The tarot world is currently experiencing a fascinating wave of synchronicity, with tattoo-themed decks emerging from various artists. Among these captivating creations, the Tattoo Tarot by Megamunden stands out as a truly exceptional and noteworthy example of this trend. This deck masterfully blends the timeless art of tarot with the bold and intricate aesthetics of tattoo artistry, resulting in a unique and compelling divination tool.
Close-up of Tattoo Tarot Major Arcana cards showcasing medieval woodblock print style
Interestingly, the Major Arcana cards in this deck are not arranged numerically, a detail that sets it apart initially. However, as you delve deeper, you’ll notice the Minor Arcana do follow a more traditional order. Observing the Major Arcana, one can appreciate the respectful and tasteful depiction of figures like The Star, where nudity is handled with modesty and symbolic integrity, maintaining the card’s profound meaning without unnecessary alteration.
While the deck is presented as tattoo-inspired, its visual style evokes the charm of medieval woodblock prints, executed with remarkable skill. The artistry is truly commendable, and any illustrator or art enthusiast will recognize and admire the design talent evident throughout the Tattoo Tarot. For those who appreciate Marseille-based tarot decks, this one is a standout. The more you explore these cards, the more likely you are to find it becoming a cherished addition to your collection of Tarot de Marseille (TdM) decks.
Selection of Tattoo Tarot Major Arcana cards highlighting vintage tattoo and woodcut aesthetics
The Tattoo Tarot feels like a refined and polished reincarnation of a long-lost historical tarot deck, deeply rooted in the artistic heritage of the Renaissance. The consistent color palettes within each card suite transport you away from modern aesthetics and place you firmly in a captivating, fantasy-medieval realm. Despite its vintage feel, the deck incorporates modern interpretations, such as the depiction of Key VI: The Lovers, offering a fresh perspective on classic symbolism.
The Lovers card from Tattoo Tarot deck, demonstrating a modern take on traditional tarot imagery
There’s an undeniable artisanal quality to this deck, perfectly aligned with its UK-based publisher, Laurence King Publishing. It’s as if creators and publishers are intuitively matched, much like the sorting hat in Harry Potter, finding synergistic partnerships. In this instance, both the deck’s creator and the publishing house emphasize handcrafted quality while remaining innovative, seamlessly blending old-world artistic values with cutting-edge design sensibilities.
Close-up of Tattoo Tarot box and cards, emphasizing the deck's artisanal feel and high production quality
Professional tarot readers will find this deck exceptionally well-suited for client readings. The cards photograph beautifully, featuring a matte finish, crisp, clean lines, and a harmonious balance between rich colors and the white space of the background. The cardstock is of superior quality—thick yet with a smooth finish that ensures effortless shuffling. The overall production value of the Tattoo Tarot is truly impressive.
Selection of Tattoo Tarot Minor Arcana cards showcasing the deck's suitability for professional tarot readings
The captivating illustrations are the work of Oliver Munden, known as MEGAMUNDEN, whose art possesses a distinct vintage charm. Munden’s signature style involves creating highly detailed and meticulously rendered tattoo designs imbued with esoteric undertones. The pip cards in this deck feel like magically charged sigils, each detail contributing to both the aesthetic appeal and the depth of card interpretation.
Ace of Swords from Tattoo Tarot highlighting detailed pip card illustration and esoteric tattoo style
The color palette is thoughtfully designed, with the Major Arcana seamlessly blending color tones from all four suits, while the Minor Arcana maintain a consistent dominant color within each suit. Wands are predominantly red, Cups are gold, Swords are blue/teal, and Coins, as seen below, are green-dominant. The use of “Knave” instead of “Page” for the court cards is a delightful touch that resonates with traditional tarot nomenclature.
Selection of Tattoo Tarot Minor Arcana cards demonstrating the consistent color tones within each suit
It’s no surprise that the Tattoo Tarot so perfectly embodies the qualities a tarot reader seeks in the ideal deck, especially for those who favor the TdM tradition. This excellence is largely attributed to the intelligence, wisdom, and experience of Diana McMahon-Collis, co-founder of TABI, the Tarot Association of the British Isles. Her profound understanding of tarot is evident in every aspect of this deck. Exploring McMahon-Collis’s extensive writings further reveals her to be a prolific and exceptionally skilled writer in the field of tarot.
Page of Cups (Knave of Cups) from Tattoo Tarot showcasing the unique court card titles and vintage illustration style
The accompanying guidebook is presented in full color with glossy pages and offers substantial insight into card interpretations. It adheres to a purist approach, which is highly appreciated by traditional tarot enthusiasts. If you were unaware of its 2018 production date, you might easily mistake this deck for a historic artifact from 1518. It so effectively echoes iconic medieval tarot decks, although the rendering of faces might lean slightly towards a more modern style, subtly stepping outside the precise artistic conventions of the late Middle Ages.
Guidebook of Tattoo Tarot, demonstrating full-color pages and in-depth card interpretations
The keywords thoughtfully chosen for each card are another highlight. For The Fool, “Apathy” is used, while “one-man band” and “chatterbox” are assigned to The Magician. The High Priestess is depicted with a moon goddess archetype, adding a layer of rich symbolism. Interestingly, The Emperor is characterized as immature, rebellious, and of weak character, offering a unique and thought-provoking perspective on this Major Arcana card.
The Fool and The Magician cards from Tattoo Tarot highlighting unique keyword associations and character interpretations
The card back design is also particularly captivating. Overall, the Tattoo Tarot is a top choice among tattoo-inspired tarot decks, although its appeal extends beyond just the tattoo theme. It arguably leans more towards a medieval woodblock print aesthetic. Therefore, marketing this deck with an emphasis on its historical and artistic inspirations, rather than solely as a “Cards Tattoo” deck, might resonate even more strongly, particularly with TdM readers seeking history-inspired decks.
Card back design of Tattoo Tarot showcasing intricate and vintage-inspired artwork
While subtly modern in its design aesthetic, the Tattoo Tarot masterfully evokes the feeling of an ancient artifact, each card seemingly printed by letterpress, meticulously carved into wood by an Oliver of Münden—a Renaissance artist with Byzantine influences, renowned for illustrating frontispieces in illuminated manuscripts.
The execution is exquisite, paying homage to the masters of the Renaissance with beautifully complementary colors, all brought together by the insightful writings of a tarot master. It’s hard not to be completely captivated by this remarkable deck.
FTC Disclosure: In accordance with Title 16 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 255, “Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising,” I received The Tattoo Tarot from the deck creator for prospective review. Everything I’ve said here is sincere and accurately reflects my opinion of the deck set.
