East West Books and Gifts has one of the largest collections of tarot and oracle cards in the Seattle area, with over 100 decks for sale. East West also has a team of intuitives offering readings in store and online.
Universal Symbols
What is Tarot?
Tarot decks consist of 78 cards, with each card representing an archetype or mental state. Every tarot deck follows the same pattern of 22 major arcana cards and 56 minor arcana cards, with the minor arcana divided into 4 suits, traditionally the wands, swords, cups, and pentacles. Some decks use different images or suits, but will follow the same general meanings.
It is important to note that there may be some taboos associated with Tarot, namely 'fortune telling' or 'witchcraft', but there is absolutely nothing about Tarot that necessitates these associations. Just as an apple may be used by a witch to poison a fair maiden (Snowwhite), it is more commonly just a piece of fruit. The same may be said of Tarot cards. While people may choose to use them in occult practices, Tarot has found popularity as a tool of introspection, contemplation, and fostering conversations and connection.
A Sample three card reading
Seven of Pentacles
Your efforts are beginning to come to fruition.
Ten of swords
A period of hardship is coming to a close.
the hermit
The answers you seek must be found within yourself.
Some of our favorITE DECKS
A TIMELESS CLASSIC
The Rider Waite Tarot
The Rider-Waite deck is the modern tarot deck from which most other decks take inspiration. While the origins of Tarot go back as far as the 15th century in Italy with the Visconti-Sforza deck, which itself draws on even older religious and spiritual imagery from various traditions, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck is generally considered the origin of modern tarot imagery. Due to the clarity of meaning of the art, and the fact that many decks take inspiration from the Rider-Waite-Smith, it is the best starting deck for beginners, or for those interested in history and tradition.
A MODERN INTERPRETATION WITH ANIMALS
The Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Kranz
The Wild Unknown tarot deck takes a departure from tradition and features animals for the archetypes. The deck was created by the now-famous artist Kim Kranz, who has spoken at East West in the past. Exchanging animals for people, Kranz reimagines the symbolism of the Tarot, while staying true to the original meanings of the cards. What comes through when looking at the cards is our own understanding of animals and our own relationship to nature.
PASSED THROUGH GENERATIONS
The Original Angel Cards
Originally part of a game, these cards were published as a deck in 1981. Having stood the test of time in a transient age, The Original Angel Cards are a small deck of cards, each with a picture of an Angel and its name. While playing with this deck, you may pull cards such as "Freedom," "Compassion," and "Acceptance." Having sold over a million copies, these Angels have been providing a sense of spiritual companionship across generations.
ANCIENT WISDOM FROM NATURE
Medicine Cards
By Jamie Sams & David Carson, Illustrated by Angela Werneke
The Medicine Cards were created in the 1980s and have sold over a million copies. The Medicine Cards believes each animal holds its own "medicine" - wisdom, power, or healing method. For example, the Bear may suggest introspection, the Eagle may symbolize connection to Spirit, the Coyote may carry trickster energy, the Buffalo may signal abundance. The Medicine Cards may be used like any other deck with single pulls or spreads, and has an extensive guide book, offering essays and different interpretations for each card.
