The Afro Goddess Tarot Arcanas

The Afro Goddess Tarot Arcanas is a comprehensive 79-card tarot deck, including the traditional 78 cards plus an additional 'The Supreme' card. Created by fine artist Andrea Furtick, this deck was conceived to address the scarcity of melanated imagery in the tarot divination system, aiming to provide a deeper connection for Black women and other melanated individuals. The deck integrates traditional tarot wisdoms with African ancestral insights and contemporary cultural references, all depicted through 100% melanated characterizations.

Furtick meticulously studied and meditated on each card's symbolism, from colors to expressions, to ensure a seamless blend of intensely altered yet heavily traditional Rider-Waite influences. For instance, many traditional mountains are replaced with buildings and pyramids, symbolizing an evolving people with strong ties to the past. The project began in November 2017 with The Fool, with Major Arcana cards initially hand-painted on large 18x24 inch canvases, later switching to 12x16 inch canvases for the Minor Arcana to increase production efficiency.

The deck is designed to be a jumbo size at 3.5x5 inches, intended to be a high-quality product with features like thick cardstock and elegant gilt edges. The campaign also aimed to include unique packaging and details, such as a black velvet protection bag and potentially a full-color guidebook if stretch goals were met. This deck serves as both a functional divination tool and a significant cultural art piece, offering a soulful connection to daily paths and aiding in personal improvement through its unique visual language.

This deck is ideal for melanated individuals seeking a tarot system that authentically reflects their identity and cultural heritage. It also appeals to experienced tarot readers and collectors interested in diverse, modern interpretations of the Rider-Waite-Smith system, particularly those who appreciate hand-painted art and a blend of traditional wisdom with contemporary insights. Readers who value representation and a soulful connection to their divination tools will find this deck particularly resonant.

Andrea Furtick, a fine artist, embarked on the creation of The Afro Goddess Tarot Arcanas after a serendipitous encounter with a woman on Facebook who, through a reading, foresaw Furtick creating a significant tarot deck. This 'magical little nudge' aligned with Furtick's blossoming artistic career, which already focused on vibrantly colored images highlighting melanated Goddesses. Viewing the project as an 'ultimate commission of the ancestors,' Furtick committed to creating a deck that would provide much-needed representation within the tarot community. She personally undertook all aspects of the project, from research and painting to graphic design, writing, and promotion, teaching herself new skills along the way.