Alice in Tarotland

I’m one of those people with an Alice obsession. So, naturally, I picked up a copy of Alice in Tarotland as soon as it became available earlier this year.

Of all the Alice decks I own, this deck most closely resembles what Alice looks and feels like to me. This isn’t just because it’s a collage deck that primarily uses the iconic illustrations by John Tenniel. There is also a whimsical way in which these images are presented that very much feels like Wonderland.

To begin with, this deck doesn’t follow a structured style or template. It utilizes a wide range of images, mostly classic but some are modern. Yet, there is a sense of cohesion established by repeating motifs such as stripes, hearts and checkboard patterns. To give this deck an additional layer of personality, there is a beautiful colour palette that features various shades of blues contrasted by deep reds. The result is the rich and colourful world of Alice’s imagination.

One thing that I find incredibly fascinating is how the same images are used throughout the deck without feeling repetitive. Overlaid with different colours and paired with other scenes and characters, every card feels unique and well put together.

But these repetitions are noticeable when reading with the deck. In fact, they create the most interesting readings when this deck is used for in depth sessions, where you are likely to ask multiple questions related to the same issue. Due to the frequencies of the repetitions, the same character may show up several times. When they reappear, I find myself comparing them to what they represented in the previous reading. Sometimes, their reappearance represents a transformation of a person/situation. Other times, it inspires me to look at the same situation from a different perspective.

Creator: @divinationapothecary

Reviewer: @tarotmechanic