The Jacques Vieville tarot is known for its interesting characteristics, which make it stand out from other contemporary decks, such as the Tarot de Marseille.
One of these unique qualities is that the trump cards don’t have titles at the bottom of the images. Instead, the Ace of Coins and the Two of Cups contain a poem which names the trump cards.
We talked with Enrique Enriquez about the meaning behind the poem, and he was gracious enough to share his translation with us. He has given us permission to share it with you!
Those familiar with the Tarot de Marseille may notice that the House of God is called Lightning. Also, the Wheel of Fortune and Death are missing from the poem.
The poem starts with the Ace of Coins and finishes on the Two of Cups. The original French text is in bold and is followed by the translation. The titles for the trump cards are underlined.
The Jacques Vieville Poem
PERE SAINCT FAIT Holy Father, grant
MOY YUSTICE DE CE me Justice against this
VIELART MA E BAGA Old Man (The Hermit), Fool and Juggler (Le Bateleur),
AMOREVX DE the Lover of
CESTE DAME QVY this Lady (Temperance). Let it
SOIT CRYE A SON DE be shouted by the sound of
TROMPE PAR TOVT the Trumpet (Judgement) in all
LE MONDE DE PAR the World, by
LE PAPE LA PAPESSE the Pope, the Papesse,
L ANPEREVR L INPERATRYCE the Emperor, the Empress,
LE SOLEIL the Sun,
LA LUNE LES ETOILLES the Moon, the Stars,
LA FOVDRE PRINS the Lightning. Taken
A FORCE QVY SOIT by Force, let him be
PENDV E TRANNAY Hanged and dragged (The Chariot)
AV DIABLE to the Devil.
We hope you find this poem as fascinating as we do!
Preorders for our Jacques Vieville deck will be available in a few days. We will have special pricing for a package that includes a deck, pouch, and lapel pin. This promotion will end once the decks are in stock.
We look forward to getting our new deck into your hands!
Chat soon,
William Rader
Krisztin Kondor
