Illuminati Tarot - digital baroque with traditional symbolism
Light is not a subtle background element here. It shines, radiates and breaks through every card. The Illuminati Tarot by Erik C. Dunne is a digitally created deck that takes the Rider-Waite-Smith structure and lays an almost theatrical visual layer over it.
Where classic tarot decks work with line drawings or watercolour, Dunne chooses digital collage. That produces cards with extreme detail: saturated colour, rich texture, deep layering. Some cards feel like a baroque painting, others like a digitally rendered dream.
What you see on the cards
The symbolism stays true to the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition. The Magician has his tools, the Fool stands at the edge of the cliff, the Hanged Man hangs upside down. But where a classic RWS deck suggests, this deck explodes.
Colours are saturated. Light sources are prominent and often multiple: candles, sunbeams, hearth fires, stars. The finish combines a matte base with glossy accents, so certain details literally light up when you tilt the card.
The size is standard: 70 × 120 mm. The cardstock feels sturdy, suitable for daily use. The cards are not coated like many modern decks, which means they shuffle more smoothly but also show wear faster with heavy use.
Who this deck works for
This deck is designed for those who know or want to learn RWS symbolism but need more visual impact. The 160-page guidebook, written by Kim Huggens, contains card meanings and spreads. That makes the deck accessible to beginners, provided you do not find the visual density overwhelming.
Advanced readers often appreciate the extra symbolic layers Dunne has added. Every detail is deliberately placed, from the direction of the light to the posture of the figures. That gives room for interpretation without losing the foundation.
In a reading, notice where the light on the card comes from. Dunne uses light direction consistently to guide attention.
About Erik C. Dunne and Kim Huggens
Erik C. Dunne works as a digital artist and has created illustrations for several tarot projects. His strength lies in combining classical compositions with a modern, almost cinematic presence.
Kim Huggens writes about tarot and esotericism. Her guidebook for this deck not only explains card meanings but also discusses the symbolic choices Dunne has made.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
- Card size: 70 × 120 mm
- Language: English (cards and guidebook)
- Guidebook: 160 pages
- Guidebook author: Kim Huggens
- Illustrator: Erik C. Dunne
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- ISBN: 9788865279809
- Cardstock weight: 360 gsm
- Finish: Matte with glossy accents
Questions we often get
Is this deck suitable as a first tarot deck?
Yes, if you are not distracted by visual density. The symbolism follows the Rider-Waite-Smith, so the foundation is familiar. The guidebook explains everything. But if you prefer simplicity, there are quieter alternatives.
How does this deck differ visually from a classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck?
The structure and symbolism are the same, but the execution is much fuller. Where an RWS card suggests with lines and flat colours, Dunne fills every plane with texture, light and depth. It is more baroque, more theatrical and digitally rendered rather than drawn.
