Grimalkin's Curious Cats

Grimalkin's Curious Cats Tarot - photorealistic cats in RWS structure

Cats do not behave according to instructions. They take the space they want and withdraw when it suits them. That makes them difficult, and precisely for that reason so suitable as a mirror in a tarot deck.

MJ Cullinane, the artist behind the Crow Tarot, builds her cards from photo collages. Real cats, digitally edited and placed in settings that follow the symbolism of the Rider-Waite-Smith. The Emperor sits on a throne, the Hermit withdraws, the Lovers stand beside each other. But they are cats, and that changes the tone.

What you see on the cards

The images are photorealistic. No illustrations, no simplified line drawings. You see the fur, the texture of whiskers, the look in the eyes. Cullinane uses many breeds: hairless sphynx cats, fluffy Persians, lean strays, glossy Siamese.

That variety underscores the duality that runs through the entire deck. The wild next to the domesticated. The cat that sits in your lap and the cat that disappears at night. Not a single card is only cute.

The colours are rich and saturated, with depth in the shadows. The compositions adhere to the RWS tradition, which keeps the deck readable for those familiar with that system. The symbolism is recognizable, but the atmosphere is different.

How this deck relates to Rider-Waite-Smith

The structure is classic: 22 major arcana, 56 minor arcana divided over four suits. The symbolic elements from the RWS cards are present. That makes the deck accessible if you know that tradition.

But the cats carry their own energy. The Magician does not look triumphant, but alert. The Fool seems less naive than curious. What in a classic RWS deck is human drama becomes here translated into feline behaviour: observing, keeping distance, suddenly striking.

Draw a card and look at what feline behaviour appears on it. Curiosity, reserve, territorial drive. Sometimes that says more than the classic meaning of the card.

About MJ Cullinane

MJ Cullinane, also known as Margaux Jones, works from Seattle and creates digital collages. Her Crow Tarot was picked up internationally. Her technique is recognizable: she uses photographic material and places it in carefully constructed compositions.

Her work shows a preference for animals as carriers of symbolism. Not romanticized, but with respect for what they actually are.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 80 (78 tarot cards + 2 extra cards)
• Structure: Rider-Waite-Smith
• Guidebook: comprehensive, English
• Card language: English
• Box dimensions: 99 x 137 x 58 mm
• Publisher: Hay House LLC
• Artist: MJ Cullinane
• Image technique: photorealistic digital collage

Questions we often get

What are the two extra cards?
The deck contains 78 standard tarot cards and 2 additional cards. The function of those extra cards is described in the guidebook.

Is the photorealistic style distracting or actually clearer?
That depends on how you read. If you are used to stylized illustrations, this deck requires more attention. The details are rich, and that can distract or deepen. Try looking at a card longer than you are used to.