Category: Extra card/s

Game of Thrones, American Gods and Carta awards voting

Game of Thrones TV show tie-in deck artworkThe official Game of Thrones Tarot (Chronicle books) released this week. Written by Liz Dean and artwork by Craig Coss the deck and book is presented in a wide flat box with hinged lid. Last year three cards and early box artwork was ‘socialised’ at fan events, it must have gone well as it is unchanged. If you enjoy the TV series (and actors) then you’ll have plenty to swoon over with the recognizable stars and sets. The archetypes of the show work well matching across to the tarot structure (as long evidenced by the many fan decks already out there). Early reviews suggest it works well as a freestanding deck. The fawn borders leave something for forums to agonize over and the choice for the Devil (Ramsay Bolton for those of you following along at home) will produce a staggering array of opinions (and hopefully soul-searching). We hope that overall this tie-in with such a massively popular show will bring more interest and understanding of tarot to mainstream audiences . Oh and yes, that one to the deck’s an affiliate link – please support your local store as much as possible.

An unofficial American Gods (TV series) Tarot (majors only) is also released this week (with much less publicity). Read an in-depth review  and interview with the creater Anastasia Kashian about this passion project which shows all three designs for The Lovers. Only 25 copies of this first edition (artist’s store on ebay). A revised edition is planned, but no date as yet.

In other news,  voting is open (until 01 April 2018) in the International Tarot Foundation Carta Awards. The categories are: Upcoming cartomancy deck, Best Lenormand Deck, Best self-published deck, Best oracle deck, best illustrator, Best new illustrator, Best author, Best new author and of course, Best tarot deck. Each category page provides images relevant to the nominee.

The shortlist for “Best Tarot Deck” is:

  • Santa Muerte Tarot: Fabio Listrani
  • Viceversa Tarot: Fabio Listrani
  • Spiritsong Tarot: Paulina Cassidy
  • Beautiful Creatures Tarot-2nd Edition: J.R. Rivera & Jasmine Beckett-Griffith
  • The Sickly Tarot: Fred Sickly
  • The English Magic Tarot: Rex Van Ryn, Steve Dooley, Andy Letcher.

Best equinox wishes to all.

More Alice, Tinkers and Wolves

In news this week, we look at what’s new, the projects on the go, those closing now and a few coming soon.

Two covers of new Alice in Wonderland themed decks due in 2018More Alice in Wonderland themed decks are on the way this year with “Tarot in Wonderland” (Barbara Moore and Eugene Smith) this April and oracle deck slated for October “Alice: The Wonderland Oracle” (Lucy Cavendish and Jasmine Becket- Griffith). Can we ever have enough? No, of course not.

Doug Thornsjo’s current project – the new edition of “Tinker’s Damn Tarot  and Mantegna” is closing for funding in just days. The project is in his signature style and in his description it is ‘a thoroughly original Tarot (with) a cranky, steam age soul.’ The project is well within sight of the goal but still needs support to go ahead.  Thornjo’s other sucessful crowd-sourced projects include the fabulous Tarot of the Zirkus Magi.

Devany Amber Wolfe of the audacious “She Wolfe Tarot” announced via instagram (@serpentfire ) that the second edition is sold out (unless your local store has a deck or two left in stock) and the third edition (no listing of specific changes yet) will drop in April. The demand on this bold deck is sure to grow.  Her first deck “Serpentfire Tarot” is currently selling in sixth edition (Aeon of Horus edition) and is being released in 2018 in a seventh (final?) border-less edition. An oracle deck is underway  (The Sigil Oracle) and available in June. With a new studio to inspire and focus her from May,  we can’t wait to see what unfolds. Could She Wolfe Tarot be the next indie deck to go mainstream?

Also due in April is Matt Hughes’ beautiful “Ethereal Visions Tarot“.  This  Art-Nouveau deck includes two extra cards and the booklet was written by Matt’s wife. If this deck seems familiar – you may remember it from the successful 2017 crowd-sourcing campaign. That limited edition (signed and numbered – 1100 total) has gold foil stamping and is still available directly from him.

“The Everyday Enchantment Tarot: Finding Magic in the Midst of life” is a new deck from Poppy Palin (text and art) available now. This is her fifth deck, long with her many other contributions to our community.

All links are non-affiliate. We’ll let you know when that changes.

Indie tarot – Starchild, The Wild Unknown and Uusi

A quick round-up of some of the terrific independent tarot action going on right now.

The popular Starchild Tarot deck is again sold out in standard size (reprint underway, preorders available and back in stock April). The forthcoming Moonchild tarot deck is looking lush and quite close to completion.

The team at The Wild Unknown tarot are doing a great job of building a solid range of accessories and desirable items around their juggernaut indie-to-trad success. No hints of new decks yet, but the supply of beautiful and shiny things is very satisfying.

Uusi studio are offering a limited edition Pagan Otherworlds Tarot Uncut Set for sale directly. Each is three full sheets of cards (making the full 84 card deck) removed from  the process before trimming and then numbered and signed. It’s an unusual offer in the tarot world, showing once again the strong art and design influence they bring to their work.

There is so much happening in the indie-published tarot. It is an exciting time to be in the tarot tribe.

(All non-affiliate links)