Sacred Circle Tarot Deck - photography and folklore in one tarot
Most tarot decks start with drawing or painting. This deck starts with photography. Anna Franklin and Paul Mason photographed sacred sites across Britain and Ireland, then worked those images with digital illustration to add symbols and figures.
The result feels earthy, literally. Landscapes, trees, stones and water form the basis of almost every card. Layered over that is Celtic symbolism: animals, mythological figures, plant motifs.
How this deck differs from the standard tarot
The structure is that of the Rider-Waite-Smith: 78 cards, 22 major arcana, 56 minor arcana divided across four suits. The names are different. The Fool is called the Green Man here, the Magician becomes the Shaman, the World becomes the World Tree.
The four suits also carry Celtic names: Wands become Spears, Cups remain Cups, Swords remain Swords, and Pentacles become Stones. The courts consist of warriors, women, druids and totem animals rather than pages, knights, queens and kings.
This is not a cosmetic change. It asks for a different way of looking, one where nature and the seasons lead rather than human hierarchy.
What you see on the cards
The photography gives the cards a sober foundation. You see real rocks, forests, lakes. Colours are muted tones of green, brown, grey and blue. Within that, the digitally added figures stand out: a green man with leaves for a face, a druid in white robes, a woman scooping water from a stream.
Composition is usually calm. The space on the cards is filled with nature, not architecture or decorative patterns. That makes the imagery clearer than in decks that cram every corner with symbols.
Who this deck is made for
This deck is designed for readers who want to bring nature into their practice. That could be seasonal work, outdoor ritual, or meditation focused on the elements.
The 288-page guidebook goes deep into folklore, mythology and the symbolism of plants and animals. It includes spreads and extensive card descriptions. That also makes it usable for beginners, provided you are willing to learn the Celtic names and structure.
Lay this deck outside if you can. The photography works more strongly when the cards themselves become part of the natural setting where you use them.
About Anna Franklin and Paul Mason
Anna Franklin is a priestess, author and specialist in Celtic traditions and folk magic. She has written dozens of books on witchcraft, folklore and plant magic. For this deck she gathered the symbolism and developed the meanings.
Paul Mason is an illustrator and photographer. He made the photographs on location and added the digital illustrations. The combination of both disciplines gives the deck its distinctive look: realistic but not documentary, symbolic but not abstract.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card dimensions: 89 × 140 mm
- Finish: Matte
- Guidebook: 288 pages
- Language: English
- Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
- ISBN: 9781567182830
- Author: Anna Franklin
- Illustrator and photographer: Paul Mason
Questions we often get
Can I use this deck if I am used to the Rider-Waite-Smith structure?
Yes, the structure is the same. The names are different, but the numbering and division into major and minor arcana match. The guidebook explains the translation for each card.
How does this deck differ from other Celtic tarot decks?
This is the only deck that works with real landscape photography as a foundation. Other Celtic decks are fully drawn or painted. The combination of photo and digital illustration makes the imagery more direct.
