A Tarot Deck:
Color Theory and the Body
This Tarot deck is based on color theory. The journey of the major arcana is shown through the introduction of different colors throughout the deck is shown above. Beginning with The Fool in cyan, magenta, and yellow, the three primary colors used to create the rest. Below you will find the minor arcana as it is completed. Because of my interest in the human body over object, each suit will be represented differently than a standard Tarot deck.
For starters, the Cups are represented instead by hands. This is because hands are often one of our most expressive features. Public speakers are known for using their hands to help communicate. In an argument hands are often used to emphasize meaning. Because hands are so emotive they were used to represent what cups traditionally do.
The Wands are represented with mouths. Wands are about the self and how one represents the self to the world as well as understands it internally. Our mouths are how we express our thoughts, feels, and self to those around us. Not only do we communicate through the words we speak but an important part of how we read an expression is based on the mouth. It provides subtle communication that can either be an illusion or truly vulnerable.
The Swords are represented by eyes. The Swords is about asserting ideas an communication. The eyes are often described as the windows to the soul because of how emotive they can be. Eyes can pierce through someone or entirely isolate someone. They reveal the inner feelings but can also be deceptive.
The last section is the Pentacles which are represented by feet. The Pentacles are about finances and material items. This sense of worldly possession is why the feet are used in place of Pentacles. Our feet are what ground us, connecting us to the Earthly world. As well, feet often show what our concerns for a situation are. Feet can be worn, or flexible, young and old. They can show luxury and poverty.
The Fool is about new adventures, an innocence. This card is only in the three colors used to create every other color: cyan, magenta, and yellow. This is symbolic of the possibilities that can happen with the fool.
The Magician is a card focus on realizing one's potential and being resourceful. White is introduced to the character on their journey as they begin to use this color to their benefit.
This card is representative of inner voice, the unconscious, a higher connection. Normally called The High Priestess, this particular card has a more gender neutral name. It focuses on the trans experience as trans people must learn to listen to their inner voice to determine who they are. The main colors in this card are yellow and magenta, separating from the binary to listen and present as neither female nor masculine.
The Empress is symbolic of femininity and matriarchy. The pink skim and curves of the card show the feminine nature. Her power is seen in a thrown she has formed from the color white.
The Emperor card is about discipline, mastery, and authority. The harsh straight lines show this rigidity. The white outline shows the mastery over these colors. This lines although different in size relate to the perspective. This card is about security and authority
The Hierophant is about traditions and conventions. This card is completed in black and white because of traditional photography. Nothing is out of the ordinary. This is the standard pose and perspective. The hair is standard; the build is standard. This card is about standards and conventions
The Lovers card is about relationships and choices. The color pink is used to represent the romantic nature of this card while hints of red warn of possible danger. Whatever choices are being made should be taken seriously. These similar looking figures branch from the idea of lovers originally starting as one being. Then split down the middle and forces to look for each other forever connected by a red string.
The Chariot card is about movement and overcoming difficulties. Red is the color of determination and thus the focal point of this card. Although things may be difficult the chariot card asks for you to continue to push through
Strength card represents courage, strength and compassion. The slinking nature of the lion and the colors of red and yellow represent these concepts.
The Hermit card is about soul-searching, inner guidance and being alone. The black and white nature of this card adds to the isolation this card is meant to represent as the individual looks at what they already have to learn something.
The Wheel of Fortune card is about good luck, life cycles, and destiny. It is represented by a wheel decorated with the color wheel. The cyclical nature of the color wheel shows the constant shifting from one space to another in a circle.
This card is about justice, facts, and fairness. Things are right or wrong actions have consequences. Thus the card is done in black and white. There are no shades of gray in this card
The Hanged Man deals with new perspectives and letting go. Green and red are contrasting colors yet work together well. Green is generally associated with growing and newness.The pops of white act as a reminder to pause, even just a little to listen and think. White is a color of surrendering and one should to look at their situation differently.
