It’s time for my occasional TarotCake diversion into the world of mass market decks, and here we have the latest offering from the ever-reliable Lo Scarabeo: the Wild Eden Tarot. I was a bit on the fence about whether to get this deck, but it kept stalking me across my Insta feed until I eventually succumbed – and I’m glad I did. It’s an intriguing deck: at once raw and highly stylised, balancing an almost primal energy with a carefully curated aesthetic. It certainly won’t be for everyone, but I’ve found myself enjoying it a lot.
It’s a collaboration between illustrator Gloria Pizzilli and cartomancer and Tarot educator Alice Mastroleo. Their vision is of an “untainted, primordial” Eden – a “lush and vibrant nature… teeming with life” – and Pizzilli’s artwork fully embraces that idea. Humans and animals mingle almost as equals, often in intimate, instinctive ways, while the distinctions between human and beast, masculine and feminine, fireceness and vulnerability become bewitchingly porous. As Pizzilli puts it, she enjoys “playing with the opposing forces of bellezza (beauty) and bruttezza (ugliness)”, an idea that has fascinated her since childhood.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, is a very, very naked deck. Hey, it’s set in the Garden of Eden, they hadn’t discovered self-consciousness or sewing needles yet! More specifically, it’s a very boob-y deck. Even more specifically, it’s a very areola-y deck. Which means it’s gonna be an absolute nightmare trying to promote this review across the great pearl-clutching kingdoms of Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. ARGHHHH! NO! NOT FEMALE-PRESENTING NIPPLES! WON’T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!
There’s no male full-frontal nudity though, which is a bit… disappointing? I am an equal-opportunities pervert, haha. No, seriously, I do think the human body is beautiful and in a deck that so clearly celebrates it, it feels a shame that some parts of our anatomy are deemed more aesthetically pleasing than others. Breasts and vulvas are beautiful, but penises are too. Also, they’re a frankly masterful feat of hydraulic engineering. Praise be to the penis! Atm the deck is giving slight S1-S4 Game of Thrones vibes – titties titties everywhere, and not a drop of cock. Anyway, I digress.
The guidebook describes the deck as a “merg[ing]… of spirituality and carnality”, adding that “nudity is not sexualised, it is a return to a freedom that you lack in everyday life, removed from the constraints that clothes have represented for human beings over the centuries.” And I do like the nakedness. It’s naked in every sense of the word: raw, instinctive, free of judgement and free of shame. These bodies never feel like objects to be looked at so much as expressions of people who are completely at ease in their own skin. The effect is less voyeuristic than graceful – an exploration of what it might mean to exist without self-consciousness, in a state of grace.
It is worth noting, though, that the cast is almost completely lacking in body diversity. Personally, that didn’t bother me as much as it might some readers, or as much as it might bother me in other decks. If I spent my days running through forests with panthers like some sort of middle-aged Mowgli, I’d probably be considerably less plump too. Alas, I’m a city girl, built for comfort not for speed 😉.
Artistically, it feels very retro – and a little bit sci-fi. Not modern sci-fi, but the sort of futuristic aesthetic sci-fi people imagined in the 1970s. It also feels unmistakably comic book-y, which makes sense given that Pizzilli’s father, from whom she learnt to draw, was a cartoonist. The visual style specficially put me in mind of the fantasy comics of the 1970s and the superhero comics of the 1990s and early 2000s – there are definite echoes of Heavy Metal and Darkchylde in its combination of sensuality, wildness, and mythic imagery – albeit reimagined through a much cleaner, flatter, more contemporary illustrative style. Pizzilli herself has said that she “never los[t] her interest in fumetti (comic books)”, recalling how her father took her to comic exhibitions as a child. Even then, she says, “I did not want to draw Barbie. I always tried to distort or put some exaggerations in the faces.”
Despite the fact that Pizzilli teaches anatomy for artists, the figures themselves are highly stylised rather than anatomically realistic. Much like Pamela Colman Smith‘s own wonderfully expressive drawings (which I have learnt to love after our rocky start!), Pizzilli prioritises movement, emotion, and silhouette over precise anatomy. There are very few lines and almost no unnecessary rendering; the confidence of the artwork comes from what is left out as much as what is put in. It’s an economical style, full of loose, assured pen strokes that make the whole deck feel super dynamic and alive.
Crucially, while the deck is aesthetically beautiful – and yes, the bodies are very fit and very nakey – I don’t think it’s actually trying to be pretty or sexy in particular. It’s trying to be visceral. There’s a huge difference. Almost every card feels intensely physical. Bodies touch, hold, climb, run, breastfeed, kiss, fuck, sleep, bite, and curl around one another. Everything is about bodies existing in space and in relation to other bodies, whether human, animal, or botanical. You don’t simply see these figures; you almost feel them.
