Illustrated or Unillustrated - The Number Cards
Decks with unillustrated number cards are not just a part of Tarot history; they also provide modern Readers with a unique way to enhance their practice and sharpen their focus.
While all Tarot decks have the same basic structure, not all of them have illustrations on every card. Many historical decks, for example, have number cards (or 'pip cards') that just show the suit symbols—Wands, Swords, Cups, and Pentacles—in quantities matching the card's number, much like a regular deck of playing cards.
The most famous decks with pip cards are from the Marseille family. These decks, which originated in the late 17th century, were initially used for playing Tarot games for fun, rather than for divination or self-exploration. They're still the most popular decks in continental Europe today.
The first deck known to have illustrated Minor Arcana was the Sola Busca Tarot, created at the end of the 15th century. This was an exception, and it wasn't until the late 19th century that more decks with illustrated Minor Arcana started to appear. Arthur Edward Waite, the creator of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, is believed to have been influenced by the images in the Sola Busca Tarot. This likely led him to instruct Pamela Colman Smith to create their groundbreaking illustrated cards.
Picture Perfect
Decks with pip cards can be quite intimidating for new Readers, who might find it tricky to link Querent's questions with the meanings of the Arcana. For example, figuring out how five Wands relate to love can be tough. In these situations, it helps to refer to the basic meanings and keywords for each Arcana.
Illustrated decks solve this problem and have revolutionized Tarot reading. You no longer need to memorize long lists of meanings. With illustrations on all the cards, Readers can interpret the images and connect the feelings, symbols, and colours to the question at hand. The pictures tell a story, making it easier for both the Reader and the Querent to see how it relates to their inquiry.
These illustrated number cards have also made Tarot more popular. Once a niche activity for those in the occult and metaphysical circles, Tarot can now be understood by anyone. Today, artists create their own versions of the Arcana, using unique styles and perspectives.
Illustrated numerals give artists a chance to present new interpretations. Symbolic settings, characters, colours, and other choices broaden the meanings and personalize Tarot readings.
Take, for example, the ViceVersa deck's Five of Pentacles. One side shows a man in rags outside a church, while the reverse features a well-dressed man with his head in his hands. This shows that physical and spiritual poverty are two sides of the same coin.
Illustrations can provide immediate insight into the meaning of a number card. For example, in Thelema Tarot, the Eight of Swords shows a woman trapped in murky water surrounded by shimmering swords. This suggests a temporary or self-imposed sense of being stuck.
However, there are benefits to using pip cards as well. As Readers gain experience and knowledge, they might find that unillustrated decks free them from the 'noise' created by picture cards, allowing them to focus directly on the core meaning of each card.
Open Your Mind
Using pip cards gives Readers a unique chance to tap into their intuition since pips are abstract and open to interpretation. Readers can quiet their minds and let thoughts and feelings about the cards come to the surface. Which pips stand out the most? What details catch your eye? By pondering these questions, a Reader's intuition can guide them to what needs attention.
Focusing on the numbers can also offer valuable insights into the Querent's journey without relying only on the Major Arcana. For example, a reading with the numbers two, five, and eight suggests a progression from conflict to change or achievement. On the other hand, numbers moving in the opposite direction might indicate regression.
Both illustrated and unillustrated decks offer different experiences for the Reader and Querent, so it's worth practising with both types. If you're looking for immediate guidance from the images, illustrated decks are highly effective. But if you want something more abstract and open to interpretation, pip cards are a compelling choice.