Celtic Elemental Tarot: 78-Card Deck and Book
Autor Ayn Cates Sullivan Ilustrat de Belle Crow duCray Cuvânt înainte de Caitlín Matthewsen Limba Engleză Cards – 13 ian 2026
A tarot deck grounded in Celtic mythology and Arthurian legend
• Presents the Major Arcana cards as allies, challenges, virtues, and cosmic forces, while the elemental Minor Arcana offers court cards featuring characters of Arthurian and Grail lore
• Shows you how to combine this deck with others for more complex readings and nuanced interpretations
• Presents four sample spreads and, for each card, offers divinatory meanings, challenges, and three Grail questions; along with tree lore, animal totems, gemstones, and flower essences depending on the element
This tarot is guided by the author’s Hermetic philosophy of “Imaginosophy,” which pursues how to live and dream in Otherworlds. Drawing upon extensive research on Arthurian legend and Celtic mythology, this deck enables card readers to develop intuitive awareness and multi-layered insight.
Expanding on the traditional tarot, the Major Arcana of this deck is divided into four groups (allies, challenges, virtues, and cosmic forces), with each card offering keywords, both upright and reversed, for quick reference. The Minor Arcana follows the elements earth, air, water, and fire. Among the court cards readers will recognize names like Lancelot, Guinevere, King Arthur, Galahad, and other characters of Grail lore. The guidebook presents four sample spreads and, for each card, offers divinatory meanings, challenges and three Grail questions. Depending on the element, we also find tree lore and animal totems, gemstones, and flower essences. The author designed this deck to be combinable with other decks to multiply the querent’s possibilities for integrating diverse paths to wisdom.
The Celtic Elemental Tarot is a unique deck grounded in a cohesive mythological framework and helps readers come to a deeper understanding of themselves and the challenges they face.
Preț: 117.12 lei
Recomandat Precomandă
20.73€ • 24.17$ • 18.20£
Nepublicat încă
Specificații
Pagini: 320
Ilustrații: Includes 78 color cards and 320-page book
Dimensiuni: 165 x 222 x 41 mm
Greutate: 1.04 kg
Editura: Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
Colecția Findhorn Press
Notă biografică
Ayn Cates Sullivan, M.F.A., Ph.D., has spent four decades exploring and writing about Arthurian and Celtic mythology. She has pursued shamanic and magical initiations with John and Caitlín Matthews, and the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Host of the podcast Wisdom of the Ages, Ayn is based in Virginia, USA, and teaches worldwide. Belle Crow duCray holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and is an award-winning illustrator of children’s books. After decades in New York City and Santa Barbara, CA, she now lives and works in the boom space town of Huntsville, Alabama, where she grew up.
Extras
The Major Arcana describes an individual’s journey from the invisible—into color, light, and sound and into physical form and the realm of duality through initiations and tests, to fulfillment—then back to the sacred mystery. The quest involves rediscovering personal magic, co-creating with the elements, and discovering the wholeness of our beautiful and unique design. We playfully refer to the Grail questions as the quest-i-on, or “the quest I’m on.” All the Celtic Elemental Tarot cards have upright and reversed positions. However, the cards naturally circle inwards toward a Wisdom synthesis, the nugget of truth between meaning and symbol that we discover for ourselves.
The Major Arcana—Guides, Powers, and Forces
The Allies – Cards 0–VI
Tarot teaches the reality of the archetypes as powers that have animated the stories of existence since the beginning of time. These powers can appear in the form of guides or allies. Following the Major Arcana, we observe 0 Fool who steps out into the mysteries, trusting the unfolding process. The next five cards act as embodiments of the five magical helpers: I Magician, II Priestess, III Green Woman (Empress), IV Green Man (Emperor), and V Hierophant, who may act as a spiritual guide. The Green Woman and Green Man are wilder expressions of the traditional Emperor and Empress. VI Lovers can take on two roles, appearing as an archetypal romantic ally, or present its force as a dualistic challenge.
The Challenges – Cards VI–X
With cards VI–X, the soul faces the challenges of the dualistic world in the form of the VI Lovers (Choices), VII Chariot (Duality), VIII Strength (Fortitude), IX Hermit (Introspection), and X Wheel of Life (Karma).
The Virtues – Cards XI–XIV
We then encounter the ethical teachings and virtues, the moralistic teachings inherent in the tarot. Plato first described the virtues as the characteristics of a good human. The four cardinal Christian Virtues are Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice. XI Justice, the quality of being morally just, reminds us of the good of others. XII Hanged Man is related to the virtue of patience, learning to wait until the right time for action. XIII Death creates an ethical challenge, usually in the form of fear of facing a major change or transition. XIV Temperance is the angel, reminding us that moderation in our habits leads to wellbeing. The main theological virtue is Love, which adds a dimension to VI Lovers. Two more virtues are Charity (V Hierophant) and Hope (XVII Star).
