Oracle - Mystifying Playing Cards

The Oracle: Mystifying Playing Cards is a custom deck designed by Chris Ovdiyenko, drawing inspiration from the rich history of the spiritualist movement. This movement, which gained prominence after significant historical losses like the Civil War and WWI, offered solace and a perceived connection to departed loved ones through practices such as seances, spirit photography, and automatic writing. Ovdiyenko's deck captures this historical context, blending elements of mystery, hope, and the macabre into its design.

Each suit in the Oracle deck features a unique background and theme: seance, ectoplasm, automatic writing, and spirit photography. This thematic integration extends across the court cards and aces, with the campaign promising unique designs for the number cards as well. The deck aims to be more than just a set of playing cards; it's a collectible art object that tells a story, appealing to those interested in historical esotericism and unique design.

Produced by USPCC, the deck promises quality and playability while maintaining its distinctive aesthetic. The project also offered limited edition, hand-pulled woodcut prints of the royal designs, card backs, and aces, highlighting the creator's commitment to traditional art processes. The Oracle deck successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2013, demonstrating a strong community interest in its unique theme and artistic execution.

This deck is ideal for collectors of unique playing cards, particularly those with an interest in historical esotericism, the spiritualist movement, or Victorian-era occult aesthetics. It will appeal to individuals who appreciate custom artwork and a cohesive thematic design in their playing card decks. Magicians and cardists looking for a distinctive, conversation-starting deck will also find it appealing, as will anyone seeking a deck with a strong narrative and a touch of vintage mystery.

Chris Ovdiyenko is an artist who launched the Oracle: Mystifying Playing Cards as his second Kickstarter project, following the successful Calaveras deck. His inspiration for Oracle stemmed from the rich history of the spiritualist movement, which he found to possess significant meaning and depth. Ovdiyenko's process involves laser etching designs onto wood plates, inking them, and then running them through a press to create museum-grade artist paper prints, a unique offering he highlights as a rare form of artistry on Kickstarter. He actively engaged the Kickstarter community for suggestions, aiming to shape the final designs collaboratively.