The Pasta Tarot

The Pasta Tarot is a 78-card deck that infuses the classic Rider-Waite-Smith tarot system with the vibrant, comforting world of Italian-American food and family. Conceived by Jeff Petriello, a queer Italian-American game producer and design educator, the deck aims to be inclusive and accessible, reflecting diverse genders and ethnicities within its culinary theme. Each card translates traditional tarot archetypes into pasta-themed imagery, offering a unique and often humorous perspective on life's challenges and triumphs.

The deck's creation stems from Petriello's two decades of tarot reading experience combined with his cultural heritage and desire to create a deck that resonates with a broader audience. The campaign emphasizes its roots in queer Italian-American identity, aiming to provide a "delicious divination" experience that feels both personal and universal. The included booklet and stickers further enhance the playful and engaging nature of the product, making it a comprehensive package for both seasoned tarot enthusiasts and newcomers.

Beyond its whimsical surface, The Pasta Tarot is designed to be a functional reading tool. By recontextualizing familiar symbols into an approachable culinary framework, it encourages intuitive interpretation and makes complex tarot concepts more digestible. The deck's success on Kickstarter, raising over $45,000 from 670 backers, underscores its appeal and the community's desire for diverse and creatively themed tarot offerings.

This deck is perfect for tarot readers who appreciate humor and a lighthearted approach to divination, especially those with an interest in food, cooking, or Italian-American culture. It's also well-suited for queer readers and those seeking inclusive, non-gendered representations in their tarot practice. Beginners will find the familiar and comforting imagery a gentle entry point into tarot, while experienced readers will enjoy the fresh, creative take on traditional symbolism.

Jeff Petriello, the creator of The Pasta Tarot, is a game producer and design educator at NYU, with two decades of experience reading tarot. As a queer Italian/Syrian/American, he sought to create a deck that reflects his marginalized identity and cultural heritage, making tarot accessible and relatable for a diverse audience. His background in storytelling through games and education informs the deck's engaging and inclusive design, aiming to tell stories for marginalized communities.