Goetia Tarot - Dark Edition - tarot meets demonology in black and white
Most tarot decks rely on colour to separate cards from each other. This one takes the opposite approach. Fabio Listrani works entirely in shades of grey and deep black, putting the full focus on symbolism and composition.
Each of the 78 cards is linked to a demon or spirit from the Ars Goetia, the first book of the Lesser Key of Solomon, a seventeenth-century hermetic text. The structure of the tarot serves here as a framework for an older and very different tradition.
What you see on the cards
The imagery is graphic and high in contrast. Each card shows the name of its corresponding Goetic entity, its seal, and esoteric correspondences such as planet, element or number. Listrani organises all of this without crowding the image.
The glossy finish sharpens the contrast between black and white, but it does ask for good light. In dim conditions the finer details become harder to read.
The guidebook explains the relationship between the tarot meaning and the Goetic entity for each card. Without it, much of the symbolism stays closed. This is not a deck you can read cold.
This is not a starter deck
The deck assumes familiarity with the basic structure of tarot and an interest in Western esotericism, particularly Hermetic and Kabbalistic systems. Readers still learning the standard tarot images will find little to hold onto here.
Many people who use this deck do so alongside another, specifically for questions about the unconscious or personal blocks. It is a deck for a focused question, not for every daily draw.
Do not put this deck on the table with someone who has never read tarot before. The imagery is confrontational and the symbolism requires explanation.
About Fabio Listrani
Fabio Listrani works from Rome as an illustrator, with credits at Marvel, Titan Comics and IDW Publishing. In the tarot world he is known for the Night Sun Tarot and the Santa Muerte Tarot.
His style combines modern graphic design with classical esoteric iconography. He draws with precision, a strong eye for dramatic composition, and a clear sense of the weight that symbols carry.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm
- Finish: glossy
- Card stock: high quality, sturdy
- Language: English
- Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
- ISBN: 9780738770284
- Weight: 400 g
- Artist: Fabio Listrani
Questions we often get
How does this deck differ from a classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck?
The structure is the same: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The difference lies in the imagery and symbolism. Where the Rider-Waite-Smith deck relies on recognisable everyday scenes, every card here refers to a specific entity from the Ars Goetia. Colour is entirely absent.
Is there a guidebook included, and is it necessary?
Yes, a guidebook is included that explains the connection between each tarot meaning and its corresponding Goetic entity. Without it, the symbolism is difficult to access for most readers. It is an essential part of the deck.
