Hermetic Deck
The Hermetic Tarot deck features the esoteric, black-and-white designs of the secret society known as the Golden Dawn, which emphasize the mystical, astrological and kabbalistic influences of the ancient order. Learn More
![Hermetic](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/decks/deck-image/hermetic.jpg)
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Hermetic Tarot Deck
Major Arcana
![The Foolish Man Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/0.jpg)
The Foolish Man
![The Magician Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/1.jpg)
The Magician
![The High Priestess Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/2.jpg)
The High Priestess
![The Empress Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/3.jpg)
The Empress
![The Emperor Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/4.jpg)
The Emperor
![The Hierophant Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/5.jpg)
The Hierophant
![The Lovers Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/6.jpg)
The Lovers
![The Chariot Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/7.jpg)
The Chariot
![Fortitude Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/8.jpg)
Fortitude
![The Hermit Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/9.jpg)
The Hermit
![Wheel of Fortune Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/10.jpg)
Wheel of Fortune
![Justice Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/11.jpg)
Justice
![The Hanged Man Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/12.jpg)
The Hanged Man
![Death Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/13.jpg)
Death
![Temperance Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/14.jpg)
Temperance
![The Devil Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/15.jpg)
The Devil
![The Blasted Tower Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/16.jpg)
The Blasted Tower
![The Star Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/17.jpg)
The Star
![The Moon Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/18.jpg)
The Moon
![The Sun Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/19.jpg)
The Sun
![Judgement Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/20.jpg)
Judgement
![Universe Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/21.jpg)
Universe
The Wands
![Ace of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/22.jpg)
Ace of Wands
![Two of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/23.jpg)
Two of Wands
![Three of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/24.jpg)
Three of Wands
![Four of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/25.jpg)
Four of Wands
![Five of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/26.jpg)
Five of Wands
![Six of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/27.jpg)
Six of Wands
![Seven of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/28.jpg)
Seven of Wands
![Eight of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/29.jpg)
Eight of Wands
![Nine of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/30.jpg)
Nine of Wands
![Ten of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/31.jpg)
Ten of Wands
![Princess of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/32.jpg)
Princess of Wands
![Knight of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/33.jpg)
Knight of Wands
![Queen of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/34.jpg)
Queen of Wands
![King of Wands Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/35.jpg)
King of Wands
The Cups
![Ace of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/36.jpg)
Ace of Cups
![Two of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/37.jpg)
Two of Cups
![Three of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/38.jpg)
Three of Cups
![Four of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/39.jpg)
Four of Cups
![Five of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/40.jpg)
Five of Cups
![Six of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/41.jpg)
Six of Cups
![Seven of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/42.jpg)
Seven of Cups
![Eight of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/43.jpg)
Eight of Cups
![Nine of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/44.jpg)
Nine of Cups
![Ten of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/45.jpg)
Ten of Cups
![Princess of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/46.jpg)
Princess of Cups
![Knight of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/47.jpg)
Knight of Cups
![Queen of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/48.jpg)
Queen of Cups
![King of Cups Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/49.jpg)
King of Cups
The Swords
![Ace of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/50.jpg)
Ace of Swords
![Two of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/51.jpg)
Two of Swords
![Three of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/52.jpg)
Three of Swords
![Four of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/53.jpg)
Four of Swords
![Five of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/54.jpg)
Five of Swords
![Six of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/55.jpg)
Six of Swords
![Seven of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/56.jpg)
Seven of Swords
![Eight of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/57.jpg)
Eight of Swords
![Nine of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/58.jpg)
Nine of Swords
![Ten of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/59.jpg)
Ten of Swords
![Princess of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/60.jpg)
Princess of Swords
![Knight of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/61.jpg)
Knight of Swords
![Queen of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/62.jpg)
Queen of Swords
![King of Swords Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/63.jpg)
King of Swords
The Coins
![Ace of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/64.jpg)
Ace of Pentacles (Coins)
![Two of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/65.jpg)
Two of Pentacles (Coins)
![Three of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/66.jpg)
Three of Pentacles (Coins)
![Four of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/67.jpg)
Four of Pentacles (Coins)
![Five of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/68.jpg)
Five of Pentacles (Coins)
![Six of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/69.jpg)
Six of Pentacles (Coins)
![Seven of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/70.jpg)
Seven of Pentacles (Coins)
![Eight of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/71.jpg)
Eight of Pentacles (Coins)
![Nine of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/72.jpg)
Nine of Pentacles (Coins)
![Ten of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/73.jpg)
Ten of Pentacles (Coins)
![Princess of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/74.jpg)
Princess of Pentacles (Coins)
![Knight of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/75.jpg)
Knight of Pentacles (Coins)
![Queen of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/76.jpg)
Queen of Pentacles (Coins)
![King of Pentacles Tarot card in Hermetic deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/hermetic/mid_size/77.jpg)
King of Pentacles (Coins)
About the Hermetic Deck
The early members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn were encouraged to prepare personal Tarot packs for their own use based upon Mathers’ deck and his work. The Society set down certain instructions for its members to follow, but these instructions were abbreviated at best. Not surprisingly, as time went on and new members copied decks based upon previously drawn cards, the variances and modifications grew more and more pronounced.
Since Mathers’ original Tarot deck has not been handed down, today’s researchers of the Order of the Golden Dawn—whose numbers grow and flourish in Europe and the USA—often assign personal interpretations and modifications to their own version of the Tarot as it might have existed in the Order more than 80 years ago.
In 1967, a limited edition of 200 copies of The Book “T” appeared in Great Britain and it was reproduced again in 1978 by Robert Wang in An Introduction to The Golden Dawn Tarot. Godfrey Dowson's cards in The Hermetic Tarot reveal a combination of detail and symbolism that capture the mood and sense of each pictorial image. Subtle variations exist in almost every card. For example, fingertips touch the stem of a rose bush in the 8 of Pentacles (Lord of Prudence) in contrast to the firm grasp of a hand in the 4 of Pentacles (Lord of Earthly Power). The mangled swords in the 9 of Swords (Lord of Despair and Cruelty) and the roses in full bloom in the 6 of Pentacles (Lord of Material Success) illustrate how skillfully the artist has created the cards. Repeated study of each card often reveals for the first time a new dimension and scope not seen in a previous reading. One of the most important features of Dowson’s Hermetic Tarot is his emphasis on the Golden Dawn astrological attributions of the cards.
Working prior to the turn of the century, and drawing on a great deal of published information, library manuscripts, secret documents, and extensive personal research, Mathers assigned a complete set of correspondences between the Tarot and the zodiac. Dowson has also provided clear symbols in his card designs which help the student correlate these astrological correspondences each time he or she reads the cards. Crowley, of course, does the same in his deck, but the symbols are frequently less clear than portrayed here. A knowledge of astrology can greatly aid in the interpretation of the Tarot, and vice versa. It was the genius of the Golden Dawn to synthesize these systems.
Godfrey Dowson successfully creates in The Hermetic Tarot a compelling reconstructed version of the Tarot that has taken its place as one of the most important esoteric Tarot decks published during the twentieth century.
The back design of The Hermetic Tarot deck is a rose in full bloom. Each card contains the sigil—the mark of a master craftsman. All the work by Godfrey Dowson bears this mark. The original artwork for the Hermetic Tarot deck was executed between 1975 to 1977 by the artist and is now is included in the Stuart and Marilyn R. Kaplan Playing Card Collection.