The Elvis Tarot

The Elvis Tarot is a 78-card deck that reimagines the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) tarot system through the lens of Elvis Presley's iconic life and career. Created by Chris Leech, the deck draws on a vast archive of Elvis imagery, including movie posters, album covers, and candid photographs, to illustrate each card. The Major Arcana and Minor Arcana are all represented, with the suits renamed to reflect key aspects of Elvis's persona and career: Sideburns, Jumpsuits, Pills, and Cadillacs.

Each card is a visual collage, integrating specific Elvis-related moments and characters into the RWS archetypes. For example, The Magician is depicted with a young Elvis, The Emperor features Colonel Tom Parker, and Strength shows Elvis in a karate pose. The companion book, a 210-page trade paperback, provides detailed interpretations that connect Elvis's story to the tarot meanings, offering a unique narrative framework for readings. The deck aims to be both a functional tarot tool and a collectible item for Elvis fans and pop culture enthusiasts.

The physical production features large format cards printed on 320 gsm stock, housed in a rigid two-piece box. The deck is part of a larger series of music-related tarot decks by Welkin, including The Beatles Tarot and The New Wave Tarot, indicating a consistent approach to pop culture-themed tarot creation. This deck offers a distinctive blend of traditional divination and cultural homage, making it a unique addition to any tarot collection.

This deck is ideal for Elvis Presley fans and collectors of pop culture memorabilia who also have an interest in tarot. It appeals to readers who appreciate a themed deck that reinterprets traditional RWS symbolism through a specific cultural lens. While the companion book helps bridge the gap, some familiarity with Elvis's life or general pop culture tarot decks would enhance the reading experience. It is also suitable for those seeking a unique, conversation-starting deck with a distinct aesthetic.

Chris Leech, born and raised in Victoria, Canada, is a musician, tarot deck maker, and gardener. Having lived and worked across Germany, England, Greece, India, and Canada, Leech brings a diverse background to their creative endeavors. The Elvis Tarot is part of a series of music-related tarot decks from Welkin, including The Beatles Tarot and The New Wave Tarot, showcasing a consistent interest in combining pop culture icons with the tarot system.