The Evolution of Tarot Decks: From Marseille to Rider-Waite to Modern

BY NICOLE LAU

If you've ever walked into a metaphysical bookstore or scrolled through tarot listings online, you know: there are thousands of tarot decks. Decks for witches, decks for cat lovers, decks for activists, decks inspired by anime, mythology, astrology, or pure abstract art. Decks that challenge gender norms, celebrate diverse bodies, or reimagine the archetypes entirely.

But this explosion of diversity is recent. For most of tarot's history, there were only a handful of deck traditions—and they looked remarkably similar. The Tarot de Marseille dominated for 200 years. Then the Rider-Waite-Smith revolutionized everything in 1909. And in the late 20th century, the floodgates opened.

This is the story of how tarot decks evolved—from standardized woodblock prints to Pamela Colman Smith's revolutionary illustrations to the radical diversity of today. It's a story of artistic innovation, occult philosophy, cultural shifts, and the democratization of a once-elite tool.

What you'll learn: The Tarot de Marseille tradition (1650s onward), why Rider-Waite-Smith changed everything (illustrated pips, Golden Dawn symbolism), Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot (alchemical complexity), the modern explosion (feminist, LGBTQ+, culturally specific decks), and how to choose a deck that resonates with you.

Disclaimer: This is educational content about tarot deck history and design, NOT endorsement of specific decks or claims about their supernatural efficacy. Deck choice is personal and subjective.

The Tarot de Marseille: The Traditional Standard (1650s-Present)

What Is the Tarot de Marseille?

Not a Single Deck: The Tarot de Marseille (TdM) is a style, not a specific deck. It refers to a family of decks produced in Marseille, France (and elsewhere) from the 17th century onward. These decks share: A common structure (78 cards: 22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana). Similar imagery (standardized iconography). Woodblock printing (later, lithography). Bold, simple colors (red, blue, yellow, green, flesh tones).

Key Characteristics: Major Arcana: Allegorical images (similar to earlier Italian decks). Numbered I-XXI, plus The Fool (unnumbered or 0). Names in French (Le Bateleur, La Papesse, L'Impératrice, etc.). Minor Arcana: Pip cards (just the suit symbols—no illustrated scenes). Four suits: Cups (Coupes), Coins (Deniers), Swords (Épées), Batons (Bâtons). Court cards: Valet (Page), Cavalier (Knight), Reine (Queen), Roi (King).

Famous Marseille Decks

Conver Tarot (1760): Created by Nicolas Conver in Marseille. One of the most influential TdM decks. Restored and republished in the 20th century (widely available today).

Dodal Tarot (1701): Created by Jean Dodal in Lyon. Earlier than Conver, slightly different imagery. Favored by some traditionalists.

Noblet Tarot (1650): One of the earliest surviving TdM decks. Created by Jean Noblet in Paris. Rougher, more primitive style (but historically important).

How It Was Used

For Gaming: The TdM was primarily a game deck (tarot/tarocchi was still played in France and Italy). The pip cards were functional (you didn't need illustrations to play).

For Divination: By the 18th-19th centuries, the TdM was also used for cartomancy. Readers memorized meanings for each card (since the pips weren't illustrated). The Major Arcana carried most of the symbolic weight.

The TdM Aesthetic

Bold and Iconic: The TdM has a distinctive look: Flat, two-dimensional figures. Bold outlines (from woodblock printing). Limited color palette (primary colors, no shading). Symbolic rather than realistic (the images are archetypes, not portraits). This aesthetic is stark, powerful, and timeless. It's less "pretty" than modern decks—but more archetypal.

Why It Endures

Tradition: The TdM is the oldest continuous tarot tradition (over 350 years). Many readers prefer it for its historical authenticity. It's the deck Éliphas Lévi and other 19th-century occultists used.

Simplicity: The unillustrated pips force you to rely on intuition (not just reading the pictures). This can deepen your practice (once you learn the system).

Archetypal Power: The TdM images are stripped-down and essential. They're pure archetype (no distracting details). For some readers, this makes them more powerful.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Revolution (1909)

The Deck That Changed Everything

Creators: Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942): British occultist, scholar, and member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Designed the deck's symbolism (based on Golden Dawn teachings). Pamela Colman Smith (1878-1951): British-American artist, also a Golden Dawn member. Illustrated all 78 cards (in just six months, 1909). Her contribution was long overlooked (the deck was called "Rider-Waite" for decades). Now properly credited as Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) or Waite-Smith.

Published by Rider & Company (London, 1909): Originally called the "Rider Tarot" or "Waite Tarot." Became the most influential tarot deck in history.

The Revolutionary Innovation: Illustrated Minor Arcana

Before RWS: Minor Arcana were pip cards (just suit symbols, like playing cards). The Three of Cups showed three cups. The Seven of Swords showed seven swords. No scenes, no stories, no context.

