The Aquarian Tarot Deck — The World of Playing Cards (2024)

Published November 11, 2023• Updated November 22, 2023

The Aquarian Tarot Deck illustrated by David Palladini, published by Morgan Press, Inc., 1970.

1970 USAMorgan PressDavid PalladiniArt Deco Tarot Add to Collection

The Aquarian Tarot Deck is the second tarot project by artist and illustrator David Palladini (April 1, 1946 – March 13, 2019), and is a full 78 card deck published by Morgan Press, Inc., in 1970.It became extremely popular, riding on the wave of interest in all things esoteric that came with the dawning of the new Age of Aquarius, and has remained in print ever since. The cards are a lush mix of Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, and follow the Golden Dawn order for the trumps, i.e. Strength is at VIII and Justice at XI, while the minor cards echo Pamela Colman Smith's illustrations from the ubiquitous Rider Waite Smith deck.

The cards have been produced with four different backs that I am aware of; plain dark blue as in this example, blue with a white filigree pattern (the most common, and still in use today), and two backs with an ouroboros in the form of a lemniscate, one red and one black, both extremely rare.

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Above: the deck is presented in a two part lidded box, complete with instruction booklet. Cards measure 119 x 75mm.

• See the box►

The name of the company changed from Morgan Press Inc., for the Aquarian Tarot Deck, to Morgan & Morgan Inc., for the Morgan-Greer deck. Both have the address of Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522, which is on the back of both boxes. These are the only two tarots they ever produced that I am aware of.

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By Adam West-Watson

Member since September 01, 2014

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I have been fascinated by playing cards ever since I can remember, and still have several of the card games I had as a child. And although I had accumulated quite a number of packs of various sorts over the years, it wasn't until I was in my 50s that I began collecting in earnest. My tastes are quite varied, and my collection of 800 or so decks includes:- children's games, standard and non-standard playing cards, adult games, fortune telling and oracle cards, tarot cards, and even cigarette cards.

Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds

A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.

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Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

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Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

2023

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Warner Bros 100th Anniversary

An array of famous characters from Warner Bros films in celebration of the company’s centenary.

2023

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A Million Dollar Tarot: The Alleyman’s Tarot

The Alleyman’s Tarot successfully raised $1,404,172 on Kickstarter. This unique 133-card deck includ...

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Go Green playing cards

Suggestions how to “go green” and help combat the impact of climate change.

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North American wildlife playing cards

From humid wetlands to frozen tundra, the wildlife in North America is extremely diverse.

2022

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Quên Tarot

A mystical voyage of love and self-discovery created by Duy Khánh Võ.

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Hummingbirds of the Americas

Colour photographs of hummingbirds with data about each species to aid recognition.

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Seashells playing cards

Each card shows colour photo of a different seashell for easy identification.

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Discover trains of North America

55 different Illustrations of railways and locomotives from the United States.

2021

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Le Monde Primitif Tarot

Facsimile edition produced by Morena Poltronieri & Ernesto Fazioli of Museo Internazionale dei Taroc...

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I Tarocchi del Buongustaio

A less-than-serious set of major arcana on a gourmet theme, with designs by Cosimo Musio.

2022

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Tarot for Baby

This board book simplifies tarot archetypes into accessible affirmations for young children.

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Animal Tarot by Johann Jobst Forster

French-suited 78-card animal tarot deck of the Bavarian type.

1994

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Portraits of 13 classical music composers.

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This deck is a vibrant photographic tribute to "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," one of the most be...

1992

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Troll dolls with gaudy hairstyles in a multitude of different costumes.

2002

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Impressionist Art Cards

Details of 13 paintings by 8 different Impressionist artists on elongated cards.

1985

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I Gatti Originali di Evelyne Nicod

Etchings of cats on a set of major arcana created by Evelyne Nicod.

2003

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Safety playing cards

Safety playing cards designed to reinforce the “Think and Be Safe” concept.

2016

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Politicards™ 2016 & Politikids 2016: twin decks of satirical playing cards produced by Peter Green f...

2004

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K Deck

“K Deck” political playing cards, USA, c. 2004.

2016

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Stylish ‘Tuxedo’ playing cards with animal faces created by Natalia Silva, USA, 2016.

2003

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The Deck of Hillary

‘The Deck of Hillary’ with quotes and photographs of Hillary Clinton, USA, 2003.

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Black-and-white photographs of models whose faces are made up using elements found on the major arca...

2005

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Shakespeare playing cards: Insults

Shakespeare Insults playing cards with portraits by Jan Padover, USA, 2005.

2004

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Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes

Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes, the first volume of a double set published by Prospero Art of San...

2012

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Old Testament playing cards

Old Testament playing cards with illustrations by Jan Padover, USA, 2012.

2008

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Politicards 2008

Politicards ’08 with caricatures cast as characters from classic movies, USA.

2003

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Starz behind bars

Starz behind bars playing cards with mug shots of the rich and famous under arrest, USA, 2003.

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House of Cards: Deck of Bush

House of Cards: Deck of Bush playing cards presenting reasons not to re-elect President Bush for a s...

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Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort whiskey playing cards, USA.

2011

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Holy Trinity Church playing cards

Holy Trinity Church commemoration playing cards, USA, 2011.

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Batman® playing cards

Characters from Batman: The Animated Series on a pack issued in 1992.

2010

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FDR New Deal Deck

Facsimile of ‘FDR New Deal Deck’ of 1934 re-published by Bill Schroeder, USA, 2010.

2008

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Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites

Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites, USA, 2008

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Politically Wild John McCain

“Politically Wild John McCain” published by Newt’s Playing Cards, USA, 2008.

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Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger

Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger, Passau, Bavaria, early 19th century.

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Mohegan Sun playing cards

Mohegan Sun playing cards published by Gemaco for Mohegan Sun casino.

1970

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Ripley’s Believe It or Not! playing cards

Strange facts from Robert Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not’ books, in the form of cartoons.

2020

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Undressed deck

Undressed deck created by Edi Rudo and Néro Catineau, USA, 2020.

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Fate fortune telling cards

Fate fortune telling cards published by Merrimack Publishing Corporation, USA.

The Aquarian Tarot Deck — The World of Playing Cards (2024)

By Adam West-Watson

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