Tarot of the Unknown
Inspired by the Halloween Cartoon “Over the Garden Wall”.
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.
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.
Major Arcana
Minor Arcana: Axes (Swords)
Minor Arcana: Wands
Minor Arcana: Pentacles
Minor Arcana: Cups
References
By Adam Wintle
Member since March 15, 1997
Adam has been involved in developing the site as well as reviewing new decks and conducting research. He is particularly interested in innovation, Kickstarter and East Asian cards. He is a member of the IPCS and webmaster of the EPCS.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds
A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Tarot for Baby
This board book simplifies tarot archetypes into accessible affirmations for young children.
Animal Tarot by Johann Jobst Forster
French-suited 78-card animal tarot deck of the Bavarian type.
Music playing cards
Portraits of 13 classical music composers.
Club Soft Drinks
Promotional pack for Club soft drinks with amusing illustrations of different kinds of ‘club’.
Mit Rhino auftrumpfen
Black rhinos on a publicity pack for Armstrong, a flooring company, with comic designs by Pit Flick....
Guanlangaoshou / Slam Dunk playing cards
Basketball-themed manga animated playing cards from Japan.
Science Fiction
A deck of 55 cards, celebrating a time when Science Fiction truly was, Science Fiction.
The Beatles playing cards
Two packs featuring photos of The Beatles issued by the same publisher in 2004 and 2005.
Commoners playing cards
Created by Ian Cumpstey dedicated to the common land and the countryside.
Liber Ludorum
Liber Ludorum playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey in the insular style, United Kingdom, 2019.
Pike and Clover playing cards
Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.
Les Tontons du Rock
Caricatures of rock and pop stars in black and white by Charles Da Costa.
Inglewood Hunting Deck
Inglewood Hunting Deck created by Ian Cumpstey, United Kingdom, 2023.
Classic Movie Posters
A deck of 55 cards presenting vintage classic movies and their stars.
Rock & Pop Legends
Stunning photos of a selection of US and UK music artists.
The Beatles • Yellow Submarine
A colourful deck celebrating the 1968 animated feature film based on the Lennon/McCartney song of th...
Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan
This deck is a vibrant photographic tribute to "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," one of the most be...
Norfin® Trolls
Troll dolls with gaudy hairstyles in a multitude of different costumes.
Impressionist Art Cards
Details of 13 paintings by 8 different Impressionist artists on elongated cards.
Jeu des Médecins
Cartoons of doctors and nurses by Pino Zac, published by B.P. Grimaud in 1983.
Hitchcock
A deck of 55 cards celebrating the master of mystery, murder and mayhem, Alfred Hitchcock.
I Gatti Originali di Evelyne Nicod
Etchings of cats on a set of major arcana created by Evelyne Nicod.
Safety playing cards
Safety playing cards designed to reinforce the “Think and Be Safe” concept.
Politicards 2016 & Politikids 2016
Politicards™ 2016 & Politikids 2016: twin decks of satirical playing cards produced by Peter Green f...
K Deck
“K Deck” political playing cards, USA, c. 2004.
Tuxedo playing cards
Stylish ‘Tuxedo’ playing cards with animal faces created by Natalia Silva, USA, 2016.
The Deck of Hillary
‘The Deck of Hillary’ with quotes and photographs of Hillary Clinton, USA, 2003.
Tarot de Madrid
Black-and-white photographs of models whose faces are made up using elements found on the major arca...
Shakespeare playing cards: Insults
Shakespeare Insults playing cards with portraits by Jan Padover, USA, 2005.
Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes
Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes, the first volume of a double set published by Prospero Art of San...
Alice in Wonderland: we’re all mad here
Alice in Wonderland themed playing cards, UK, 2020.
Old Testament playing cards
Old Testament playing cards with illustrations by Jan Padover, USA, 2012.
Politicards 2008
Politicards ’08 with caricatures cast as characters from classic movies, USA.
Starz behind bars
Starz behind bars playing cards with mug shots of the rich and famous under arrest, USA, 2003.
House of Cards: Deck of Bush
House of Cards: Deck of Bush playing cards presenting reasons not to re-elect President Bush for a s...
Southern Comfort
Southern Comfort whiskey playing cards, USA.
Holy Trinity Church playing cards
Holy Trinity Church commemoration playing cards, USA, 2011.
Batman® playing cards
Characters from Batman: The Animated Series on a pack issued in 1992.
FDR New Deal Deck
Facsimile of ‘FDR New Deal Deck’ of 1934 re-published by Bill Schroeder, USA, 2010.
Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites
Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites, USA, 2008