a style drawn from fantasy art, dramatic and dense with symbolism. Zhang Chao, a tarot expert, developed the tarot structure and its connections to mythology. Jaymi Elford wrote the guidebook.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Guidebook: 160 pages
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9780738770734
- Box dimensions: 141 x 71 x 216 mm
- Weight: 635 g
- Card quality: Sturdy, full-colour printed
- Illustrator: Jack Sephiroth
- Author: Jaymi Elford
- Tarot expert: Zhang Chao
Questions we often get
Can I use this deck if I have never worked with tarot before?
You can, but it asks more of you than a classic Rider-Waite deck. The imagery does not follow the standard symbolism. The guidebook is extensive enough to get you started, but making the system your own takes real investment of time.
How does this deck differ from a regular tarot deck?
The cards integrate Norse rune lore directly into the tarot structure. Every card carries a rune and refers to a god, hero or story from Norse mythology. You are reading two systems simultaneously.
