The Black Ritual Tarot

Our latest interview is with Adam Zonca. He is the creator of The Black Ritual Tarot deck. The Black Ritual is a black and white tarot heavily inspired by the popular Rider-Waite deck. Adam created this tarot with the intent of challenging himself and paying homage to the incredible work of Pamela Coleman-Smith. Each card displays a highly detailed illustration providing the reader with straightforward imagery that may be interpreted in a similar manner to the most prevalent Tarot deck in the world.

Kickstarter - The Black Ritual Tarot

Where in the world do you call home?

I’ve always called Michigan my home; for the last five years I’ve been living and working in Grand Rapids.

What was your first experience with tarot and when did you fall in love with it?

I had been interested in tarot for a very long time and I had never seen or handled a deck in person, but a few years ago I decided to make my own rudimentary deck using what little knowledge I had. That deck was terribly fun to make and use, but I really had no idea what I was doing. After doing more research and being exposed to mystical thinkers like Carl Jung and Manly P. Hall, I became fascinated with the symbology, mechanics, and history of the tarot. The result of this interest is the deck you see now.

What made you want to create your own tarot deck? What was your inspiration?

After creating that first deck and dipping my toes into mystical and esoteric thought, I decided to just dive right in. As I consumed more information, my interest in tarot only grew. I’ve always enjoyed making art, and the tarot seemed a marvellously appropriate vehicle for a large scale illustration project.

When I began to work on my deck, I naturally looked around at what some other artists were doing. To my surprise, I found a considerable amount of content that put a bad taste in my mouth. Some decks even seemed almost disrespectful to the very concept of tarot. I was resolved to create something that would offer homage to and respect for the work done by the mystics that came before us.

Aside from your own deck, do you have a favourite deck? If so, which one?

I only own one other deck than my own, and it’s a Rider-Waite-Smith; however I’m definitely looking to expand my collection and I’ve seen some absolutely marvellous decks out there that I’d like to acquire.

Do you have a favourite card (either from your deck or just the card in general). If so, why is it your favourite?

There’s so much joy for me in the suit of Cups - I’d have so settle on the Two of Cups. I really value social contracts and keeping one’s word, and this card is a marvellous visualization of the power of creating and maintaining relationships.

We are living in such crazy times. How has the pandemic affected your creativity?

I’m usually a bit of a hermit so spending most of my time at home hasn’t been the biggest change, but during this time I’ve really learned to strap down and work uninterrupted for long periods. Still, not having the option of going out and being social has certainly weighed on me; having a large project to work on like the tarot really gave me some long-term vision and helped me pull through some gray days.

What have been your challenges in creating this deck?

A major challenge for me when I was creating the Black Ritual was my self. I frequently wondered if creating the deck was worth it at all. “Another Rider-Waite clone? There are already so many!”

Even though I felt good after finishing the deck I still felt a bit uncertain about how it would be received, but so far I’ve had nothing but positive feedback. I’m extremely grateful for everyone that’s helped me along the way with constructive criticism, advice, and encouragement.

Why did you decide to create the whole deck in black and white?

I’ve always valued the simplicity and authority that monochromatic color schemes provide; most of my art is in black and white. Creating the art for the tarot in this way not only felt natural for me, but functioned pragmatically as I didn't have to fret over creating unified color schemes for 78 individual art pieces. Each card also bears the same black background - a unifying reminder that each of the illustrations on these cards exist in the same impartial space.

How will you celebrate when the deck is finally published?

The deck may be published soon but the work is never finished! I suppose I’ll drink some wine and smile.

What is on offer for people who pledge?

The Kickstarter offers the 78 card Black Ritual Tarot in a printed tuck box, as well as stickers, oversized prints, and shirts bearing illustrations of the Major Arcana from the deck. Much to my surprise, the highest reward levels have already been snatched up! I had some hand-made Rosaries that were bundled with the deck as well as a one-of-a-kind painted skull box for holding the deck.

To add this mono=chrome themed tarot deck to your collection, pledge here:

Kickstarter - The Black Ritual Tarot

L'Œil de L'Âme Tarot

Our latest interview is with Charlotte Mui. She is the creator of the L'Œil de L'Âme Tarot deck. L'Œil de L'Âme, means 'third eye' in French, and refers to both the intuitive elements within each card as well as the method in which you need to read them.

The cards, based on the RWS deck, are delicately illustrated with watercolour on paper over the course of two years and are the illustrative manifestations of how Charlotte views the world.

To back this intuitively inspired deck, click here:

Kickstarter - L'Œil de L'Âme Tarot

Where in the world do you call home?

I was born in Hong Kong and have lived here all my life.

What was your first experience with Tarot and when did you fall in love with it?

I was fifteen when I first discovered my aunt’s tarot decks and other occult goodies hidden away in the back of a shelf. Out of curiosity and a love for the occult, I taught myself to read them using the Rider-Waite-Smith deck and the accompanying tarot books. Since I am an artist, I loved that you could tell stories and see your own life reflected through visual imagery and link them up to form narratives.

What made you want to create your own Tarot deck? What was your inspiration?

Since I encountered tarot decks rather early, I’ve also spent more time reading them and learning about the imagery - however, I couldn’t feel at ease with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck as they didn’t resonate with me as much. So it’s been my dream since 2010 to create my own deck and I’ve been playing around with my own reimaginations for years before I finally decided to complete the full deck design nearly a decade later.

Aside from your own deck, do you have a favourite deck? If so, which one?

