My last Etteilla deck update started with an incomplete Ace of Cups. I am back from my hiatus but because of a lot happening in my life, the pace at the which I will be creating these cards is significantly slower than I could for the SKT.

Because this deck isn’t occulty esoteric like the SKT, I chose Cups for the suit name. The Etteilla deck should feel more everyday and versatile.

Etteilla equated the Ace of Cups card to the Ten Commandments. In the reversed position, I show the Ark of the Covenant which houses the tablets.

As a divinatory sign, the Ark is shown on the Ace of Cups in reversed. This signifies that there has been a profound transformation in the querent. It represents a complete shift to your essence as a result of reconciliation between Divine Will (personal will) and Divine Will.

Another fun connection is also possible. The number 4 corresponds to the Ace of Cups in theosophic numerology. In Etteilla’s numerology, card 49 equals 4 (4 + 9 = 13 1 + 3 = 4) This Ark image is from SKT’s Key 4 – The Emperor. =)

I shared zip files of the deck a while back. Because it was the British Museum’s name, I named it Petit Etteilla.

Then, some cartomancy community members were smarter and pointed out that the deck is actually called the Livre du Destin or Book of Fate.

Because I have a book manuscript that I need to finish, I will be taking a break from Etteilla deck projects for several months. Before I go on that hiatus I want to “leave off”, with a happy card.

And the last card in the Etteilla Second Septenary- The Devil- isn’t the happy card I’m thinking about. =)

So, I have started the Ace of Cups and am deliberately leaving it unfinished. This is how I prolong my energy until I return. Continue reading. Continue reading.

POLL #1 Should the suit be called Chalices, or Cups. Technically, this deck should be called Chalices. Cups flow off the tongue more easily than Chalices and are easier to verbalize. Let me know your thoughts.

The “Petit Etteilla”, also known as the 32-card piquet decks of cartomancy, is a class of 32-card piquet cards. It was created from Etteilla’s 1770 text. This used the courts (Kings and Queens, Jacks), Aces (10s, Nines (8s), Eights, Sevens and Sevens from a playing deck. Etteilla also added a 33rd card, “Etteilla”, to the 32-card set. This was to signify the querent. Etteilla proposed that the original Egyptian Tarot Pack consisted of 33 cards.

UPDATE I referred to this deck by the name “Petit Etteilla” as that is what the British Museum called it. John Choma, one of the most respected tarot historians in our community, returned with clarifications.

This deck is not Petit Etteilla, but a different deck called “Livre du Destin”, or Book of Fate. It was created sometime in the mid-1800s. A few historical examples are available (thanks to John for the links!) ): here (M. Violet, editeur), here (Le Livre du destin), and here. These images also look remarkably similar to other 19th century oracle decks, such as the 53-card Sibylle des Salons or the 36-card Petit Cartomancien.

This Petit Etteilla image download is courtesy of The British Museum. It’s the French edition that Jean-Henri Pussey published in Paris between 1860-1886. The originals were 70×111 pixels with hand-colored etchings and pasteboard.

Petit Etteilla

(Originals, 70 mm x 111 mm)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ZIP FILE

You can work directly from your original 70 x 111mm photos and customize the layout design to suit your preferences if you are skilled in digital photo editing.