The 5-cent Tarot by Madam Clara

The 5-cent Tarot, created by Madam Clara, is a 78-card tarot deck with two bonus cards, drawing inspiration from Victorian-era poster art and biological/botanical ephemera. This deck distinguishes itself by entirely omitting human figures, instead populating its scenes with animals, insects, and flora, often adorned with human accessories and unexpected elements. The traditional suit symbols are reimagined as everyday objects: Pentacles become buttons, Wands are matchsticks, Swords are needles, and Cups are vintage teacups.

Designed to be both engaging and clear, the deck incorporates keywords for both upright and reversed positions directly on the cards. These keywords are scaled to be helpful for new readers without distracting experienced ones. The compositions are described as "RWS-adjacent," meaning they loosely follow the symbolism of the Rider-Waite-Smith system, making it accessible to those familiar with traditional tarot while offering a fresh visual interpretation.

The campaign successfully funded in 2019, raising over $41,000 from 844 backers. Stretch goals unlocked included an upgraded hard-side magnetic book-style box, a custom drawstring pouch, the option for matte colored edges, all four extra Major Arcana cards, a printed Little White Book (LWB) with a downloadable PDF, and a coordinating spreadcloth. This commitment to quality and comprehensive accessories reflects Madam Clara's established reputation for premium deck production.

This deck is ideal for tarot readers who appreciate vintage aesthetics, particularly those with an interest in Victorian art, natural history, or whimsical collage. It suits both beginners, thanks to the on-card keywords for upright and reversed meanings, and experienced RWS readers looking for a fresh, non-human-centric interpretation of familiar symbolism. Collectors of unique and art-driven decks will also find its distinctive style appealing, especially those familiar with Madam Clara's previous works.

Madam Clara embarked on The 5-cent Tarot as a personal project, driven by a desire to create a fun and whimsical deck. Her inspiration stemmed from Victorian-era poster art, combined with vintage biological and botanical ephemera. Having previously created successful decks like the Madam Clara Sees All and Midcenturian, she brought a commitment to quality and presentation to this project, ensuring premium cardstock and thoughtful accessories. Her process involved finessing details to ensure a cohesive artistic vision, while also engaging backers in decisions like card back designs and edge options.