German Edition The Smith-Waite Tarot Borderless Vintage Tarot Cards
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Selecting a deck is intuitive, but knowing the "languages" helps.
- Beginners: We recommend the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) system for its visual storytelling.
- Experienced: Try our specialized foil or neon decks for deeper work.
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The Classic Smith-Waite Deck, With a German-Language Guidebook
The German Edition Smith-Waite Tarot Borderless Vintage is the same full 78-card Rider-Waite-Smith deck as our standard linen edition, with one important difference: the printed guidebook is entirely in German. If you or someone you are buying for reads German and wants to learn tarot from a native-language resource, this is the version to get. The cards themselves use Pamela Colman Smith's original 1909 artwork with no text on the face cards, so they work for any reader regardless of language.
Borderless Artwork on 350GSM Eco Linen Cardstock
The cards are printed without white borders, so the vintage artwork fills every card from edge to edge. The color palette stays faithful to the original illustrations: warm ochres, dusty blues, and muted earth tones. Printed on 350GSM eco-friendly linen cardstock with matte anti-scratch lamination, the cards feel substantial in hand, resist fingerprints, and read clearly under any lighting without glare or reflection. Card size is the standard 2.75" x 4.72" (7 x 12 cm), compatible with any tarot bag, box, or sleeve you already own.
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Dark Forest Tarot has 68,496+ sales and 20,219+ verified reviews on Etsy with a 4.9-star rating. Buyers consistently describe the cards as "exactly as described," "well-made," and "the pictures don't do it justice." The German edition has been especially popular as a gift for German-speaking family and friends who are new to tarot.
Choose Your Set
Every set includes the full 78-card German Edition Smith-Waite Borderless Vintage deck, a 36-page printed guidebook in German, and a protective cardboard tuck box. Add accessories to match your reading setup:
| Set | What You Get |
|---|---|
|
Deck Only Already have your setup |
78-card deck + 36-page German guidebook + protective card box |
| Deck + Reading Cloth | Everything above + gabardine reading cloth (18" x 18") |
| Deck + Velvet Bag | Everything above + velvet tarot bag (7.8" x 5.9") |
| Deck + Wooden Box | Deck + German guidebook + wooden storage box (5" x 3.5" x 2") |
|
Beginner Set Start reading right away |
Deck + German guidebook + card box + reading cloth + velvet bag |
| Reading Set | Deck + German guidebook + wooden box + reading cloth |
|
Gift Set Best for gifting |
Deck + German guidebook + wooden box + velvet bag |
|
Complete Set Most popular + FREE SHIPPING |
Deck + German guidebook + wooden box + velvet bag + reading cloth |
The Complete Set is the most popular choice and ships free. The Gift Set is the go-to when presentation matters, especially for German-speaking recipients. Deck Only is right if you already have your accessories.
Deck Details
- Cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana + 56 Minor Arcana)
- System: Rider-Waite-Smith based
- Artwork: Original Pamela Colman Smith illustrations (1909), vintage color palette
- Design: Borderless - no white borders, full artwork to the card edge
- Card language: No text on face cards - the artwork is universal
- Card size: 2.75" x 4.72" (7 x 12 cm) - standard tarot size
- Material: 350GSM eco-friendly linen cardstock
- Finish: Matte anti-scratch lamination
- Suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles
- Guidebook: 36-page printed guidebook in German, covers all 78 cards upright and reversed
- Digital guidebook: Extended German e-manual accessible after purchase
- Packaging: Protective cardboard tuck box
- Suitable for: German-speaking beginners, daily readers, collectors, gift buyers
Accessories (included in bundle sets)
- Velvet tarot bag: 7.8" x 5.9" - fits standard tarot decks
- Gabardine reading cloth: 18" x 18"
- Wooden storage box: 5" x 3.5" x 2"
A German-Language Guidebook, Included in the Box
Every German Edition ships with a 36-page printed guidebook written entirely in German. It covers all 78 card meanings, upright and reversed, and includes basic spread layouts. No prior tarot experience needed. The Smith-Waite system is the most widely taught tarot tradition in the world, which means this guidebook opens the door to the full library of tarot books and resources available in German.
