The Veleda Woods Tarot Deck

The Veleda Woods Tarot Deck is a 78-card set created by artist Betty Skeet, drawing inspiration from the mystical atmosphere and natural elements of the woods. Launched successfully on Kickstarter in 2020, the deck aims to connect users with the magic inherent in nature through its unique artistic interpretation of traditional tarot archetypes. Each card is designed to evoke a sense of woodland wonder, blending familiar tarot symbolism with botanical imagery and a distinct color palette.

The deck comes with a comprehensive paperback guidebook, which supports readers in understanding the card meanings and integrating the woodland theme into their interpretations. The campaign emphasized the deck's ability to offer a fresh perspective on tarot, making it accessible to both seasoned practitioners and those new to the practice. The physical product includes the full 78-card deck and the accompanying guidebook, providing a complete divination tool.

The Veleda Woods Tarot was well-received by backers, raising over $22,000 from more than 300 supporters. This success allowed for the production of the deck and guidebook, with various reward tiers offering additional items like special edition prints and hand-spun tarot cloths. The deck's aesthetic and thematic focus on nature position it as a unique offering in the contemporary tarot landscape.

The artwork for The Veleda Woods Tarot is characterized by bold, graphic illustrations with a strong botanical focus, rendered in a vibrant and somewhat whimsical style. The color palette is rich and diverse, featuring deep blues, bright yellows, various shades of pink and red, and earthy greens, often set against dark backgrounds that make the colors pop. The compositions are clean and stylized, with clear outlines and a contemporary feel. For example, the 'Ace of Cups' card shows a stylized foxglove flower with radiating stars against a split background of teal and dark blue with gold speckles, while the card back features a symmetrical floral arrangement with acorns and berries. The overall impression is one of modern folk art, combining natural elements with a playful, almost art-deco inspired geometric sensibility.

This deck is ideal for tarot readers who appreciate nature-inspired themes and a modern, vibrant aesthetic. It will appeal to those who enjoy botanical art and seek a deck with a clear, illustrative style that is easy to interpret. Both beginners and experienced readers looking for a fresh, visually engaging take on the tarot system will find this deck suitable, especially if they are drawn to themes of woodland magic and natural symbolism.