The Judaic Tarot
A Jewish deck by and for the Jewish people
The Gap
Jewish Tarot readers experience a lack of representation when they look for themselves and their people's stories in their tarot decks - decks that are already influenced by their own lore.
The Impact
This absence of representation implies that Jewish history and culture are not valued within the tarot community, leading to feelings of disconnection and imposter syndrome among Jewish practitioners.
The Solution
Create a tarot deck that authentically represents Jewish stories, symbols, and spiritual traditions, allowing Jewish readers to connect with their heritage through the cards while maintaining the depth and utility of traditional tarot.
Research & Development
Through extensive research and interviews with rabbis and Jewish community members, I discovered a significant gap in representation. While many tarot decks draw from various cultural traditions, none fully embraced the rich tapestry of Jewish stories and symbolism.
Key Findings
- • Traditional tarot decks often draw from Jewish mysticism without acknowledging the source
- • Jewish readers sought deeper connections to their cultural heritage through tarot
- • The intersection of Jewish tradition and tarot presented unique opportunities for authentic representation
Card Design
Major Arcana
Each Major Arcana card represents a significant story or figure from Jewish tradition, carefully chosen through rabbinic consultation and research.
Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana integrates the Four Worlds concept with traditional tarot symbolism, creating a unique bridge between Jewish mysticism and tarot practice.
Card Back Design
The card backs feature the letter shin (ש), a powerful symbol found on the mezuzah at the entrance to Jewish homes, connecting the deck to the family and Judaic traditions. The design also incorporates the Star of David, elegantly mapping the four elements and four worlds within its structure and reminding users that the origins of the tarot were based off Judaism.
The Companion Book
Reading Methods
Includes traditional single-card readings, the unique 7-card spread based on the Tree of Life, and interpretations grounded in Hebrew letter meanings.
The Four Worlds
Explores the connection between the four tarot suits and the traditional Jewish concept of the Four Worlds.
Tree of Life
Provides detailed explanations of how the Tree of Life concept relates to card meanings and spread interpretations.