Tarot of the Alchemist 09- 2026

Tarot Of The Alchemist - alchemical tarot in deep jewel tones

Alchemy is about transformation: from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from the visible to the concealed. Andrea Aste uses that as the spine of a tarot deck that keeps the classical 78-card structure but takes its visual world in a completely different direction.

Aste is a UK-based multimedia artist, animator and author. In the world of tarot and graphic novels he is known for hybrid projects that weave image and story together, including 'The Book of Shadows: An Alchemist's Story'. This deck extends that same thematic territory: a fantasy utopia filled with vivid characters, mythical cities and symbols that reward close attention.

What you see on the cards

The illustrations are digital and built around saturated jewel tones: deep blues, gold, ruby red and emerald green. The cards are borderless, so the image runs fully to the edge. The cobalt blue painted edges give the deck a distinct feel in the hand.

Aste works with stylised landscapes and fantasy cities in a playful, almost theatrical register. The characters are richly coloured and inhabit a world that is deliberately unrealistic. That sets this deck clearly apart from more restrained, symbolically spare decks.

The guidebook

The 124-page guidebook is built as a narrative: the stories and secrets of the alchemist run through it as a continuous thread. Each card entry includes a description, keywords, symbol explanations and a note on reversed positions. Illustrated spreads are also included, which makes the guidebook practically useful from the start.

The tone is storytelling rather than reference. Readers used to compact keyword lists will find considerably more text per card here. That fits Aste's approach, which embeds tarot within a larger narrative framework.

Other things worth knowing

The deck includes two bonus cards on top of the standard 78. The cards are printed on sturdy stock designed for easy shuffling. The magnetic hinged box is large format and reflects the production standards US Games has applied throughout.

Treat the guidebook as a companion story, not just a reference. The card descriptions read better in sequence than as standalone lookups.

About Andrea Aste

Andrea Aste lives and works in the United Kingdom as a multimedia artist, animator, published author and illustrator. His work has been exhibited in museums and at art events worldwide. In the tarot world he is best known for his alchemical projects, where image and narrative are systematically combined.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 80 (including 2 bonus cards)
• Guidebook: 124 pages
• Language: English
• Card size: 64 x 127 mm
• Box size: 95 x 159 mm
• Finish: Borderless, cobalt blue painted edges, magnetic hinged box
• ISBN: 9781646713028
• Publisher: US Games
• Author and illustrator: Andrea Aste
• Expected release: September 2026 (pre-order)

Questions we often get

Does this deck follow the traditional tarot structure?
Yes. It contains the standard Major Arcana and the four suits of the Minor Arcana, plus two bonus cards. The structure is traditional; the imagery is emphatically not.

What language are the cards and guidebook in?
Both are in English. The cards carry keywords; the guidebook is written entirely in English.