I believe one of the reasons the artwork reminds me of comics is because comic artists are focused on gesture. A single pose must convey a story, emotion, and relationship. Pizzilli seems to approach her work in a similar way; her figures are not just anatomical studies but expressive bodies in motion.
The final product is a mix of manga, pulp fantasy comics, and a medieval Book of Genesis, and I absolutely love it!
Regarding the deck itself, it is from Lo Scarabeo, known for their quality. The sturdy two-part box protects the cards well, although I personally struggle with two-part boxes due to my clumsiness. The cards are of standard Tarot size and feel a bit stiff and powdery initially. They are not the easiest to shuffle at first, but with use, they should become more flexible. It’s worth noting that the cards were slightly bowed when first unpacked, a common issue with mass-market decks.
The bilingual guidebook provides brief descriptions of traditional RWS meanings for each card, even when the symbolism doesn’t directly match. Each suit is represented by an animal, creating a cohesive theme throughout the deck.
The cards exude energy and motion. Pizzilli’s limited color palette keeps the deck visually cohesive despite the dynamic compositions. Every card feels like part of the same beautifully imagined world.
In an interview with Communication Arts, Pizzilli describes herself as chaotic, and her deck reflects that energy. Despite the lively imagery, the deck never feels overwhelming, thanks to the restrained color choices.
Some of my favorite cards from the Wild Eden Tarot include The Magician, which creatively interprets the concept of “as above, so below” and emphasizes trust in intuition rather than control. The Empress card is a vibrant depiction of fertility and motherhood, going beyond the typical pregnancy symbolism to show the chaotic and demanding aspects of nurturing multiple children simultaneously. The card’s roots are deeply entrenched in religious and spiritual institutions, focusing on churches, temples, doctrine, tradition, and teaching. However, Pizzilli’s interpretation delves into the emotional essence of religion. The congregation’s raised hands seem to elevate the Hierophant, suggesting that his role as a spiritual guide is shaped by the community. Positioned between earth and sky, reaching into the storm, he embodies the role of a pontifex – a bridge between humanity and the divine, channeling rather than commanding the heavens. The image exudes ecstasy, evoking moments of collective transcendence where individual identity merges into a larger whole.
Strength is portrayed in a beautifully unique way in this interpretation. The maiden isn’t taming the lion but rather interacting with it as equals, symbolizing the harmony between civilization and the wild. This depiction underscores the idea that the Strength card is about taming ourselves, not external forces. It serves as a reminder that humans are part of nature, not separate from it.
The Hermit card presents the lantern-star concept in a captivating manner, showing the Hermit reaching to pluck wisdom and spiritual insight from the heavens. This portrayal emphasizes the effort and perseverance required to attain enlightenment, highlighting the continuous search for answers rather than having all the knowledge already.
The Cups suit in the Wild Eden Tarot is visually stunning, with vibrant colors and symbolic imagery. The Ace of Cups, in particular, captures the essence of birth and emotion, with the fish emerging from the shell like a newly awakened feeling from the depths of the unconscious.
The Three of Cups composition stands out for its lush depiction, although it leans more towards cooperation and trust rather than carefree celebration. The figures supporting each other symbolize emotional support expressed physically.
The Four of Cups draws parallels to The Little Mermaid tale, portraying a sense of longing and melancholy. The Eight of Cups contrasts this by depicting the figure venturing into the open sea, emphasizing the vastness and freedom of the ocean. The design of the card uses negative space effectively to convey the vastness of the ocean and the figure’s journey into the unknown. This image truly encapsulates the enormity of moving away from the familiar and venturing into the unknown, much like the journey represented by the Six of Swords. The figure in the water, with feathers both lost and retained, symbolizes the process of letting go of some things while carrying others with us on our voyage. It’s a powerful reminder of the transformation that occurs when we step out of our comfort zone and embrace new experiences. Moving through challenging times and transitioning into a more peaceful state doesn’t mean we come out unscathed. Some of the emotional pain may fade over time, while some remains with us as we enter happier phases of life. Progressing forward doesn’t equate to leaving everything in the past.
In general, the Wild Eden Tarot deck is a fascinating collection: unconventional, sensual, raw, and full of vitality. It may not appeal to everyone due to its nudity and retro style. However, Pizzilli’s bold and dynamic artwork exudes a sense of motion and immediacy throughout the deck. You can purchase the Wild Eden Tarot from various online retailers like Oneness Emporium for around £30.
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