Iconic Tarot Decks: The History, Symbolism and Design of over 50 Decks

Discover the secrets of the most iconic, mysterious and beautiful tarot decks ever created.    The tarot is a treasury of divination, symbolism and self-knowledge. But who created its mysterious art and meaning, and why? What were they seeking? Does it originate in ancient esoteric wisdom or is this a vain fancy of the occultists? How has the interpretation and meaning of the cards evolved?   In Iconic Tarot Decks, Sarah Bartlett (the international bestselling author) presents 50 of the most iconic tarot decks – telling the powerful stories of how each was devised and designed and showcasing their most exemplary cards. Each of the fifty-six decks in this book holds its own unique symbolism and mystical beginnings: from Visconti-Sforza, the fifteenth-century deck that reveals the fates of two Italian dynasties, to the Sola Busca Tarot, with its esoteric alchemical codex; from the pioneering Rider-Waite-Smith deck to the occult riddles of English Magic Tarot.   With an introduction to reading tarot and useful tips on deciphering the cards – this is the perfect book for collectors, cartomancers, designers, tattoo artists and anyone interested in the art and mystery of tarot.