Éditions Lo Scarabeo
Besançon Gaudais Tarot - Anima Antiqua Limited Edition
An ancient deck with enigmatic reflections, reissued in a limited edition.
First published in Paris in the second half of the 19th century, this Besançon tarot stands out for a remarkable graphic uniqueness: a diagonal bar crosses the Major Arcana and court cards, dividing the image and offering an unexpected reflection. This reissue is part of the Anima Antiqua collection and exists in only 3,999 numbered copies.
☝️ Note: this is an imported tarot deck, available in several languages including French.
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Information & features
- Author: François-Gabriel Gaudais
- Publication date: May 2025 (reissue)
- Size: 7.5cm x 12.5cm
- Weight: 270g
- ISBN: 8054341040098
- Version:
Storage & preservation
Make sure to store it in a place protected from external energies.
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Our products come from all over the world by their very nature. They thus go through a number of more or less intense spiritual waves. As soon as they arrive with us, we purify them to clear any negative energies and offer you items that are light, free, and ready to accompany you in your spirituality.
Upon receiving your order, we also recommend purifying them one last time. To learn how to do this, consult our practical guide!
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Buy the Marseille Tarot – Anima Antiqua Edition in our esoteric shop
This rare reissue of the Besançon Tarot, originally printed between 1891 and 1899 by Baptiste-Paul Grimaud, revives a unique chapter in the history of cartomancy. True to the original lines and colors, the set respects the major peculiarity of this variant: the II and V arcana replace the High Priestess and the Pope with Juno and Jupiter. Each card is reproduced with the care typical of the Anima Antiqua collection, limited to only 3,999 numbered copies.
An authentic testimony of the Besançon school
The deck preserves the format, typography, and tones characteristic of the first Grimaud prints from the late 19th century: clear lines, a sober palette, and clean backgrounds. The figures express the iconographic rigor of the time while offering a clear reading for modern practice. The symbols remain intact, allowing one to rediscover the logic of the classic Tarot while exploring the specific mythological influence of this variant.
A collector’s piece for enthusiasts of ancient tarot
Numbered and limited to 3,999 copies, this deck is aimed at collectors, historians, and practitioners who wish to enrich their cartomancy library. It is suitable for study, reading, or museum display. Its sturdy box protects the cards and highlights the Anima Antiqua seal, a guarantee of careful and respectful manufacturing. A tangible way to own a fragment of tarot heritage, both usable and preserved.
François-Gabriel Gaudais was a Parisian master cardmaker active in the 19th century. Based in the French capital, he produced several decks of playing cards and tarot cards, including a version of the Tarot of Besançon that became famous for its unique aesthetic. This deck, published in the second half of the 19th century, follows the Besançon tradition by replacing the Popess and the Pope with Juno and Jupiter, but it is especially distinguished by an unprecedented graphic detail: a diagonal bar crossing the images, dividing and reflecting the characters.
Through his work, Gaudais continues the legacy of French master cardmakers who, from Paris to Besançon, shaped the evolution of tarot between the 18th and 19th centuries by adapting the images to the religious and cultural sensibilities of their time.
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When the cards guide you.
Tarot is not meant to predict a fixed destiny, but to illuminate the path. Each card asks a question as much as it offers an answer. Tarot invites reflection, to face what blocks, what calls, what changes. It does not tell you what to do, but helps you see more clearly. Whether you seek perspective, a reference point, or a form of inner dialogue, tarot remains a simple, ancient tool accessible to all — a sincere mirror, never indulgent, but always there to get you moving again.
— This guide might interest you.
— The divinatory tarot in 6 questions .
Here is an overview of the most frequently asked questions. Of course, there are no silly questions, so if the answer is not here: you can contact us.
What is divinatory tarot and where does it come from?
The divinatory tarot is a set of cards used for cartomancy, a form of divination where the cards serve as a tool to understand situations, events, or aspects of life. The modern tarot we know today evolved from an Italian card game called tarocchi in the 15th century. The divinatory tarot as it is practiced today has its roots in the 18th century, when it began to be used for prediction and spiritual exploration, especially thanks to occultists like Antoine Court de Gébelin.
How does a divinatory tarot reading work?
Divinatory tarot is based on the symbolic interpretation of the cards drawn during a session. The querent asks a question or seeks clarity on an aspect of their life, and the tarot reader draws cards in response. Each card has a specific meaning, influenced by its position in the spread and the other cards surrounding it. Tarot readers use their intuition, their knowledge of the cards, and the querent’s situation to interpret the answers provided by the tarot.
What are the differences between the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana in tarot?
Divinatory tarot consists of 78 cards, divided into two main groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana includes 22 cards representing universal and profound concepts, such as Death, Judgment, or the World. These cards are generally associated with major life events or significant changes. The Minor Arcana, numbering 56, are divided into four suits (Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles) and deal with more everyday aspects of life like relationships, conflicts, or material matters. You can consult our complete guide to divinatory tarot for more information.
What mistakes should be avoided when consulting the divinatory tarot?
Among common mistakes, one of the most frequent is asking questions that are too vague or, on the contrary, too closed. It is better to avoid questions like "When will I win the lottery?" or "Am I going to die tomorrow?". Divinatory tarot is more useful when it comes to understanding situations or choices rather than predicting specific short-term events. Another mistake is not being open to the cards' answers or consulting the tarot too frequently for the same question, hoping for a different response.
Do you need to be a medium to read the divinatory tarot?
It is not necessary to be a medium to read tarot. Anyone can learn to read the cards through studying the meanings of the symbols and practice. However, some people also use their intuition or psychic abilities to enrich their interpretations. The ability to connect to the energies of the querent or to develop a stronger intuition can improve over time, but it is not essential to start using tarot.
Can divinatory tarot predict the future?
Divinatory tarot is more a tool for reflection and guidance rather than a means to predict the future in a fixed and unchangeable way. The cards offer an insight into present energies and possible directions based on the current actions of the querent. Tarot shows trends and probable paths, but it always respects each person's free will. Thus, future events are not set in stone and can change depending on personal choices.
— You speak about it best.
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— The Carnets d'Aeternum , practices and history of Magic.
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