Extended German Digital Manual
After your order ships, you receive a link to our extended German digital guidebook with deeper card interpretations, additional spread layouts, and practical exercises for building a consistent reading practice. This goes well beyond the printed insert.
Free Resource on the Site
Our expanded digital guidebook is also available free at any time. Covers all 78 cards in detail, available in multiple languages, and updated regularly. No purchase required.
Read the Free GuidebookThese accessories are available separately or as part of the bundle options above. Each one fits the standard 2.75" x 4.72" card size of this deck.
Wooden Tarot Box
5" x 3.5" x 2"
Velvet Tarot Bag
7.8" x 5.9"
Reading Cloth
18" x 18"
Why This Edition Is Different from a Standard Smith-Waite Reprint
| Feature | This Deck | Standard Mass-Market Reprint |
|---|---|---|
| Guidebook language | 36-page printed guidebook fully in German + extended German digital manual | English only, or no guidebook included |
| Borders | Borderless - artwork fills the full card edge to edge | White borders that interrupt the imagery |
| Color palette | Vintage tones faithful to the 1909 original: warm, muted, earthy | Often oversaturated or digitally color-corrected |
| Cardstock | 350GSM eco-friendly linen with grain texture | 200-250GSM smooth coated paper |
| Finish | Matte anti-scratch lamination - no glare, fingerprint-resistant | Basic gloss or no lamination; shows wear quickly |
| Card text | No text on face cards - artwork is language-neutral | Sometimes English card titles printed on faces |
| Gift readiness | Premium packaging, optional wooden box and accessories | Basic cardboard box |
| Durability | Anti-scratch coating, holds shape with repeated use | Corners bend, surface scratches with regular handling |
The face cards contain no text at all, so the artwork communicates universally across languages. The guidebook is where the German translation matters: 36 pages of card meanings, spreads, and context, written in German from the ground up, not machine-translated.
Is the entire deck in German?
The guidebook is entirely in German. The cards themselves have no printed text on the face cards, so they are completely language-neutral. The same Pamela Colman Smith artwork appears on every edition of this deck. Whether you read in German, English, or any other language, the cards work the same way.
Is this deck good for beginners who speak German?
Yes. This is the ideal starting point for German-speaking beginners. The Rider-Waite-Smith system is the foundation for the majority of tarot books and resources available today, including a large body of German-language tarot literature. The included 36-page German guidebook covers every card with upright and reversed meanings. After purchase you also get access to an extended German digital manual with deeper interpretations and practice exercises.
What exactly comes in my order?
All sets include the full 78-card German Edition Smith-Waite Borderless Vintage deck, a 36-page printed guidebook in German, and a protective cardboard tuck box. Velvet bag, reading cloth, and wooden storage box are added depending on which bundle you select. See the "What's Included" section above for a full breakdown by set.
Is the guidebook physical or digital?
Both. A 36-page printed German guidebook ships inside the box with every order. After purchase you also receive a link to an extended German digital version with deeper interpretations, spread layouts, and practice exercises. A free expanded guide is also available on the site at any time.
How is this different from the standard Smith-Waite Borderless Vintage edition?
The cards are identical - same artwork, same 350GSM linen cardstock, same matte finish, same dimensions. The only difference is the guidebook: this edition ships with the full 36-page printed guidebook written in German, plus access to the extended German digital manual. If you want the English version, see our standard Smith-Waite Borderless Vintage listing.
Does this deck have foil or holographic elements?
No. This deck is fully matte with no foil, no holographic finish, and no shimmer. The surface is designed for clear readability in any lighting. If you prefer a deck with a reflective finish, our Moonlight Tarot Cards use gold-rainbow holographic foil on the same RWS-based imagery.
