Curated by Johnny Cosmic, 2022.
This is a small, locally created deck. I can't find any info about publishers etc that I would usually add. So here is the Instagram for the deck.
This deck is on loan to me by my good friend, The Friendly Green Witch. She sells an array of decks, books and witchy wares over at her depop. I also reviewed this deck in video format which you can find here.
The Leeds tarot was the brainchild of Johnny Cosmic, a Leeds based artist who upon finding his father's deck, was (like many others) inspired to create his own. Following on from the loneliness and disconnectedness of the pandemic, he undertook a unique feat. To unify artists, both aspiring and established, through the tarot. The result is a beautiful array of artwork, an homage to Leeds (my hometown), and it's culture and creatives.
Each card was randomly assigned to the contributing artists, to interpret in their own style. What is interesting is leafing through the deck, you will find artists who are tarot readers. Artists who have done a lot of research into the meaning of their card and been conscious in translating this into a "visually readable" pictorial card. And of course there are a small number of artists have kind of cobbled something together and slapped it on the card. Some of these show great skill and style but it don't really "relate", and you can see the thought hasn't been put in. That is part of the beauty of the deck, but it turns the deck from a working tarot deck, to more of a collectors item. It is like a gallery you keep in your pocket. My absolute favourite thing about the deck is how happy each artist was just to be part of it. If you don't believe me, just click the Instagram link, and see what the artists have to say. It is wholesome as heck! Their joy is tangible.
When I got the box, the first thing I noticed was what a beautiful homage it was to my hometown. It's colours were taken from our football and rugby team, the Yorkshire Rose emblazed on the front, with an eye at the centre giving a nod to the esoteric and all seeing nature of tarot.
I then noticed it had a QR code on. As a reader, I am always wary of QR codes, as they often come on counterfeit decks, and links you to an online version (often loaded with viruses) of the guide book that would come with the authentic deck. The QR code on the Leeds Tarot is GENUINELY LEGIT. I am personally from Leeds, I am acquainted with the creator of the deck and some of the artists. I clicked the link myself and it takes you to the Leeds Tarot Instagram. This is a great idea which allows you to discover and support the artists behind your favourite cards quickly and easily, so I wanted to mention this as I know QR codes can raise a question mark in the tarot community.
Practically speaking, the cards are a standard tarot card size, comparable with a typical tarot deck (larger than playing cards). They are very thick and good quality. The texture of the cards is bizarre! They're sort of slippy and have an odd smoothness to them which never felt on another card. I can't easily describe it, but it's like a sheer, silicone coating, smooth and soft but not shiny. It makes them a slippy shuffle, but its just strange-- see for yourself!
Also unusual is that while the deck has its own "little white book", it is not the typical instruction guide and contains no key to the meanings.
Rather, it is the space where the artists are credited for their work, with each artist named. I personally love this and feel it is more in keeping with the deck as a gallery of art rather than a working deck.
Overall, the deck is beautiful, and it's one to talk about! Every time it is leafed through, it throws out more hidden treasures. Some of the cards are loaded with meaning, others are created with a great deal of artistic skill. It's more a collectors deck or art piece, mainly because at any point that the deck could link us to the meanings, instead it links back to the artists. Which is the whole point! That said, I did do a reading with it myself, and it was accurate. The reason I am saying this is so that you know if it meets your needs or not. If you're a beginner looking for a deck to learn with, you may need some
good luck with this deck! This deck is more for collectors, experienced readers, or people who
don't intend to read it, but are interested in Leeds, tarot, art, and more importantly community and collaboration!
I usually say "tarot is a friend you keep in your pocket", the Leeds Tarot breaks boundaries, and is an art gallery to keep in your pocket.
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