The Death card is about endings, transformation and change. Death is often associated with the color black, a color known as the end. This card however is placed on a white background as a reminder that this card does not mean the end of the world but of the chapter. The shades of this card go from black to white showing a visually transformative nature of this card.
Temperance is the card of moderation, patience, and balance. Just like yin and yang this card balance the black in the top portion with the white figure and the black shade of the legs with a white pattern. As well this ballerina works to stay balanced in their pose as this card suggests you do as well.
The Devil card represents attachments, addictions, the shadow self and restriction. A card of caution generally the figure is red, the color of danger. This figure is held down by bright green ropes. Green is often the color of things seen as a good or even money. Although these things can be helpful for existing, this card points to the problems that they cause.
The Tower represents sudden change, upheaval, and chaos. The color palette for this card involves just about every color in the series embodies this chaos. The lightening background warns of change and breaking down however the white remains a reminder that this change may be for the best even if unwanted.
The Star card is about spirituality, hope, faith, and renewal. The shades of white and yellow show hope and positive energy while the deep blue provides a sense of confidence in this hope. It is a secure hope and faith.
The Moon card represents illusion, fear, anxiety, and intuition. The figure in this card provides the illusion of a moon in the jacket while the figure provides the sense of anxiety. The light shades give a sense of walking on egg shell, a lack of confidence in what exists and what may only be a surface image.
The Sun card represents positivity, success, and warm. The color palette of red, yellow and white give the sense of wealth and warm associated with success. As well, yellow is the color associated with happiness.
Judgement is the card about rebirth, judgement , and inner callings. This figure plays the yellow trumpet to call one to face their actions. The yellow represent the possibility for better life; the green represents the possibility for rebirth. The white and black remains as a reminder that the judgement card is not just confirming good actions but dealing with the consequences of bad actions.
The World card is about completion and integration. The color wheel perfectly represents this as it represents the blending of all colors. The different shades of gray on this color wheel present the possibility for different values of each color. This card is about the possibilities available
The King of Mouths is the card of leadership and vision. The mouth sits, slightly ajar ready to speak or listen as necessary as a good leader is. The white influence of their words leaks out in balance. These lips are in the shade of blue as this card is often associated with a sense of masculinity. This card is about naturally leading and having a vision.
The Queen of Mouths is about courage, confidence and sociablity. This mouth has begun to speak, spreading the idea. The bright pink lips provide a sense of confidence normally associated with the color red as well as the sense of feminity associated with the card is seen in the pink lips. This is a card about confidently interacting with the world outside the self.
The Knight of Mouths card is about energy, action, and impulsiveness. Looking at the previous card this mouth has acted on it's idea. This action may or may not be a good idea but it action has been taken. The idea once just in the mouth is beginning to spread to the world around it.
The Page of Mouths is about potential, ideas, discovery, and free spirit. These last four cards in the Mouths Suit returns to the first few cards' palette in the Major Arcana. The white ball in the middle of the mouth symbolizes the potential of an idea, just about formed. It is quite an object but has enough form to be seen leaving.
The Ten of Mouths is about burden, hard work, and completion. Many of these mouths were based on those of elderly workers. The weight of their labor seen even in their mouths. The struggle of responsibility of a young child crying out under the burden of it all. The muted red and green feels as though it has been worn with time as several of the mouths have been.
The Nine of Mouths is about resiliance and boundaries. Each section of the mouth is done in a different color. This creates clear boundaries between the sections. The red tones are chosen for their confidence in the decision. However setting boundaries can be difficult and thus these mounths show the complication of this.
The Eight of Mouths is about fast paced changed, travel. This card is done in bright colors with mouths in awe as if one is witnessing a new change. Things that happen suddenly almost prevent an emotional response so these mouths are all with minimal emotions.
The Seven of Mouths is about perserverance, competition, and challenges. The yellow provide a sense of competition while to purple creates a sense of possible success. The tones are muted as everything is in the air. It is not a negative sense of competition. Yes, there may be challenges but they can be conquered. These lips show the different approaches to challenges and completion. Some are thinking and contemplating others are anger and ready to go.
