Deck Review: The Ferenc Pinter Tarot

Every month, Amazon, Etsy, crowd-funding platforms, and bookstores release numerous tarot and oracle decks. There are now thousands of decks available, ranging from new releases to out-of-print ones. Reviewing a deck helps readers decide whether to purchase it, focusing on factors like card quality, artwork, and guidebook usefulness. This month, I’ve chosen to critique the Ferenc Pinter Tarot.

The Cards

Ferenc Pinter Tarot From the Booklet

Ferenc Pinter (1931 – 2008)

“Orphaned at a young age, Pinter grew up in Budapest, Hungary training and trained as an artist. Despite his obvious skill, he was denied entry into the Academy of Fine Arts because of his political ideals. In 1957, to escape the Hungarian Revolution, he made his way to Milan, the birthplace of the Tarot. In Italy, Pinter found work as an artist, gaining renown illustrating covers for books and magazines.

Then, in 1989, Pinter painted a beautiful series of the 22 Tarot trumps for Lo Scarabeo. For this new deck, Lo Scarabeo has reproduced those masterful original cards of the Major Arcana and paired them with 56 other beautiful artworks created by Ferenc Pinter throughout his life. In these cards you will see iconic scenes from the works of William Shakespeare and adventure novels alongside scenes of everyday life and romantic bliss. Some images are gritty and grim as Pinter did not shy away from depicting the harshness and violence of life – but then neither does the Tarot. These are accompanied by cards that celebrate life’s joys, delivered in Pinter’s characteristic whimsical and witty style.” (6)

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Card Stock and Shuffling

The card stock is thick and high quality, with a semi-gloss finish and rounded corners. They are easy to shuffle because they are a manageable size for tarot cards. If you have small hands, you will be able to riffle shuffle them without any problem. The cards stick together when first removed from the box. So, the first few shuffles are challenging until the cards lose their newness.

Artwork and the Visual Accessibility of the Ferenc Pinter Tarot Deck

The artwork for this deck is powerful and intense, with a vivid dreamlike quality. Each card features bold, striking imagery that captures both emotional depth and symbolic richness. The colors are deep and saturated, evoking a sense of mystery and the mystical. Pinter’s artwork seamlessly blends realism with surrealism, creating a visually captivating and emotionally evocative tarot experience.

The Fool

Meaning:

In a reading: Something new and wonderful is about to begin. This card often appears at the outset of a journey that will lead to great transformation. The Fool flouts convention and prefers to choose the path that is the most exciting and requires the most daring. Let yourself be spontaneous and unguarded, open and free. (12)

Queen of Cups

Meaning:

In a reading: This is a time for generosity of spirit and gentleness with yourself and towards others. This Queen listens tenderly and by doing so eases the suffering of those she loves. She is in tune with her feelings and can help others to listen to their own hearts as well, reminding them how much their emotions matter in this situation. Be thoughtful with your words and utter them only after much reflection. (24)

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Seven of Swords

Meaning:

In a reading: Sometimes the best strategy is to not play by the rules. This card can indicate that someone is playing you false and you should be on your guard for duplicitousness or theft. At its most helpful, it’s a recommendation to think outside the box and find an alternative, perhaps even unorthodox, strategy that others will not have considered. Be careful not to reveal too much of your plans. (37-38)

Explanation of the Cards

This deck comes with a well-written booklet that provides straightforward descriptions and explanations for each card. The booklet includes sections: Tarot and Art, Ferenc Pinter, Interpreting the Art of the Tarot, The Major Arcana, The Minor Arcana, The Courts of the Tarot, Performing a Tarot Reading, and Interpretations and Meanings. There are no reversed meanings to the cards, so you would need to determine a reversed meaning on your own.

Each card has a “Description” and “In a Reading” section. At the end of section there is a highlighted “note” about the card. The Fool has “Note the oil pump far in the distance” and the Queen of Cups ends with “Note her enigmatic expression.” The Seven of Swords concludes with “Note the mist rising from the hills.” Finally, the booklet translates the content into Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian.

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Usefulness

The Ferenc Pinter Tarot is a serious, richly layered deck ideal for dedicated practitioners and collectors. Its powerful, emotionally charged artwork demands focused attention and rewards deep interpretation. Therefore, it is best for those with a solid foundation in tarot. The accompanying booklet offers thoughtful, nuanced guidance, adding depth to readings. This deck isn’t for casual use. It’s a profound tool for those committed to exploring tarot as a lifelong spiritual and psychological journey. A true collector’s and seeker’s deck.

Ferenc Pinter Tarot Rating

I give this deck 5 out of 5 stars for art, card quality, and booklet content. Lo Scarabeo certainly hit the highest mark producing this deck. The accompanying booklet enhances the experience with thoughtful insights and guidance for each card. As a definite plus, the cards themselves are high-quality, printed on durable material that feels luxurious to the touch. The deck comes in a sturdy hard case, offering protection and making it ideal for storage and travel. It’s an excellent investment and a great deck to work with.

Where to Buy the Ferenc Pinter Tarot Deck

If you like this deck and wish to purchase a copy, you can do so online.