Runic Tarot by Sephiroth & Elford

Norse mythology meets tarot. The deck maps the 78 cards of tarot onto the gods, runes, and lore of the Norse world, adding rich layers of meaning to the familiar structure.

Runes woven throughout. Each card draws on the wisdom of the runes and the poetry of the Skalds, making the deck a natural bridge for readers who also work with runic symbols.

Full-color deck and book. The set includes all 78 cards plus a full-color companion book by Jaymi Elford, with meanings and insight to guide your practice.

From the publisher, Lo Scarabeo: Valhalla, the realm of the gods. The Runic Tarot is a deck created around Norse mythology, a powerful and fierce holder of an ancient aura. It weaves together the wisdom of the runes, the poetry of the Skalds, the valor of the Einherjar, and the evergreen bounty of life and nature, offered as a tribute to the divine spark within humanity. The companion book is written by American author Jaymi Elford.

The artwork is by Jack Sephiroth, a fantasy artist who also created the Heaven and Earth Tarot, with additional art by Zhang Chao. Jaymi Elford, who wrote the guidebook, is an author and longtime tarot reader who works closely with Lo Scarabeo. The deck is published by Lo Scarabeo, the Italian studio known worldwide for its artistic tarot.

• 78-card full-size tarot deck (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
• Full-color companion book (approximately 160 pages)
• Art: Jack Sephiroth, with Zhang Chao
• Book: Jaymi Elford
• Publisher: Lo Scarabeo (distributed in North America by Llewellyn)
• Theme: Norse mythology, runes, and Skaldic lore
• Card size: approximately 2 3/4" x 4 3/4"
• SKU: DRUNTAR

The myths of the North have always been concerned with fate. The Norns weaving destiny at the roots of the world tree, the runes as a system of both writing and divination, the sense that a life is measured by courage and honor: these are natural companions to tarot, which is likewise a mirror for the shape of a life. The Runic Tarot draws those threads together, letting the gods and runes of the North speak through the cards.

Tarot itself is a tool for reflection rather than fixed fortune. The 78 cards trace the human journey, from the Fool's first step through the lessons of the Major Arcana and the daily texture of the Minor Arcana. Layered over that structure, the runes and Norse myths add a second language of meaning, one that rewards readers willing to learn a little of the lore behind each image.

For those who feel the pull of the old Norse ways, the deck offers a way to sit with that tradition thoughtfully. Held as a tool for reflection, it invites courage, clarity, and a sense of connection to story, nature, and the turning of fate.

1. When the deck is new, clear it in whatever way suits you: passing it through cleansing smoke, resting it under the moon, or simply shuffling while you set your intention for your work together.
2. Spend time with the book before you read. Because the deck layers Norse myth and runes over the tarot, a little study of the lore deepens every reading.
3. Choose a spread, whether a single daily card, a three-card line, or a fuller layout, and shuffle while holding your question in mind.
4. Read the cards with the book close at hand for their meanings and mythic connections, and let the imagery guide your intuition.
5. Close your reading with a moment of thanks or reflection, and store the cards somewhere that feels right, wrapped in cloth or kept in their box.

• Lapis Rune Set: a natural companion for a Norse-themed deck, letting you work directly with the runes the cards draw upon.
• Celestial Tarot Deck: another mythically rich deck, for readers who enjoy tarot layered with a larger cosmology.
• Ultimate Guide to the Rider Waite Tarot: a clear card-by-card reference to ground your reading of a more symbolic deck.
• White Sage Smudge Sticks, Set of 6: cleanse your deck and reading space with sacred smoke before you begin.
• Soul Connection Frankincense Resin: burn a little frankincense as you read to settle the mind and mark the space as sacred.

Is the Runic Tarot good for beginners?

It is readable by beginners but rewards a little study. The deck follows the familiar 78-card tarot structure, so standard meanings apply, while the Norse myths and runes add depth. The companion book helps you connect each card to its lore, so newcomers can grow into it comfortably.

How many cards are in the deck, and what comes with it?

The Runic Tarot is a full 78-card deck, with 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. It comes with a full-color companion book of roughly 160 pages that explains each card's meaning and its connection to Norse mythology and the runes.

Do I need to know the runes to use this deck?

No. The deck reads as a standard tarot, so you can begin right away. The runic and mythological elements are an added layer that you can explore at your own pace using the book, and they make the deck especially rewarding if you already work with runes.

Who created the Runic Tarot?

The artwork is by fantasy artist Jack Sephiroth, known also for the Heaven and Earth Tarot, with additional art by Zhang Chao, and the companion book is by author and tarot reader Jaymi Elford. The deck is published by Lo Scarabeo.

How do I cleanse or care for a tarot deck?

Many readers cleanse a new deck before first use by passing it through cleansing smoke, setting it under the moon, or knocking and reshuffling to reset its energy. Store the cards in their box or wrapped in cloth, keep them dry, and handle them with clean hands to protect the art.