I expect you're wondering what is so different about my Astro-Tarot deck. Well, I had been using the classic tarot pack for years when I first began to think about devising my own version instead, about 15 years ago. Many people are familiar with the ordinary pack, but I wanted to create something new, exciting and innovative, combining my knowledge of the tarot with my experience of astrology.
I wanted to keep the 22 Major Arcana cards of the classic tarot because they are so important and rich in meaning, mythology and wisdom. Still, because the Minor Arcana deals with the nitty-gritty details of life, I felt it would be a challenge to create my own interpretation of them, drawing on my knowledge of astrology. Incidentally, that doesn't mean the traditional Minor Arcana cards are unimportant or outdated, simply that I wanted to devise my own version of them, using fresh and different images. So what exactly does my Astro- Tarot pack consist of?
Taking them in their numerical order (which is the order followed in this book), these are the cards I chose.
 First come the 22 cards of the Major Arcana, which are so steeped in symbolism. Because the Fool, which is the first card of the Major Arcana, traditionally doesn't have a number, these cards are numbered from 0-21.
 Next come the aces of the four suits from the traditional Minor Arcana (Pentacles, Wands, Swords and Cups). I kept the aces because they represent new beginnings and assertion (or a lack of it). They are numbered from 22-25.
 After them are the 12 Sun signs of the Western zodiac, which run from Aries to Pisces. I chose them because they represent the cosmic journey we take through life. They are numbered from 26-37.
 Then 12 signs of the Chinese horoscope follow next, running from the Rat to the Boar. I included them because Chinese horoscopes are based on the movements of the Moon, and therefore represent our emotions, senses, psychic side and spirituality. They are numbered from 38-49.

Card Illustrations by Kay Smith
Astro-Tarot cards copyright © Russell Grant Astrology Ltd Text copyright © Russell Grant Astrology Ltd www.russellgrant.com