The Cartouche is a set of 25 oracle cards based on ancient Egyptian symbolism. The deck was designed and created by noted metaphysician and author Murry Hope. The artwork was executed by Martin Jones, and the deck is published by Ostaris Publications. The Cartouche cards are designed to be used for divination, meditation, healing, talismanic magic, and initiation into the universal archetypal symbols.
The oracle features authentic symbols copied exactly from the tombs and temples of ancient Egypt. The first 9 cards comprise a Major Arcana of archetypal energies symbolized by the principal gods and goddesses of the ancient Egyptian pantheon. Each major card carries a spiritual hieroglyph in the upper right hand corner for safety and protection when using the card for meditation, healing or magic.
1. Osiris
2. Isis
3. Horus
4. Bast
5. Thoth
6. Hathor
7. Nephthys
8. Ptah
9. Anubis
Card number 10 is considered separately because it represents the negative forces, and it is not generally used in magic or initiations.
10. Set
The next 4 Cartouche symbols represent the 4 elements, and each is associated with one of the 4 sons of Horus.
11. Fire
12. Air
13. Water
14. Earth
The remaining 11 cards represent power symbols from ancient Egyptian culture and religion.
15. Sirius
16. Lotus
17. Crook and Flail
18. Uraeus
19. Winged Disk
20. Twins
21. Sphinx
22. Scarab
23. Pyramid
24. Ankh
25. Buckle of Isis
Cartouche takes its name from the ancient Egyptian oval symbol that encapsulated the written names of Pharaohs and other high-ranking officials. In her book The Way of Cartouche, Murry Hope explains that she chose the name “Cartouche” to represent the oracle because it encapsulates the archetypal energies, which were understood and utilized by the ancients, in a form recognizable to the modern world.
This deck is in my collection, too. I’ve never ever used it though. I’m looking forward to your readings with it to see it in use!
Hi Sammie,
This is another power deck, but not dark like the Triad. It usually hits me right between the eyes with something I may not particularly want to hear.
I used to have a deck of cartouche cards. My aunty read with the cartouche and she was very good at it. She did a reading for me once, and I was pregnant at the time, but I didn’t want anyone to know, and she picked it up straight away..oh boy. There is only one other reader I know who works with the cartouche in my town, and I’ve had a couple of readings with her, she was very good at it, and the predictions have come true. Although the time frame is over 4 years when it can manifest.
I still have the book, but the cards went walk about.
Phoenix
Hi Phoenix,
The Cartouche seem more popular in Australia and New Zealand than here in the States. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone read them at a psychic fair or metaphysical bookshop.
I was introduced to them many years ago by an ex-girlfriend who was amazing with them. I’ve never been able to reach her level of expertise, but I have had many of my prediction from these cards come true. I agree that the events predicted by this deck do seem to take much longer to manifest than with most other decks. Whereas I find that the playing cards are almost instantaneous in some cases. I’m not sure yet about the Lenormand since many of my readings have yet to manifest. I think they’re better at picking on on current conditions surrounding a situation.
Aristede
these cards are my favorite among many.. and I use them a lot.
My wife combined Lotus and Thoth and tattooed them on herself before we had met. After she died I had her design mirrored and tattooed on me. The website link goes to an image of the two tattoos.
Hi James,
I’m very sorry for your loss. Your tattoo is a beautiful tribute to Kathryn and your lives together. Your soul connection cannot be bound by space or time. Thank you so much for sharing!