Button Soup Tarot

The Button Soup Tarot is a unique 78-card deck born from the collaborative efforts of numerous artists within the Cult of Tarot Forum community. Launched in 2019, the project aimed to harness the collective passion for tarot art into a single, cohesive deck. Each artist contributed their individual vision, resulting in a vibrant and diverse collection of interpretations for the Major and Minor Arcana.

The deck's name, "Button Soup," is inspired by the classic folktale of Stone Soup, symbolizing how many small contributions can come together to create something wonderful and shared. This ethos is central to the deck's creation, with each card reflecting a distinct artistic voice while contributing to a unified whole. The project was driven by a desire to create a readable and meaningful tarot deck that also celebrates the artistry of its contributors.

Physically, the deck is standard tarot size (70x120mm), printed on 350gsm Art Paper cardstock with a smooth matte finish. A key feature is the gold foil trim on each card face and gold foil edging, designed to elevate the artwork and provide a sense of unity despite the varied styles. The deck comes in a sturdy two-piece cardboard box, and an artist-authored guidebook of 75-100 pages is included, offering individual card meanings and artist statements.

The artwork in the Button Soup Tarot is highly eclectic, showcasing a wide range of styles from the various contributing artists. The image displays a mix of digital painting, traditional illustration, and more abstract or symbolic approaches. For example, 'The Moon' card features a stylized, almost folk-art aesthetic with bright, flat colors, while 'The Empress' is a more classical, flowing figure rendered in soft blues. '3 of Pentacles' has a bold, graphic quality with strong outlines, contrasting with the painterly depth of '3 of Cups.' Despite this diversity, a unifying element is the consistent black border with a thin gold foil trim, which frames each unique piece and helps integrate them into a cohesive deck. The card back, designed by M.M. Meleen, incorporates classic tarot symbols and the Cult of Tarot logo in a sophisticated, intricate pattern.

This deck is ideal for tarot enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate diverse artistic styles and collaborative projects. It appeals to readers looking for a deck with a strong sense of community and unique interpretations of traditional tarot symbolism. The included guidebook, featuring artist statements and individual card meanings, makes it suitable for both experienced readers seeking fresh perspectives and those who enjoy exploring the nuances of different artistic approaches within a single deck.

The Button Soup Tarot originated from the Cult of Tarot Forum, a community dedicated to the art and study of tarot. The idea for a collaborative deck emerged in August 2018, driven by the forum members' shared passion for tarot art. The project quickly gained enthusiastic support, with artists submitting their work weekly. The name "Button Soup" was chosen to reflect the community spirit, drawing inspiration from the Stone Soup folktale where many small contributions create a shared feast. The project aimed to support the forum, with any profits going towards its maintenance, ensuring it remains a free and accessible resource for tarot enthusiasts.