Trick or Tarot: The Oracle for Halloween... and Beyond

Trick or Tarot is a 78-card deck created by Doug Thornsjo, known for his previous work like Tarot of the Zirkus Mägi. This deck is explicitly designed as a Halloween-themed tarot, drawing inspiration from the holiday's "creepy, kooky, altogether ooky" atmosphere. Thornsjo emphasizes that despite its thematic focus, the deck is crafted as a functional tool for both practitioners and novices, built upon traditional tarot themes and symbols rather than being a mere novelty.

The deck was produced in two distinct editions: a Popular Edition and a Limited, Large-Size Special Edition. The Popular Edition features 2.89” x 4.75” cards on 330 gsm German black core paper, packaged in a tuck box with a 12-page LWB. The Special Edition, limited to 500 copies, offers larger 3.5” x 5.75” cards on 350 gsm art paper with black foil edging, housed in a sturdy two-piece box, also with a 12-page LWB. Both editions were printed by Shenzhen Wangjing Printing Company, Ltd., a manufacturer known for other popular decks.

Thornsjo's goal with this Kickstarter was to produce a high-quality deck at an accessible price point, moving beyond the limitations of print-on-demand services he used for previous decks. The campaign successfully raised $15,796 from 295 backers, demonstrating significant interest in a Halloween-themed tarot that maintains traditional functionality.

This deck is ideal for tarot enthusiasts who appreciate Halloween and spooky aesthetics, seeking a deck that can be used year-round, not just seasonally. It appeals to both experienced practitioners looking for a themed deck with traditional underpinnings and novices drawn to its approachable, whimsical nature. Collectors interested in limited editions or unique thematic interpretations of tarot will also find this deck appealing.

Doug Thornsjo is an artist and creator with a passion for tarot, having successfully funded his first deck, Tarot of the Zirkus Mägi, three years prior to Trick or Tarot. He has since created several other popular tarot, oracle, and Lenormand packs, primarily through print-on-demand services. His motivation for launching Trick or Tarot on Kickstarter was to overcome the cost limitations of print-on-demand, enabling him to produce a high-quality deck at a more affordable price point and reach a wider audience. Halloween is his favorite holiday, making this deck a project close to his heart.