The Divine and Play Tarot Deck

The Divine and Play Tarot Deck, created by artist Matt Green, offers a unique hybrid design that serves as both a complete 78-card tarot deck and a standard 52-card playing card deck. This innovative approach integrates traditional playing card suit symbols and ranks directly onto the tarot cards, allowing for versatile use in both divination and card games. The deck successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2020, raising $24,972 from 743 backers, indicating strong community interest in its dual functionality.

The core concept of the Divine and Play Tarot is to bridge the gap between two distinct card systems, making tarot more accessible to those familiar with playing cards, and vice versa. The artwork largely adheres to the classic Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) imagery, ensuring that traditional tarot readers can easily recognize and interpret the cards. However, the addition of playing card pips and numbers on each card's border transforms it into a functional playing card deck, complete with four suits (Spades, Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds) and corresponding ranks (Ace through King).

This dual functionality is particularly appealing for those who appreciate the historical connection between playing cards and tarot, or for individuals looking for a single deck that can fulfill multiple roles. The deck was offered in a tuck box, with an option for a flip-top box and guidebook in higher reward tiers, suggesting a commitment to both practicality and a more premium presentation for dedicated users. The inclusion of a companion "Shadow Play" deck in some tiers also hints at a broader creative vision from the artist.

This deck is ideal for tarot enthusiasts who appreciate the historical connection between playing cards and tarot, or for those seeking a versatile deck that can serve multiple purposes. It particularly appeals to beginners who are familiar with playing cards and want a gentle introduction to tarot, as well as experienced RWS readers looking for a unique, functional twist on a classic. Collectors interested in innovative deck designs or hybrid systems will also find this deck appealing.

Matt Green created The Divine and Play Tarot Deck with the explicit goal of combining a full tarot deck with a standard playing card deck. This concept aimed to offer a versatile tool for both divination and traditional card games. The project successfully launched on Kickstarter in 2020, demonstrating the appeal of its dual-purpose design to a broad audience. The campaign also introduced a companion "Shadow Play" deck, suggesting a broader creative vision for card decks.