Supernova Tarot - pop culture meets Rider-Waite-Smith
Some tarot decks look to the past. This one brings archetypes into the present. Supernova Tarot by Alice Mastroleo and Federico Salis follows the Rider-Waite-Smith structure, but uses imagery borrowed from cinema, fashion and digital art.
Salis' work stands out immediately. Sharp lines, bold contrasts, extravagant clothing. Characters you will not forget quickly. The colours demand attention, and that is exactly the point.
What you see on the cards
Each character wears an outfit that tells more than the archetypal title alone. The Magician does not appear in medieval robes, but in contemporary clothing with modern symbols. The cards are full of details that ask you to look longer.
The colour palette is vibrant. No pastel softness, but bold shades that trigger an immediate emotional response. The illustrations are digital, with a polished style reminiscent of animation and graphic novels.
Despite the modern execution, the symbolism stays true to traditional tarot. The cards contain the same archetypes and visual cues as classic decks, but translated into a contemporary context.
How this deck works in practice
The format is large enough to see the details clearly, but not unwieldy. The cards are printed on sturdy 360 g cardstock and shuffle smoothly. The matte finish prevents fingerprints and gives the deck a premium feel.
The accompanying guidebook by Alice Mastroleo offers card meanings that align with the modern imagery. She writes concretely, without detours. Each card gets space to be explained in contemporary context.
Pay attention to the clothing and posture of the characters in this deck. That is often where the core message lies, more than in the traditional symbols alone.
About Alice Mastroleo and Federico Salis
Alice Mastroleo is an Italian tarot reader and coach. She uses tarot as a practical tool for personal growth and developed the texts for this deck.
Federico Salis is an illustrator from Milan with a background in 3D effects. His work is influenced by pop culture, queer art and digital animation. That shows in the rebellious aesthetic of Supernova Tarot.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Size: 83 x 127 mm
- Cardstock: 360 g
- Finish: matte
- Packaging: premium lift-top box
- Extras: extensive guidebook
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Language: multilingual (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German)
- Author: Alice Mastroleo
- Illustrator: Federico Salis
Questions we often get
Does this deck follow the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition?
Yes. The structure and symbolism are based on RWS, but the imagery is entirely contemporary. You recognise the archetypes, but they are translated into a modern context with pop culture influences.
Are the cards large or small?
83 x 127 mm is a large format. Useful if you want to see the details clearly, but for smaller hands it might be a bit large to shuffle comfortably.
