Runic tarot
The Runic Tarot was created by fantasy artist Jack Sephiroth with tarot expert and artist Zhang Chao, and a companion guidebook written by Jaymi Elford, who has over thirty years of experience with tarot and divination tools and works closely with Lo Scarabeo. Published by Llewellyn Publications in November 2021 (with Lo Scarabeo as production partner), the deck is available as both a boxed kit with guidebook and as a standalone deck. The deck merges two ancient divination systems — Norse runes and tarot — into a single integrated framework.
Official Website →Art Style & Visual Character
The artwork by Jack Sephiroth is described as absolutely stunning, imbued with a fierce, ancient aura. The cards are very dark in coloring, with Norse runes incorporated throughout the imagery. The powerful art weaves together the wisdom of the runes, the poetry of the Skalds, the valor of the Einherjars (warriors of Valhalla), and the evergreen bounty of life and nature. The vibrant and bold artwork is visually striking, combining dark fantasy illustration with Norse mythological imagery. Each card features rune symbols alongside the tarot imagery, creating a layered visual language.
Core Concept & Symbolism
The deck serves as a bridge between two ancient systems of divination by incorporating various rune systems as a focal part of the cards. The runes are woven into the tarot's Major and Minor Arcana, offering a rich, multi-dimensional symbolic experience. The deck draws from Norse mythology — gods, goddesses, warriors, and the nine realms — to reinterpret traditional tarot archetypes through a Viking-age lens. This dual-system approach allows readers to draw on both tarot and runic wisdom simultaneously.
Reading Experience
Occult Detective's #Norsevember review praises the deck for successfully combining runes and tarot. MJS Tarot's review notes that "the more you look at the cards and read about them, the more they grow on you." Readers report the deck is easy to read and interpret, making it ideal for anyone interested in both tarot and Norse mythology. However, some reviewers note the guidebook feels a bit hurried with generic keywords that don't always reflect the deck's unique Norse character. The deck is described as offering a multi-dimensional reading experience that rewards those who understand both systems.
Best Used For
- Practitioners interested in Norse mythology and runic divination
- Combining rune readings with tarot for layered interpretation
- Study of Norse archetypes (Odin, Freya, Thor, Loki) through tarot
- Experienced readers seeking a dual-system divination tool
- Dark fantasy art enthusiasts
- Pagans and heathens working with Norse spiritual traditions
Not Ideal For
- Beginners unfamiliar with both tarot and runes (steep learning curve)
- Readers seeking bright, cheerful, or modern aesthetics
- Those who prefer strict RWS imagery without mythological overlays
Major Arcana (22 cards)
The 22 trump cards representing life's spiritual lessons and karmic influences
Minor Arcana (56 cards)
The 56 suit cards reflecting day-to-day events and practical influences
Wands
Fire element — passion, creativity, ambition, and spiritual growth
Cups
Water element — emotions, relationships, intuition, and inner feelings
Swords
Air element — intellect, conflict, truth, and mental clarity
Pentacles
Earth element — material world, finances, health, and practical matters
