Quick Specs
- Cards: 78
- Artist: Ciro Marchetti
- Author: Barbara Moore
- Publisher: Llewellyn
- Includes: 78-card deck and companion book
- Edition: Royale
The Gilded Tarot Royale is Ciro Marchetti’s most refined expression of his signature digital art style, published by Llewellyn with a companion book by Barbara Moore. It’s a full rework of the original Gilded Tarot, rebuilt from the ground up with richer jewel tones, gold accents, and entirely borderless cards that let the imagery breathe. If you’ve been looking for a deck that feels both visually lush and intuitively readable, this is one worth sitting with.
Marchetti’s artwork draws on medieval and Renaissance imagery, weaving in celestial motifs, armored figures, and glowing chalices rendered with the kind of precision that only comes from decades of digital illustration work. The Royale edition corrects and deepens the symbolism of the original: the Chariot is more commanding, the Lovers more psychologically layered, and several Major Arcana were redrawn to better align with traditional tarot meaning. The result is a 78-card RWS-style deck with fully illustrated pip cards, smooth glossy cardstock that shuffles easily, and a format that works equally well for beginners learning the system and experienced readers who want a visually immersive working deck.
If you’re building out your practice alongside this deck, browse my tarot and oracle deck sets and starter kits or explore my full range of tarot decks to find the right pairing for your shelf.
How to Use the Gilded Tarot Royale
How to use the Gilded Tarot Royale for readings.
- Draw Your Cards
Lay the cards face down in a quiet space. Fan them out and pass your non-dominant hand slowly over the spread. When a card draws your attention, set it aside. Repeat until you have pulled three cards for your reading.
- Study the Artwork First
Turn each card face up and study Marchetti's art before consulting the book. Note the colors, figures, and gold accents. Let your first impressions form before you read any formal interpretation for the position.
- Blend Image and Book Meaning
Open Barbara Moore's companion book to the relevant card entry. Read both the upright and reversed meanings, then blend that context with what you sensed in the image. Write a brief note in your tarot journal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Royale follows the Rider-Waite-Smith structure with 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana across Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles. The suits and court cards match the system most beginner guides teach.
The Royale is a full rework of the original Gilded Tarot. Cards are now borderless, colors are richer, and Marchetti refined the symbolism throughout. Several Major Arcana were significantly redrawn to better reflect traditional tarot meaning.
Barbara Moore wrote the companion book. She is a longtime tarot author and educator known for clear, reliable interpretations. The book covers all 78 cards with upright and reversed meanings plus two spreads for immediate practice.
The cards measure approximately 70 x 118 mm, which is a standard tarot size. The cardstock has a smooth glossy finish and is flexible enough for most shuffle styles. The deck arrives in a sturdy flip-top box from Llewellyn.
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