The Tarot Nova: Miniature Edition
Could this be the tiniest tarot deck ever produced?
The original Tarot Nova set is by Dennis Fairchild is best known as Tarot: The Complete Kit, a compact, beginner-friendly tarot system that became quite popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
This tiny set is part of a series of miniature decks released by Running Press from 1999. The tarot are less than an inch tall and the book is only around 3 or so! The deck this is based upon is by the aforementioned Fairchild with some lovely , simple instructions by Julie Paschkis.
What this Tarot actually is
Rather than a single “art deck” like some modern tarot systems, Fairchild’s work is a complete starter kit designed to teach tarot from scratch. The full size ( but still comparatively small) typically includes:
- A full 78-card tarot deck (often called the Tarot Nova deck)
- A guidebook (around 88 pages) explaining meanings and spreads
- A reading mat for laying out cards
This tiny edition consists of a smaller but lovely illustrated mini book and a set of thin cards that are less than an inch long! There are of cheap card stock however and in the original pack I had you had to very gently separate each card from the printed set . Not the most ideal but I’m sure a very cost effective means of production. This fragile and of course tiny nature of the set probably explains why there aren’t many surviving complete sets!
The cards themselves are based loosely on the traditional Rider–Waite tarot structure, so you still have:
- Major Arcana (The Fool, Death, The Tower, etc.)
- Minor Arcana (Cups, Wands, Swords, Pentacles)
…but the imagery is simplified and slightly stylised to make it more approachable…
This deck has a distinctive feel:
- Minimalist, compact artwork rather than highly detailed scenes
- Use of colour cues and simple symbols to hint at meanings
- Occasional departures from traditional imagery, making it a bit more interpretive
Some readers find it charming and intuitive, while others feel it requires the guidebook more than highly symbolic decks.
Purpose and philosophy
Fairchild’s aim wasn’t to create a deeply esoteric or ceremonial tarot—it was to make something:
- Accessible to beginners
- Easy to use for casual readings or learning
- Practical, with clear instructions rather than dense occult theory
He comes from a background in astrology and popular divination, and his approach reflects that: intuitive, friendly, and non-dogmatic.
Related decks and works
Fairchild also worked on other tarot/oracle projects, such as:
- The Kitchen Tarot – a more modern, themed deck focusing on everyday life symbolism
- Various fortune-telling and palmistry guides, often aimed at beginners
How it’s viewed today
Among tarot readers, the Fairchild kit is often remembered as:
- A “first deck” for many people
- Portable and beginner-friendly
- Less symbolically dense than decks like the Rider–Waite or Thoth
Some experienced readers outgrow it, but many keep it for nostalgia or quick, simple readings.
About Dennis Fairchild
Dennis Fairchild is an American author, astrologer, and popular divination writer best known for creating accessible, beginner-oriented tarot and fortune-telling materials.
Background and career
Fairchild emerged in the late 20th century as part of a wave of writers who helped bring tarot, astrology, and other esoteric practices into the mainstream. Unlike more academically or occult-focused figures, his work is rooted in practical, everyday use rather than ceremonial magic or dense symbolism.
He has written and produced a range of materials including:
- Tarot kits and guidebooks
- Astrology guides
- Palmistry and general fortune-telling manuals
His work is often published in boxed sets designed to be sold in bookstores rather than specialist occult shops, which helped introduce divination to a wider audience.
Approach to tarot and divination
Fairchild’s philosophy is notably:
- Accessible – aimed at beginners with little or no prior knowledge
- Practical – focused on how to do readings rather than theory
- Non-dogmatic – encourages intuition over strict symbolic systems
This contrasts with more esoteric traditions linked to groups like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, whose tarot interpretations are deeply layered with Kabbalah, alchemy, and ritual magic.
Notable work
His most widely known creation is:
- Tarot: The Complete Kit – a self-contained tarot system with cards, guidebook, and reading cloth
He has also been associated with themed or simplified decks, such as:
- The Kitchen Tarot – focusing on domestic symbolism and everyday life
Style and influence
Fairchild’s style is often described as:
- Clear and instructional
- Light on historical or occult depth
- Designed for immediate usability
Because of this, his influence lies less in shaping tarot theory and more in popularising tarot as an approachable practice for modern readers.
About the illustrator
Julie Paschkis is an American painter, illustrator, and author known for her richly patterned, folk-art–inspired style and her work in both children’s books and decorative arts.
Paschkis also illustrated The Kitchen Tarot, written by Dennis Fairchild. In that deck:
- Everyday kitchen objects become symbolic tools
- Her decorative style transforms ordinary scenes into something almost magical
- The cards feel warm, domestic, and intuitive rather than overtly occult
Her art suits this concept well—it turns the familiar into something symbolic and slightly enchanted.
You may be able to obtain a second hand copy of this miniature set from Etsy etc.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/market/dennis_fairchild
Link to the original edition:
https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/dennis-fairchild/tarot/9780762413829/
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