After RWS: Pamela Colman Smith illustrated every Minor Arcana card with a scene. The Three of Cups shows three women celebrating (friendship, joy, community). The Seven of Swords shows a figure sneaking away with swords (deception, strategy, theft). Each card tells a story (making intuitive reading possible).

Why This Mattered: Beginners could read the cards without memorizing meanings (just look at the picture). The Minor Arcana became as rich and meaningful as the Major Arcana. Tarot became accessible (you didn't need years of study to start reading).

Golden Dawn Symbolism

Kabbalistic Correspondences: The RWS deck is based on the Golden Dawn's system: Each card corresponds to a path on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. Each card has astrological, elemental, and numerical associations. The symbolism is layered and intentional (every color, gesture, and object has meaning).

Occult Depth: The RWS looks simple and accessible. But it's esoterically complex. Waite embedded Golden Dawn teachings into the imagery. Serious students can spend years unpacking the symbolism.

Pamela Colman Smith's Art

Her Style: Flat, illustrative, almost childlike (but intentionally so). Influenced by: Art Nouveau (flowing lines, decorative elements). Medieval and Renaissance art (symbolic, allegorical). Theater and costume design (Smith was a theatrical designer). Her style is distinctive, warm, and approachable (less intimidating than the TdM).

Her Legacy: Smith was paid a flat fee (£50) and received no royalties. She died in poverty (1951), largely forgotten. The deck was credited to Waite and Rider (not Smith) for decades. Only in recent years has her contribution been properly recognized. Today, she's celebrated as a pioneering female artist and occultist.

Why RWS Became the Standard

Accessibility: The illustrated pips made tarot easy to learn. Anyone could pick up the deck and start reading (no extensive training required).

Availability: The deck was mass-produced and widely distributed. It was affordable (unlike hand-painted decks). By the mid-20th century, it was everywhere.

Influence: Almost every modern tarot deck is influenced by RWS: The illustrated Minor Arcana became standard. The card meanings (established by Waite) are widely used. The imagery is referenced, adapted, or reimagined in countless decks. If you've seen a tarot deck, it's probably RWS-based (or reacting against RWS).

The Thoth Tarot: Crowley's Alchemical Vision (1969)

The Creators

Aleister Crowley (1875-1947): British occultist, magician, and founder of Thelema. Former Golden Dawn member (expelled for being too radical). Wanted to create the ultimate esoteric tarot (incorporating Kabbalah, astrology, alchemy, Egyptian mythology, and Thelemic philosophy).

Lady Frieda Harris (1877-1962): British artist (no prior tarot experience). Crowley recruited her to paint the deck (1938-1943). She spent five years creating 78 stunning, complex paintings. The deck wasn't published until 1969 (after both their deaths).

The Aesthetic

Radically Different from RWS: Abstract, geometric, and alchemical. Vibrant, saturated colors (Harris used innovative techniques). Egyptian and Art Deco influences. Dense with symbolism (every line, color, and shape has meaning). The Thoth Tarot is beautiful but overwhelming (it's not beginner-friendly).

Key Differences from RWS

Renamed Cards: Strength → Lust. Judgment → The Aeon. The World → The Universe. Justice and Strength are swapped (to align with Crowley's astrological system).

Court Cards: Knight, Queen, Prince, Princess (instead of King, Queen, Knight, Page). This reflects Crowley's elemental and Kabbalistic system.

Thelemic Philosophy: The deck embodies Crowley's philosophy: "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." It's about will, power, and self-actualization (not traditional morality).

Who Uses the Thoth Tarot?

Serious Occultists: The Thoth is favored by: Thelemites (followers of Crowley's system). Ceremonial magicians (who appreciate the depth and complexity). Advanced tarot readers (who want esoteric richness). It's not for casual readers (the symbolism is too dense).

Artists and Aesthetes: The Thoth is visually stunning. Some people use it for its beauty (even if they don't fully understand the symbolism).

The Modern Explosion: Diversity and Innovation (1970s-Present)

The New Age Boom (1970s-1980s)

Tarot Goes Mainstream: The counterculture embraced tarot (along with astrology, crystals, and alternative spirituality). Tarot became associated with: Feminism (reclaiming intuition and the divine feminine). LGBTQ+ communities (finding spiritual tools outside patriarchal religion). Self-help and personal growth (tarot as therapy). This created demand for new decks (beyond TdM, RWS, and Thoth).

Feminist Tarot

Challenging Patriarchy: Traditional tarot has patriarchal elements: The Hierophant (Pope) and Emperor are male authority figures. The High Priestess and Empress are passive or nurturing. Court cards are gendered (Kings and Knights are active; Queens are receptive). Feminist decks reimagine these archetypes.

Examples: Motherpeace Tarot (1981): Round cards (breaking the rectangular tradition). Goddess-centered imagery (celebrating the divine feminine). Inclusive of diverse bodies and cultures. Daughters of the Moon Tarot (1984): All-female deck (even traditionally male cards are reimagined as women). Celebrates women's power, wisdom, and autonomy.

