Oracle cards

These “Oracle” tarot cards were designed, drawn and hand painted by Mage Edmond (1829-1881), a great clairvoyant of the 19th century who was consulted by the biggest names in the Second Empire, including Napoleon III himself. Edmond consulted his oracle through his own astrological work and the esoteric knowledge of the 19th century. His graphic style was particularly striking, thanks to his popular, simple yet expressive, drawing that emanated from the fine arts academicism of his era, and his bright, contrasting colours. Each card bears a symbol attaching it to one of the seven celestial bodies that were fundamental in the mage’s clairvoyance (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn), as well as a drawing that symbolized a force or an action that influences life. Some of the classic symbols of the tarot also appear (like the Tower) while others were inspired by Antiquity, particularly Ancient Egypt, which was extremely fashionable in 19th century France. The name Edmond is inserted into the drawings on four of the cards. For example, in the Nativity, it is written on a parchment as a signature under a zodiac square. This deck of cards was copied and printed by the medium Belline, a celebrity clairvoyant during the 1960s and 1970s, and remains one of the most widely used tarot decks by professionals and amateurs alike.