Tarot of Tales and Legends

Tarot of Tales and Legends - stories from fairy tales and myths on 78 cards

Between 1889 and 1913, Henry Justice Ford drew hundreds of illustrations for the Fairy Books, the colourful fairy tale collections by Andrew Lang. His work is characterised by fine lines, dreamlike compositions and characters that seem to come straight from the collective imagination. This tarot deck brings those images back as 78 cards, published by Lo Scarabeo in collaboration with Llewellyn.

The deck follows the standard tarot structure with 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The images, however, are not a reworking of Rider-Waite symbolism, but based on existing illustrations from classic fairy tales. This makes the deck less suitable for those seeking strict symbolic meanings, and very suitable for those who read stories rather than signs.

What you see on the cards

Knights, princesses, forest spirits, dragons, wizards and simple villagers. Ford drew archetypal figures you recognise from fairy tales without knowing exactly which story they come from. The style is nostalgic and detailed, with attention to costume, posture and expression.

Colours are soft and somewhat muted, fitting the printed fairy tale books from the early twentieth century. The images have a narrative quality: you see characters in action, in a moment that makes you curious about what happened before or after.

The cardstock is sturdy and smooth, without a coating that sticks. The cards measure 70 by 120 mm, a standard format that sits well in the hand. The finish ensures the cards shuffle smoothly, even after frequent use.

How to read with it

This deck asks for a narrative approach. Instead of translating a card to a fixed meaning, you can look at what is happening in the image. What emotion does the figure show? Where do they stand in the landscape? What might have just happened?

This makes the deck accessible for beginners who have not yet built up symbolic knowledge, but also interesting for experienced readers who were stuck in fixed interpretations. The images speak for themselves.

Draw three cards and lay them side by side. Do not read them as 'past, present, future', but as a continuous fairy tale: what happens and how does the story end?

About Henry Justice Ford

Henry Justice Ford (1860-1941) was a British artist and illustrator who made his name primarily through his work for Andrew Lang's Fairy Books. He illustrated dozens of fairy tales from different cultures, from Greek myths to Russian folk tales.

His style is characterised by fine lines, attention to detail and a romantic approach to the fantastic. Ford captured wonder without falling into kitsch. His work remains influential for illustrators of fantasy literature.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78 (Major and Minor Arcana)
• Format: 70 x 120 mm
• Material: Sturdy cardstock with smooth finish
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications / Lo Scarabeo
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9780738775982
• Illustrator: Henry Justice Ford

Questions we often get

Does this deck follow Rider-Waite symbolism?
It uses the standard tarot structure, but the images are based on fairy tale illustrations, not esoteric symbolism. You cannot apply fixed meanings from the Rider-Waite tradition one-to-one here.

Is there a guidebook included?
Yes, in English. The guidebook provides context about the illustrations and the use of the deck, but not fixed card meanings per card.