For the love of collage
As someone who has many, many collage tarot decks, some of which I’ve listed below,
Boadicea’s Tarot of Earthly Delights,
Voyager Tarot – my first ever tarot deck,
The Quiet Rebel Tarot,
Grimalkin’s Curious Cats Tarot,
The Ephemeral Tarot
Journey of the Sacred Bee Tarot,
The Intuitive Night Goddess Tarot,
it was only a matter of time before I decided to try collaging myself.
Tarot and Collage
But before I move on to that I want to say a few things about collage and tarot. Firstly, that collage art is as diverse as any other form of art. Creators take advantage of this and each creator has their own approach to their chosen style. So, while one approach might not appeal, another could really speak to you. The four decks featured in this article, The Ephemeral Tarot, The Antique Anatomy Tarot, The Voyager Tarot, and The Relative Tarot, show just some of the styles you may come across.
Secondly, as an art style, I believe collage is wonderfully suited to tarot. The way a variety of elements are brought together always gives me something to tap into. And, what I notice can change each time I view the card. I love that aspect. Sometimes I see an image I had never noticed before and, for that moment, it changes everything. But, there is something deeper than that that draws me in with collage decks and it’s this.
One day, during my tarot-inspired morning writing practice, the question, “What lies beneath what I can see?” came through. Once I heard it I couldn’t unhear it. So much started to change. Viewing situations, emotions, myself, and other people through that lens gave me an entirely different perspective on so many things. I’d say nearly everything.
This idea links perfectly with collage. Collage, by its very nature, has many layers. Often times only a tiny portion of the original element is still visible in the finished work and yet its presence is still an integral part of the completed artwork. This is also true for us and every single person we encounter.
As someone drawn to paper collage, but in effect relevant to all collage, the small portion that makes it into the visible artwork is only part of something much larger. Just like the elements used in a piece of collage art, we are all so much more than what any one person sees and knows regardless of how long they have known us.
Every experience; every place; every friend and family member; every song, book and movie we’ve loved — or not; and every word we’ve told ourselves about ourselves and the world around us shapes who we are, and how we think, act, and behave. Most people only see the externals, not the factors that shaped them.
Collage gets to the heart of that for me. Put it together with tarot and I believe you have a potent mix. Hence my ever growing collection of collaged tarot decks.
My, not-sure-if-it’s-finished first attempt at collage
So, it’s pretty obvious I appreciate collage art. But, having a go myself left me in awe of what collage artists are able to create. Facing a blank page in my art journal and trying to work out where to start was much more intimidating than any blank piece of paper I have ever sat down to as a writer. Yet, I wasn’t trying to create a design that reflected a particular story that others had to be able to draw meaning from. I was just experimenting and trying to create something that made sense to me. Nevertheless I enjoyed the process.
Below is my first ever attempt at grunge-inspired collage.
As intimidating as it initially felt, now I’m hooked. So, now I’m working on a collaged intentions book inspired by Debasree Dey Art. If you’re curious, this is the link to the post I’m following. Creating in its own right feels wonderful. Adding the intentions and considering the layers that go into it makes it feel powerful as well.
Wrapping it all up
Collage-based tarot decks inspired me to try collaging. Then, I found that while I’m collaging thoughts and questions would arise that I’d want to explore through a reading. Fortunately all the drying time between layers gives me the perfect opportunity to do so. In turn, some of those discoveries will no doubt make it into a collaged piece. In effect, one is constantly feeding the other.
This ongoing cycle has encouraged me to expand my thinking while simultaneously contracting it. This comes through in two ways. Think big but then take little steps and think big but then narrow your focus. For someone whose mind never stops this is invaluable.
Ultimately though it also reminded me that,
Everything we do, say, think, and believe shapes us.
A simple sentiment yes.
But knowing it
and owning it
are two very different things.
We are responsible for what we create — today, tomorrow and always.
So thank you to every creator who took the time to sit down and put together and then share their 78 pieces of collaged art in the form of a tarot deck. You have had a huge impact on my life and I am eternally grateful.
Featured decks in order of appearance
The Ephemeral Tarot
Created by: Lesley Patterson-Marx and published by her in 2024
ISBN 13: 979-8-218-47092-0
Website: Lesley Patterson-Marx
The Antique Anatomy Tarot
Created by: Claire Goodchild
Pictured Versions: Published by Abrams Image, in 2021 (ISBN 917 1 4197 3914 9)
Websites: Claire Goodchild
The Relative Tarot
Created by: Carrie Paris with Tina Hardt
Published by: Originally a Kickstarter, the pictured version is the mass market edition published by Weiser Books in 2021
ISBN: 978-1-57863-762-1
The Voyager Tarot
Deck Creators: James Wanless (Author) and Ken Knutson (Artist)
Publisher: Pictured version is the 2nd Edition published in 1998 by Fair Winds Press
Websites: James Wanless