LGBTQ+ Tarot

Queer Representation: Traditional tarot assumes heteronormativity (The Lovers shows a man and woman). LGBTQ+ decks challenge this.

Examples: The Numinous Tarot (2018): Gender-fluid and non-binary figures. Celebrates queer love and identity. The Slow Holler Tarot (2020): Features LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and diverse bodies. Rooted in Appalachian culture and queer Southern identity. The Collective Tarot (2008): Collaborative, anti-capitalist, queer-positive deck. Reimagines the archetypes for radical communities.

Culturally Specific Tarot

Beyond Eurocentrism: Traditional tarot is European (Italian, French, British). Modern decks draw from other cultures.

Examples: The Afro-Brazilian Tarot: Incorporates Candomblé and Umbanda (Afro-Brazilian religions). The Native American Tarot: Uses Indigenous North American symbolism (though controversial—some see it as appropriation). The Osho Zen Tarot: Based on Zen Buddhism and the teachings of Osho. The Haindl Tarot: Incorporates Native American, Norse, Egyptian, and Hindu traditions. (Note: Culturally specific decks can be powerful—but also raise questions about appropriation, especially when created by outsiders.)

Themed and Artistic Tarot

Endless Variety: Modern tarot decks are created for every interest and aesthetic: Pop culture: Star Wars Tarot, Game of Thrones Tarot, Harry Potter Tarot (unofficial). Animals: Cat Tarot, Wild Unknown Tarot (animals as archetypes). Mythology: Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Celtic mythology decks. Art styles: Surrealist, minimalist, watercolor, digital, collage. Specific audiences: Decks for witches, healers, activists, artists, etc. The variety is overwhelming—but also liberating. There's a deck for everyone.

How to Choose a Deck

Consider Your Goals

Learning Tarot?: Start with RWS or a RWS-based deck (the illustrated pips make learning easier). The symbolism is well-documented (countless books and resources). Once you know RWS, you can branch out.

Deep Esoteric Study?: Consider TdM (for traditional cartomancy) or Thoth (for Kabbalistic/alchemical depth). These decks reward serious study (but have a steeper learning curve).

Personal Reflection?: Choose a deck that resonates emotionally and aesthetically. The images should speak to you (not just intellectually, but intuitively). Trust your gut.

Examine the Artwork

Do the Images Resonate?: Look at the Major Arcana (especially The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, Death, The Tower). Do they evoke something in you? Do they feel alive, or flat? Look at a few Minor Arcana cards. Can you intuit their meanings from the images?

Aesthetic Preference: Do you prefer: Traditional (TdM, historical decks). Classic (RWS, Thoth). Modern (contemporary art styles). Whimsical (cute, playful decks). Dark (gothic, occult aesthetics). There's no right answer—choose what you love.

Consider Representation

Do You See Yourself?: If representation matters to you, look for decks that include: Diverse bodies (different sizes, abilities, ages). Diverse genders (non-binary, gender-fluid, trans representation). Diverse races and cultures. LGBTQ+ relationships and identities. Seeing yourself in the cards can deepen your connection to them.

Read Reviews and Sample Images

Before You Buy: Look at sample images online (most decks have galleries). Read reviews (from other tarot readers). Check if there's a companion book (some decks have unique interpretations). Consider the card stock and size (some decks are huge, some are tiny—handle matters).

Trust Your Intuition

The Deck Chooses You: There's a saying in the tarot community: "The deck chooses you." Sometimes a deck just calls to you (even if it's not what you expected). Trust that. The "right" deck is the one that speaks to you (not the one everyone else recommends).

Conclusion: A Deck for Every Soul

Tarot has come a long way from the Tarot de Marseille's bold woodblock prints. Pamela Colman Smith revolutionized the form with her illustrated pips. Crowley and Harris pushed it into alchemical abstraction. And the late 20th and early 21st centuries exploded it into infinite diversity.

Today, there's a tarot deck for every soul. For the traditionalist and the radical. For the witch and the therapist. For the queer kid and the grandmother. For the artist and the mystic.

The archetypes remain—The Fool, The Magician, Death, The Star. But they're endlessly reimagined, endlessly reborn. And that's the beauty of tarot: it's a living tradition, constantly evolving, always speaking to the moment.

Choose the deck that speaks to you. And let the cards tell you their story.

In the next article, we'll explore runes—from the Viking alphabet to modern divination, and how these ancient Norse symbols became a New Age tool.

From Marseille's bold lines to Smith's gentle illustrations to today's radical reimaginings. The archetypes endure, but the faces change. The Fool walks through every deck, every era, every culture—always beginning, always seeking, always becoming. Choose your deck. Shuffle your cards. The archetypes are waiting to speak. And they speak in the language you need to hear.

📖 Explore This Series: The History of Tarot | Tarot's Journey: From 15th Century Italian Courts | The Fool's Journey Decoded

🔮 Deepen Your Practice: Tarot Through the Lens of Constant Unification