Introduction to The Urban Tarot Deck
I found Robin Scott’s Urban Tarot Deck as I was navigating through the labyrinth that is the Internet, and ended up in love at first sight! ? This gorgeous deck is the result of a result of a very successful Kickstarter campaign in 2012.
The Urban Tarot Deck draws inspiration from the various locales of New York City — the streets, the buildings, the parks, the monuments, the people — everything about this lively and vibrant city is the source material for the images of this deck.
The latest news that I’ve heard is that the Urban Tarot Deck will be published again through U.S. Games Systems. However, Robin still has about 200 copies of the deck (as of 6 March 2017) — which could very well be considered to be the ‘First Edition’ ‘Collectors’ copies. ??
Psst: Deck Collectors! Get yourself a copy while the stocks last!
Cards of The Urban Tarot Deck
Each card is about 2 ¾ inches wide and 4 ¼ inches tall, with rounded corners. The surface has a smooth finish and the card is thick, but not too thick. The cards shuffle well during readings.
The back design of each card reminds one of the subway maps that you can find all over NYC. The card back is totally reversible, so if you use reversed cards in your reading, this deck is perfect!
The card images of The Urban Tarot Deck are so gorgeous, that I wished that they covered a bigger area on the card. However, this wasn’t a deal-breaker for me.
Psst: I also hear that this is going to be fixed with the US Games version.
You can see the card images on Robin’s site. And if you are into using Tarot Apps, you can find The Urban Tarot App on the App Store as well as on Google Play.
LWB and/or Book
The Urban Tarot Deck doesn’t come with an LWB, but there is a full-fledged book that you will have to buy separately. The book features full color images of each of the cards on one side, and a detailed description of the card imagery on the other. You will also find information such as the source of inspiration in NYC, and the models who posed for the pictures. Another wonderful thing about the book is that the edges of the pages are colored to sync with the suits — so it makes searching for the card meanings quite easy!
In my personal opinion, this deck is perfect for those who have a good base with Rider-Waite-Smith based card imagery, and want to explore the Thoth based imagery. This deck features images that are a beautiful amalagamation of both. So visual storytellers can find peace while working with Thoth-based symbols as well.
Although the book provides a lot of information about the various places and situations and people who inspired the designs, and why a certain sort of imagery was used, you may benefit by reading up on the Thoth system to take your readings to the next level. However, even without that, using a storytelling approach, you will still find the images beautifully expressive and informative.
One thing I do miss is having reversed card interpretations. But that isn’t a deal breaker either. If you’ve worked with Tarot for a while, and you use reversals, it isn’t rocket science to figure out the interpretations. ?
Here are some of my favorite cards from The Urban Tarot Deck!
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17 : The Star
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19 : The Sun
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3 Of Disks : Works
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Queen of Wands : The Public Defender
Majors, Minors, Courts, Suits
The deck follows the Thoth system. Therefore, Major Arcana 8 is Justice, and Major Arcana 11 is Strength.
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8 : Justice
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11 : Strength
Also the Court Cards follow the Thoth system of nomenclature and hierarchy. Starting with the Princess card, we move up via the Prince, the Queen, and finally, the Knight card.
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Knight of Cups : The Seducer
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Queen of Wands : The Public Defender
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Prince of Swords : The Hacker
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Princess of Disks : The Kindergarten Teacher
The Suit of Pentacles is called the Suit of Disks.
And yes, unlike the Thoth deck, these cards have stuff going on in the background of the suit images — which totally makes this deck a great mix of the best parts of both Rider-Waite-Smith and Thoth systems.
Reading with This Deck
I have had a ton of fun reading with these cards. Not only are the images deeply evocative, but they are also highly relateable. These are images not from some fantasy land, or imaginary place, or historical space and time. These are images from the world we live in, and see all around us. They are real, raw, and poignant. And they make a whole lot of sense.
Video
I even made a video about this deck where I talk a bit more (as usual) and give you a peek at the cards. Take a look…
https://youtu.be/gGrLWybxkHI
Giveaway
Robin has been so generous by sending me another copy of the deck and book (which she signed, btw!!) for a giveaway. So get on it, and make sure you’ve entered! The contest ends 31st March 2017.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Your Turn
What did you think of this deck? Did you like the images? Did they speak to you just like they did to me? And if you already have this deck, what are your experiences with this deck? Tell me in the comments…
I think this Tarot would be great for beginners, the conceptualizations of the cards are very accurate. Thank you for the giveaway and I would love to win.
I agree! It’s a great deck! ?
This is a set of cards worth having at home and practicing daily with! It is inspiring and full of information! Love it! Thanks for sharing Madhavi!
You’re very welcome! ??
I watched this deck as Robin created it. It has so much to offer. Love this contest.
Wow! Oh yes, this deck is brilliant! ?
I like the paper collage technique on suit of swords!
Me too! ?
I like the modern look of the deck.
Me too! ?
This is a very unique deck. Very realistic and applicable to the real world and the images and people we see every day. 🙂
Very true! ?
Wow, what a deck. I feel like this would be a great deck for young tarot readers just get into reading the cards. It feels like something that can relate more to the modern day. That justice card is just… wow.
I agree! ??
The part that stands out the most to me about this deck is that it uses so many different types of people. I see many decks using the same type of individual or archetypal figure over and over but not many go out of their way to ensure that every character is truly their “own”. And just how modern this is it’s great! Thank you so much for sharing.
I agree! ?
Wow, I love the imagery of this deck. The Ace of Cups card really stands out to me, also! I’ll put this on my wish list. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
? You’re welcome! ?
I love the artwork! I like thats its modern, but not cutesy. I’m not familiar with the thoth tarot yet, but this deck seems a lot less intimidating.
So true! I also like that it’s inclusive.
And yes, this deck is a good way to bridge the gap for the RWS people to get familiar with the Thoth style of imagery. ?
What a great concept for a Tarot deck, for me its the Court cards that made a lot of sense, I love the Prince of Disks as the Day Trader and the Prince of Swords as the Hacker is just genius.
A great review, thank you:))
Glad you liked it! I love the court cards’ names too! Totally connects to the personality type…
Although this deck is still on my wish list, I get a chance to see it on Instagram. The pictures bring it home for me, it is as if I can feel them hit a spot inside of me. Thanks you for featuring this deck.
Teresa
charms_and_cards
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Holy smokes! How have I not seen this deck before? It’s so incredible and unique. That 8 of wands is the most striking and effective 8 of wands I’ve ever seen! I’ve been wanting to find a Thoth based deck that clicks with me, this one REALLY clicks.
Oooh! I do so love that 8 of Wands too! ? Looks like you’ve fallen in love with this deck just like I did! ??
I love thoth tarot and haven’t seen this deck yet!!! ????
Check it out! It is super awesome! ???
I love the art of the deck. I’m a urban person myself and this deck has gorgeous Tarot interpretations. I like the modern touch of it.
It is beautiful! The NYC feel drew me in!