I do have to admit despite the slack I give the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the original does have its own pedestal. However I also love The Universal Celtic Tarot by Floreana Nativo, but it’s mostly because it was gifted to me by my partner so there’s a bit more of a sentimental thing.

Do you have a favourite card (either from your deck or just the card in general). If so, why is it your favourite?

From my own deck, I love The Fool and The World, which are the first and last cards I painted of the Major Arcana, so I’m not sure if it’s a sentimentality thing again. The cards represent both the beginning and the end of a journey and it certainly represented an emotional journey for me in 2019.

We are living in such crazy times. How has the pandemic affected your creativity?

Not much really. I feel for everyone and I’ve also spiralled into some rather dark times during the beginning of the pandemic but here in Hong Kong, it’s been a roller coaster ride since the beginning of 2019 that everything’s kind of just smushed together. Also, being raised in a city like Hong Kong, we’ve just been adapting nearly every moment of our lives so I think I’m also rather numb to the crazy by now. That actually sounds sad now that I’ve written it.

What have been your challenges in creating this deck?

Nearly every step was a challenge until I overcame it while creating this deck haha! It’s my first large scale project in which I committed a year and a half to painting all of the cards while trying to juggle life and a full time job, so not only was finding time to work on it a struggle, I’m the type to make a lot of revisions with my work in which I can have up to 5 different watercolour renditions of the same card. But right now, my biggest challenge is to find a printing company that I love and trust to print these cards -- I have a back-up printer and an extremely expensive high-end printer if things don’t work out but neither are my first choices. So I’m still on the search to find a way to manufacture this labour of love.

The deck is unique in that the major arcana are very colourful, the minor arcana (Aces to Tens) are black and white, and the court cards are monochromatic. Why did you choose to design the cards in this way?

The colours reflect the way I read the cards, where you could essentially interpret everything you need to know from the Major Arcana cards and the Minor Arcana are there as clarifications and for more details. The Court Cards (or Face Cards) are in a league of their own in which I often use to read personalities -- in order to tie in the link between the Major and Minor Arcana, I also intentionally selected colours that match the Court Cards with their respective suites. (Red/Fire/Wands, Blue/Water/Cups, Green/Earth/Pentacles, Purple/Air/Swords).

How will you celebrate when the deck is finally published?

I’m definitely going to take a very long nap first, then I’m gonna enjoy a nice meal with my family and friends who’ve been so supportive through out these two years.

What is on offer for people who pledge?

I have several reward tiers that are groupings of the deck itself, stickers, postcards, readings, original paintings, and a customised portrait of you or a loved one painted in the same style as the L’Oeil de L’Ame tarot deck.

To add this delicate, watercolour tarot deck to your collection, pledge here:

Kickstarter - L'Œil de L'Âme Tarot

The Magpie's Lenormand

Our latest interview is with Rozenn Grosjean, about his new lenormand deck - The Magpie's Lenormand. This deck is a hand-painted Lenormand deck inspired by Rozenn's deep love of nature and animals. Lenormand is a specific type of cartomancy, similar but different to the tarot you probably know from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. While RWS has dense symbology and mysticism, lenormand is more personal, direct, and simplistic. It feels almost conversational, and better suited for daily life.

The Kickstarter for this deck closes in less than 24-hours, so you'll need to get in quick to snag one of these decks:

Kickstarter - The Magpie's Lenormand

Where in the world do you call home?

I live with my family and cats in France, near Lyon. But I’d call home everywhere my cat Nouga lives

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What was your first experience with lenormand and when did you fall in love with it?

My first experience with the Lenormand was the Seven Spheres app. Every now and the, I’d draw cards for a reading with Arcturus (the writer for the deck’s guide). We would then talk about our results, and I loved the introspection you’d do while reading cards.

What made you want to create your own lendormand deck? What was your inspiration?

I haven’t found a Lenormand deck that resonated very well with me and thought, you know what, let’s create one! I wanted a deck that reflects nature even more than the traditional deck. When searching for inspiration, I would read Arc’s guide and let the words lead me instead of the card’s title.

Aside from your own deck, do you have a favourite deck? If so, which one?

Not… really, but I like the ethereal look of the Seven Sphere Lenormand and the very simplistic imagery of the Green Glyphs Lenormand!

Do you have a favourite card (either from your deck or just the card in general). If so, why is it your favourite?

I really like the Scythe card, it is going to sound strange since it’s not the most "positive" card, but I am very proud of the representation with the barn owl!

We are living in such crazy times. How has the pandemic affected your creativity?

I won’t lie, it was -and is- a difficult time, but I’m glad I have friends I could call and play with! Also I’m very glad my cat was here so I wasn’t completely alone ♡.

What have been your challenges in creating this deck?

Finding a look I liked for the cards that will work for the whole deck! I had to restart the project so many times, but I’m glad I did not abandon it.

I love the Chrysalis, Caterpillar and Moth cards, and how they line up to represent their progression. What inspired you to create such a unique concept?

Thank you! I wanted to keep a card close the Child, and the Caterpillar was a very good representation for beginnings. Following this idea, the Chrysalis and Moth was logical.

How will you celebrate when the deck is finally published?

I’m so honoured this deck has received this much success. I’d love to go on a long hike with my friends and horse to take a bit of time for myself.

What is on offer for people who pledge?

My favourite pledge is without hesitation the Magpie’s Box, I’m so happy with the result of the magnetic box housing the deck and guide, it creates such a lovely product. I wanted to offer the deck without the box too, to have a very affordable pledge.

To add this gorgeous lenormand deck to your collection, pledge here:

Kickstarter - The Magpie's Lenormand