Insecta Obscura Tarot - painted insects as tarot archetypes
Faina Lorah has painted 78 insects and arachnids in watercolour and mapped them onto the traditional tarot structure. Each creature carries an archetypal meaning. A caterpillar becomes the Fool, a butterfly becomes Transformation, a praying mantis becomes the Hermit.
The result is a deck with images that are both biologically precise and symbolically charged. Some cards show only the insect, others place it in a dim landscape of leaves or mud.
What you see on the cards
Lorah's watercolour technique is wet and fluid. The colours bleed into each other, especially in the backgrounds. Lots of greens, browns, greys and dark blues. The insects themselves are often drawn almost scientifically, with visible legs, wings and antennae.
The cards are square, 89 by 89 mm, and have a black border. The matte finish makes the cardstock scratch-resistant but not glossy. The format feels different in the hand compared to a classic rectangular deck.
In the 48-page guidebook, Lorah describes for each card which insect she chose and why. She explains how the life and behaviour of the creature reinforces the meaning of the card. Not long texts, usually half a page per card.
Who made this
Faina Lorah lives and works in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Her style combines elements from Eastern European folk art with a surrealist visual language. She paints often with nature themes and frequently uses animals as symbol carriers.
Who this works for
This deck follows the classic structure of 78 cards and aligns with traditional meanings. That makes it accessible for those who already work with tarot. The insect symbolism does offer a different angle compared to the usual human figures.
The square shape and watercolour character give it a quieter pace. This is not a deck that shouts, it asks you to look closely at the details.
In a reading, pay attention to the small details in the wings or the direction in which the insect moves. Lorah often hides her most personal messages in a shadow or texture.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 89 x 89 mm
- Cardstock: 350 gsm
- Finish: Matte, with black borders
- Guidebook: 48 pages, English
- Packaging: Sturdy storage box
- Language: English
- Artist: Faina Lorah
Questions we often get
Are the cards difficult to read if you do not like insects?
That depends on how literally you take the images. The symbolism is clear and the guidebook explains the connection. But if you already shudder at the thought of a spider, this deck can be confronting.
How does this deck compare to a classic Rider-Waite deck?
The structure and traditional meanings are the same. The big difference lies in the visual language: where Rider-Waite uses human figures, Lorah chooses insects. That requires a different kind of interpretation.
