Soothsayer Fortune Telling DeckThe Soothsayer Fortune Telling Deck divination method is based on an authentic technique from 19th century Russia and has gone through many different iterations since their humble beginnings. Originally created as a deck of 36 cards, they were known as “Russian Proverb Cards” or Pasyan Cards. This fun divination method is game-like and was most likely based on a children’s toy made out of paper with drawings on each side, which could then create different pictures when rotating the different cards. It is still used today and can be read by yourself or together with friends, so everyone can add their interpretation to the divination. Traditionally it was a family affair and all would participate and divine together.The Origins of Proverb CardsThe last pre-revolutionary circulation of these cards were released in 1914. Then in 1928 a reissue of the Proverbs deck appeared but by this time the anti-religious movement was raging and the attitude towards card fortune telling was negative.After the Russian Revolution fortune-telling cards managed to persist within families and were more than likely transmuted “from grandmothers” who learned to guess in their youth from popular books and then passed along among teenage girls.Patience Cards and Sorcery CardsIn the late 1970s to early 1980s hand-drawn versions began popping up before the proliferation and popularization of the decks in the early 1990s. By this time, the cards had been reduced in number from 36 to 20. The style and imagery had also changed as well as the meaning of each card becoming more simple and clear. (road – trip, cat – flirting)During this period they were now known as Russian Patience Cards, or Russian Sorcery Cards. In the United States a new deck was released called the Russian Gypsy Fortune Telling Cards, but they don’t appear to have ever become popular. I seem to be the only person on the planet that knows about them.Kyiv Soothsayer Patience CardsWhich brings us to our cards listed here. They are one of the most replicated and famous decks that first appeared in the late 1990’s – early 2000s. The deck consists of 20 cards and bears the well-known name “Kyiv Soothsayer” Patience Cards. (In pre-revolutionary Russia it was hinted that she was the most famous and accurate fortune-teller and was from Kyiv).Item DetailsWe have recreated this magical deck in all of its glory but made sure to print it on delicious 90’s holographic paper.Set includes: 20 Cards, instructions, symbol interpretations, & protective case.Sit down a spell, deal your cards, & see what the Soothsayer will whisper to you.
