The Way Jodorowsky Explained Tarot to his Cat - 22 cards with an unconventional view
Some tarot sets take you by the hand. This one throws you a playful wink. The Way Jodorowsky Explained Tarot to his Cat contains only the 22 cards of the Major Arcana, illustrated by Christian Gaudin and based on the vision of Alejandro Jodorowsky.
The title is meant literally: Jodorowsky explains tarot to his cat. Not as a gimmick, but as a premise. The cat stands for intuition without dogma, for curiosity without system. That tone runs through the entire deck.
What you see on the cards
Christian Gaudin draws in full color, with a style that evokes the classic Tarot de Marseille but feels more playful. The lines are fluid, the colors bright, the symbolism clearly visible without becoming heavy.
Each archetype receives its own visual translation. Details are carefully placed without disrupting the clarity of the image. The format is large enough to examine each element calmly.
What sets this deck apart
This is not a complete deck. You get only the Major Arcana, the 22 core cards that represent the fundamental archetypes of human experience. No court cards, no numbers from ace to ten.
That limitation is a choice. In this work, Jodorowsky concentrates on the basic structure of tarot, the broad strokes. Those who want to focus precisely on that will find space here.
The 80-page guidebook gives interpretations for each card. The text is written accessibly without losing depth. You get context, symbolism and practical entry points.
Draw one card and look at it the way a cat looks at a new object: with attention, without judgment, without trying to place it immediately.
About Alejandro Jodorowsky and Christian Gaudin
Alejandro Jodorowsky is a filmmaker, writer and tarot teacher. He has worked for decades with the Tarot de Marseille and published 'The Way of Tarot', in which he approaches the cards as psychological archetypes and transformative symbols.
Christian Gaudin illustrates this deck. His style combines traditional iconography with a contemporary, accessible visual language that matches Jodorowsky's playful tone.
Specifications
- Contents: 22 cards (Major Arcana)
- Guidebook: 80 pages
- Language: English
- Format: 152 x 229 x 13 mm
- Weight: 397 grams
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Cardstock: sturdy, full-color printed
Questions we often get
Why does this deck contain only the Major Arcana?
This is a deliberate choice by Jodorowsky. The focus lies on the 22 core archetypes, without the minor arcana. It is not a complete deck for all types of spreads.
Is this suitable as a first tarot deck?
That depends on what you are looking for. The guidebook is clearly written and the illustrations are accessible. But you only have the Major Arcana, so you miss the court cards and numbered cards used in many basic spreads.
