The Mary-El Tarot

The Mary-El Tarot - mythology and nature symbolism in intense layers

Some decks stay on the surface. This one does not. The Mary-El Tarot by artist Marie White is raw, layered, and asks for a reader willing to take time.

The imagery combines mythological archetypes with natural forces. You see divine figures, animals, flora and elements that reference both Western esotericism and Eastern philosophy. The cards are borderless and large, 89 x 140 mm. The colours are intense. That pulls you straight into the image.

What you see on the cards

Marie White paints. Her style recalls classical painting, with heavy contrasts and depth. Each card contains multiple symbolic layers. A figure, an animal, a landscape, sometimes religious references, all within a single image.

The cards have no border. That makes the images larger and forces focus. The colours are saturated, sometimes dark, sometimes glowing. This is not a light deck.

How this deck came to be

Marie White worked almost ten years on The Mary-El Tarot. She based it on her own dreams, visions and fascination with natural forces. The second edition from 2019 contains four completely redesigned cards and improved print quality.

The guidebook is called Landscapes of the Abyss and runs 192 pages. White describes the symbolism, her intentions and the philosophical background for each card. It is not light reading. The text goes as deep as the images.

Who this works for

This deck is designed for readers willing to invest time in study. The symbolism is complex enough to work with for years. Beginners may be drawn to the images, but the depth only really emerges if you are prepared to use the guidebook.

The deck works well for shadow work and self-reflection. The intensity of the images helps break through surface layers.

Pull a card without opening the guidebook. Look at the image for a few minutes and note what you notice. Only then read Marie White's text. This way you build your own language with the deck before adopting her interpretation.

About Marie White

Marie White is an artist and tarot creator. She worked almost ten years on The Mary-El Tarot, driven by visions and a fascination with mythology and nature. Her work combines spiritual depth with technical craftsmanship.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 89 x 140 mm
• Card design: Borderless
• Guidebook: 192 pages, paperback, titled Landscapes of the Abyss
• Language: English
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
• Edition: Second edition, 2019, with four redesigned cards
• Weight: 1020 g
• Packaging: Collector box
• Artist: Marie White

Questions we often get

What is the difference between the first and second edition?
The second edition contains four completely redesigned cards. Print clarity has also been improved and the guidebook has been updated.

Do I really need the guidebook?
The images are powerful enough to work with intuitively, but Marie White explains symbolic choices in the guidebook that you would otherwise miss. Without that book you miss an important part of her vision.