Tarot of the Unknown

The "Tarot of the Unknown" is a 78-card tarot deck inspired by the Halloween cartoon, "Over the Garden Wall." It had a successful Kickstarter campaign by Quarter Press, raising $41,062 against a modest goal of $4,500 and backed by 595 people. The second edition, backed by the "Farewell Printing" Kickstarter campaign, also surpassed its funding goal, showing interest in creative projects that blend tarot with pop culture.

Above: a selection of cards from the Tarot of the Unknown, the Beast (The Devil), the five of pentacles, and Judgement.

YouTuber Kayleigh Hopkins describes the cards having a "fun, laid-back energy," appealing to both seasoned readers and newcomers. They're of good quality, thin yet sturdy, with a slight glittery finish. The deck also includes extras like a pin badge, a magnet, and a fortune cookie insert, all made in China.

The deck aligns well with the Rider-Waite tarot, which has become a standard template for many modern decks, especially those funded through Kickstarter. The artwork on each card embodies the adventurous spirit of the cartoon’s main characters, Wirt and Greg, as they navigate a mysterious forest. The artwork, created by Chris Smith (Quarter Press), has an autumnal, fairy-tale vibe, similar to Pamela Colman Smith's detailed style in the Rider-Waite deck, offering a modern twist while retaining the familiarity that modern tarot decks are known for.

The deck contributes to the ever-expanding variety of personalized and commercial tarot packs, emphasizing personal meaning and connection as key selling points. This 'fun' adaptation represents a shift in tarot's traditional mystical focus, making it more accessible and engaging for a modern audience, all while maintaining its spiritual roots.