Mars Power Tarot - red edges

Mars Power Tarot - red edges - psychedelic RWS imagery in red and black

Not all Rider-Waite-based decks look the same. This one does and does not at the same time. The structure is familiar, the imagery is not. Charlie Quintero takes the classic symbolism and dives in with a palette dominated by red, black and bright flashes of neon.

The aesthetic sits somewhere between a horror soundtrack, a Halloween poster and a 1970s sci-fi cover illustration. The cards are glossy, intense and sometimes confronting. They do not feel neutral.

What you see on the cards

Each card follows the Rider-Waite structure. The High Priestess remains the High Priestess, the Swords remain Swords. But the execution is completely different. The lines are sharp, the faces diverse, the colours psychedelic.

The red colour scheme demands all the attention. Quintero does not use it as an accent but as the main colour. That gives the cards a visual force that stands out during a reading. The edges are also red, which completes the look.

The imagery draws from pop culture, gothic subculture and science fiction. That means contemporary clothing, diverse faces, a modern sense of representation. The archetypes are classic, the people on the cards are not.

How it feels in the hand

The cards are printed on heavy 330gsm cardstock with a glossy finish. That means they are sturdy and the colours come through intensely. The rounded corners shuffle easily.

The size is standard: 70 x 120 mm. Not too large, not too small. The cards feel luxurious, not fragile.

Lay this deck in bright light. The gloss and the red ask for space and contrast, otherwise the impact fades.

Who this deck works for

This is a deck for those who know the Rider-Waite structure and are not afraid of colour and intensity. The guidebook contains poetic texts, not basic instructions. That means you need to have some feeling for the cards already.

The deck explicitly focuses on inclusivity and diversity. You see that in the faces, bodies and clothing styles on the cards. For many readers that makes it more accessible, not despite but precisely because of the macabre aesthetic.

About Charlie Quintero

Charlie Quintero works with Camille Smooch under the name Sick Sad Girls. Quintero comes from traditional art and special make-up effects, and you feel that in the drama of the cards. The work crosses disciplines: tattooing, embroidery, illustration. Everything revolves around personal expression and bold visual choices.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78 (full tarot)
• Material: 330gsm cardstock
• Finish: glossy, red gilded edges, rounded corners
• Card size: 70 x 120 mm
• Packaging: two-piece hard box
• Guidebook: included, poetic interpretations in English
• Language: English
• Weight: 330 g
• Creator: Charlie Quintero (Sick Sad Girls)

Questions we often get

Does this deck follow standard Rider-Waite meanings?
Yes. The structure and symbolism are based on Rider-Waite-Smith. The execution is contemporary and psychedelic, but the archetypes remain recognisable.

Are the red edges purely aesthetic or do they serve a function?
They are aesthetic. They strengthen the visual theme of the deck and make the cards striking even from the side. Functionally it makes no difference for use.