The Devil's Own / An Angel's Own Playing Cards

Travis McHenry's "The Devil's Own" and "An Angel's Own" are a pair of fully illustrated playing card decks, each containing 54 cards. These decks draw heavily from occult traditions, with "The Devil's Own" featuring Goetic Demons and "An Angel's Own" depicting Kabbalistic Angels. While designed as standard playing card decks, their imagery and underlying structure are explicitly rooted in the Minor Arcana of the Tarot, offering a deeper layer of meaning for those familiar with occult symbolism.

The campaign successfully funded in 2021, raising $36,832 from 892 backers, indicating a strong interest in McHenry's distinctive approach to card design. The dual nature of the decks — one representing infernal entities and the other celestial beings — allows for a thematic exploration of opposing forces, making them suitable for both traditional card games and potentially for divination or contemplative practices where these archetypes are relevant. The cards are designed to be functional playing cards while also serving as collectible art pieces.

Each deck is a complete 54-card set, including two jokers, allowing for any game typically played with a standard poker deck. The integration of Goetic and Kabbalistic figures into the playing card format provides a fresh perspective on familiar card games, transforming a simple hand of cards into a narrative rich with ancient magical traditions. This design choice caters to a niche audience interested in both card games and esoteric studies.

These decks are ideal for collectors of unique playing cards, particularly those with an interest in occultism, demonology, angelology, or esoteric traditions. They also appeal to tarot enthusiasts who appreciate the Minor Arcana connections and enjoy decks with deep symbolic layers. Gamers looking for playing cards with a distinctive, dark, or mystical aesthetic will find these compelling. Not suitable for those seeking lighthearted or purely traditional playing card designs.

Travis McHenry is a creator of original Tarot and Oracle decks, known for drawing deep meaning from Occult magic traditions. His work consistently explores esoteric themes, and "The Devil's Own / An Angel's Own Playing Cards" project continues this focus by integrating Goetic Demons and Kabbalistic Angels into a playing card format. This project reflects his ongoing commitment to blending historical occult knowledge with contemporary card design, making these ancient traditions accessible through a familiar medium.