Mitchell Tarot

Introducing The Mitchell Tarot

About the Mitchell Tarot

For most of my twenty-plus years reading Tarot, I’ve been asked quite often about producing my own deck of cards. My standard answer was always, “Maybe, someday.” Well that day has now arrived. The Mitchell Tarot is here, and my intention for it is to be the flagship deck in both my personal and professional study and practice.

This 80-card deck follows the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) tradition of Tarot, which is the system that literally changed the way I read the cards (I started my Tarot journey with the Crowley Thoth deck, and discovered the Rider-Waite-Smith deck three years later).

The Mitchell Tarot also honors The Robin Wood Tarot, a deck I got at the same time I picked up RWS. The Robin Wood Tarot also follows RWS, but it has a pagan flavor to it, and The Mitchell Tarot also has cards in it reflecting that spiritual path (the pagan community in my area has adopted me as an “honorary member”).

I have an eclectic taste in art, so The Mitchell Tarot consists of images that blend the fantastical and the mundane; the medieval and the modern; the realistic and the animated.

The Cards

The deck consists of five suits, each representing a different aspect of life experience. The Major Arcana has 23 cards in its suit (one being an additional card named The Jester), representing the spiritual aspects of the human experience, highlighting important lessons and principles that can be learned along life’s journey.

The Minor Arcana consists of the four remaining suits in the deck. Each is named after one of the elements.

The suit of Air is associated with the mind and intellect; it also represents information, communication, and some of life’s more challenging moments.

The suit of Earth is associated with the physical and the material: money and finances; career; physical well-being. Earth can highlight matters surrounding worth and value, both in the tangible and intangible senses.

The suit of Fire is associated with passion and inspiration, intention and action. It also represents the realm of work, business, enterprise, and creative endeavors.

And the suit of Water is associated with feelings and emotions. This suit highlights the bonds and connections we form with others, as well as the ability to relate to one’s self. This suit contains the other additional card, an alternate version of the 10 of Water.

Specifications:

  • Size: 2.75” x 4.75” (70mm x 120mm)
  • Number of cards: 80 (plus a title card)
  • Card stock:(S33) Superior Smooth (330 GSM)
  • Packaging: Custom rigid box (Gloss laminated (smooth finish))

Companion Materials for the Mitchell Tarot

When I first created The Mitchell Tarot, I didn’t plan on having any reference material to accompany it. My intention was for the deck to be used with my clients during their sessions.

When people saw cards from the deck and expressed interest in purchasing it, I then had to consider written material for the deck. So, I’m in the process of creating companion material.

I have two types in mind. The first will be a short list of meanings that can be put to use right away, while the second will be more in the form of a book. The list most likely will be in a pdf format, while the larger guide might be in e-book form. The larger guide will elaborate more on the individual cards, and share more techniques on how I personally work with the cards.

Below are a couple of samples, just to give you a sense of how I read and/or interpret the cards:

7 of Earth

When 7 of Earth turns up, its message is to take time and evaluate your life.

This is a card that suggests reaping a harvest, that the hard work you’ve put into a situation is now starting to produce results. This is the Universal Law of Sowing and Reaping, which basically says that you only get out of any situation what you put into it. When 7 of Earth appears, consider taking a step back and ask yourself, “Am I getting what I want out of this (situation)?” If the answer is no, then consider what type of energy you’ve been putting into it—because it’s that energy that has helped to produce the result you have.
 
Just like the sower who plants the seed, and gets what she’s planted, it’s the same for you. The seed is your intention. But you also have to take action.
 
The land that the seed goes into not only has to be fertile, but it must be tilled, and the seed has to be nurtured (fed and watered) in order for the harvest (growth, result) to take place. With that, ask yourself, “What’s my intention here? What actions do I need to take that are in alignment with that intention?”
 
Also, keep this thought in mind: When we explore this idea of sowing and reaping, we can sometimes go into looking for the harvest immediately after the seed has been planted. There is a space of time in between that also has to be allowed for.
 
