The Commonplace Deck

The Commonplace Deck is a unique 30-card oracle set, originating from artist Nell's personal commonplace book — a collection of interlinked illustrations, sketches, and found photographs. Each card features a small, handmade linocut print, giving the deck a distinctive tactile and artisanal quality. The name 'Commonplace' reflects both the method of collation and the seemingly ordinary nature of the imagery, which draws from animals, plants, icons, and stories familiar to the 'common man and woman.'

Unlike traditional tarot or playing cards, this oracle deck has no hierarchical structure, numbers, or text on the cards, emphasizing equality among all images. This design choice encourages a more intuitive and personal approach to divination, allowing readers to form their own interpretations based on the imagery. The deck is intended to provide quick, clear answers and a 'sharp shot of much needed energy and focus,' as described by the creator, who is also a long-term tarot user.

Each deck comes signed and boxed, accompanied by instructions and simple interpretations, including guidance on various spread techniques. With only 50 editions produced, The Commonplace Deck is a collectible item that blends folk art aesthetics with a practical divinatory purpose. It aims to open doors to new patterns of thought, comfort, and inspiration through its deliberately recognizable and intuitive imagery, reflecting a personal interest in folklore, magic, and the natural world.

The artwork for The Commonplace Deck consists of black-and-white linocut prints, characterized by bold, graphic lines and a strong contrast between dark imagery and light backgrounds. The technique results in a slightly rough, textured appearance, typical of hand-pulled prints, which adds to the deck's rustic and artisanal charm. Images depict recognizable subjects like a crow, an owl, a wren, a chalice, and a hagstone, rendered in a simplified, almost symbolic style. The visual approach is direct and uncluttered, allowing each image to stand alone as a focal point for intuition. The campaign images clearly show the linocut process, from original pen and ink designs to test prints, confirming the hand-crafted nature of the illustrations.

This deck is ideal for oracle readers who appreciate handmade, artisanal products and a minimalist aesthetic. It will appeal to those who prefer intuitive reading over structured systems, as the cards lack numbers or text. Collectors of unique, limited-edition decks, especially those interested in folk art, linocut prints, or themes of nature and everyday symbolism, will find this deck particularly appealing. It is also suitable for experienced tarot users looking for a complementary oracle deck that offers quick, focused insights.

Nell, the creator of The Commonplace Deck, is a long-term tarot user who discovered oracle cards through a set of Fatima Oracle Cards in the Isle of Wight. Inspired by the directness of oracle readings, she developed this deck from her own commonplace book, a personal collection of illustrations and observations. Her process involved transforming these collected images into small, handmade linocut prints for divinatory purposes. Nell's interest in folklore, magic, and the natural world is evident in the deck's imagery, which she designed to be recognizable and intuitive. The success of this Kickstarter was intended to fund future projects, including a full Tarot Deck and a publication on rune lore.