The Six of Mouths is about success and public recognition. These are the smiles of of public figures, sincere, but humble. The muted tones provide a confidence with out narcism. It is a well earned smile.
The Five of Mouths card is about tension, conflict, and competition. These mouths show the emotion of confliction and anger often felt during disagreements. The colors themselves create a sense of conflict and competion between one another. The colors were added based on their tone instead of their hue. This creates a chaotic energy not present in the previous cards.
This card deals with celebration and surprise. The card focus on the color yellow contrasted by the green and purple. These colors create a sense of happiness and excitment
The Three of Mouths card is about expansion and foresight. This is seen as the mouths expand into a smile. The final mouth in the color purple represents the benefits of foresight. These mouths show the steps of discovery, processing/reacting and reaping the benefits of foresight.
The Two of Mouths card is about progress and discovery. The mouths are slightly ajar, opened in the state of awe that may be seen when seeing something new for the first time. The hints of yellow inside the mouth are representative of this discovery. It may not be obvious but there is something new.
The Ace of Mouths card is about growth, new opportunities, and potential. This mouth is at the beginning of saying something, showing the potential. The color green and its brightness expresses possible growth.
The King of Eyes handles mental clarity, intellectual power, and authority. The soft blue shade create the sense of cleansing and clarity while the muted yellow iris creates a sense understanding. The purple adds a sense of authority and power as it has often been associated with those in power. The white surrounds and mirrors the eye, reflective of the importance of ambition and boundaries seen in the Knight and Queen of this suite but there is still room for more growth and flexibility as necessary.
The Queen of Eyes is about independence, clear boundaries, and direct communication. Each color is crips and clear. The color red is a decisive color however when seen in a pink shade it feels less aggressive and more approachable. The boundaries are not unnecessary or harsh. They are require and respectful. The orange shade warns of crossing these boundaries. The white surrounding the acts as a physical boundary between the eye and the rest of the world.
The Knight of Eyes is ambitious, fast thinking, and success driven. The ambition and desire to move is seen in this bright but not over whelming red. The desire for success is seen in the yellow eye. And the desire for more is reflected in the white that mirrors the eye shape and the iris itself below and above the eye itself. This card is about moving oneself from an internal motivation to an external space and external approval and success.
The Page of Eyes is about curiosity and a desire to learn. The soft shades of pink and purple create a sense of hope and innocense before knowing. The bright green eye shows this future growth. The white bubbles out of the eye in excitement for learning and gaining information.
The Ten of Eyes addresses painful loss, betrayal, difficult endings and deep wounds. This card unlike the rest of the cards in this suite rarely uses its third, bright color. This is cause the feeling that the hope is being eaten away and is currently disappearing. The deep teal and purple shades create the sense of endings. The sideways eyes create a of finality in the regularity of them. As well there is a saddness carried in each set of eyes.
The Nine of Eyes is about depression, anxiety, and nightmares. The blues represent this depression, the yellow shows this anxiety and fear, and the purple shows the nightmare-ish energy. The eyes are all on guard, watching in fear the world around them. None of them feel connected to one another.
The Eight of Eyes addresses negative thoughts and restrictions place on oneself by oneself. This negativity is seen in the deep blue shades showing the depth of negativity that this card represents. The muted orange shows the caution and restriction that this card holds.
The Seven of Eyes is about betrayal, deception, and getting away with something. This card deals with gains at a possible unseen prices. These eyes balance the red of danger and the green of growth and consumption. The eyes themselves search in panic looking for who might betrayal them for what they've done.
The Six of Eyes is about change, transition, and rite of passage on a large scale. There is room for growth but it is uncomfortable. The bright green show the idea of growth, but the blue shows the sadness associated with the idea of change. We also see this transition as the eyes blink going down the card.
The Five of Eyes is the card of conflict and fighting for something at all costs. This intention is seen in the golden colored eyes. This golden color is often associated with pure intentions that are worth dying for. The shades of blue and purple act as a backdrop, showing the often dark past that creates the need for such dedication.
