The Tarot Restless by Winslow Dumaine

The Tarot Restless is a 78-card deck that significantly overhauls the classic Rider-Waite tarot, particularly in its Major Arcana, which features new creations within a dark fantasy narrative. The deck is set against the backdrop of an "infertility apocalypse," a unique and unsettling premise that informs the macabre and bizarre elements of its imagery. Accompanying the deck is "Restless Meditations," a 100-page book that serves as both a comprehensive guidebook and a collection of short stories, providing deep lore and interpretations for each card, including instructions for an "Inimical Reading."

Created by Winslow Dumaine, the deck emerged from a period of personal grief and betrayal, serving as an artistic expression of suffering and a search for meaning in a hostile world. This deeply personal origin imbues the deck with themes of revenge, betrayal, and pain, balanced by messages of empowerment, extrication, and relief. The artwork, inspired by video games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, and authors such as H. P. Lovecraft, aims to immerse the viewer in a rich, vast, and intricate universe, even when only seeing a fragment of it.

The physical product includes cards printed on 310gsm linen stock with a standard gloss finish, designed for smooth handling while retaining a slight texture. The deck is housed in a rigid, two-part box with a matte finish and custom artwork. The project successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2017, reaching stretch goals that included enamel pins for every order, indicating a strong community reception for its distinctive aesthetic and narrative.

This deck is ideal for experienced tarot readers and collectors who appreciate dark fantasy aesthetics, intricate lore, and a challenging, introspective reading experience. It will appeal to those interested in exploring themes of grief, trauma, empowerment, and the darker aspects of the human condition. Readers familiar with the Rider-Waite-Smith system but seeking a profound, visually distinct, and narratively rich reinterpretation will find this deck particularly engaging. It is less suited for beginners seeking a light or traditional introduction to tarot.

Winslow Dumaine created The Tarot Restless as a deeply personal response to a period of intense suffering, including an abusive relationship and betrayal by close friends. This experience fueled his search for meaning in a hostile world, leading him to channel his grief into this deck. He drew inspiration from the struggles of strong women in his life, whose experiences with abuse and violence helped him process his own pain. The project's purpose is to guide others in confronting their own pain and grief, balancing macabre themes with messages of empowerment and relief.