Jack-O'-Lantern Tarot - pumpkin faces in RWS symbolism
Halloween is a visual season. Carved fruit, candlelight, shadows that stretch longer. This deck takes that imagery and turns it into a fully functional tarot system.
The Jack-O'-Lantern Tarot by Giuliano Costa replaces all human figures with beings that have pumpkin faces. That might sound like a gimmick, but Costa draws with enough detail and contrast to keep the emotions and meanings of each card clear. The structure follows Rider-Waite-Smith, so the symbolism stays recognisable.
What you see on the cards
The colours sit in the autumn range: orange, red, yellow, brown. That works surprisingly well for a full deck. Costa uses light and shadow not as decoration but as carriers of meaning.
On The Fool the light comes from behind, turning the figure almost into a silhouette. On The Hermit it comes from the lantern, which puts the focus on what he holds. Those kinds of choices give the cards direction during a reading.
The cards are printed on light but sturdy cardstock. They shuffle easily and the size is standard tarot: 65 by 118 mm.
Who this deck works for
This is not a seasonal deck you only pick up in October. The symbolism is universal enough to use all year round. It does fit perfectly with Samhain and the darker months, though.
Because the RWS structure is intact, the deck works for beginners. The multilingual guidebook contains basic information in English, Italian, Spanish, French and German, among others.
Lay these cards out by candlelight. The warm colours and the shadows become stronger, and that helps with reading.
About Giuliano Costa
Giuliano Costa is an Italian illustrator. His work for this deck combines the playfulness of Halloween with the seriousness of tarot. The pumpkin faces grin, but the compositions and the light remain earnest.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (Major and Minor Arcana)
- Size: 65 x 118 mm
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Illustrator: Giuliano Costa
- Guidebook: multilingual (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German)
- Cardstock quality: sturdy, lightweight
Questions we often get
Does this deck follow Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism?
Yes. All cards are based on RWS, with pumpkin faces instead of human characters. The meanings remain the same.
What languages is the guidebook in?
English, Italian, Spanish, French and German. The cards themselves have no text, only numbers and symbols.
