White Fly Tarot - dreamlike reinterpretation of the Rider-Waite-Smith system
Some decks follow the Rider-Waite-Smith structure so closely you barely notice the difference. This deck takes that same structure but gives it an almost surreal voice. Soft colours, layered images, figures that drift into ethereal space.
The creator is Danilo Sanino, an Italian illustrator who has been drawing for fourteen years and immersed in tarot, astrology and the occult for more than ten. The White Fly Tarot is his first tarot project of his own. Not a commission, no compromise. Entirely his own vision.
What you see on the cards
The colours are muted. Lots of beige, grey, soft green and pale blue. No bright accents, no sharp contrasts. The figures are detailed but at the same time somewhat estranging: elongated limbs, odd proportions, faces that have something grotesque about them without becoming unsettling.
The symbolism stays true to Rider-Waite-Smith. The Fool stands at the edge of a cliff, the Hanged Man hangs upside down, the Ten of Swords shows a figure with knives in the back. What changes is the atmosphere. Everything feels softer, more introspective, as if you are looking at a dream rather than a story.
Each card contains layers. Not in the sense of hidden symbols, but in how the space is constructed. Backgrounds bleed into one another, figures seem detached from their surroundings. That makes the deck suitable for work in which emotion and the subconscious are central.
Who this deck works for
This deck is based on Rider-Waite-Smith, so you can apply the standard meanings. That makes it accessible for beginners. At the same time the imagery asks for more than a quick reading. The images are not immediately clear. They ask you to look longer.
If you like tight, clear lines and bright colours, this is not your deck. If you are looking for something that leaves room for interpretation and does not overwhelm you with information, then it is.
Pull a card and leave it in front of you for an hour without looking anything up. See what the imagery does to you before you turn to the meaning.
About Danilo Sanino
Danilo Sanino works as an illustrator in Italy. He is self-taught and has been drawing for fourteen years, mainly for clients. Tarot and astrology have been part of his life for longer. The White Fly Tarot is his first complete tarot deck, a project in which he brings together his technical skill and spiritual interest.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Size: 70 x 120 mm
- Material: High-quality cardstock with smooth finish
- Weight: 226 g
- Language: Guidebook in English and Italian
- Packaging: Luxury storage box with illustrations
- System: Rider-Waite-Smith
- Creator: Danilo Sanino
Questions we often get
Is this deck suitable for beginners?
Yes. The symbolism follows the Rider-Waite-Smith system, so you can use the standard meanings. The imagery does ask for a bit more patience than a classic RWS deck.
How does this deck differ from a standard Rider-Waite-Smith deck?
The structure and symbolism are the same. What changes is the atmosphere: softer, more dreamlike, less literal. The images are more poetic and leave more room for personal interpretation.
