The Dark Hive Tarot

Last Updated 01/08/2020

About This Project

The Dark Hive Tarot is a full double sided colour 78 card tarot deck with a separate [or included TBC] accompanying guidebook.

The space creature design was originally featured in H. R. Giger's book Necronomicon. Within its franchise, this species has been portrayed as a villain in the horror and sci-fi genre across many movies, games and books.

However, as many fan's may agree, this creature is a highly intuitive and intelligent being whom can provide brilliant insights on methods of survival in the harshest conditions and inspire wonder in the unlimited possibilities of the universe.

This tarot deck has been designed as a celebratory work of art for fans to appreciate the beauty of space in both its light and dark glory, as well as provide a practical sci-fi themed tarot deck for use in cartomancy. The structure of the deck follows the traditional Rider-Waite Smith system.

My Background

I discovered and began reading tarot for personal use in 2020. Creating this deck has been a wonderful experience in greater expanding my knowledge of each card and further exploring my personal take on tarot. This deck has been a true labor of love and has taken many many hours to develop from sketches in blue biner pen on lined notebook paper to fully rendered digital artworks.

Project Timeline

July 2020 - Major Arcana drafted

August / September 2020 - Minor Arcana drafted and all LWB descriptions completed

October to December 2020 - Final art produced for all cards

January 2021 - Sample deck printed for photography & stretch goals developed

February 2021 - Project launched (1 month funding period)

March / April 2021 - Decks manufactured

May 2021 - All orders fulfilled and shipped

The Details

Size

128 x 78 mm (5 x 3 inches)

Cardstock

Currently three options are being explored and I am waiting samples from several manufacturers to determine my preference for quality vs price.

Option 1 - holographic pearlescent art paper 300 gsm thickness, matt black gilding.

Option 2 - high quality German core stock 310 gsm thickness, holographic black gilding.

Option 3 - premium flexible 340 gsm black core playing card stock with micro linen finish

Threats of Fate Tarot

Option 1 - holographic pearlescent art paper 300 gsm thickness, matt black gilding.

This Might Hurt Tarot

Option 2 - high quality German core stock 310 gsm thickness, holographic black gilding.

Kitten Chops Playful Heart Tarot

Option 3 - premium flexible 340 gsm black core playing card stock with micro linen finish

Card Backs

Pending price, will be plain or will have holographic foil highlights.

[Image to be inserted here.]

The Box

Sturdy hinged box with magnetic closure for long-term storage, with holographic laminate paper wrap on solid fibre board base.

Cards to be plastic wrap sealed inside the box.

Outer shipper will be custom made in Australia to ship the decks and branded via digital inkjet print onto corrugated cardboard.

The Booklet

128 x 78 mm booklet with deck specific card meanings. Black and white only. Approx 100 pages in total.

Will make available digital download PDF in colour for all backers free of charge.

Example explanation:

"The Fool has opened the doors to the airlock leading to the great expanse of space. The opportunities that lay beyond the safety of the spaceship encourage you to follow your heart and do what you desire, even if the steps forward seem risky, illogical, or unconstrained. Has the fool by choice pressed the Open button or have they stumbled across this by accident? Step into the unknown and into the arms of fate; if you remain hopeful and joyful then there can be spiritual enlightenment within the madness of chaos. "