Light and Shadow Tarot - 78 woodcut prints without colour
Not every deck needs colour. The Light and Shadow Tarot shows what happens when you strip that entire layer away and only contrast remains. 78 woodcut prints in black and white, made by artist Michael Goepferd with texts by Brian Williams.
The deck follows the structure of classic tarot: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The images draw from different cultural traditions, from Celtic and Native American symbolism to Eastern and African influences. That makes the visual language broad enough to be recognisable, but specific enough to work.
What black and white does to your reading
Without colour, there is nothing to distract you. You look at form, line and composition. That forces you to see the cards differently, more directly.
The woodcuts are sharp. Contrasts are hard. That suits a deck aimed at shadow work and introspection. It demands honesty.
The cards are printed on matte cardstock, size 90 x 130 mm. That is a standard size, large enough to see details without becoming awkward to shuffle.
Who this deck works for
This deck is designed for shadow work. That means looking at what you would rather not see, asking questions you might not want answered. The images are direct and demand reflection.
The accompanying book offers extensive card descriptions. That makes the deck accessible to beginners as well, though the imagery does ask for an open attitude. If you are looking for soft, rounded interpretations, this is not your deck.
Draw one card and place it in front of you without immediately looking in the book. Look at the lines and contrasts for a full minute. What do you feel? That is often the interpretation you need.
About Brian Williams and Michael Goepferd
Michael Goepferd created the woodcuts. His technique is craft-driven and shows he has mastered the medium. The lines are sharp, the compositions tight.
Brian Williams wrote the texts. He also created the PoMo Tarot and knows how to translate archetypal symbolism into usable interpretations without falling into vagueness.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Size: 90 x 130 mm
- Weight: 480 g
- Finish: Matte cardstock
- Language: English
- Publisher: Inner Traditions
- ISBN: 9780892813159
- Illustrator: Michael Goepferd
- Author: Brian Williams
- Includes: Comprehensive book with card descriptions
Questions we often get
Is this deck suitable for beginners?
Yes, the accompanying book provides enough explanation to understand the symbolism. The visual language differs from a classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck, but the structure is the same. It does require an open attitude, especially if you are used to soft, colourful decks.
Why would I choose a black and white deck?
Because it forces you to look differently. Without colour, only form, line and contrast remain. That strengthens the intuitive connection with the cards and makes interpretations more direct. For shadow work, that is often exactly what is needed.
