The Lepus Tarot by Witchy Cauldron, with illustrations by Artem Chernobai, arrived in my mailbox below considerably mysterious circumstances. I’m not solely positive how I got here to obtain it, however I positive am glad I did!
The deck’s namesake, lepus, means hares, or rabbits, and can also be a reference to the constellation Lepus, eternally hunted by Orion. I like how the cardboard again design even has constellation map vibes.
In Chinese language astrology, Lepus corresponds with the Queen Mom of the West, or the White Tiger.
There’s a creepy cartoon cuteness to Chernobai’s illustration work for this deck, and the extent to which the type and motifs stay constant all through all 78 playing cards is nothing wanting spectacular. As an beginner illustrator, I can attest to how troublesome persistently of favor might be.
Right here, each card in succession is telling a narrative and includes a set forged of characters. These are some devilishly slick ninja rabbits (hares? is there a distinction? with out googling I don’t know…) with martial arts prowess and superpowers.
Out of the field the Minors are ordered by numbered units, so all of the Aces had been collectively, wands, Cups, Swords, then Pentacles, then all of the Twos, and now all of the Threes, Fours, Fives, and so on.
The compositions keep very near RWS, which is totally pleasant right here, as a result of I like seeing how ninja rabbits (they’re probably not ninja rabbits; that’s simply what my thoughts is imagining) plugged into RWS scenes and set design.
I can not rationalize why I’m reminded of Darkwing Duck (that cartoon I watched as a child), however with hares, and but I’m getting a darkish comedic animated superhero motion and journey high quality.
The companion guidebook describes the hare as being of the Earth, and with the hare’s excessive sensitivity, notably adept at navigating the Underworld, to have the ability to transfer with nice dexterity “at the hours of darkness.” Revisiting Chernobai’s illustrations with that in thoughts, abruptly it dawns on me that these are narrative depictions of the hares within the Underworld. These are scenes from the Underworld.
The guidebook that comes within the field with the deck is a lot for any tarot newbie to get began. I particularly recognize the “Recommendation/Motion” part for the entire Majors.
Minors are lined 4 playing cards to a web page unfold, with concise upright and reversed key phrases. Oh, sort of random– very cool that this deck was first printed in 2022, which per the Chinese language calendar and zodiac system, was the 12 months of the Rabbit.
You see it now? These illustrations are scenes from varied areas of the Underworld, and the hare is your psychopomp, your animal spirit information to this deep Earth realm.
You’ll be able to order your copy of the Lepus Tarot direct from the Witchy Cauldron here, and it’s a very economical budget-friendly value level, particularly for an indie deck! Wow!
Additionally make sure to take a look at extra of Artem Chernobai’s art here @chernobaiart. Both Chernobai is already main illustration groups on video video games and RPGs or can be. What an extremely proficient illustrator!
Trending Merchandise
