Our latest interview is with Mykola Taradaiko, the creator of the Sea Witch Tarot - a tarot deck based on the wise Sea Witch - a character from H. Ch. Andersen’s fairy tale The Little Mermaid.
Every card contains symbols of A. E. Waite. There are many similarities to a classic Rider Waite deck, however there are also many differences.
In the minor Arcana, the Sea Witch has her own little helpers, and they are different in each suit. This helps differentiate the suit the card belongs to and the element it presents - there are golden creatures in pentacles, orange in wands, blue in swords, and purple in cups.
Kickstarter - Sea Witch Tarot
Where in the world do you call home?
I come from Ukraine, a country with deep historical roots and ancient esoteric traditions.
What was your first experience with tarot / oracle and when did you fall in love with it?
For a long time I had an online store of playing cards. One day a man came to me from the street and asked why I didn’t sell Tarot. I thought about it and began to study what the Tarot is and what it is for, since then I have been carried away by it.
What made you want to create your own tarot deck? What was your inspiration?
Once I found out that my friend the artist Jester was creating an erotic deck Muladhara Tarot, I decided to help him promote it. At first we thought to contact one of the well-known publishers, but then I decided to launch my own. Then I ran my own small publishing house Pentagram Publishing. Sea Witch Tarot will be our third Tarot deck published.
What would you say is unique about your deck?
Every card contains symbols of A. E. Waite. Any interested person can compare the deck with that of the classical Rider - Waite tarot to find many similarities as well as many differences.
In the minor Arcana, Sea Witch has her own little helpers, and they are different in each suit. This can also remind of the suit the card belongs to and the element it presents - there are golden creatures in pentacles, orange in wands, blue in swords, and purple in cups.
How long have you had the idea for the deck for and how long has it taken you to create it?
Earlier this year, my friend and colleague Mishel Tarnopovich showed me sketches of a deck where the heroine looked like a nun and an octopus at the same time. We started thinking about it and came to the image of the Sea Witch. After that, in 5 months, the entire deck was created.
We are living in such crazy times. How has the pandemic affected your creativity?
The pandemic has not affected my life, work and creativity in any way. I am not afraid of the coronavirus. If The Higher Powers need to kill me, they will kill me, and if it is not necessary, they will not kill me. Then why should I be afraid of a pandemic?
What have been your challenges in creating this deck?
This was the first deck in my life where the same hero is present on all 78 cards. Therefore, it was difficult to think about all the symbolism and all situations, to preserve the meaning of the deck.
What is the symbolism behind the Sea Witch as a character for the tarot?
Sea Witch is old and wise, and a tarot character must carry wisdom. As you remember from Andersen’s tales, it is she who saved the Little Mermaid from troubles and warned her against dangers.
How will you celebrate when the deck is finally published?
This will be our first small victory on Kickstarter! And immediately after that, we will begin to prepare for the next campaign. - Reverse Scale Tarot.
What is on offer for people who pledge?
Sea Witch Tarot deck and accessories designed specifically for Sea Witch Tarot: silk bag, plush cloth and wooden box.
Contacts:
Website Pentagram Publishing https://pentagram.shop/
Instagram @pentpub
To bring the Sea Witch to life in your collection, click here:
Kickstarter - Sea Witch Tarot