Rackham Tarot - fairy tale imagery from the Golden Age of book illustration
This is not a contemporary tarot deck. The illustrations are by Arthur Rackham, the British artist who between 1867 and 1939 provided the most beloved editions of Peter Pan, the Grimm fairy tales and other classics with imagery. Lo Scarabeo has translated his work into tarot structure, without adapting the original drawings.
The result is a deck in which fairies, gnomes and ethereal landscapes embody the tarot archetypes. The images were not originally intended for tarot, which is sometimes noticeable in how they relate to traditional meanings.
What you see on the cards
Rackham's style is characterised by fine lines, muted watercolour tones and a slightly melancholic undertone. The images are printed borderless, so you see the full illustration without white frames. This strengthens the dreamlike atmosphere and allows cards in a spread to flow visually into one another.
The colours are soft, with much beige, green and sepia. Light plays a role in almost every card, sometimes as filtered sunlight through trees, sometimes as a gentle glow around a figure. The mood is nostalgic, almost wistful.
The back is symmetrical, which means you can read reversed cards without being able to tell during shuffling whether a card is upright or reversed.
How this deck relates to traditional tarot
The structure is classic: 78 cards, 22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana divided across four suits. But the images were originally made for fairy tales, not for tarot. That makes some cards stronger than others.
The Major Arcana work well. Rackham's gift for depicting archetypal figures, the Fool, the Magician, the Hermit, comes into its own there. With the Minor Arcana you sometimes need to make more connections yourself. The illustrations are less specific than in a deck originally designed for tarot.
This is not a disadvantage if you work intuitively. The rich details and narrative strength of the images give you enough reference points. But if you are looking for a deck with clear, unambiguous symbols for each card, this deck asks more of you.
Try laying these cards by candlelight. The soft tones and details of Rackham's brushwork come forward better, and the atmosphere becomes almost tangible.
Who this deck works for
This deck suits those who appreciate the atmosphere of old fairy tales and can work with images not literally designed for tarot. It asks for an intuitive approach. The guidebook is brief and offers short interpretations, not extensive explanation.
The compact format (65 x 117 mm) makes the cards easy to shuffle and transport. The cardstock is sturdy, not thick. The finish is carefully done, without high gloss.
About Arthur Rackham
Arthur Rackham was one of the most celebrated illustrators of the Golden Age of British book illustration. His work is known for the combination of precise line drawings and atmospheric watercolour techniques. He illustrated among others Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens and the Grimm fairy tales.
His images are both funny and ominous, light and dark. That duality makes his work suitable for tarot, where tension and ambiguity are part of the symbolism.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 65 x 117 mm
- Design: borderless, symmetrical back
- Cardstock: sturdy, not extra thick
- Guidebook: brief, multilingual
- Languages: English, French, Spanish, German
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Illustrator: Arthur Rackham
Questions we often get
Were the illustrations originally made for tarot?
No. Arthur Rackham made these drawings for book illustrations. Lo Scarabeo has linked them to tarot structure. Some cards fit very naturally, others require more interpretation from the reader.
Is this deck suitable for beginners?
That depends on how you learn. If you prefer working with clear symbols and detailed guidebooks, there are better choices. If you read intuitively and value atmosphere, this deck can work well even as a beginner.
