Masonic Tarot - Freemasonry symbolism in 78 cards
Not every tarot deck demands prior knowledge. This one does. The Masonic Tarot by Patricio Diaz Silva relies on the visual language of Freemasonry and translates it into a working tarot system.
The cards follow the classic structure of 22 Major and 56 Minor Arcana, but the symbolism comes from a different angle. Where a Rider-Waite-Smith deck works with recognisable scenes, Silva places architectural elements, alchemical symbols and ritual patterns here. The result is a deck that is not immediately readable, but consistent in its own logic.
What you see on the cards
The imagery is symmetrical and formal. Many cards show pillars, compasses, squares and other building tools that carry symbolic weight in Freemasonry. The colours are muted, mainly blue, gold and red, with the occasional white plane marking light or revelation.
Each Major Arcana stands for a phase in an inner building process. Duality is everywhere: masculine versus feminine, day versus night, active force versus passive receptivity. That binary structure runs through the entire deck and means you cannot simply pick one card and interpret it. You read in patterns.
The Minor Arcana follow the same line. No everyday scenes, but abstract compositions that refer to building phases, moral virtues or degrees within the lodge. Those who recognise the symbolism can work with it. Those who lack that background will struggle to make the cards speak.
Who this deck does not work for
This is not a beginner deck. The symbolism assumes you know what a square or a serrated edge means within Freemasonry. The guidebook explains the cards but does not offer a basic introduction to tarot itself. Anyone who has never worked with tarot lacks the foundation to use this deck.
Those seeking intuitive, open images will also find little support here. The cards are built on a strict system and call for study, not free association.
Lay the cards in the shape of a temple: three pillars, a threshold, an inner sanctum. It forces you to see the structure of your question more sharply.
About Patricio Diaz Silva
Patricio Diaz Silva is a Chilean artist and academic who specialises in esoteric art. His work for Lo Scarabeo includes several decks in which he translates philosophical and occult traditions into visual systems. For the Masonic Tarot, he worked closely with sources from Freemasonry to keep the symbolism accurate and functional.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Size: 70 x 120 mm
- Finish: glossy, heavy cardstock
- Language: multilingual, including English, Spanish, French, Italian and German
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- ISBN: 9780738750002
- Creator: Patricio Diaz Silva
Questions we often get
Do I need to be a member of a lodge to use this deck?
No, but some knowledge of Masonic symbolism helps. The guidebook explains the cards but assumes you recognise the basic concepts. Without that context, the images remain abstract.
How does this deck differ from other esoteric tarot decks?
The emphasis is not on magic or mysticism in a broad sense, but specifically on the ritual and architectural symbolism of Freemasonry. That makes it narrower and more focused than, for example, a Hermetic or Kabbalistic deck.
