Welcome to the world of The Pigeon Guild Tarot
An epic realm inspired by adventures, warriors, wizards, and of course, pigeons—fancy, swift, and crested pigeons—always intelligent, brave, and incredible.
For years, humans have stripped pigeons of their habitats, instincts, and dignity, stigmatizing them as pests or trash. Yet, in many cultures, pigeons symbolize purity, the Holy Spirit, and peace.
This was a significant motivation for creating The Pigeon Guild Tarot and contributing to the new understanding of pigeons.
This tarot consists of two parts: Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.
Major Arcana
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards rich in symbolism. These cards guide us from the first step into the unknown with The Fool to the culmination represented by The World.
Each card features unique borders and frames. They may incorporate elements from the Minor Arcana but maintain their distinct identities. Each is represented by a character that serves as a guide, motivator, or obstacle in relation to the card’s meaning.
Interpretations
- 0. The Fool: Innocence and credulity, beginning the adventure with the first step.
- 1. The Magician: Wisdom; a pigeon surrounded by books, inviting knowledge.
- 2. The High Priestess: Feminine wisdom; moon and stars reveal life’s mysteries.
- 3. The Empress: Feminine order, nurturing and maternal care.
- 4. The Emperor: Rationality, structure, and leadership.
- 5. The Lovers: Deep emotional relationships, romantic or fraternal.
- 6. The Hierophant: Masculine wisdom and mental clarity.
- 7. The Chariot: Movement and change; a potion-chariot of a traveling healer.
- 8. Strength: Spiritual and physical resilience; a fierce pigeon.
- 9. The Hermit: Solitude, introspection; a cleric in search of wisdom.
- 10. The Wheel of Fortune: Cycles of life; a wheel of seasons and planets.
- 11. Justice: Impartiality and fairness.
- 12. The Hanged Man: A pigeon on a swing, reminding us to embrace new perspectives.
- 13. Death: Definitive change, an ending for a new beginning.
- 14. Temperance: Balance; a druid sipping honey water.
- 15. The Devil: Our darker desires and addictions.
- 16. The Tower: Destruction of old paradigms, chaos, and insight.
- 17. The Star: Hope; a magical pigeon surrounded by stars.
- 18. The Moon: Mystery and intuition; rogues replacing wolves.
- 19. The Sun: Success and perfection; a divine knight pigeon.
- 20. Judgment: Rebirth; a pigeon rising through a torii gate.
- 21. The World: Completion; three pigeons ready for a new adventure.
Minor Arcana
Divided into four groups: Wands, Coins, Cups, and Swords. Each group has a theme and distinct style in the deck:
- Wands: Represented by feathers; colors of dawn.
- Coins: Replaced by D20 dice; midday light and forest greens.
- Cups: Depicted as potions; sunny blue skies of afternoon.
- Swords: Classic swords; colored in sunset tones.
Wands
Snow Pigeons (Columba leuconota), found in Himalayan regions, symbolize the untouched and free spirit of this suit.
- Ace: Creativity. Reversed: Blockage.
- Two: Decision-making. Reversed: Indecision.
- Three: Expansion. Reversed: Stagnation.
- Four: Celebration. Reversed: Instability.
- Five: Conflict. Reversed: Resolution.
- Six: Victory. Reversed: Disappointment.
- Seven: Defense. Reversed: Lack of confidence.
- Eight: Movement. Reversed: Delay.
- Nine: Perseverance. Reversed: Exhaustion.
- Ten: Burden. Reversed: Relief.
- Page: Sensitivity. Reversed: Immaturity.
- Knight: Adventure. Reversed: Impulsiveness.
- Queen: Passion. Reversed: Instability.
- King: Leadership. Reversed: Aggression.
Coins (Pentacles)
Using Crested Pigeons (Ocyphaps lophotes), native to Australia, symbolizing elegance and grounded energy.
- Ace: Prosperity. Reversed: Loss.
- Two: Balance. Reversed: Mismanagement.
- Three: Collaboration. Reversed: Isolation.
- Four: Greed. Reversed: Fear of loss.
- Five: Poverty. Reversed: Recovery.
- Six: Charity. Reversed: Selfishness.
- Seven: Patience. Reversed: Impatience.
- Eight: Skill. Reversed: Lack of dedication.
- Nine: Independence. Reversed: Dependence.
- Ten: Abundance. Reversed: Insecurity.
- Page: Ambition. Reversed: Lack of commitment.
- Knight: Stability. Reversed: Rigidity.
- Queen: Generosity. Reversed: Greed.
- King: Success. Reversed: Authoritarianism.
Cups
Victoria Crowned Pigeons (Goura victoria) from New Guinea embody emotion, beauty, and majesty.
- Ace: New love. Reversed: Disappointment.
- Two: Emotional union. Reversed: Separation.
- Three: Joy. Reversed: Loneliness.
- Four: Apathy. Reversed: Emotional clarity.
- Five: Sadness. Reversed: Acceptance.
- Six: Nostalgia. Reversed: Inability to move on.
- Seven: Choices. Reversed: Confusion.
- Eight: Disappointment. Reversed: Attachment.
- Nine: Fulfillment. Reversed: Dissatisfaction.
- Ten: Harmony. Reversed: Disconnection.
- Page: Romance. Reversed: Emotional immaturity.
- Knight: Passion. Reversed: Inconsistency.
- Queen: Compassion. Reversed: Emotional manipulation.
- King: Wisdom. Reversed: Uncontrolled emotions.
Swords
Bleeding Heart Dove (Gallicolumba luzonica), symbol of vulnerability and pain.
- Ace: Clarity. Reversed: Confusion.
- Two: Difficult choice. Reversed: Stagnation.
- Three: Betrayal. Reversed: Forgiveness.
- Four: Rest. Reversed: Anxiety.
- Five: Defeat. Reversed: Humiliation.
- Six: Transition. Reversed: Delay.
- Seven: Deception. Reversed: Betrayal.
- Eight: Fear. Reversed: Hope.
- Nine: Anxiety. Reversed: Peace.
- Ten: Pain. Reversed: Renewal.
- Page: Curiosity. Reversed: Arrogance.
- Knight: Courage. Reversed: Violence.
- Queen: Honesty. Reversed: Coldness.
- King: Authority. Reversed: Cruelty.