Sergio Toppi’s Tarot of the Origins

The Fool - Time - The Star

I don’t think I’ve had many decks that have stirred me quite as much as the Tarot of the Origins. Although I haven’t used the cards in a reading yet, I feel a certain comfort in having them close to me, or absently shuffling them. Sergio Toppi’s powerful, prehistoric illustrations radiate a certain ancestral strength, wisdom.

Ace of Jewels

It’s a very non-traditional deck and one that I think I’ll have to spend a lot of time with to truly understand. The Little White Book that came with this deck was written in German only, and I am choosing to use this as a good opportunity to truly immerse myself in this darkly beautiful deck and make it my own. Some of the Major Arcana titles have been renamed – for example, VIII. has become Abundance, XI. has become Creative Power and XIV. is The Source, which I feel gives the cards slightly different meanings. The suits have been renamed as well – Swords become Blood, Wands are Nature, Coins are Jewels and Cups are Souls.  But although they correspond to the traditional suits, the suits feel like they have been uniquely reimagined, and don’t fall as neatly into the traditional elemental associations. They beg the reader to delve inside them to discover their own interpretations.

Man of Blood

The suit of Nature is coloured green and depicts forest scenes, its people merging with trees and stony landscapes. To me they suggest growth and exploration of the dark, wooded corners of the mind, a need for affinity with our own personal “nature”. The suit of Jewels is yellow and seems somehow “strong” to me, featuring women with chins held high, a wise chrone, a proud King and brave explorers, many adorned with jewellery. I feel they speak to strength of body, strength of mind, power and material success. The suit of Blood, stained crimson, however screams in anguish, many of its members armed and warning of hardship and conflict to come. The suit of Souls invites you into the watery world of the subconscious. The cards seem peaceful and fluid, their people shadowed by spirits and nightmares and dreams.

An important theme to consider in this deck is the relationship that exists between humans and nature, and how this connects us to our raw, primal side. When I was searching for information about this deck on Aecletic Tarot, I found a quote that perfectly sums up the Tarot of the Origins: “[The humans] are not trying to be in harmony with nature, they are part of it.” This deck connects us to our primitive roots, urges us to return to our primeval, instinctual nature to find the answers we seek.

10 of Souls - Child of Jewels - Woman of Nature

At a first glance before I had time to truly consider the cards, my initial thought was that a lot of them felt a little repetitive, featuring close up images of people difficult to distinguish from the background, and thus difficult to distinguish clear symbolism. However, as I look at the cards I find myself beginning to hear their voices, growing to know their characters – they’re so expressive and I feel they will speak volumes to me, with time and patience. I’m looking forward to spending time with this deep, abstract and mysterious deck.

6 of Blood - Woman of Souls - 8 of Nature