Experimental Tarot - digital collages in place of classic tarot images
Not every tarot deck works with characters, landscapes and recognisable scenes. Experimental Tarot by Samvado Gunnar Kossatz uses abstract compositions and digital collages, which makes the cards more open to free interpretation than to fixed meanings.
The colours are bright and striking. Many cards contain geometric shapes, colour fields and layered gradients assembled digitally. Where a Rider-Waite deck shows a figure holding a cup, here you find a composition of colour and structure that evokes the theme of the card without drawing it literally.
What you see on the cards
Every card is a digital collage. The style recalls graphic design: clean shapes, colour gradients, texture layers. No faces, no bodies, no recognisable objects. The symbolism lies in colour, rhythm and composition.
The Wands are often warm and energetic in colour. The Cups work with flowing forms and cooler tones. The Swords have sharp lines and contrast. The Pentacles show structure and matter through repetition and planes. The major arcana follow the same visual language: abstract, yet recognisable through position and colour use.
The cards are printed on sturdy cardstock with a matte finish. The format is 70 x 120 mm, which shuffles well and is not too large for daily use.
How you work with it
This deck assumes you are willing to let go of what a card 'should mean'. There are no keywords on the cards. The images give no direct hints. Your first response to a card, whether it is a certain colour that stands out or a shape that evokes something, is often the starting point for the reading.
If you are used to traditional tarot decks, it will take some adjusting. The strength of this deck does not lie in recognition, but in openness. It is not a deck to start with if you are still learning the basic structure of tarot. It does work if you already know how tarot is built and now want to work from feeling and association.
Lay out a card and look at it without wanting anything. Notice which colour catches your eye first, or where your gaze is drawn. That is often the starting point for the meaning.
About Samvado Gunnar Kossatz
Samvado Gunnar Kossatz works as a digital artist and tarot reader. His work sits at the intersection of graphic design and spirituality. With Experimental Tarot he wanted to create a deck that frees tarot from fixed images and offers space for a personal, creative approach.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Format: 70 x 120 mm
- Material: sturdy cardstock with matte finish
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9783905017830
- Creator: Samvado Gunnar Kossatz
Questions we often get
Is this deck suitable for starting out if I have no tarot experience yet?
No. The cards contain no recognisable scenes or figures, and there are no meanings printed on them. If you are still learning the structure of tarot, a classic Rider-Waite deck is a better choice. This deck works best if you already know how the arcana are structured and are looking for room for free interpretation.
Does it come with a guidebook?
There is a brief explanation available, but it does not contain extensive meanings per card. The deck assumes you construct the meaning yourself based on what the images evoke in you.
