Created by Peter Balin in 1976, the Xultun (Mayan) Tarot Deck is a 78-card deck blending indigenous Maya cosmology with traditional tarot, notably featuring 22 Major Arcana cards that form a single, cohesive painting. The deck, which includes multilingual titles, is deeply rooted in Maya glyphs and symbols, with companion literature like "Flight of the Feathered Serpent" essential for interpretation. For more details on the Classic Edition, visit Amazon . Xultun Mayan Tarot Deck - sciphilconf.berkeley.edu
in Guatemala. Unlike standard decks where each card is a standalone image, Balin created the Major Arcana as a single, unified painting
, this version restores the deck to its original large size and vibrant, hand-painted colors. Companion Guide: The deck is often paired with The Maya Book of Life: Understanding the Xultun Tarot Xultun -Mayan- Tarot Deck
However, other Maya artists and ajq’ijab’ (daykeepers) have embraced the deck. For them, the Xultun tarot is a tool of revitalization —a way for diaspora Maya and sympathetic non-Maya to revere the 20 energies. The ethical key is
, vintage versions are now rare and highly sought after by collectors. Classic Edition: Recreated by Kahurangi Press Created by Peter Balin in 1976, the Xultun
Authentic editions are rare and often produced in small, hand-painted batches. Major publishers like U.S. Games Systems or Lo Scarabeo do not yet carry a mainstream Xultun deck (though several are in development). As of 2025, your best sources are:
Keywords: Xultun Mayan Tarot Deck, Maya tarot, Xultun murals tarot, authentic Mayan divination, Tzolk’in tarot cards, 20 solar seals, Ajpu tarot meaning. Xultun Mayan Tarot Deck - sciphilconf
A common criticism of "themed" tarot decks is that they paste ethnic art onto pre-existing templates. The (authentic versions produced in collaboration with Guatemalan Maya artists like those from the Asociación de Artistas de San Juan La Laguna ) avoids this trap by changing the composition.
But is the Xultun Mayan Tarot Deck a historically authentic artifact, or a modern synthesis? And how does one read cards that feature the Hero Twins instead of The Hanged Man, or a Jaguar God of Terrestrial Fire instead of The Devil? This article explores the origins, symbolism, structure, and practical use of the most spiritually ambitious tarot deck to emerge from the archaeological shadow of the Maya.
