Deck Review: The Curious Travels Tarot Deck

I sadly missed the Kickstarter for the Curious Travels Tarot Deck by Arozear (Amelia ‘Mia’ Rozear) 💔. But then discovered the artist was releasing a mass market version with US Games ♥️. Even better, they then did one last print run of the indie version, which I managed to get hold of. This made me v v v v v happy as I’ve had my heart broken before by missing out on the indie versions of gorgeous decks. My only sorrow is not being able to get one of the beautiful tea towel / tarot cloths that were an add-on for the original Kickstarter deck. I’m not normally one for add-ons (or Tarot cloths for that matter), but this one was a bit special. But I’ll deal 🤪

Arozear’s work focuses on “themes of girlhood, nostalgia, and wondrous curiosities of the natural world”, and all these are reflected in her stunning deck.

The card stock is really nice – not too slippery nor thick, but feels sturdy and reassuringly expensive 😂. There’s no LWB/guide (and nothing online that I can see either), which is fine if you’re an experienced reader as the artwork is pretty intuitive, but something to bear in mind. The card back design is really attractive, if a little muted. I personally would have liked to have seen a bit more colour from the palette used throughout the deck on the back, but appreciate that is very much a matter of personal taste.

The artwork is just lush. Super whimsical, but also deep. An initial childlike feel that conveys some very adult concepts. Definitely taps into the “curious” and “traveller” vibes of its title.

Without trying to sound like a patronising old crone, the creator is young, and I think this shows in the deck. NOT in a bad way! Rather the deck just hums with that kind of youthful optimism and hope that fills you with an answering fire. Not like the jaded, miserable deck I’d likely create 😂

The whole deck is just really visually appealing, so I’ve split my favourites into two – aesthetic favourites and esoteric favourites (for the purposes of rhyming haha – really I mean “interpretation” favourites). These are my aesthetic favourites:

There is nothing like little sisters plaiting each other’s hair to take me on a childhood nostalgia kick, so I love this for the 6 of Cups. This flame headed King of Wands is, literally, 🔥. This weary but determined Knight of Pents and his setting sun puts me in mind of Robert Frost: “But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep”.

This beautiful Empress with her dripping pomegranate and lush pregnant belly makes really good use of the gorgeous raised gold embossments Arozear has added to the deck. Her blindfold of stars is really eye catching. The 7 of Pents is just 😍😍😍. And the clever monkey giving fruit to his erstwhile friend the (foolish) crocodile (surely from the fable) is striking and clever.

And here are my favourite cards from the the Curious Travels Tarot Deck (meanings edition)!

The Knight of Cups here is genuinely creepy. With his death head, the fish feasting on his body, and his cascading cup, he really speaks to me of the shadow work in this card. The dangers of rushing ahead to spill love onto anyone who needs it without checking if your own cup is safe and full.

I love the organic way the traditional hand in the Ace of Wands has fused into and become its own twiggy wand. SO VISUALLY PLEASING! Great 10 of Swords; the way dawn is on the horizon and the figure looks like she’s sleeping really asks us to question how much of the tragedy of the card is all in our heads.

The 9 (of) Cups showering their abundance down upon the figure here is 👌🏼. Also love the reoccurring hand-becomes-the-wand theme in the 3 of Wands. And this badass boss bitch in 9 of Pents literally wearing the fruits of her labours.

Deck Interview with The Curious Travels Tarot Deck

Omg, look you guys, this deck just wants to give me a big cuddle and feed me chicken soup, and wrap me up in a blanket by the fire; then the next day take me out dancing ‘til dawn! I think I was bang on about the energy of this deck, it’s an absolute sweetheart.

1. Tell me about yourself? What is your most important characteristic as a deck?

The Sun: This deck is here for me when I want to find ways to access happiness and positivity

2. What are your strengths as a deck?

Queen of Pents: This deck wants to nourish and care for me – in quite a physical way too. A lot of this spread is saying to me to take care of my body, not just my mind. Eat good food. Have a bath. Stroke my cats. Go out and have a fun night with my friends.

3. What are your limits as a deck?

Queen of Swords: This deck is less about the tough love (but that’s ok because 99.9% of my other decks have that covered 😂)

4. What do you require from me in return? How can I best collaborate with you?

Nine of Cups: I’ve got to be willing to just indulge myself and enjoy life’s simple day to day pleasures

5. What is the potential quality of our relationship?

Three of Cups: We’re gonna be besties!

6. In what space / with what type of query will you best communicate?

Three of Wands: When I’m ready for adventure and for plans to start to come together: for my own curious travels to begin!

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This really is a stunning deck, and I 100% recommend buying the mass market version when it comes out later this year.

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