This Might Hurt Tarot 5th holographic black - Rider-Waite-Smith in contemporary imagery
The Hanged Man wears a T-shirt. The Magician stands in an ordinary room. The Empress sits on a sofa you might find in a furniture shop.
This Might Hurt Tarot by Isabella Rotman translates the full structure of Rider-Waite-Smith into the present. No knights or medieval settings, but people in clothing and surroundings you recognise. The symbolism remains intact, the context is entirely renewed.
What you see on the cards
Rotman draws clearly and flat, almost cartoon-like, but without making it lightweight. Every detail counts. The colours are bright and saturated. Bodies differ: fat, thin, old, young, queer, of colour.
The holographic black edges are not decoration. They give each card its own frame, a physical border that sharpens the image. Under artificial light you see how the edges catch colour.
The cards are printed on 350 gsm matte paper. That is heavy enough to shuffle firmly without bending, light enough to move smoothly through your hands. The format is standard: 70 x 120 mm.
How this deck relates to classic tarot
The structure is Rider-Waite-Smith. That means all the major lines, symbols and positions match what you expect in that system. But the visual language is of now.
Where a classic deck shows a chalice, here you see a mug or glass. Where a classic deck shows someone in a robe, here you see a jumper or dress. It makes the cards feel more direct, less distanced.
This is a strong deck for those who want to learn tarot according to the RWS system but struggle with the visual distance of historical decks.
Use this deck if you want to read RWS symbolism without having to translate from knight to person every time.
About Isabella Rotman
Isabella Rotman is a cartoonist and illustrator from Maine. She makes comics about the ocean, relationships and self-discovery. Her work has been nominated for the Ignatz Award.
Her strength lies in drawing human situations that are immediately recognisable without becoming sentimental. That makes this deck easy to read.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (Major and Minor Arcana)
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm
- Paper: 350 gsm matte art paper
- Finish: holographic black edges
- Packaging: cardboard box with gold foil and magnetic closure
- Guidebook: included, with card descriptions and introduction
- Language: English
- Creator: Isabella Rotman
Questions we often get
What makes this edition different from other versions of this deck?
The holographic black edges and the magnetic box with gold foil. The cards themselves are identical to earlier editions, but the finish is more luxurious.
Are the card meanings traditional or adapted?
The symbolism follows Rider-Waite-Smith. The images are renewed, the meanings are not. You can use any RWS reference work alongside this deck.
