Romantic Tarot - Victorian scenes in four European cities
Many tarot decks place their figures in abstract space. The Romantic Tarot chooses something concrete: Vienna, Paris, Venice and London. Each city functions as an energetic backdrop for one of the suits, giving the cards a geographical anchor.
The deck is published by Lo Scarabeo and follows the Rider-Waite-Smith structure. The illustrations are rendered in watercolour and pencil, with soft transitions and a nostalgic colour palette reminiscent of nineteenth-century paintings.
What you see on the cards
The imagery focuses on human relationships: courtesy, seduction, doubt, reconciliation. The clothing and settings are Victorian, the body language formal and theatrical. The pencil work provides sharp contours, the watercolour creates depth and atmosphere.
Each city brings its own tone. Vienna stands for logic and structure, Paris for passion, Venice for mysticism, London for ambition. These choices are not arbitrary: they influence how a card feels during a reading.
The cards have multilingual titles. The guidebook contains brief meanings in several languages, including English.
Who this deck works for
This deck is designed for relationship readings. The visual emphasis on interaction between people makes it suitable for questions about love, friendship, family and business partnerships. You can use it for other themes too, but then you view career or creativity through the lens of emotion and ambition.
The symbolism is based on RWS, but the execution differs significantly. Beginners accustomed to the Pamela Colman Smith illustrations will need to adjust. The guidebook helps, but does not provide extensive interpretation.
During a reading, pay attention to the city in which a scene takes place. That setting provides an extra layer of meaning you can include in your interpretation.
About Lo Scarabeo
Lo Scarabeo is an Italian publisher that has been producing tarot decks since 1987. Their approach combines traditional symbolism with contemporary illustration styles. The Romantic Tarot fits that pattern: familiar structure, distinctive execution.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
- Size: 66 x 120 mm
- Cardstock: flexible, suitable for riffle shuffling
- Language: multilingual (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German)
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- ISBN: 9788865273519
- Style: watercolour with pencil details
Questions we often get
How closely does this deck follow Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism?
The structure and core meanings are RWS, but the imagery is completely different. The scenes are Victorian and the focus is on human interaction. Anyone used to the original Pamela Colman Smith illustrations will need time to adjust.
What languages appear on the cards and in the guidebook?
The cards have multilingual titles. The guidebook contains brief meanings in English, Italian, Spanish, French and German.
