Rosebud Tarot Deck and Guidebook

It's back and better than ever, in a more affordable second edition published by Red Wheel / Weiser Books! The Rosebud Tarot is a gorgeous, 78-card tarot deck based on the structure and images found in the classic Rider-Waite-Smith. Its images, created by Amanda Lee Stilwell, are digital collage dreamscape pathways into archetype. Its guidebook, written by Los Angeles-based Diana Rose Harper, is heart-opening mythopoetry that gives keys to meaning, not just keywords to memorize.

The creators have deliberately chosen to rename several of the cards in the deck, including renaming the court cards. This decision is part of the larger project that many tarot deck creators have been participating in for years: bringing the images and language of the tarot into a contemporary context, acknowledging gender multiplicity, and moving towards archetypal depictions that are more resonant for modern meaning-making.

The renamed Major Arcana cards are:

• THE FOOL becomes THE YOUTH
• THE MAGICIAN becomes THE MAGE
• THE HIGH PRIESTESS becomes THE WITCH
• THE EMPRESS becomes THE LIFEGIVER
• THE EMPEROR becomes THE ELDER
• THE HIEROPHANT becomes THE PROFESSOR
• THE HERMIT becomes THE SEEKER
• THE HANGED MAN becomes THE HANG-UP
• TEMPERANCE becomes ALCHEMY
• JUDGEMENT becomes EMERGENCE

When it comes to court cards, a core quality that each of the courts embodies is highlighted:

• PAGES become CURIOSITY
• KNIGHTS become VELOCITY
• QUEENS become GENEROSITY
• KINGS become SOVEREIGNTY

Additionally, the elements for each minor arcana suit are used, rather than the traditional titles.

• PENTACLES become EARTH
• CUPS become WATER
• WANDS become FIRE
• SWORDS become AIR

This second edition (2023) deck includes seventy-eight (3 x 4.5-inch) cards and an expanded, 96 page guidebook in a custom box. Cards are printed on playing card stock with a smooth finish. The card back has been redesigned for this new edition.

Diana Rose Harper (Guidebook Author and Co-Founder) grew up eating fairy tales for breakfast and myths for dessert. She is now a professional tarot reader, consulting astrologer, energy worker, and writer currently based in Los Angeles and serving clients and students worldwide thanks to the magic of the internet.

Amanda Lee Stilwell (Artist and Co-Founder) is a queer solitary witch who practices ritual, garden and kitchen magick. Her art focuses on ritual digital collage inspired by altar spaces and her own religious upbringing stirred in a cauldron with pop icons, cult movies and strong shapes. She currently lives in Chicago with her spouse and 3 dogs.