Dreaming Way Tarot

Dreaming Way Tarot - Rider-Waite-Smith with contemporary characters

Some decks follow the Rider-Waite-Smith system to the letter. Others translate the scenes into their own visual language. This deck does the second: the structure stays, but the characters wear jeans, dresses, blouses and jackets you could see on the street today.

The Dreaming Way Tarot is the work of Korean artist Kwon Shina and author Rome Choi. Shina's illustrations have something playful and light about them, with soft lines and a somewhat dreamy atmosphere. The result feels more modern than a classic RWS deck, without losing the symbolism.

What you see on the cards

The characters wear contemporary fashion. Not overly stylized, not vintage, just present-day. The Magician wears a vest and shirt, the Empress a printed dress, the Fool a casual sweater. It makes the scenes immediately recognizable.

The colours are soft and light. Lots of pastel, lots of white, no deep shadows. The imagery has something ethereal about it, as if the scenes take place in a dream. That fits the name of the deck.

The cards follow the traditional Rider-Waite compositions. The Hanged Man hangs upside down, the Tower collapses, Death rides a horse. Anyone familiar with the RWS system will recognize everything immediately.

Who this deck is designed for

This deck is aimed at people who want to use the Rider-Waite structure but do not feel entirely at home with the medieval aesthetic of the original. The modern clothing and soft imagery make the cards more accessible for those starting out now.

The cards are produced on sturdy cardstock with a matte finish. The format is 70 x 120 mm, standard tarot size. They shuffle comfortably and the matte coating prevents them from sticking together.

Pay attention to the body language of the characters. The gaze, the posture, the way they hold something. Those details often carry as much meaning as the traditional symbols.

About Kwon Shina and Rome Choi

Kwon Shina is a Korean illustrator with a background in fashion illustration. Her style is light and playful, with soft lines and clear compositions. For this deck she drew all 78 cards.

Rome Choi wrote the accompanying guidebook and developed the vision behind the deck. Together they created a tarot that respects tradition while renewing it.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78 (Major and Minor Arcana)
• Format: 70 x 120 mm
• Finish: matte cardstock
• Guidebook: 39 pages
• Language: English
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
• Artist: Kwon Shina
• Author: Rome Choi

Questions we often get

Are the cards suitable for beginners?
Yes. This deck follows the Rider-Waite structure completely, which means you can use any guidebook or course on RWS tarot. The included guidebook contains keywords and short interpretations for each card.

How does this deck relate to the original Rider-Waite?
The compositions and symbols are the same, but the imagery is more modern and lighter. The characters wear contemporary clothing and the colours are softer. Anyone familiar with the RWS scenes will recognize them immediately.