True and lasting growth is never an overnight process.
 
Evaluate the “fruits of your labors” in your life today and ask “Was it worth it?” If the answer is yes, then affirm what you have with gratitude. If the answer is no, then let today be the day you prepare the ground to receive the new seeds you’ll be planting.

Knight of Water

When Knight of Water turns up, you’re being encouraged to do what you love.

The Knight of Water is the lover of Tarot (his exposed chest allows you to “see what’s on his heart”); in the image, you’ll notice his only piece of armor is the glove he wears on one hand. This visual emphasizes that the Knight of Water is “a lover, not a fighter.”
 
For me, Knights symbolize focus, action, and service. With that in mind, Knight of Water focuses – and takes action – on creative endeavors. This Knight loves to read, write (especially songwriting and poetry), paint, or draw. He holds a peacock feather quill pen, emphasizing the expression “the pen is mightier than the sword,” as he understands the power of the written word. If you consider yourself a creative person, how might you focus (more) on your “passion projects” at this time?
 
I also consider this Knight to be the spiritual seeker of Tarot. With that, Knight of Water can suggest you’re “turning a page” in a chapter of your spiritual growth and development. You might find yourself exploring your spirituality in the pages of a literal book, or that you’re being encouraged to journal any thoughts and feelings (impressions) that come to you during times of meditation and contemplation. If you’re more of a magic(k)al practitioner, you might be creating a grimoire or Book of Shadows, highlighting the workings of your Craft.
 
Relative to me, one meaning that has come up for this Knight is a focus on – and interest in – divination. The book is a pun for being a “reader,” and the peacock feather symbolizes that the act of reading serves to develop your intuition (the “eye” of the feather is said to symbolize revelation and prophecy). The act of writing could suggest keeping a record of meanings and interpretations developed from using your tool, as well as documenting your readings.
 
I just remembered that this Knight is also the dreamer, so you might also want to consider recording and working with any (sleep) dreams you recall – especially if they seem to really “speak” to you (meaning you “feel” that the message being conveyed might be important to your life at the moment).
 
And with Knight of Water being a dreamer, he sometimes loves the idea of things, but his commitment to action could use some work. So when it comes to doing what you love, remember to follow through on any actions you commit to yourself to take. Don’t just keep it in the dreaming stage – make that dream your reality.

Using the Cards

There are many ways to work with the cards. One of the ways I use the deck is for what I call a “daily draw.” I ask a simple question, like “What is my guidance for today?” or “What do I need to focus on today?” I then draw a single card as the answer, and reflect on the possibilities being offered as guidance.

I also work with the cards to answer more specific questions, using “What do I need to know about (the particular situation or experience)?” as the prompt. This is just one example of the numerous types of questions you can put to the cards. I then draw three cards: the first representing the situation; the second offering guidance or advice; and the third suggesting a potential or possible outcome. As with the single card draw mentioned above, I take time to reflect on each of the cards for the insights they can provide.

And the third way I like to use my deck is to read a line of five cards. As with the three-card draw, I ask a clear and specific question; for example, “What do I need to know about my study and work as a card reader?” I draw five cards: the first represents the situation; the second, my expectations; the third, any possible hidden influences; the fourth, guidance or advice being offered for consideration; and the fifth card, a potential or possible outcome.

While The Mitchell Tarot was initially created for my personal and professional use, I believe it can also be used by people with all levels of reading experience. Whether you’re just staring out reading cards, or you consider yourself to be an expert, The Mitchell Tarot  can be a tool for your personal and spiritual growth and development.

Click here to purchase The Mitchell Tarot

Clicking the button above will take you to my online shop within the Make Playing Cards (MPC) Marketplace. MPC is a print on demand service provider, and will be responsible for the printing and shipping of The Mitchell Tarot to you.  In most cases, the deck arrives in approximately two weeks time.

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