The Demon-Possessed Tarot

The Demon-Possessed Tarot is a complete 78-card deck that reinterprets the traditional tarot system through the lens of demonology, specifically drawing from the 72 Demons of the Ars Goetia and 6 Grand Princes of Hell. Created by Travis McHenry, known for his work in esoteric and occult-themed decks, this project successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2018, raising over $63,000 from 722 backers. The deck aims to evoke the essence of these infernal entities, assigning them to specific Major and Minor Arcana cards.

Each card features a unique illustration of a demon, accompanied by its name, number, and a brief description of its powers or attributes, presented in a style reminiscent of ancient grimoires. The Major Arcana includes prominent figures such as Lucifer as Death, Andras as The Chariot, and Beelzebub as The Moon, alongside more benevolent entities like Bune (The Sun) and Vapula (The World). The Minor Arcana integrates the remaining demons, creating a comprehensive system for those interested in occult practices or dark aesthetics.

The deck was initially offered in a plain white card box, with options for custom tuck boxes and black velvet drawstring bags as upgrades. A digital booklet detailing the demons, their tarot correspondences, and the deck's background was included with all full deck pledges. The Grimoire of Dark Souls, a hand-crafted demonic book, was also offered as a premium add-on, providing further depth into the summoning and lore of these entities.

This deck is designed for experienced tarot readers and collectors with a strong interest in demonology, occultism, and dark aesthetics. It appeals to those who appreciate historical grimoire art and are looking for a deck that challenges traditional tarot imagery. It may also attract practitioners of ceremonial magic or those who use tarot for shadow work and exploring darker aspects of the psyche. Beginners might find the imagery and themes too intense or specialized without prior knowledge of demonology or tarot.

Travis McHenry is the creator behind The Demon-Possessed Tarot, building on his established reputation for producing esoteric and occult-themed card decks. His inspiration for this deck stemmed from the ancient grimoires and the lore surrounding the 72 Demons of the Ars Goetia and the Grand Princes of Hell. McHenry aimed to create a complete tarot system that not only depicted these entities but also integrated their specific powers and attributes into the traditional tarot framework, offering a unique tool for divination and magical practice.