Tarot of the Cat People

Tarot of the Cat People - science fiction tarot with cats as spiritual guides

Few tarot cards create their own universe as deliberately as this deck does. The Outer Regions are a fantasy world in which cats are not pets but sacred beings who form the bridge between the visible and the unconscious.

Karen Kuykendall drew a tarot that appeals equally to science fiction lovers and to people who simply love cats. The cards are brightly coloured, full of patterns and costumes, and every figure is accompanied by a cat who is as important as the human.

What you see on the cards

The imagery is maximalist. Bright colours, richly decorated robes, much detail. The people on the cards wear costumes that cannot be placed anywhere in time or space, which gives the whole a timeless character.

The cats are not decoration. They are central to each image and their posture adds meaning. Sometimes they look directly at you, sometimes they look away, sometimes they touch the human figure. That interaction is part of the reading.

The cardstock is sturdy, the finish has a light gloss. The cards are 70 x 120 mm, a classic tarot format that shuffles well. The guidebook runs to 64 pages and describes the stories behind the characters and the symbolism of the cats.

How this deck relates to traditional tarot

The structure is Rider-Waite-based, but the execution is not. Where a classic deck is often restrained in its use of colour, this deck goes full out for contrast and saturation. That makes it easier to get a quick feel for a card, even if you do not yet know all the classical meanings.

The symbolism of the cats adds an extra layer. Intuition, independence, the ability to move between worlds: these are themes that return in every card.

When drawing a card, pay attention not only to the human figure but also to what the cat is doing. That posture often makes the difference between two possible interpretations.

About Karen Kuykendall

Karen Kuykendall was a visual artist with a passion for cats and fantasy worlds. Her style is characterised by bright colours and highly detailed patterns. With this deck she created a world that stands apart from our own time and space, giving it a timeless place within the tarot world.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 70 x 120 mm
• Guidebook: 64 pages, English
• Cardstock: Sturdy, light gloss finish
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
• Artist: Karen Kuykendall

Questions we often get

Do I need to know the traditional tarot meanings to work with this deck?
No. The images are expressive enough to evoke something even without prior knowledge. The guidebook helps you further with the specific stories behind the cards.

What is the role of the cats exactly?
They are not a side figure. In the world of the Outer Regions, cats are spiritual beings who create the connection between the conscious and the unconscious. Their posture and gaze are part of the meaning of each card.