Afro-Brazilian Tarot

Afro-Brasilian Tarot - Orishas and tarot archetypes in one deck

Not every tarot deck works with the same spiritual layer. This one places the 78 archetypes of the tarot in the world of the Orishas, divine forces from Candomblé and Santeria. The energy is different from that of a classic RWS deck. More direct. More ceremonial.

Alice Santana wrote the content from her knowledge of Afro-Brazilian traditions. Giuseppe Palumbo illustrated. What they made together is a deck in which elements, colours and symbols are not decorative but refer to ritual, nature and ancestral wisdom.

What you see on the cards

The imagery is expressive and colourful. Lots of yellow, red, blue and green. The Orishas appear as figures with attributes: water, fire, plants, metal. Each element literally gets a face.

The symbolism is not subtle. It is direct. A card shows what it represents. Nature is central: rivers, forests, oceans, storms. Those familiar with the Orishas will recognise Yemanjá, Oshun, Shango, Ogun. For those who are not, the images work intuitively enough to read with.

What this deck works for

This is not a passive deck. It suits ritual work, people who consciously work with altars or want to work with spiritual guides. The energy of the cards asks you to do something with them, not just look.

Beginners can work with it. The images speak clearly enough. But do not expect typical RWS symbolism. The structure is tarot, the language is that of the Orishas.

Pull a card and first look at which element dominates. Water, fire, earth, air. That often gives direction before you open the guidebook.

About Alice Santana and Giuseppe Palumbo

Alice Santana wrote the spiritual foundation of this deck. Her knowledge of Candomblé and Santeria forms the backbone of the card meanings.

Giuseppe Palumbo illustrated several decks for Lo Scarabeo. His style here is powerful, with strong lines and bright colours that make the energy of the Orishas tangible.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 66 x 120 mm
• Card stock: sturdy cardstock with smooth finish
• Guidebook: multilingual instruction booklet (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian)
• Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
• Creator: Alice Santana (text)
• Illustrator: Giuseppe Palumbo

Questions we often get

Do I need to know the Orishas to work with this deck?
No. The images are powerful enough to read intuitively. Knowledge of the traditions does add a layer, but is not a requirement.

Does the structure differ from a classic tarot deck?
No. The deck follows the standard tarot structure: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. Only the symbolism and energy are different.