Mini Pagan Cats Tarot - 78 RWS cards with cats in pocket format
There are decks you place on your altar, and decks you take everywhere. This is the second kind. The Mini Pagan Cats Tarot follows the Rider-Waite-Smith structure completely, but replaces all human figures with cats. The result is playful and serious at once.
This is the mini version of the Pagan Cats Tarot by Lo Scarabeo. The cards measure 44 x 80 mm, which is small but still readable. All the details from the standard edition are preserved: the sphinx cat on the back, the crescent moon, the rich colour palettes in green, gold and purple.
What you see on the cards
Every card is a direct translation of a classic RWS image. The Fool steps over a cliff, only now it is a cat with a bundle. The High Priestess sits between two pillars, but wears a cat mask. The Ten of Swords lies on the ground, tail up, ten swords on its back.
The style is clear and graphic, with strong lines and warm colours. Illustrator Lola Airaghi comes from the comic book world, and you see that in the compositions: clear focus, little noise, every element serves a function. Author Magdelina Messina brought in the tarot symbolism.
The cards are printed on black-core cardstock, which means the core of the paper is black. This prevents transparency and adds sturdiness. The finish is semi-gloss, not mirrored but not matte either. They feel good in the hand despite the small format.
How this deck relates to standard RWS
The structure is identical: 22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana divided across Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. All the usual symbols are in place. If you know The Fool, you recognise the Fool here immediately. The same applies to the Minor Arcana: the Three of Cups shows three cats raising their goblets, the Five of Pentacles shows two poor cats in the snow.
The difference is not in meaning, but in tone. Cats observe, play, hunt, sleep. That gives the images a different energy than human figures. Some cards become lighter, others more intense. The Hermit feels lonelier when it is a cat. The Sun feels more joyful.
Pick up this deck if you know RWS and want a fresh perspective without learning a new system. The symbolism stays, the viewpoint shifts.
Who this mini format works for
This deck is built for mobility. It fits in a coat pocket, a small bag, a desk drawer. You can take it on public transport without needing a tablecloth or extra space. Drawing one card is just as easy as with a standard deck, a full Celtic Cross fits on an A4 sheet.
The small dimensions make this less than ideal for complete beginners who still struggle to recognise details. If you are already familiar with RWS, the format is not a problem. You know where to look.
About Magdelina Messina and Lola Airaghi
Magdelina Messina is a tarot author and has worked on several decks for Lo Scarabeo. Her focus lies on accessible symbolism within established traditions.
Lola Airaghi draws comics and illustrates children's books. Her background in sequential art is visible in the clear composition of each card. No unnecessary details, but enough to tell the story.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Language: English
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Card size: 44 x 80 mm
- Cardstock type: black-core
- Finish: semi-gloss
- Author: Magdelina Messina
- Illustrator: Lola Airaghi
- Contents: 78 cards, instruction booklet, sturdy storage box
Questions we often get
Are the images the same as the standard edition?
Yes. The artwork is identical, only the format is smaller. All details are preserved.
Is this deck suitable if you have never worked with tarot before?
That depends on how well you can see small details. The structure is beginner-friendly because it follows RWS, but the format does require you to know where to look. A standard format is easier for most beginners.
