The Tarot of the
Most High: Reflections on the Bible,
is a tarot card deck inspired by the Bible. It
includes depictions of events from the Old Testament, New Testament, and
the Apocrypha. Each card includes an image, a key word (describing the
overall theme of the card), and a section containing relevant Bible
verses - providing ample symbolism/themes for enhanced tarot readings.
These are not cards with fluffy inspirational Bible verses on them, but
like the Bible, contain mature content documenting the interaction
between God and human-beings, and human's struggles with evil throughout
history. You can learn from the sins, temptations, adversity, and
struggles of Biblical characters, for your personal growth, and/or
reflect on God's interaction with mankind in the past, present, and
future. The images on the cards are recreations based on public domain
images taken from The Bible And Its Story
Taught by One Thousand Picture Lessons(1910),
Die Bibel in Bildern(1872), and Dore
Bible Gallery(1883);
with artist such as Hans Burgkmair (1531), Albrecht Durer (1528),
Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1872), and
Gustave Dore (1883). Many of these beautiful images might have been lost
to obscurity, but were recreated here so that another generation can
view their artwork and reflect on God's word.
Tarot Card decks consist of 78 cards
divided into two sections and four suits. The two sections are the Major
Arcana (Table One) and the Minor Arcana (Table Two). The Major Arcana is
made up of 22 cards, labeled with Roman Numerals starting with zero and
going up to 21. The Minor Arcana is similar to a standard deck of
playing cards, but it includes four extra cards. Instead of cards
numbered 1 through 10, Jack, Queen, King, the Minor Arcana has cards
numbered 1 through 10, and then has a Page, Knight, Queen, and King.
In the Tarot of the Most High, the cards in the Major Arcana are
associated with the Mysteries of God and His foreordained plan, and the
cards in the Minor Arcana deal primarily with humanity's struggles
against evil and mankind's interactions with God, evil, and other
humans. Generally, the Major Arcana deals with spiritual concepts, and
the Minor Arcana addresses more earthly ones. The Minor Arcana is
divided into four suits: Cups, Coins, Staffs, and Swords. Certain
attributes are associated with each of the suits, but in order to avoid
the topics being too narrowly focused, some leeway/flexibility was
applied.
The cards in the Cups suit focus mainly on topics related to Destiny
and sacrifice. They address topics such as faithfulness, martyrdom, and
concepts such as death before dishonor. They explore the lives and
integrity of people who placed their commitment to God above their own
lives, and their trust in God's providence. The cards in the Cups suit
deal with God's interactions with mankind, and humanity's trust and
commitment to God.
The primary theme of the Swords suit is Adversity, and the cards
deal with interactions between humans. Many of the cards in this suit
depict King David's struggles in life, and can be used to help you
understand how to get ahead in life while overcoming temptations and
obstacles. Also included are the lives of people who were confronted
with great wickedness/tragedies, and the need to balance one's
priorities and/or responses in difficult situations.
The cards in the Staff suit are primarily associated with
Discipline. You can think of a Staff as a Rod of Reproof although
that verse (Proverbs 29:15) is not actually included in this deck. The
Shepherd's Staff was used to both guide and discipline the sheep. This
suit of the Minor Arcana deals with topics related to learning lessons,
growing in knowledge, finding one's way in the world, and overcoming
challenges in order to become successful.
The main theme of the cards in the Coins suit is Wisdom. This suit
deals with situations where wisdom is put into practice, whereas the
situations in the Staffs suit describe the trials through which wisdom
is developed. Wisdom is associated with coins, because wisdom states,
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than
choice gold (Proverbs 8:10), and Jesus stated, I counsel thee to buy
of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich (Revelations
3:8). This suit deals with how wisdom is applied, and how people's faith
is tested (tired by fire) to determine their worthiness.
The cards in the Major Arcana are sometimes described as depictions of
the Fool's Journey, and are said to portray his growth and voyage
through life. In the Tarot of the Most High, the Major Arcana deals with
understanding the Mysteries of God.