The Collective Tarot: Round III

The Collective Tarot: Round III represents the third printing of a unique, collaboratively created tarot deck that originated from a queer, activist-oriented community. Launched on Kickstarter in 2012, this edition aimed to make the deck accessible to a wider audience, following previous successful print runs. The deck is celebrated for its ability to transcend traditional tarot models of gender, politics, and hierarchy, while still retaining the historical and symbolic depth of the cards.

Testimonials from artists, writers, and community members highlight the deck's profound impact, describing it as an inspiring magical tool that offers rich, eloquent readings. It is particularly praised for its inclusive representation, featuring diverse bodies, genders, colors, and abilities, which resonated deeply with individuals who felt unrepresented by more traditional decks. The Collective Tarot is seen as a reflection of community in motion and collaboration in action, offering a sense of empowerment and connection.

The deck is characterized by its blend of astute, intimate, and wise insights, often described as simultaneously raw and comforting. Users report that it provides direct, honest guidance with a compassionate approach, fostering self-kindness and challenging conventional perspectives. Its continued demand and the enthusiastic responses from various communities underscore its resonance and importance as a tool for personal growth and social change.

The artwork of The Collective Tarot is highly eclectic, reflecting its collaborative nature. The visible cards display a range of styles, from intricate, almost woodcut-like linework with bold red and yellow accents (Ace of Wands, depicting a burning chest) to more illustrative, graphic novel-esque imagery (Ace of Bottles, with a heart-shaped bottle and stitches). The Ace of Feathers, featuring a person eating feathers under power lines, uses a distinct, raw, and somewhat unsettling style with visible brushstrokes and a muted blue-grey palette. The Ace of Coins, with a skull, candle, and coins, shows a more traditional, detailed line drawing with a limited color scheme. This diversity in artistic approach, while potentially jarring to some, intentionally reflects the deck's core value of diverse representation and collaborative creation, avoiding a single, uniform aesthetic.

This deck is ideal for readers seeking a tarot experience that is explicitly queer-inclusive, politically radical, and non-traditional in its representation. It will resonate with activists, artists, and individuals who prioritize diversity in gender, body type, and ability. Experienced tarot readers looking for a deck that challenges conventional interpretations and offers a fresh, community-driven perspective will find it particularly engaging. It may also appeal to collectors interested in unique, collaboratively produced decks with a strong social message.

The Collective Tarot is a project born from a collaborative effort, reflecting a community-driven approach to tarot creation. Its origins are rooted in a desire to create a deck that is radically political and queerly revisioned, challenging traditional norms of gender, hierarchy, and representation within tarot. The deck's success across multiple printings, including the 2012 Kickstarter for Round III, demonstrates its resonance within activist and queer communities. The creators aimed to make tarot accessible and reflective of diverse experiences, bringing together various spiritual and artistic processes to form a cohesive yet varied whole.