Dark Fairytale Tarot - digital gothic with classic tarot structure
Some fairy tales end with a kiss. Others stop halfway, somewhere between hope and fear. This deck chooses the middle ground.
Raffaele De Angelis works with digital photo collage and builds scenes that echo a Victorian gothic novel. The colours are saturated, the atmosphere is heavy, the symbolism follows the Rider-Waite and Thoth traditions. The result is a deck that does not make you smile, but does show you something.
What you see on the cards
The imagery is dark without becoming theatrical. Digital photography combined with painted elements, often in deep purple, dark green and black. Many figures stand still or look straight at you. Little movement, much gaze.
The cards follow the traditional structure: 22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana. The symbolism is recognisable if you know Rider-Waite, but the execution is contemporary and grimmer.
How this deck works in practice
This is not a deck that comforts you. It shows you what is there, without detours. That can be harsh, but also clear. Many people use it for shadow work or for readings where the question already has a sharp edge.
The guidebook is multilingual and offers brief descriptions per card. No elaborate stories, just starting points for your own interpretation.
Draw one card before sleep and notice which emotion surfaces. This deck works well as a mirror for what you would rather not name directly.
About Raffaele De Angelis
De Angelis is an Italian artist who focuses on digital tarot art. His work is characterised by a mix of photography and painting, placing classical archetypes in a gothic setting. Dark Fairytale Tarot is one of his better-known projects for Lo Scarabeo.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Size: 70 x 120 mm
- Finish: silky matte cardstock
- Language: multilingual (English, Spanish, French, Italian, German)
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- ISBN: 9780738735016
- Artist: Raffaele De Angelis
Questions we often get
Does this deck follow the traditional tarot structure?
Yes. The deck adheres to the Rider-Waite and Thoth structures. The symbolism is recognisable, the execution is contemporary and dark in tone.
How thin is the cardstock?
Thinner than average for Lo Scarabeo. The cards shuffle smoothly, but with intensive use you will see wear sooner. Handle them with care.
