Tarot of Delphi: Know Thyself

The Tarot of Delphi is a 78-card tarot deck that functions as a "mini-museum," curating Neoclassical fine art from the late 1830s to the early 1910s. Each card features a reproduction of a painting, inviting readers to explore the imagery and its mythic narratives. The deck maintains the core structure of 22 Major Arcana, 40 pip cards, and 16 court cards, with the four suits being Wands, Cups, Swords, and Coins.

While largely reflecting the images and meanings of the classic Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, the Tarot of Delphi introduces several thematic changes. Court cards are titled Devotee, Artisan, Hero, and Enchantress, and each Ace features a powerful female historical figure or goddess. Additionally, several Major Arcana titles are renamed to align with the Neoclassical theme, such as Fortuna for The Wheel of Fortune, Orpheus as The Asundered One for The Hanged Man, The Siren for The Devil, The Shipwreck for The Tower, and The Garden (of the mythical Hesperides) for The World. These changes allow readers to follow mythological stories through the trumps and into the suit cards.

The physical deck measures 78 x 128 mm (3.07 x 5.04 in.) with rounded corners, printed on high-quality, coated card stock. It includes a 32-page, staple-stitched, black and white booklet with card descriptions and information about the paintings. The cards and booklet are housed in a full-color tuck box. The creator emphasized the importance of copyright, working with a lawyer to ensure all images were in the public domain in the United States, and planning for future international distribution by addressing varying copyright laws.

This deck is ideal for art history enthusiasts, particularly those with an appreciation for Neoclassical and Victorian fine art. It appeals to tarot readers who enjoy decks with a strong thematic narrative rooted in mythology and classical antiquity. Experienced RWS readers will find the underlying symbolism familiar despite the renamed cards, while those new to tarot may appreciate the rich visual storytelling as a gateway to interpretation. Collectors seeking a unique, art-focused deck will also find this appealing.

J.D. Hildegard Hinkel curated the Tarot of Delphi with a vision to create a "mini-museum" experience, using fine art from the late 1830s to the early 1910s. Her inspiration stemmed from the belief that both art and tarot help individuals unearth and articulate themselves. She collaborated with local artists Stephanie Robb Jewelry Designs and fashion designer Maura Simmonds Price to offer handcrafted rewards with Greek and Victorian themes, directly inspired by the paintings in the deck. A significant part of her process involved working with a copyright lawyer to ensure all selected images were in the public domain in the United States, demonstrating a commitment to ethical image sourcing.