The New Tarot Deck

The New Tarot Deck
Jack Hurley, Rae Hurley and John Horler, 1973

The New Tarot Deck was conceived by Jack Hurley, Rae Hurley and John Horler, with illustrations by Horler. It was published in 1973 by Taroco in Sausalito, California. Its 78 black and white designs are bold, simplified, almost iconic. Several designs seem to have been influenced by Egyptian, Norse, and Tahitian cultures, and there is only the slightest connection to the Waite-Smith imagery. Both the designs and the instruction sheet are as unpretentious as the name of the deck itself.

The deck includes a single fold-out sheet displaying miniature images of each card next to their suggested interpretations. The authors’ relaxed approach comes through in the text: “Each card is neutral, presenting actuality without judgment. Rearranged with every shuffle, each ‘layout/readout’ mirrors a life or game sequence ranging from silly to saga.”

Their description of the reading process is equally mellow: “Read what you see in the cards. What you see is what they mean for you. Your first flash or impression counts most. Interpretation depends on self awareness and personal philosophy. The readings are an individual projection of the existential now.”

While it seems there may have been some unusual substances ingested during the creation of this deck, I must say I like its laid-back attitude. The card of Temperance, shown above, is described as “the light angel, Apollo on a pedestal, a warning against wigging-out on esoteric trips, whether religious or psychedelic. Progress is through continuing to expand awareness.” Its compliment card, the Devil, is described as “dark angel, indulgence on a pedestal, a reminder to own your body. To proceed, balance your relations to the cosmos by balancing both XIV and XV.”

The Pages, Queens and Kings in this deck represent the zodiacal signs, which have wonderful and quirky descriptions. The Page of Cups, shown above, represents “Pisces, Princess, Lorelei, siren, water-nymph, Aphrodite, mother of Eros, waterfront whore, all that lures us to adventure, success, destruction. Charming and seductive, given to oracular powers, changes focus like a two-tailed fish.”

The Queen of Wands (not shown here) represents “Sheba, Queen of Fire, Leo, a willful wench. To honor the legends, she is black, beautiful, sensuous, relaxed, lithe, wise and powerful. You might meet her as a sexy, stimulating, bossy broad.”

For some reason, the ‘earth’ signs are assigned to the suit of Swords, and the ‘air’ signs are assigned to the suit of Circles. In spite of this switch, I love these zodiacal descriptions. The Page of Circles (not shown) represents “Gemini, Prince of Air, sheik of Arabie and/or dean of con men. Like the Jack of Diamonds, he’s a hard card to play, sliding into and out of place and phase with great facility. Friend for life, but watch your back.”

The Queen of Swords (not shown here) is described as “Taurus, Earth Queen, Lillith, daughter of the Great Mother, a heavy broad who rules the Garden of Eden, its fruits and flowers. She is a good sex partner, loves children, useful things and a quiet good time.”

The Page of Swords (shown above) represents “Virgo, Princess of Swords, joins ideas, knowledge and energy to objects and action. Kore, daughter of Demeter, efficient, unaffected, she is a good partner, serving reality from the background. But don’t get in her way. She is Persephone, wife of Hades.”

The designs of the pip cards are also charming. The Two of Cups (shown above) declares “‘Sure I’ll have this dance.’ The joyous flow of life and happiness. The simple life. Uncomplicated frivolity.” Similar feelings are expressed in the Two of Wands (shown above): “Magic of Spring and the bonding of life energies, here and now, in tune with nature. Work or sex without commitment.”

The Five of Wands (shown above) says “Great expenditure of energy for small result. Group activities? Committees? Efficiency? Parkinson’s laws.”

The Ten of Circles (shown above) says “Material success. Also, turning one’s back on the spiritual.”

Review by Mark Filipas, 2/9/01