Royal Animals Tarot

Royal Animals Tarot - animals in renaissance robes

Severino Baraldi paints the way artists did in the Italian renaissance: with attention to texture, colour and composition. But where you would expect a duke or cardinal in a classical renaissance portrait, here you see a lion in ermine or a fox in velvet.

This is a fully illustrated tarot deck in which all 78 cards show a scene. No rows of symbols, but stories. Animals enthroned, holding council, dreaming or fighting. The minor arcana are just as detailed as the major.

What you see on the cards

The backgrounds are palace interiors, market squares, monasteries and landscapes. The clothing is historically accurate: brocade, lace, armour, mitres. The animals carry human emotions without losing their animal nature. An eagle remains an eagle, even in bishop's robes.

The colours are rich but not loud: warm earth tones, deep red, gold, indigo. The linework is classical, with attention to light and depth. Each card has a stately calm, even when there is movement in it.

How you work with it

Because all cards are fully illustrated, you can quickly see what is happening. The Six of Wands shows a triumphant procession, the Five of Cups a figure mourning by spilled chalices. That makes the deck accessible, even if you do not yet know all the traditional meanings by heart.

The animal species adds an extra layer. A lion as emperor radiates differently than a bear. A fox as Page is more cunning than a dog. You can include those nuances in your reading, or ignore them if you want to keep the focus on the classical tarot structure.

In a spread, notice which animals recur. If three cards with birds appear, air, thought or overview plays a role.

About Severino Baraldi

Severino Baraldi is an Italian illustrator with a long career in historical illustration. His work has appeared in educational books, magazines and tarot decks. He draws and paints in a style that connects with the old masters, with an emphasis on realism and narrative strength.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 70 x 120 mm
• Language: English
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• ISBN: 9780738779690
• Illustrator: Severino Baraldi
• Contents: 78 cards, guidebook, sturdy storage box

Questions we often get

Are the minor arcana fully illustrated or only the major?
All 78 cards are fully illustrated with narrative scenes. Not a single card shows only symbols.

Is the renaissance style heavy or playful?
The style is stately and detailed, but the animals give it a lighter tone. It feels less heavy than a historical tarot deck without animals.