The Four of Eyes addresses relaxation and mediation. Green is often seen as a calming color and reds and pinks focus the eye on these greens. The eyes themselves are not entirely focused on anything. They are lost in meditation.
The Three of Eyes deals with heart break, grief and pain. These eyes are all in muted blue tones to show the sadness. The other colors in the image feel overwhelmed by the blue color. You can almost see the tears forming as you look into them.
The Two of Eyes is a card of difficult decisions and avoidance of those decisions. The bright contrast between the deep purple and the bright green and yellow show the decision in front of these eyes. However, they do not make eye contact, not with you and not with each other.
The Ace of Eyes is about mental clarity. This eye is calm, thoughtful. The colors are muted tones. The eye color is blue, a calming color. This eye also contains the color green often associated with success as this card is also.
The King of Feet is a card about abundance, wealth, discipline, and security. The blue shows the depth and knowledge that one gains through years of discipline, working, and learning. The white is show flowing out from inside the foot as this card shows having plenty to share in terms of knowledge of wealth. This card has nothing to hide.
The Queen of Feet is a card about nurturing, providing for others, and the idea of working parents. The shades of pink and purple give the feminine energy often associated with parents who provide for their children. The white spreads from the foot as one provides for others while some white remains with in the foot, seen at the bottom of the card. This shows a necessary sense of helping others while ensure the one is already taken care of first.
The Knight of Feet is about hard work, routine, and conservation. The shades of orange show this caution and conservation. The pink underneath shows the possibility of danger at any step. The white wraps around the foot as this card is about protecting and repeating what one knows works. The white leaks out to the ground as this card attempts to see ahead but is unable to.
The Page of Feet is a card that handles manifestation, opportunity, and skill development. This opportunity is seen in the cool green coloring that is less overwhelming than a warmer green. The foot is actively stepping showing the idea of manifestation. And the white underneath the feet shows the numerous opportunities and skills that this card represents. The foot cant help but step in them.
The Ten of Feet is a card about long term success, contribution, family, and financial success. The wealth is seen with the yellow highlights. The orange acts as here to show the hard work and steady contribution needed for long term success. The green shows that there is still room to grow. The feet come in pairs as this is a card about family. Some are older some are younger but they are always with another foot.
The Nine of Feet is about wealth, financial security, and luxury. These yellows and oranges are used to create a sense of golden feet. This golden color represents the plenty of wealth from this card. As well, the feet are all lounging and comfortable, worry free in luxury.
The Eight of Feet is about receptive work, apprenticeship, and skill development. Shades of red and orange are used to show the difficulty of repetitive tasks. They are hard and frustrating but necessary. As well, these are the feet of dancers. The positions are uncomfortable and painful. But to become a dancer one must practice again and again. Thus these feet are repeated to create this card.
The Seven of Feet is about perseverance, investment, and sustainable results. The yellow is used to show the possibility of wealth. The orange show that caution may be needed. While the red shows that this is a card about actively choosing a responsible action. The feet in this card are seen contemplating in the center. The surrounding feet are seen from in front and behind as it necessary to look at all aspects of the situation to choose the most sustainable.
The Six of Feet is a card about generosity, charity, giving and receiving. These feet are shades of green to show the giving and the yellow shows the wealth to give. There is no orange in this card to warn of caution like in other cards. The feet are happy. Theres a sense of joy about them. Some are are planted, others are dancing because this is a time of plenty.
The Five of Feet is a card about poverty, financial loss, isolation and worry. This card is in shades of blue because it is a sad and emotionally exhausting period of time. The lightest parts of the feet are also a clearly blue hue because even the bright moments have a tinge of sadness. In contrast to other parts of the feet it is bright, however it is still blue. All of these feet are stretching because loss and isolation puts one in uncomfortable positions.
The Four of Feet is a card about scarcity, conservatism, and saving money. The yellow represents this want for wealth. The green is symbolic of the desire for growth however it is barely used because that growth is unlikely. The orange acts as a color of caution between wealth and growth. All of these feet are flat on the ground. The are not taking risk, they are being cautious. The feet as well create a box that they remain in. This card is about holding on to what you have because there is not much.
