Fortuna Tarot Deck - Opal Omen

Fortuna Tarot Deck - Opal Omen - alchemy, astrology and holographic gold foil

This is not a subtle deck. The holographic gold foil catches light, the hand-painted edges demand attention, and the format fills the hand. Fortuna Tarot Deck - Opal Omen by Maria Praena is built on Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism, then extended with alchemical signs, astrological symbols and a modern court card structure.

The deck contains 79 cards. The extra card is not a surprise addition, but part of the system. Each card carries astrological and numerological markers alongside the images. The watercolour technique gives the illustrations a soft quality, while the symmetrical composition brings calm to what could otherwise be a busy layout.

What you see on the cards

The images are recognisable if you know RWS structure, but Praena adds alchemical symbolism that goes beyond decoration. Think phase transitions, elements in transformation, balance between opposites. The colours are bright but not harsh. The gold foil covers both front and back, which gives shuffling a specific feel: heavier, smoother.

The court cards have been adjusted. Instead of Page, Knight, Queen, King you get Princess, Prince, Queen, King. This is not a cosmetic choice. Praena wants a more balanced energetic distribution between masculine and feminine, and shows this in the posture, attributes and background of the figures.

The card backs are symmetrical. That makes reversible readings difficult, but keeps the focus on upright meanings sharp.

What the guidebook contains

The guidebook runs to 200 pages. This is more than a glossary. Praena describes each archetype in depth, explains the astrological and numerological layers, and offers multiple spreads. The tone is accessible, but the content is dense. You do not read it all in one sitting.

There are also practical instructions on how you can use the cards for transformation work, where alchemy is not just metaphor but method. That asks something of the reader: willingness to translate symbols into concrete changes.

Lay the cards out in daylight and watch how the holographic foil spreads the light. That spectacle is part of the experience Praena had in mind.

How this deck works in practice

The cardstock is 350 gsm, matte finished. That means the cards feel solid but shuffle smoothly. The format is 120 x 75 mm, slightly larger than standard playing cards but not awkwardly large. For those with small hands: this takes some getting used to.

The holographic finish also asks something of your reading table. Bright light can distract, dim light often works better. The hand-painted edges give each deck a slightly unique character, no two sets are identical.

This is not a beginner deck if you are completely new to tarot. The extra layer of alchemy and astrology adds information you need to learn to read. But if you know the basics of RWS and want to expand, this deck offers enough depth to work with for years.

About Maria Praena

Maria Praena runs Studio Artemy and works as a graphic designer. Her design background shows in the consistent layout and careful typography. She is also an astrologer, and that knowledge flows directly into the card meanings.

Praena's goal with this deck is to make alchemy more accessible as a living system, not as historical curiosity. You notice this in the choice to use modern figures alongside classical symbols.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 79
• Card size: 120 x 75 mm
• Cardstock: 350 gsm, matte
• Finish: holographic gold foil on both sides, hand-painted edges
• Guidebook: 200 pages, English
• Packaging: two-part box with velvet-soft finish
• Weight: 523 g
• Publisher: Studio Artemy
• Creator: Maria Praena
• Language: English

Questions we often get

How does the court card structure differ from a standard RWS deck?
This deck uses Princess, Prince, Queen and King instead of Page, Knight, Queen, King. The Princess and Prince are both young energies, but differ in expression. Praena aims for balance between masculine and feminine aspects within each element.

What is the function of the 79th card?
The guidebook describes the extra card as part of the alchemical system. It is not a replacement card, but a supplementary one that can be used in specific readings. How exactly is described in the book.