Updated: Mar 17, 2022
Our latest interview is with Matthew Breer, the creator of the Divine Tarot of the Unicorn - a beautiful, colourful custom-designed tarot set. Every card design was lovingly created by Matthew in honor of his mother.
The Divine Tarot of the Unicorn is a beautiful deck based on the Rider Weight tarot decks with other influences, a personal flair, vibrant colors, and a look into the wisdom of tarot depicted in a world of unicorns in honor of Matthew's mother.
Kickstarter -Divine Tarot of the Unicorn
Where in the world do you call home?
Well, that’s not an easy question as my home is anywhere, I hang my hat and I don’t own a hat 😊. I’m originally from Colorado, spent most of my life in Oklahoma, and Texas, but I’m based out of Texas and travel the world, although Cambodia has a special place in my heart and if I had a hat, it’s the place where I might hang it. So that’s where I’m at the moment but specifically, I’m in Siem reap Cambodia home of Angkor Wat the world's largest religious structure, covering over 400 acres. Perhaps one day I will make a set of cards based on Angkor wat.
What was your first experience with tarot?
My first experience with the tarot was stumbling onto my mother’s deck when I was about 4 years old, thinking that they were the most interesting thing I had ever seen, and at that age they probably were. I specifically remember the magician card and wondering what all the cool things on the table were for, Incidentally, the magician is one of my birth cards so I find it fitting that I was so drawn to it specifically oh so many years ago. Needless to say, I’ve been dabbling in tarot and such things ever since. so, I would say I fell in love with it at the young age of 4. Being exposed to the imagery at such a young age probably drove me to pursue the arts in my education.
What would you say is unique about your deck?
This deck was created to honour my mother. She passed in 2020, she was a strong woman who loved unicorns, roses, beer steins, and dream catchers. my style is unique often changing drastically depending on the purpose or intent, it can be a little colorful, and jarring for some but what great art isn’t? So, I would say that this deck is unique for many reasons as it depicts a world of unicorns with my personal flair, an embodied connection to the things my mother loved and cared for while keeping in line with the standard tarot symbology.
What cardstock and finish will be used?
(S30) Standard Smooth for the basic deck with standard finish
(S30) Standard Smooth with standard finish with Holographic (front) + silver gilt edge for the LUXURY LIMITED EDITION
How long has it taken you to create this deck?
It’s been in the works both physically and mentally for several months and I started it in September of 2021 so about 6 months. with many hours of work put into it each day.
You made this deck in honour of your late mother, what about her inspired the cards?
Well, there are a lot of elements in the cards that echo her essence as it were, but firstly and most importantly she had a love for unicorns. From a young age I always remember her having art, statues, clothing, and personal items with a unicorn theme, so I felt it only fitting that a deck in her honour be unicorn-themed. Additionally, I have included many elements throughout the cards that either remind me of her or are things that she loved or cared for. For example, the rose, which I have substituted for the wand is something she has always loved, in fact, every Mother’s Day and valentine’s day I would give her a single rose growing up as a child.
What card are you most proud of and why?
Wow, that is an amazing question, in that is so hard to choose as I love all of them so much. But if I had to choose a favoured card, I would choose the strength card as it above all else reminds me of my mother and the strength she has shown me throughout the years, from losing her husband, my father before I was even born, to enduring the struggles of many strokes and everything in between. She was a strong woman with a giant heart and a will like no other, I am truly grateful for all she has done for me throughout my life strong, gentle, protecting, and nurturing in ways only a mother can be. She was always there for me with love in her heart and showed the kind of strength, conviction, and love that can only be admired.
What impact would you like your deck to have on its readers?
Well after tearing up over that last question, I can only hope that people will use and enjoy the deck as much as I have enjoyed creating it and it is my sincere hope that it will be an emotionally positive Healing experience for its users.
What have been your challenges in creating this deck?
Honestly, it’s been a joyful experience, almost therapeutic, on occasion tearing up due to the subject matter, and the unconditional love and light I felt while creating the cards. I truly enjoyed almost every minute of making the deck as it went from my mind to the finished card.
The cards are based on the Rider Waite system, what other influences did you draw upon?
The Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) deck, and the Thoth deck, I borrowed concepts and ideas that I felt intuitively appropriate. For example, the Rider Waite deck has only one child on the sun card whereas there are two on the Bota deck. I have opted to incorporate two young unicorns “horsing around” much like the (BOTA) deck.
How will you celebrate when the deck is finally published?
Well, my wife and I are expecting so I will most likely be preparing for the new arrival. While perhaps continuing or starting my next project a cat, witchy, and or ladybug-themed deck in honor of my grandmother is very much in the idea stages only.
What is on offer for people who pledge?
Well, I would like to emphasize the LUXURY LIMITED EDITION, this deck has a Holographic (front) + silver gilt edge and comes in a custom tin. Only 101 of these decks will ever be printed. But we are also offering a standard deck, a deck from our previous Kickstarter, coloring books, guides, and much more that can be best described on the Kickstarter campaign page.
Divine Tarot of the Unicorn Facebook page :
https://web.facebook.com/DivineTarotoftheUnicorn/
My website:
https://www.breersartandthings.com/
Facebook Page:
https://web.facebook.com/BreersArt
To add some unicorn magick to your collection, click here:
Kickstarter -Divine Tarot of the Unicorn