Shaman Tarot - archetypes and symbols without text labels
Most tarot cards give you a name and perhaps a keyword. This deck gives you an image and leaves the rest to you. Shaman Tarot by Sabrina Riganello and Alessia Pastorello works with archetypes and symbols from shamanic traditions, without text on the cards themselves.
The deck follows the structure of the classic tarot, but the imagery is built around four phases a shaman passes through: Dance, Journey, Battle and Healing. That choice determines which symbols recur and how the cards relate to one another.
What you see on the cards
The illustrations are rich and colourful, with an emphasis on natural elements, animals and human figures in ritual poses. There is no text on the cards, no Roman numerals, no names. You have to take the meaning from what you see.
That makes the deck more direct, but also more demanding. You cannot fall back on a label. The images must speak for themselves, and they do, but not always in a way that is immediately clear.
Who this works for
This deck is designed for readers who already have experience with tarot and who trust their intuition. Beginners will likely miss the support. The guidebook provides background information, but no extensive card descriptions or step-by-step instructions.
Anyone used to a classic Rider-Waite system will need to adjust. The imagery is less narrative, more symbolic. That can be refreshing if you are stuck in fixed interpretations, but it also asks more of you.
Pull a card without opening the guidebook and notice what the image calls up directly. The symbolism often works strongest when you do not immediately look for an external meaning.
About Sabrina Riganello and Alessia Pastorello
Sabrina Riganello and Alessia Pastorello collaborated on the imagery of this deck, published by Lo Scarabeo. Lo Scarabeo is known for its artistic approach to tarot and has a long tradition of releasing decks with a strong visual identity.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 66 x 120 mm
- Card quality: high-quality, durable finish
- Guidebook language: multilingual (including English, Italian, French, Spanish and German)
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Artists: Sabrina Riganello and Alessia Pastorello
Questions we often get
Are there any texts or numbers on the cards?
No. The cards contain only images. No labels, no Roman numerals, no keywords. The guidebook provides background information, but the cards themselves are entirely visual.
How does this deck differ from a standard Rider-Waite?
The structure is that of a classic tarot, but the imagery follows shamanic themes instead of the narrative scenes from the Rider-Waite system. The focus is on archetypes and ritual symbolism, not on everyday situations.