The Three of Feet is about collaboration, team work, and learning. The cool shades of blue and purple show this sense of calmness and openness that is required to learn. The foot is seen rotating in this card to show looking at something from several angles to learn about it further. As well, these feet are actively engaged in creating this arch. Just as learning and collaborating requires active engagement and occasionally discomfort.
The Two of Feet card addresses adaptability, prioritization and time management. While purple tends to be a calm color the neon magenta acts in an energizing manager as both energies are needed in life but it is important to determine when to use each. The feet them selves show one foot firm and planted on the ground. It represents stability. The other foot sits almost on point. While it is important to be comfortable and confident this card shows the need to be flexible and uncomfortable as well.
The Ace of Feet is a card about financial opportunities. The color green shows the possible growth while the foot sits confidently on the ground. The slightly lifted toe shows the interest and intrigue of new opportunities arriving.
The Kings of Hands deals with emotion balance, compassion, and diplomacy. The color purple was chosen with a muted yellow showing the balance and calmness. The origami crane rests gently in the hand providing evidence of the delicate yet complicated nature of this card.
The Queen of Hands is the card that deals with caring, emotional stability, intuition, and compassion. The deep cool blue in contrast to the orange creates a sense of cool comfort. The candle sits and melts in the hand and fills the hand with wax. The wax shows how still this hand has been. The candle is symbolic of inituition.
The Knight of Hands is the card of creativity, romance, charm, and imagination. The soft pink creates an air of romance, enhanced by the rose growing out of the hand. The mute green tone hints at the possibilities of this card without being overwhelming.
The Page of Hands deals with creative opportunities, intuitive messages and possibilities. This card is associated with childhood as seen with the dandelion held. The warm blues with the muted yellow provides a calm sense of possibilities. The blue signifies listening without anxiety.
The Ten of Hands deals with harmony, blissful relationships, and alignment. These hands create a circle of hands that work in harmony. They all perfectly work together to create the unity of these piece. The muted tones prevent any hand from overwhelming the importance of the other.
The Nine of Hands deals with satisfaction, gratitude, and wishes coming true. The purple and gold colors create a sense of wealth and luxury. These colors create a feeling of success. The composition of the hands show the reaching and success of these hands connecting
The Eight of Hands deals with disappointment, abandonment and withdrawal. The gestures of these hands show the internal struggle and concern associated with this card. The pale blue, often seen as a comfort, with the bright orange as contrast, creates a feeling of sadness. The bright orange creates a feeling of anxiety and over examination.
Seven of Hands The Seven of Hands is about illusions, opportunities and wishful thinking. The gestures of these hands show the enthusiasm and optimism. The colors provide a sense of other worldliness that we do not entirely trust. Because the shadows shift between red and blue our mind is not confident in its reality. We understand the lighting but at the same time it does not make sense.
The Six of Hands is a card about returning to one's past, innocence, and childlike energy. The color purple is often worn by young girls and those who still have a sense of whimsy. The cats cradle game is being played, symbolic of the threads of memory that are woven together. The bright green shows their positivity and energy.
The Five of Hands deals with regret, failure and disappointment. These are seen in the almost gray tones of these hands. There is no enthusiasm as they reach for something they want but do not have. It feels as thought it has slipped just out of reach. These hands are not expected to retrieve this lost item.
The Four of Hands is about apathy, reevaluation, and meditation. The muted tones of the pink and green provide an air of contemplation and apathy. The gestures of these hands as well provide the idea of contemplation and reevaluation.
The Three of Hands is about celebration, collaboration, and friendship. The bright yellow that is complimented by the deep blue shows the energy of celebration. The three hands work together to place these blue "gloves" on one another's hands.
Slowly weaving into each other, this card is about unified partners. The color of each hand is slightly in the shadows of the other showing their compatibility
Dripping with possibilities, the Ace of hands is about love, creativity, and compassion. The pink and cyan create a sense of options with a romantic tinge.
The back of the tarot deck. A color wheel showing the range of possibilities on the other side of the card.