Tarot Decoratif - two tarot traditions in one deck
Most tarot decks choose one tradition. This deck does not. Ciro Marchetti builds the Tarot Decoratif on the structure of the Tarot de Marseille, but fills the cards with the symbolism of the Smith-Waite Tarot. That makes it a hybrid deck, and the term is not meant as criticism here.
The Major Arcana lean heavily on the iconography of Pamela Colman Smith. The Minor Arcana are pip cards, as is customary in the Marseille tradition: abstract patterns of wands, cups, swords and pentacles. Only Marchetti adds subtle symbolic details, enough to guide interpretation without overcrowding the cards.
What you see on the cards
Marchetti works digitally and it shows. The colours are saturated, the compositions sharp, the lighting dramatic. His style is often called magical realism, a label that fits here. The worlds on the cards feel polished, almost hyperreal.
The imagery draws partly from Gnostic mysticism. Marchetti bases himself on the theory that early tarot cards concealed the mysteries of the Cathars and Christian Gnosticism. Whether that theory is historically sound is not the point here. What matters is that the deck carries that symbolic layer.
The Minor Arcana are structured numerologically. You do not get fully illustrated scenes as in a complete RWS deck, but you do get clues in colour, shape and placement of the symbols. That calls for interpretation, not simply reading off.
Who this works for
This deck is designed for readers who already have some experience with tarot. The pip cards require that you understand numerology or are willing to learn it. The 168-page guidebook offers enough to get started, including an extensive section on the mythological and religious layers of the 22 Triumphs.
The cards are printed on sturdy cardstock and shuffle well. The size of 76 x 124 mm is compact enough for daily use. The deck asks for study, not for caution.
Read the section on the 22 Triumphs in the guidebook before you begin working with the Major Arcana. Marchetti explains the Gnostic layer there, and that context enriches the cards.
About Ciro Marchetti
Ciro Marchetti was born in Italy, raised in the United Kingdom, and built his career as a digital illustrator in the United States. His tarot work is known for vivid colours and detailed compositions that make esoteric symbolism accessible to a broad audience.
In addition to the Tarot Decoratif, Marchetti has created decks such as the Gilded Tarot and the Legacy of the Divine Tarot. His style is recognisable and polarising: some love the polished aesthetic, others find it too smooth.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 76 x 124 mm
- Guidebook: 168 pages
- Language: English
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
- Artist: Ciro Marchetti
- Cardstock quality: high-quality, suitable for intensive use
Questions we often get
Are the Minor Arcana fully illustrated or are they pip cards?
They are pip cards in Marseille style, but with subtle symbolic details added. No full scenes as in an RWS deck, but visual clues that support interpretation.
Is the guidebook thorough enough for advanced readers?
Yes. The guide contains an extensive course on the history, mythology and numerological logic of the cards. Even for experienced readers, that offers new perspectives.
