A new reimagining of The Bohemian Gothic Tarot
We were grateful and encouraged to see the excitement when we announced that we would make a fourth – and probably final – edition of The Bohemian Gothic Tarot early this year. We thought it would take a few weeks just to adjust some cards and add cold-stamping in the image (a technique that requires considerable design). Many months and lots of ideas and work later, we realise that we have a very changed deck, though it’s still essentially the same in its unique oddness and atmosphere.
Building upon the much-loved previous editions, we think that this latest version is the best to date – and it’s available now on our shops:
On our World shop for worldwide shipping outside Europe and the UK
On our EU/UK shop for shipping inside Europe and the UK
Read on for insights into the transformative updates we’ve made.
A more romantically gothic atmosphere
One of the standout features of the fourth edition is a deepened sense of dark romance in some of imagery. The cards have always had a 19th century gothic look with scenes that are more implied and subtle than some modern gothic.
But we’ve enhanced this and given some of them a distinctly mysterious aura, drawing users into a profound, and at times mischievous, connection with the tarot’s darker symbolism and iconography.
Cold stamped cards
For the first time, we have designed and produced a cold-stamped edition of the deck. This was quite a challenge, as it’s much trickier to design cold stamping within an image, when that image is dark – as of course it has to be in a Gothic card!
We experimented and were able to even test out a couple of trials when another of our decks was being printed. This gave us a way forward and we then worked on every card to make sure the cold stamping would enhance the imagery and make it even more magical. We are thrilled with the result, which can sometimes make the figures on the cards feel almost as if they are coming to life. You can see in the videos below.
An updated guidebook
Recognizing the significance of a comprehensive guidebook, BabaBarock has reimagined the accompanying guide, making it an indispensable tool for both novices and seasoned tarot practitioners. The updated guidebook offers detailed explanations of each card, encompassing their meanings, darker interpretations, and insightful keywords to assist readers in creating a meaningful narrative for each reading.
The addition of new cards
The large format limited edition has two extra cards, Danse Macabre and a new, alternative Four of Wands. The Danse Macabre card first appeared only in the original silver-inked limited edition of the deck, way back in 2006. It has been changed for this version and we hope you love the result.
The Four of Wands is based on a photographic postcard that we’ve owned for years (found in an old bookshop in Prague). We realised it would make a great, alternative Four of Wands, with imagery that is beautiful and appealing, but also distinctly unsettling.
The deck begins its working life with new users
We hope that BabaBarock’s fourth edition of The Bohemian Gothic Tarot will be embraced by the tarot world and by those who love Victorian Gothic imagery. With its deepened atmosphere, enhanced symbolism, inclusion of new cards, and impeccable production quality, this version has rightfully earned the title of the best to date.
Whether you’re a seasoned tarot practitioner or a curious beginner, our aim is for The Bohemian Gothic Tarot to give a compelling and transformative experience like no other.
Below are just a few of the links to unboxings and reviews, which are already coming out. Please let us know if you know of other video reviews that would you like to see added here!l
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