What do tarot cards smell like? Perfumes and Major Arcana, paired

Have you ever wondered what tarot cards smell like? When you think about it, both scent and cartomancy have very ancient origins. While tarot cards first appeared in 15th-century Italy and Germany as collectible items, as shown by the Visconti-Sforza decks, it was only in 18th-century France that they were truly used in the occult and esoteric practices. Meanwhile, the art of perfumery began in Ancient Egypt as part of sacred rituals and later, in the Greco-Roman period, took on an aesthetic and social status significance. Not to mention the 19th century, when the occult regained prominence in Western society, particularly in France, with movements like Spiritualism and Hermeticism. This explains why the combination of olfactory notes and tarot cards doesn’t seem so far-fetched. But if we had to assign a fragrance to the Major Arcana, which scent would it be? We tried to match each Triumph with an olfactory note and a specific perfume: here’s what we chose.

The olfactory notes of the Major Arcana: a scent for each tarot card

0. The Fool - Elie Saab Le Parfum, Elie Saab

The Fool represents beginnings, pure energy, and, why not, a touch of innocence. For this reason, it smells of bergamot, mandarin, and white flowers—a sharp purity that gives an initial boost to any action while maintaining its innate innocence. A perfect example is Elie Saab Le Parfum Eau de Toilette by Elie Saab, with mandarin blossom as the top note, gradually evolving into sweeter hints of honey, vetiver, and rose.

1. The Magician - Eau de Soleil Blanc, Tom Ford

The Magician represents creativity and awareness of one’s abilities, so this card needs a scent that exudes confidence. The notes are pink pepper, cardamom, and cedarwood. We paired it with Eau de Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford, a long-lasting fragrance that conveys strength and certainty—befitting the card of personal power.

2. The High Priestess - Un Jardin Sur Le Nil, Hermès

The High Priestess symbolizes intuition, mystery, and the unspoken. Her scent features lotus, iris, and incense, evoking dreamlike and sacred worlds. Un Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermès is a timeless classic whose base notes of cinnamon, iris, musk, and incense conjure forgotten places along the Nile.

3. The Empress - Good Girl Blush Elixir Eau de Parfum, Carolina Herrera

The Empress is the mother of the tarot, embodying idea generation, harmony, and sensuality in one figure. The notes are sweet—rose, ylang-ylang, and vanilla—evoking the embrace of a powerful maternal presence. She smells of Good Girl Blush Elixir Eau de Parfum by Carolina Herrera, strong and independent, yet tender in the base notes of vanilla and patchouli.

4. The Emperor - Armani Code, Giorgio Armani

The Emperor represents masculine strength, stability, and responsibility. He is powerful, authoritative, and confident. His notes are bergamot, tobacco, and leather, and the fragrance is Armani Code by Giorgio Armani, with fresh top notes of lemon and bergamot, and a base of tobacco, leather, and tonka bean, reflecting a man who is both strong and magnanimous.

5. The Hierophant - Pride Ajwaa, Lattafa

Also known as the Hierophant, The Pope represents spiritual guidance, faith, and discipline. His notes are myrrh, licorice, and incense, leaving a lasting trail. Pride Ajwaa by Lattafa perfectly captures the mystical aura of traditional Arabic perfumes.

6. The Lovers - Lavande 31, Le Labo

The Lovers symbolize union, deep connection, and conscious choices. Their notes are neroli, amber, and musk, and the fragrance is Lavande 31 by Le Labo, with a lavender heart bridging the top and base notes, representing the pure heart of lovers.

7. The Chariot - Hero Parfum Intense, Burberry

The Chariot stands for determination, willpower, and victory achieved through discipline. Its notes are black pepper, leather, and cedar, and the fragrance is Hero Parfum Intense by Burberry, strong, decisive, and courageous.

8. Strength - Libre Le Parfum, Yves Saint Laurent

Strength is mastery over emotions, resilience, and facing challenges without aggression. It smells of saffron, orange blossom, and tonka bean; Libre Le Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent perfectly embodies these qualities.

9. The Hermit - Super Cedar, Byredo

The Hermit represents solitude and self-guided wisdom, a journey toward inner truth. Its notes are moss, vetiver, and cedarwood. Super Cedar by Byredo, with a rose top note, softens the solitary nature of this card.

10. The Wheel of Fortune - The Favourite, Penhaligon’s

The Wheel of Fortune symbolizes life cycles, beginnings, endings, and inevitable transformations. Its scent also evolves: The Favourite by Penhaligon’s, with mandarin, musk, and violet, represents perpetual change.

11. Justice - L'Eau Pure, Kenzo

Justice embodies balance, responsibility, and truth. Its notes are lemon, lavender, and sandalwood. L'Eau Pure by Kenzo, fresh and clean, perfectly conveys the purity and firmness of the eleventh Arcana.

12. The Hanged Man - Firestorm Extrait, French Avenue

The Hanged Man represents patience, adaptation, and seeing things from another perspective. It can also indicate stalemates. Its notes are red apple, vanilla, and cardamom. The fragrance is Firestorm Extrait by French Avenue.

13. Death - Bloody Mary, Dark Tales

Death signifies transformation, the end of a cycle, and rebirth. Its notes are pomegranate, leather, and incense, and its perfume is Bloody Mary by Dark Tales, iconic and mysterious.

14. Temperance - Luna Rossa, Prada

Temperance symbolizes harmony, moderation, integration, healing, and flow. Its notes include lavender, mint, and amber; Luna Rossa by Prada is the perfect expression of balance.

15. The Devil - Eidesis, Aesop

The Devil represents temptation and embracing your hidden self. Its fragrance is spicy and complex: Eidesis by Aesop, with black pepper, cumin, sandalwood, cedarwood, and vetiver.

16. The Tower - Frankenstein, House of Atropa

The Tower represents sudden upheaval and collapse. Its notes are sea salt and oud. Frankenstein by House of Atropa is an iconic fragrance for an iconic card, reminding us that even from ruins, something powerful can emerge.

17. The Stars - Clair de Lune, Macabre Parfums

The Stars symbolize hope, trust in the future, and connection to something greater. Their freshness is captured in Clair de Lune by Macabre Parfums, with mint, white moss, and bamboo, evoking luminous calm even in dark nights.

18. The Moon - L'Interdit Eau de Parfum Rouge, Givenchy

The Moon represents intuition, mystery, and inner dimensions beyond logic. Its notes include jasmine, tuberose, patchouli, with ginger, blood orange, and vetiver. L'Interdit Eau de Parfum Rouge by Givenchy captures this enigmatic nature.

19. The Sun - Crema Limone, Profumi di Polignano

The Sun symbolizes joy, vitality, and success. Its notes are citrus and warm vanilla. Crema Limone by Profumi di Polignano embodies this radiant energy.

20. Judgment - Cosmic Kylie Jenner, Kylie Cosmetics

Judgment represents awakening, transformation, and self-assessment. Its notes are amber, cedar, and musk. Cosmic Kylie Jenner by Kylie Cosmetics with starred jasmine and red peony makes it unforgettable.

21. The World - Musk Glacé, LPDO

The World signifies completion and the closure of a journey. Its notes are tropical fruits, violet, and caramel. Musk Glacé by LPDO is the aromatic conclusion of our olfactory journey.