Tarot of H’Arts

Tarot of H'Arts - creative expression as the basis for symbolism

In most tarot decks, wands refer to fire, swords to air. In this deck, the traditional symbols are replaced by the tools of artists: paintbrushes and piano keys, theatre scenes and dancing figures. Isabel Hayes built the Tarot of H'Arts on the framework of the Rider-Waite system, but translated every element into the world of dance, music, theatre and film.

The deck consists of 79 cards, including an extra Lovers card. Each card is hand-painted in a spontaneous, expressive style. The colors are intense, the figures move, and gold foil details emphasize certain elements without becoming intrusive.

What you see on the cards

The Minor Arcana do not follow the usual division into wands, cups, swords and pentacles. Instead you see paintbrushes and piano keys recurring as symbols for manifestation and creation. The figures are theatrical: they look at you, turn away, or hold a pose as if frozen mid-scene.

The Major Arcana remain faithful to the Rider-Waite sequence and symbolism, but are reinterpreted with a focus on emotional expression. Facial expressions and body posture form the core of each card.

The gold foil accents are carefully applied. They stand out in certain light, but do not dominate the visual language.

How this deck relates to the Rider-Waite system

The structure is familiar. Anyone who knows the Rider-Waite system will recognize the order, the numbering and many of the scenes. But the execution is different. Hayes does not simply replace symbols, she shows how art can fulfill the same functions as traditional tarot symbols: creating, expressing, transforming, mirroring.

This does not make it a beginner deck in the strict sense. The cards assume you understand why the traditional symbols work, so you can see what Hayes does with them.

Draw a card and do not look at the meaning immediately. First observe which instrument or art form you see, and what movement the figure makes. That often tells you more than the card title.

The 288-page guidebook

The companion book is extensive. Each card receives a full explanation, not only on the traditional meaning but also on the artistic choices Hayes made. Why this instrument, why this posture, why this color.

The text is accessibly written. There are no spreads included, but enough context to interpret the cards independently.

About Isabel Hayes

Isabel Hayes grew up in Guatemala and Spain, and now lives in the United States. She is largely self-taught and works intuitively. Her style is characterized by bright colors and figures that seem to come directly from her imagination, without much preparatory sketching.

For the Tarot of H'Arts she repainted each card by hand. You can see this in the spontaneous brushstrokes and the variation in line work. This is her first complete solo project after her contribution to the Pride Tarot in 2020.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 79 (including an extra Lovers card)
• Finish: Gold foil details
• Guidebook: 288 pages in full color
• Language: English
• System: Based on Rider-Waite-Smith
• Artist: Isabel Hayes
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
• Packaging: Sturdy storage box

Questions we often get

What do the gold foil accents add?
They emphasize certain elements on the card, such as instruments or points of light, without overshadowing the rest of the visual language. The effect is subtle and depends on the light.

Is this deck suitable for beginners?
It assumes basic knowledge of the Rider-Waite system. The symbolism is not difficult, but you do need to understand what Hayes replaces and why. The extensive guidebook helps with this.