Tarot of Forbidden Dreams

The Tarot of Forbidden Dreams is a 78-card tarot deck that draws its imagery from a collection of ancient erotic artworks, primarily dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. Created by Eugene Vinitski, the deck aims to bring these historical pieces into a modern divination context, offering a unique and mature perspective on traditional tarot archetypes. Each card is a reproduction of a carefully selected artwork, framed within a consistent design.

The deck is presented as a complete kit, including the 78 red gilded cards and a companion book. This set is housed in a luxury box, accompanied by a numbered and signed Certificate of Authenticity from the authors. The emphasis on historical erotic art provides a distinct aesthetic and thematic focus, setting it apart from more conventional tarot decks. The campaign successfully funded in 2019, indicating a niche but dedicated audience for this specific artistic and thematic approach.

While the campaign description is brief, the reward tiers confirm the deck's structure as a full 78-card tarot. The inclusion of a companion book suggests that the deck provides guidance for interpreting these unique images within a tarot framework, making it accessible to those interested in exploring its mature themes. The red gilded edges and luxury packaging further enhance its appeal as a collector's item.

The artwork consists of reproductions of historical erotic illustrations and paintings, predominantly from the 17th to 19th centuries. The style varies across the cards, reflecting the different artistic periods and mediums of the original pieces, but generally features classical drawing and painting techniques. The color palette is rich and somewhat muted, with a focus on historical costuming and settings. The cards are framed with a deep red border, which complements the red gilded edges mentioned in the campaign. The imagery directly depicts mature themes, as stated in the blurb, with scenes ranging from suggestive to explicit. The overall visual impression is one of historical elegance combined with provocative content.

This deck is intended for experienced tarot readers and collectors who appreciate historical art, particularly those with an interest in erotic art from the 17th to 19th centuries. It appeals to individuals seeking a mature, unconventional, and art-focused tarot experience. Due to its explicit content, it is not suitable for beginners or those seeking a family-friendly or universally accessible deck.

Eugene Vinitski created the Tarot of Forbidden Dreams, basing the deck on a curated selection of ancient erotic art from the 17th to 19th centuries. The project successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2019, demonstrating a demand for this unique and mature artistic approach to tarot.