The Solar Deck

The Solar Deck is a 78-card tarot deck that draws its inspiration from the rich mythologies of Mesopotamia and Canaan. Created by artist Martin Katzoff, the deck reimagines the Rider-Waite system through the lens of ancient Near Eastern deities and iconography. Notably, the suit of Pentacles is replaced by "Disks," and the Knights are reinterpreted as "Demons," integrating the thematic elements directly into the card structure.

The artwork for the deck originates from copperplate etchings, a labor-intensive printmaking process that Katzoff chose to evoke the ancient method of inscribing images onto tablets. This technique results in unique, embossed prints, with each card possessing subtle variations. The deck is named after Shamash, the Mesopotamian sun god, emphasizing its connection to the region's solar deities and ancient spiritual practices.

While the Major Arcana was completed at the time of the Kickstarter campaign, the full 78-card deck was a goal to be realized with funding. The cards are printed on 300gsm professional quality card stock with a blue core and an MPC card finish, housed in a customized tuck box. For backers of the inkjet printed decks, a stretch goal was unlocked to provide a tin box, enhancing the collectible nature of the product.

This deck is ideal for tarot readers and collectors with a strong interest in ancient Near Eastern history, mythology, and archaeology. It appeals to those who appreciate traditional printmaking techniques and a more serious, academic approach to tarot themes. Experienced Rider-Waite-Smith readers will find the system familiar, despite the thematic changes to suits and court cards, making it suitable for those seeking a unique, culturally rich interpretation of the classic system.

Martin Katzoff's journey to create The Solar Deck was driven by several years of research into Mesopotamian and Babylonian imagery. He chose copperplate etching as the medium to translate these ancient visuals, believing it would uniquely connect the age-old process of printmaking with the way imagery was inscribed on ancient tablets. His goal was to infuse the energy of Neo-Babylonian and ancient Canaanite history into a tarot deck, making these historical images accessible in a 21st-century context. The deck is named after Shamash, the Mesopotamian sun god, reflecting its deep thematic roots.