Mystical Medleys: A Vintage Cartoon Tarot

Mystical Medleys: A Vintage Cartoon Tarot - Rider-Waite-Smith in rubberhose style

Not every tarot deck dares to be this playful. The Mystical Medleys combines the structure of the classic Rider-Waite-Smith with the visual language of 1930s animation. Gary Hall draws all 78 cards in rubberhose style: flowing lines, exaggerated facial expressions, figures with arms and legs that bend as though made of rubber.

The symbolism stays true to the original. The Hanged Man still hangs upside down, Death still rides his horse, The Star still pours water from two jugs. But the figures look as though they walked straight out of an old Disney cartoon, complete with white gloves and round eyes.

What you see on the cards

The drawing style is deliberately vintage. Black outlines, simple colour blocks, high contrast. The characters move with the elasticity you know from Steamboat Willie or early Fleischer cartoons. Faces are drawn expressively, often almost caricature.

That exaggeration makes the emotional charge of a card immediately visible. Joy, fear, sorrow, pride: it is all there on the face of the figure. This makes the deck visually easy to read, especially for people who look first at a character's expression during a reading.

In addition to the 78 standard cards, two extra cards are included: Happy Squirrel and Sad Squirrel. These are optional to use, a nod to the cult status the Happy Squirrel has gained in tarot circles.

How the deck is made

Gary Hall worked in the video game industry for fifteen years before designing this deck. His background in animation, gaming and pop culture is clearly visible in the design. The cards are printed on 350 gsm matte cardstock, sturdy enough to shuffle often without the corners curling quickly.

The set comes in a slipcase with magnetic closure. The hardcover guidebook contains not only card meanings but also unique spreads that match the playful energy of the deck.

During a reading, pay attention to the direction in which the characters are looking. Hall often uses this to indicate movement or attention, just as in classic animation.

Who this deck works for

This deck is built on the Rider-Waite-Smith structure, so anyone familiar with that system can work with it immediately. The images are recognisable, only the style is different.

Beginners who want to learn RWS symbolism can use this deck. The exaggerated facial expressions make it easier to remember the emotional meaning of a card. The guidebook offers explanations per card and includes spreads.

For collectors who enjoy crossovers between pop culture and tarot, this is a strong addition. The nostalgic value of the rubberhose style is present in every detail, from the gloves to the round eyes.

About Gary Hall

Gary Hall calls himself a pop culture occultist. His background lies in the video game industry, where he worked for fifteen years. His interests in animation, heavy metal and esoteric traditions come together in this deck.

He designed the Mystical Medleys as a personal project, driven by his love for classic cartoons and tarot. The result is a deck that brings both worlds together without altering either.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78 + 2 extra (Happy Squirrel and Sad Squirrel)
• Language: English
• Card size: 120 x 70 mm
• Cardstock: 350 gsm matte
• Packaging: full-colour slipcase with magnetic closure
• Guidebook: hardcover, illustrated
• Creator: Gary Hall
• System: Rider-Waite-Smith

Questions we often get

Do I have to use the two extra Squirrel cards during a reading?
No, that is optional. You can leave them in the deck for extra nuance, or keep them separate. The cards are meant as a nod to the cult status of the Happy Squirrel in tarot.

Is this deck suitable for beginners?
Yes. It follows the Rider-Waite-Smith structure and the guidebook contains card meanings and spreads. The exaggerated facial expressions make it easier to recognise the emotional charge of a card.