African Modern Tarot Cards - cubism meets the Rider-Waite structure
Not every deck shows faces. This one chooses abstraction deliberately. Victoria Iva builds figures from geometric shapes and silhouettes, inspired by cubism and traditional African art. The result is a tarot that works with pattern, colour and composition instead of facial expression.
The deck follows the familiar Rider-Waite structure, but the visual language is completely different. Where a classic deck shows a figure with a clear emotion or action, here you see planes, lines and proportions. That asks for a different way of looking.
What you see on the cards
The figures are built from abstract forms. No faces, no details that tell you what someone feels or thinks. The colours are warm: ochre, terracotta, red, gold. The compositions are tight and graphic.
The symbolism is layered. Traditional tarot attributes are present, but worked into geometric patterns that reference African textiles, masks and ritual objects. It is a visual language that does not give everything away at once.
The cards are printed on sturdy 350-GSM paper with a linen finish. This prevents them from sticking together when you shuffle. The size is 120 x 70 mm, standard for tarot.
How you work with it
This deck asks for an open gaze. Because the figures are abstract, you cannot rely on what a face or posture 'says'. Instead you look at which shape, colour or pattern catches your attention. That makes the deck suitable for intuitive readings.
The guidebook explains how the African symbolism relates to the traditional meanings. That is necessary, because the visual language differs quite a bit from what you see in a classic RWS deck.
Pull one card, look at it for a minute without checking anything, and note which shapes or colours stand out. Only then read the meaning. The difference between those two ways of looking is interesting.
About Victoria Iva
Victoria Iva works as an artist with a focus on abstraction and cultural symbolism. For this deck she started from cubist principles and African art traditions, aiming to bridge old patterns and contemporary imagery.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (Major and Minor Arcana)
- Size: 120 x 70 mm
- Material: 350-GSM art paper with linen finish
- Weight: 255 g
- Publisher: Da Brigh
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9781734211205
- Guidebook: Yes, in English
Questions we often get
Is this deck suitable for beginners?
It follows the Rider-Waite structure, so the framework is familiar. But the abstract imagery asks for interpretation rather than recognition. If you are learning to read with keywords and fixed meanings, this is not the easiest starting deck. If you want to work with intuition and open observation, it can be.
What is the advantage of the linen finish?
The finish creates small air pockets between the cards, so they stick together less. That makes shuffling and spreading smoother than with smooth, glossy cardstock.
