Introducing the Tarot of the Elves

The Tarot of the Elves is a revolutionary new way to experience the depth and beauty of Tarot. Created by writer Mark McElroy and artist Davide Corsi, the Tarot of the Elves is the first contemporary deck integrating Tarot's themes and structure with a fully-realized fantasy mythology.

The Deck. While preserving the traditional meanings of the cards, the Major Arcana depicts the epic journey of Prince Alberich, a foolish and irresponsible son of the Royal House of King Oberon. Dokkalfar, a treacherous Dark Elf magician, murders the king and Queen, shattering Alberich's sheltered life. The rest of the Majors follow Alberich's quest to bring Dokkalfar to justice -- and retrieve four precious magical implements that possess the power to restore the Royal Parents to life.

Each suit of the Minor Arcana tells the story of how the Elven people came into possession of the Four Implements: the Wand of Victory, the Cup of Contentment, the Sword of Consciousness, and the Disc of Desire. Illustrations for each card suggest familiar meanings ... but also depict fresh, new stories from the Elven mythology that informs Prince Alberich's world. Subtle use of color makes suits easy to identify at a glance ... and, to showcase the brilliant artwork, the cards are free of keywords or titles of any kind.

The Novel. The Tarot of the Elves is the first Tarot deck published with a companion novella -- a 30,000-word adventure that brings the stories of the cards to life. The novella relates the story of Panopael, a spoiled Elven schoolgirl, whose encounter with her grandmother's Tarot deck sends her on a magical journey back in time. Soon, Panopael finds herself face to face with half-forgotten mythic figures: wise King Oberon, the mysterious Queen Alva, and the panicked Prince Alberich.

As Panpoael lives through the story of Dokkalfar's attack, her experiences reconnect her with a rich heritage of myth and magic. And as the story follows the path of the Major Arcana, card by card, Panopael discovers her own ability to use the Tarot for divination and inspiration.

Along with the novel, a wealth of information -- the history of the deck, a divinatory dictionary, the four suit stories, and special spread -- are also included in the companion guide.

The Experience. Though the stories behind these cards are entirely original, the meanings of each card mirror those assigned to the popular Waite-Smith Tarot -- so anyone already familiar with that delightful deck will be able to read the Tarot of the Elves with ease. And while the cards may be read intuitively, reading the stories in the companion guide is a delightful way to enhance your connection with the cards -- and experience the Tarot in a vivid and exciting way.

I created this website to introduce the deck, expand on the material provided in the companion guide, and help you make the most of your personal copy of the Tarot of the Elves. It's my sincere wish that you'll feel as much a bond as I do with the Elves of Alfheimr ... and that these cards can become a trusted and powerful tool for personal meditation, inspiration, and divination. Be sure to check out the official Tarot of the Elves blog for insights into how you can apply the deck to your personal, professional, and creative challenges.

And, as always, I invite you to contact me with your questions, ideas, and impressions!

Peace and prosperity,

Mark McElroy