Our latest interview is with Matthew Breer, the creator of Vivika Tarot of the Fae - a beautiful deck based on the B.O.T.A and Rider Waite tarot decks with a personal flair, vibrant colors, and a look into the wisdom of tarot depicted in a world of rainbow-winged fairies
Kickstarter - Vivika Tarot of the Fae
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.
What was your first experience with tarot/oracle and when did you fall in love with it?
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. 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 made you want to create your own tarot deck? What was your inspiration?
I’m an artist and tarot lover so the natural progression is to make a deck, the act of creation is a magical process, and as an avid admirer of all things fairies it seemed fitting to make my first public deck fairy inspired.
What would you say is unique about your deck?
It’s a deck inspired by the world of rainbow-winged fairies and mushrooms, infused with vivid colors, personal flair, and an energy that can only be described as fairy-like.
How long have you had the idea for the deck for and how long has it taken you to create it?
This is my first public deck. But, creating decks have been an ongoing idea or concept since 2008. This particular deck idea started over three years ago but with my mother having several strokes and passing, it was paused for quite a long time.
We are living in such crazy times. How has the pandemic affected your creativity?
Well for a long time, even before the pandemic, I had been in an artistic funk, and a few months back I had what I believe was covid, which knocked me off my feet for over a month, but after, I found myself out of the funk, emotionally, physically and spiritual and ready to create and so I have. Some dwell on the negatives of what is going on in the world around them I chose to look at the positives and so I must do what I can to make the world a better place. As an extension, this deck is the start of creating the change I want to see in the world. because I truly hope that it brings its owners the peace and happiness it has brought me in creating it.
What have been your challenges in creating this deck?
I think the hardest challenge was accepting the things that were keeping me in the funk, like my mother’s passing. however, I truly enjoyed almost every minute of making the deck as it flowed from my hand to the finished card, finishing each card gave me more energy to create the next. So, this will not be the last deck. I’m currently working on a deck to honor my mother, a unicorn-themed deck but it is still really early in its beginning, but so far it’s been a pleasure creating it.
The name of your tarot is interesting. What is the meaning behind it?
It’s a play on words and understanding as derived from the words vivid meaning bright, producing powerful feelings, and Viveka a Sanskrit name meaning wisdom, discernment, distinction, or right understanding. It has been described as the ability to differentiate between the real and unreal, eternal and temporary, Self and non-Self. It is the act of realizing the Truth and the Soul.
So, it can roughly translate to The bright wisdom tarot of the fae but so much more is implied within, much like the cards themselves.
Rider Waite is perhaps the most famous tarot deck; however, your deck is also based on the B.O.T.A deck. Can you explain more about this type of tarot?
Yes, the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) deck, for the most part closely resembles, Rider-Waite deck, but the creator of the B.O.T.A deck corrected what were thought to be mistakes or blinds in the Rider-Waite deck. Even going as far as to convert the suit cards back into pip style cards. as far as this deck is concerned, I took elements and ideas from both decks. In general, as far as I understood the symbolic elements, and incorporated them into the deck, if I felt I didn’t understand an element, or it just didn’t make sense, I researched it to have a better understanding. If it still didn’t feel right or didn’t make sense it was not included. For example, the death card in the Rider-Waite deck shows a skeleton in Armor atop of a horse, and in the B.O.T.A deck is a more traditional skeleton with heads around. so, while I understand the horse is meant to show movement or change in today’s modern age that is no longer the association so I opted to follow the B.O.T.A deck. However, I still included elements like the two towers and the flag.
How will you celebrate when the deck is finally published?
The Kickstarter ends just before Thanksgiving in the United States so I will be thankful for all the support and enjoy a big feast while shipping out orders and continuing to work on my next project.
What is on offer for people who pledge?
We are offering several things that are best described on the Kickstarter campaign but a summary is:
3 digital coloring books, A digital Card Art Print with your name on it, A copy of the illustrated guide to Vivica tarot of the fae guidebook, First Edition Deck, First Edition Round Deck, First Edition poker-sized deck. and several other things 😊
Website: https://www.breersartandthings.com/
Facebook Page https://web.facebook.com/BreersArt
If your collection is calling out for rainbow-winged fairies to join it, click here:
Kickstarter - Vivika Tarot of the Fae