the glow tarot
An ongoing illustrated tarot deck exploring light, darkness and the emotional symbolism of the traditional tarot. Each card reimagines its archetype through an original scene, using visual metaphor, atmosphere and a recurring world of dark forests and luminous figures to translate abstract ideas into narrative imagery.
suits
Rather than relying on traditional tarot objects, I wanted each suit to express the Glow in its own way through light, color, and its interaction with the woods. This created a distinct visual identity for each suit while allowing room for experimentation within the symbolism of the Rider–Waite–Smith system.
WANDS
THE GLOW RADIATES
Fire, heat, sparks, energy, and movement. The Glow expands outward, ignites, spreads, and transforms. High contrast, deep saturation, and warm oranges, yellows, and reds.
Action, impulse, ambition, conflict.
THE GLOW CUTS
Sharp beams, directional light, shadows, silhouettes, and obscured visibility. Light exposes or conceals the truth. Stark contrast, desaturated colors, and psychological tension.
Truth, perception, conflict, consequence.
swords
THE GLOW REFLECTS AND POOLS
Water, reflections, refraction, immersion, and distortion. The Glow becomes fluid and dreamlike, blurring the boundaries between reality, memory, and emotion. Blues and teals with pinks and peaches.
Emotion, relationships, memory, connection.
cups
THE GLOW RESTS AND GROWS
Plants, roots, moss, flowers, fungi, and organic transformation. The Glow becomes something tangible, nourishing the forest and integrating people into its ecosystem. Rich, saturated earth tones and greens.
Growth, stability, cultivation, the physical world.
pentacles