The Cosmic Forces – Cards XV–XXI
The Force behind the XV Devil limits and binds. XVI Tower teaches us that illusion will be destroyed and ultimately it only is the truth that can set us free. Truth in the end is all that remains. There are also Universal Forces that impact us behind the XVII Star, XVIII Moon, and XIX Sun. XX Judgement is the primary Force that keeps us from Self-Realization, and it is here that we can set ourselves and others free, generally through forgiveness. The XXI Universe card implies that Self-Realization is possible, although it may require a re-imagining of the self.
A Mythopoetic Landscape
As we find ourselves in this mythopoetic landscape, we begin to understand the Guides, Powers, and Forces that move in the external and internal worlds. Although we might begin the Quest for the Grail or True Self feeling fragmented, we realize along the journey that we are much more than we could have ever dreamed. The achievement of the Grail is obtained through the finding and metabolization of correct knowledge in which the soul is healed and repaired.
0 – The Fool
Step boldly into life and trust the unfolding mystery.
Keywords: Innocence, faith, optimism, trust, spontaneity, new beginnings, love.
Reversed: Foolishness, despair, folly, impulsiveness, craziness, doubt.
Synthesis: Basic trust.
MEANING Laughter can open new possibilities. The jests and silliness inherent in the Fool help us break away from the mundane world and open to the mysteries. The Fool is the card of the youth who is endlessly curious. A foolish person lacks social awareness, but a Wise Fool follows the wisdom of the heart and shares truths with humor and wit. Mystics equate the Fool with the Hero’s Journey, in which the hero or heroine must leave the safety and familiarity of the ordinary world and enter the mysterious Otherworld, where many challenges must be faced. There is no guarantee of safety until a force greater than the Self is discovered. On this Quest the old Self dies, and a new Self emerges and ultimately returns to the ordinary world to share wisdom. The Fool reminds us that we come from the mystery, and it is to that mystery that we will return. When we inquire, the colorful mystery of the Universe begins to reveal itself to us.
DIVINATION When the Fool appears, transformation is in the air. The Fool marks the beginning and ending of the journey of tarot. If you have chosen the Fool in a reading, you are starting a new chapter of your life. There is risk involved as you stand on the threshold of a journey, but there is no going back. You have reached a point in your life when you must make a leap of faith and simply trust the unfolding process of life. Remember, the Universe is always conspiring to help you on your path.
REVERSED Like a child, the Fool can be irrational and impulsive, rushing headlong into change, even danger. The number 0 reminds us that the Fool takes zero accountability and just assumes everything will work out. Lacking basic trust in the process of life makes a person anxious, even fearful.
SYNTHESIS The Fool’s spiritual practice is to trust that life will carry you exactly where you need to go. The Fool who fulfills the Quest arrives at the Universe as a sage, or Wise Fool.
FOOL AS ALLY The Fool’s impulse is to leap into the unknown. The Fool represents our playful inner child who is inspired by life’s adventures. The Fool may appear as a comedian or a curious person who asks endless questions. As a youthful Lady of the Lake, Nimuë reminds us to trust the journey. At this point in the journey, Nimuë is not aware of the trials and tests that await her. Her footsteps are foolish and lighthearted as she steps off the clifftops into the mystery. She has basic trust in the Universe, yet this step is bittersweet. We must remember that the beginning of a journey is also the end of an old way of being.
BEFORE THE ARCANUM The Fool is a magical entity that activates ancient archetypes. The Fool does not bear a number in the tarot, and it is no mistake that we meet her before the Quest begins. The true Fool is propelled by the love of the mysteries of life. It is well known that an intelligent person is easy to instruct but that same person can also be bound by the dictates of their ideology. The Fool’s journey is to relinquish the intellect for the sake of the spiritual journey. To materialists, this would seem foolish. The Fool’s meditation would be on Nothing, or the Emptiness. Gazing into the luminous darkness, clarity arises. The Fool, emptied out of ideas and the intellect, is then magically moved by the impulse of amore or love. When a person sacrifices the intellect to spirituality, there is a chance of meeting their own genius. At the end of the journey, the youth who has explored and integrated the alchemical mysteries becomes the Sage.
SYMBOLISM /IMAGE AS GUIDE Once we go on a Quest (a spiritual journey) we never return, at least not as the same person. The Fool appears here as Nimuë, a young Lady of the Lake. Nimuë has not yet found her magic, but an inner impulse calls her toward her destiny. Holding a glowing staff, she walks courageously toward a precipice. Turning to look at the reader, Nimuë invites those who seek enlightenment to accompany her. The crystal ball on the end of her staff reflects the light of the Sun, symbolic of the loving light and goodness that reside within her. She has a purse, indicating that the wealth she needs is already with her. The white dog following her is the hound of Gwyn ap Nudd, Lord of the Celtic Underworld depicted in Death. Brachet, the hound, acts as her familiar, or Otherwordly protector. We imagine that the hound will leap with her.