Is this a good gift for a German speaker?
It is one of the most thoughtful tarot gifts for German-speaking recipients. The vintage aesthetic looks premium without extra wrapping, the German guidebook removes any language barrier for new readers, and the RWS system means it works from day one. The Gift Set or Complete Set are the most popular choices for birthdays and holidays.
Where do you ship from, and how fast?
We ship from warehouses in the USA (Florida and Pennsylvania) and Europe (Bulgaria). Orders are processed within 1-2 business days. Germany and EU delivery is typically 4-9 business days from the European warehouse. USA delivery is 2-5 business days. All taxes are included in the price shown.
What is the return policy?
We offer a 14-day return policy. If the deck is not what you expected, contact us and we will make it right. Full details are on the Delivery and Returns page.
Shipping
We ship from warehouses in the USA (Florida and Pennsylvania) and Europe (Bulgaria), so your order takes the fastest route to you.
All taxes are included in the price. No hidden fees at checkout.
Order the Complete Set and get FREE SHIPPING.
Estimated Delivery
- Germany: 4-9 business days (ships from EU warehouse)
- European Union: 4-9 business days
- USA: 2-5 business days
- United Kingdom: 4-7 business days
- Canada: 5-7 business days
- Rest of World: 7-14 business days
Returns
Not what you expected? We offer a 14-day return policy. Contact us and we will make it right. Full details on the Delivery & Returns page.
Browse all eco linen tarot cards in the collection.
Read our free guide: Smith-Waite Tarot Anleitung auf Deutsch
Read the full guidebook: Free Tarot Cards Guidebook - All 78 Cards Explained
EU Consumer, Product and GDPR Information
Main characteristics of the product
This set contains 78 borderless vintage tarot cards based on the classic Rider‑Waite system. The cards are printed on premium eco‑friendly linen cardstock with a protective laminated finish for durability. Each deck comes with a printed guidebook. Optional accessories may include a cloth bag or box. The deck is suitable for beginners as well as experienced readers.
Price and tax information
The price displayed is the final price and includes all applicable taxes (including VAT for EU customers). Shipping costs are calculated at checkout.
Your rights as an EU consumer
- Right of withdrawal: You may cancel your order without giving any reason within 14 calendar days from the day you receive the goods.
- Returns and refunds: To exercise your withdrawal right, please complete the model withdrawal form below or email us at support@darkforesttarotcards.com. We will refund the product price and the standard outbound shipping cost within 14 days of receiving the returned items. Return shipping costs are borne by you unless the product is defective.
- Two‑year legal guarantee: All products are covered by the EU two‑year legal guarantee of conformity. In case of defects or non‑conformity, you are entitled to a free repair, replacement or refund.
- Dispute resolution: You can also submit complaints via the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/.
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Age and safety warning
This tarot deck is intended for users aged 14 and above. It is not a toy. Keep out of reach of children.
Model withdrawal form
If you wish to cancel your purchase, you can use the following form:
Model withdrawal form (EU) To: Dark Forest Ltd Address: Chataidzha St 5, 1st floor, Varna 9000, Bulgaria Email: support@darkforesttarotcards.com I/We [name of customer] hereby give notice that I/we withdraw from my/our contract of sale of the following item(s): — Order number: ________ — Ordered on: __ / __ / ____ — Received on: __ / __ / ____ — Name of customer: ____________________________________ — Address of customer: __________________________________ — Date: __ / __ / ____ Signature (only if this form is submitted on paper):
Packaging and product labelling
Our packaging includes the name and address of our EU economic operator and safety warnings as required by EU law. This ensures compliance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and the General Product Safety Regulation.
Company details
Seller / EU Economic Operator: Dark Forest Ltd
UIK (Company Number): 207107494
Registered address: Chataidzha St 5, 1st floor, Varna 9000, Bulgaria
VAT number: BG207107494
Email: support@darkforesttarotcards.com