Short description: Celestial Tarot deck by Brian Clark and Kay Steventon weaves classical astrology and Renaissance art into every one of its 78 cards. Planetary symbols, zodiac imagery, and mythological figures enrich each reading, making this deck an exceptional tool for those who practice both tarot and astrology. Description: Quick Specs Brand: US Games Systems Authors: Kay Steventon and Brian Clark Size/Quantity: 78 cards, 4 3/4" x 2 3/4" x 7/8" deck, 48-page booklet, fold-out layout map Best for: Astrology students, intermediate-to-advanced tarot readers, dual astrology-tarot study Celestial Tarot as a Dual Astrology-Tarot System The Celestial Tarot by Kay Steventon and Brian Clark is built on a single unifying premise: the 78 archetypes of tarot map directly onto the Western astrological system. The 22 major arcana correspond to the 12 zodiac signs and the 10 traditional planets and luminaries, giving every card a precise astrological identity rather than a loose symbolic resonance. This is not a deck that merely borrows sky imagery for atmosphere. It is a structured correspondence system where tarot and astrology illuminate each other card by card. The minor arcana reinforce that structure through the four triplicities. Wands correspond to the fire signs, Cups to water, Swords to air, and Pentacles to earth, with individual cards carrying decan rulerships drawn from traditional Hellenistic astrology. Court cards extend the system further, with Princesses representing seasons and the King, Queen, and Knight of each suit embodying the mutable, fixed, and cardinal signs of their element. The 48-page companion booklet and fold-out layout map make these correspondences explicit, so the deck functions as a study reference as much as a divination tool. Renaissance Star Chart Imagery and Classical Mythology Steventon and Clark drew their imagery from classical astronomical sources, including Renaissance-era star charts and the constellation mythology that underpins Western astrology. The visual palette is dominated by deep blue and celestial gold, with figures drawn from Greek and Roman mythology depicted against starfields and celestial spheres. The Chariot card shows the constellation of Auriga the Charioteer. The Emperor carries the iconography of Aries. The High Priestess is rendered through the lunar symbolism of Cancer and Selene. Each image is designed to reward recognition by a student who already knows their natal chart. Published by US Games Systems, the Celestial Tarot is a standard 78-card deck in RWS-compatible structure, which means readers familiar with Rider-Waite-Smith interpretations can begin working with it immediately while building the astrological layer over time. The deck is not aimed at beginners. The imagery assumes some familiarity with planetary symbols and zodiac glyphs, and the booklet rewards the reader who wants to go deeper into the decanic system. Browse my tarot decks and divination collection for other structured and thematic decks. How to Use the Celestial Tarot Use the Celestial Tarot as both a divination deck and an astrology study tool with these focused approaches. Learn the Astrological Correspondences First Before reading with the Celestial Tarot, spend time with the fold-out correspondence map. Identify which major arcana cards connect to your sun, moon, and rising signs. This anchors the deck in personal astrology and deepens readings. Use Decan Timing for Date-Sensitive Questions Each minor arcana card carries a decan rulership covering a ten-day period of the year. When a time-sensitive question arises, note the decan card that appears and cross-reference the astrological calendar for a precise timing indicator. Pair with a Natal Chart for Shadow Work Pull the major arcana card corresponding to your natal Saturn placement and sit with it in meditation. Saturn cards in this deck carry the weight of restriction and mastery that traditional Saturn work demands. Best for experienced readers. The Tarot Fellow Standard I stock the Celestial Tarot because it fills a specific gap: the reader who already studies astrology and wants their tarot practice to speak the same language. Most decks gesture at celestial symbolism through imagery alone. This one encodes the entire Western astrological system as a structural foundation, which makes it a genuinely rare dual study tool. The 48-page booklet and fold-out map are unusually substantive for a mass-market deck, and the Renaissance star chart aesthetic holds up over years of use. If you work with natal charts, transits, or solar returns alongside your tarot, this deck belongs in your kit. You can also explore my tarot and divination books for study resources that complement the system in this deck. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to know astrology to use the Celestial Tarot? Some astrological familiarity helps but is not required. The fold-out map and booklet explain planetary and zodiac connections for each card. Beginners can read it as a standard RWS deck and build the astrology layer gradually over time. How does the Celestial Tarot handle the minor arcana? The minor arcana suits map to the four elemental triplicities: Wands to fire, Cups to water, Swords to air, Pentacles to earth. Individual pip cards carry decan rulerships linking each card to a specific ten-day astrological window. Is the Celestial Tarot good for beginners? It is best suited to intermediate or advanced readers. The imagery references Greek and Roman mythology and planetary symbolism. Pure beginners may find the visual language demanding without prior study of astrology or myth. What is included with the Celestial Tarot deck? The set includes 78 standard-size tarot cards measuring 4 3/4 by 2 3/4 inches, a 48-page companion booklet explaining astrological correspondences, and a fold-out full-color layout map showing the complete astrological system.