CELTIC MYTHOLOGY The archetype of the Fool is ancient, appearing as a court jester who uses stories and songs to transgress social norms and conventional morality. We can be fooled when we believe something that isn’t true. The Fool speaks what others are afraid to say, sometimes because the truth is so obvious. We tend to think of ourselves as important, but as William Shakespeare wrote: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
Cuprins
by Caitlín Matthews
Preface—The Impulse behind Celtic Elemental Tarot
Introduction to Celtic Elemental Tarot
Opening the Deck
The Major Arcana
About the Major Arcana
0 The Fool
I The Magician
II The High Priestess
III The Green Woman
IV The Green Man
V The Hierophant
VI The Lovers
VII The Chariot
VIII Strength
IX The Hermit
X The Wheel of Life
XI Justice
XII The Hanged Man
XIII Death
XIV Temperanc
XV The Devil
XVI The Tower
XVII The Star
XVIII The Moon
XIX The Sun
XX Judgement
XXI The Universe
The Minor Arcana
About the Minor Arcana and the Court Cards
The EARTH Cards
The Ace of Earth – Abundance
The Two of Earth – Partnership
The Three of Earth – Teamwork
The Four of Earth – Security
The Five of Earth – Challenges
The Six of Earth – Generosity
The Seven of Earth – Patience
The Eight of Earth – Cultivation
The Nine of Earth – Achievement
The Ten of Earth – Accomplishment
The Heroine of Earth – Emer
The Hero of Earth – Cuchulain
The Queen of Earth – Maeve
The King of Earth – Conchobar
The AIR Cards
The Ace of Air – Truth
The Two of Air – Truce
The Three of Air – Confusion
The Four of Air – Stillness
The Five of Air – Conflict
The Six of Air – Journey
The Seven of Air – Trickery
The Eight of Air – Spellbound
The Nine of Air – Nightmare
The Ten of Air – Endings
The Heroine of Air – Guinevere
The Hero of Air – Lancelot
The Queen of Air – Morgan le Fay
The King of Air – Arthur
The WATER Cards
The Ace of Water – Joy
The Two of Water – Relationship
The Three of Water – Friendship
The Four of Water – Retreat
The Five of Water – Betrayal
The Six of Water – Reunion
The Seven of Water – Illusion
The Eight of Water – Travel
The Nine of Water – Optimism
The Ten of Water – Fulfillment
The Heroine of Water – Dindraine
The Hero of Water – Galahad
The Queen of Water – Elaine
The King of Water – Amfortas
The FIRE Cards
The Ace of Fire – Imagination
The Two of Fire – Possibilities
The Three of Fire – Inspiration
The Four of Fire – Celebration
The Five of Fire – Battle
The Six of Fire – Success
The Seven of Fire – Protection
The Eight of Fire – Spontaneity
The Nine of Fire – Boundaries
The Ten of Fire – Responsibility
The Heroine of Fire – Blodeuwedd
The Hero of Fire – Lleu
The Queen of Fire – Arianrhod
The King of Fire – Beli Mawr
Card Spreads
Four Sample Spreads
Trinity
Celtic Elemental Cross
Grail Alchemy
The Wheel of Life
Afterword—Journeying into the Past to Create the
Future by Tonya Dawn Recla
Acknowledgements
About the Author
About the Illustrator
Recenzii
“A portal to wisdom, the Celtic Elemental Tarot is different from all other tarot cards. Imbued with wisdom codes, each card holds a healing vibration. Each card can enhance your awareness of subtle energy and deepen your connection to nature and the elementals. In addition, the cards invite you to journey to realms with knowledge that will strengthen your mind and soften your heart with compassion. Celtic Elemental Tarot is for the true seer who wants to be of greater good to humanity. Of the many tarot and oracle decks I have ever used, Celtic Elemental Tarot is my favorite.”
“Ayn Cates Sullivan is an amazing teacher and mentor who has created a new take on tarot. It is thrilling and educational, full of spirit and insight, and is so very mentally stimulating. Belle’s drawings are artfully lovely! Thank you, Ayn, for your insights, brilliance, generosity, and Goddess Grace! May many enjoy this masterpiece!”
“Author Ayn Cates Sullivan and illustrator Belle Crow duCray have done it again! This time they’ve created a one of a kind tarot, the natural companion for anyone interested in the legends of the Grail. The tarot cards are like a window into other realms, offering a kaleidoscope of possibilities and healing, drawing deeply from the wisdom of the ages. Each question can lead us into a world of enchantment that is both practical and mystical at the same time. Working with the cards invokes curiosity and wonder, inspiration and gratitude as Ayn masterfully connects us with the ancient roots of bygone traditions and the crystal clarity of the present day.”
Descriere
A tarot deck grounded in Celtic mythology and Arthurian legend