The Emperor's Tarot (also know as the Imperial Tarot) is a pack of seventy-eight psychoactive liquid-crystal wafers that are linked to the will of the Emperor. The Tarot, commonly believed to have been designed by the Emperor himself, is used throughout the Imperium as a form of divination.

New decks are crafted by Scholastica Psykana-trained psykers all over the Imperium, but they are quite rare and tend to be quite expensive, especially for high-end models made by master craftsmen utilizing only the best of materials. Decks are also thought to become more attuned over the years, so that older and well-used decks are much sought after – especially if they have been in the possession of a diviner of some skill.

Since the Tarot is made from psychoactive materials, it is primarily used by psykers. Although anyone could potentially use the Tarot, training in its use is a prerequisite for getting consistent readings, and long experience is usually required for any meaningful interpretations. Imperial Astropaths are often skilled operators, since they have the psychic power, are attuned to the Emperor's will, and possess the training needed to utilize the Tarot to full effect.

To help a sanctioned user focus on the future and protect him from malefic influences, and to prevent abuse by non-sanctioned psykers, the Tarot cards usually has form of built-in defence. Each card contains within the crystal matrix one or more devotional prayers (or similar), which repeats over and over in the mind of whomever uses the deck. Needless to say there are very few rogue psykers – let alone Chaos sorcerers – that can endure this.

This common devotional prayer is found embedded in many 41^st Millennium decks:

Adore the Immortal Emperor
For He is our Protector
Admire the Immortal Emperor
For His Sacrifice to Mankind
Exalt the Immortal Emperor
For His Strict Guidance
Revere the Immortal Emperor
For His Undying Guard
Venerate the Immortal Emperor
For His Holy Wisdom
Honour the Immortal Emperor
For His Eternal Strength
Glorify the Immortal Emperor
For His All-seeing Vision
Praise the Immortal Emperor
For His Enduring Rule
Hail the Immortal Emperor
For He is the Lord and Master
Worship the Immortal Emperor
For without Him we are Nothing

There are rumours that rogue psykers can find unwarded Tarot decks on the black market. But given the fact that such wretched heretics cannot feel the guiding light of the Emperor their ability to read the future is much diminished. Finally there are those dark-hearted and soul-less villains who have embraced sorcery. These cretins are known to have their own ways of peering into the future – some have even been revealed to use corrupted versions of the Tarot!