Dust II Onyx: A Melanated Tarot Deck

Dust II Onyx: A Melanated Tarot Deck is a full 78+ card tarot deck created by artist Courtney Alexander, born from her desire to see herself reflected in tarot imagery. The deck features abstract and experimental artwork, with each card designed to evoke a deep, intuitive connection rather than strict adherence to traditional symbolism. The campaign highlights the deck's unique beauty and powerful energy, aiming to provide a transformative experience for readers.

The deck is printed on high-quality 350GSM card stock, measuring 3.5" x 5", with rounded corners. Each card incorporates spot gloss and gold foil accents, intended to maintain the varying surface quality and integrity of the original mixed-media artworks. The deck comes housed in a limited edition lidded box, emphasizing its collectible nature. A mini guidebook is included to support readers in interpreting the unique imagery.

Alexander's approach to creating Dust II Onyx was deeply intuitive, drawing on dreams and a personal vision rather than established tarot conventions. This results in imagery that is fresh and open to personal interpretation, making it a powerful tool for self-reflection and spiritual exploration. The deck was successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2016, raising $29,870 from 531 backers, demonstrating a strong community desire for diverse representation in tarot.

This deck is ideal for tarot readers seeking a deeply intuitive and visually unique experience, particularly those who value diverse representation in their spiritual tools. It appeals to collectors of art-focused decks and individuals interested in abstract, experimental art styles. Readers who prefer a less literal interpretation of tarot and are open to exploring symbolism through personal connection will find this deck resonant. It is also well-suited for those who appreciate high-quality production with special finishes like spot gloss and gold foil.

Courtney Alexander, a graduate with a Bachelor’s in Studio Art from the University of South Florida, created Dust II Onyx from a profound personal desire to see herself reflected in tarot. Her journey began after struggling to find a deck that resonated with her energy, leading to a vivid dream that inspired the deck's core aesthetic: an intensely gorgeous black portrait. Alexander approached the creation intuitively, allowing the imagery to emerge from a place beyond her conscious mind, resulting in a deck that is as new to her as it is to its readers. This project marks her largest to date, building on her past work exploring duality, hypersexuality, and self-awareness through abstract and experimental art.