The Funny Little Lizard Tarot - lizards in traditional arcana
Tarot does not have to be heavy. This deck proves it. Artist Kaitlyn Taylor has redrawn the 78 cards of the Rider-Waite structure with lizards in the lead. Not humanised cartoons, but real species with their own behaviour and presence.
Each card shows a different reptile species. The Magician is a bearded dragon. The High Priestess a gecko. The Tower a frilled lizard, inflated and alert. The Minor Arcana follow the same pattern. The result is a deck that leaves the symbolism intact but lightens the tone.
What you see on the cards
The drawing style is clear and warm. Colours are saturated but not loud. Taylor draws each lizard with attention to anatomy and posture, which creates recognition for those who know reptiles and curiosity for those who do not.
The backgrounds are kept simple. That keeps the focus on the lizard and the symbolism that belongs to the card. Sometimes a rock, sometimes a branch, sometimes just colour. No unnecessary details.
The guidebook gives not only the traditional meaning for each card, but also facts about the species depicted. That makes reading the cards less abstract. You get a concrete image for the energy a card carries.
Who this deck works for
This is a deck for anyone who knows the Rider-Waite structure and wants a fresh take on it. It is also suitable for beginners who do not want to start with heavy symbolism straight away, but do want a full tarot deck in their hands.
The humour is not in jokes or exaggeration, but in the choice itself. A lizard playing The Emperor asks for a different view than an emperor on a throne. That makes room for new interpretations.
Draw a card, look up the species in the guidebook and read what that lizard does in the wild. Sometimes that gives more insight than the traditional meaning alone.
About Kaitlyn Taylor
Kaitlyn Taylor is an independent artist with a love for reptiles. Her passion for lizards shows in every detail of this deck. She published it independently, which means every element is her own choice.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Language: English
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm
- Material: sturdy cardstock with matte finish
- Weight: 350 g
- Guidebook: card meanings and reptile facts
- Publisher: independently published
- Illustrator: Kaitlyn Taylor
Questions we often get
Does this deck follow the traditional tarot structure?
Yes. It is based on the Rider-Waite-Smith, with all 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The symbolism is recognisable, only the figures are lizards.
Does the guidebook include background information about the lizards?
Yes. For each card you read not only the tarot meaning, but also facts about the reptile species depicted. That adds an extra layer to the interpretation.
