Tarot de Valverde de la Vera

Claudio Favier Orendáin (1931-2008) has reworked traditional Tarot archetypes to reflect the contradictions and psychological complexity of modern life. This is not a fortune-telling game or cartomancy deck, but an exercise in self-exploration, allowing us to understand the paradoxes which we see reflected in world affairs today. His engravings are sharp and intricate, in a surrealist style marked by dreamlike, fantastical imagery with fluid, ambiguous and otherworldly forms. Rich in symbolism, metaphor and philosophical reflection, the etchings explore themes of tradition, authority, knowledge, love, power, imagination and the folly of human pursuits.

As we peruse and contemplate these images, we may get the impression that the artist's view of life is like a hallucinatory passage through chaos and absurdity, driven by forces we don't fully understand. But look deeper and it becomes a call to remain fully human even when life is absurd, and never stop reaching for meaning, for love or for something beyond ourselves... a resilient, poetic and mystical hope or strategic optimism.

El Loco

The Fool exists outside the realm of logic and order. He is not assigned a number. In traditional Tarot the Fool wanders carefree at the edge of a precipice carrying a knapsack, but here he is already in an internal cataclysm, inside the chaos, burdened by his shadowy counterpart. The Fool has an expression of bewilderment and turmoil. He is walking in a deep sleep, with suggestions of desire and madness in his dream. He might be a mad prophet, or a burdened soul. The woman could be the divine femininity, creative force or delirious longing — something intangible yet overwhelming that possesses the mind of this man not yet awakened. A hundred fools may represent knowledge, but it is madness if not governed wisely. "The inmates are running the asylum" or "a ship of fools" portray a metaphorical image of mismanagement and lack of wisdom.

01 - El Ilusionista

In adventure stories or fantasy movies magic often serves as a means to challenge perceptions and uncover life's deeper mysteries. The Illusionist, or Magician, is shown here in an introspective act of unmasking the artificiality of the conventional status quo which hides the tragic suffering in the world. The surreal image, full of emotional power, depicts two grotesque figures wearing masks, engaged in a theatrical struggle with their own inner demons. The chaotic energy suggests the Illusionist may be caught in his own alchemy, seeking to dispel illusion and overcome duality as though by magic - a critique of the performative roles we play and the absurdity of self-deception. This opens the door for profound inner growth, healing and authenticity by exposing the trickery of perception itself and how we deceive ourselves with delusions. Our identity, or "presentation of self in everyday life," can become a curated performance.

02 - La Sacerdotista

Far from the pious figure of traditional tarot , this engraving depicts an androgynous, hybrid entity – part human, part winged beast - also slightly reminiscent of a Sheela na gig. She supports four exotic birds including an owl, a peacock and a two-headed eagle, and is surrounded by various dark or shadowy shapes, perhaps obstructions, or echoes of the unconscious. Here the Priestess continues the deck’s overarching narrative of psychic fragmentation and alchemical absurdity. The High Priestess isn’t a gatekeeper of a quiet inner temple — she’s a primordial, almost chaotic force of synthesis, challenging the viewer’s sense of spiritual serenity. Your intuition is not a gentle whisper — it’s a roaring, dancing, shapeshifting voice that you must learn to trust, even when it’s uncomfortable or irrational.

03 - La Imperatriz

The Empress is usually presented in the Tarot as a youthful, fertile goddess embodying themes of growth, love and harmony with nature. Here the artist has represented the Empress as an elderly authority figure, like a grandmother, who does embody the creative and nurturing aspects of power as she was once a young woman herself, but her current role in hierarchical systems of control may limit her potential. Her authority is ultimately an illusion that must be transcended in pursuit of a deeper, more authentic understanding. In the Motherpeace Tarot, for example, the traditional Tarot archetypes are re-imagined to reflect matriarchal, goddess-centred themes, emphasizing experience and wisdom born from maturity and contemplation of the cycles of life and death.

04 - El Emperador

The artist frames this figure within the context of power, authority and control, as in traditional Tarot symbolism. But his perspective is perhaps more critical and directed towards the rigid, hierarchical systems of power which pervade society. The Emperor is seated in a gilded baroque chair decorated with winged sphinxes whilst having his feet cleaned by a servile subject resembling a boot polisher. This Emperor symbolizes absolute power, authority and opulence, whilst the boot cleaner represents humility, submission and the bottom end of the hierarchy. Therefore, the image could be a metaphor for the illusion of grandiose authority, how those in subservient positions might be abused (job insecurity, precarious employment), or even the empty glorification of power.

05 - El Pontífice

The Pontiff (High Priest, Hierophant) is usually the head of an orthodox religious institution who conducts official religious ceremonies, gives blessings and so on. However, here we are presented with a somewhat macabre illustration which appears to subvert the traditional representation. The robed and hooded figure looms ominously holding an incense burner, emphasizing ceremonial or religious overtones, while the couple seated on a bed inside an enclosed space appear to be getting married. The transparent box suggests an entrapment or showcase, a dream world. There are more eerie psychological overtones starting with the executioner’s hood. The stilts suggest elevated authority or superiority, albeit precarious. The whole surreal composition is like a nightmare — something not bound by real-world logic - and offers a commentary on ceremonial roles, societal expectations or the absurd ritualization of relationships.

06 - Amor

The Lovers is usually presented as a choice, a crossroad, a union of opposites or perhaps a conflict between heart and mind . The figures in Favier's engraving appear both passionate and anguished suggesting their love is a force of union and/or mutual destruction. The ethereal figure emerging above, like an angelic or spiritual being, suggests the integration of opposites into a more sublime harmony. Love is not merely an emotion but a guiding principle that transcends conventional boundaries and produces a higher unity and integration. It reconciles opposites or power struggles and connects the individuals in a mystical union which is experienced as liberation from duality.

07 - El Viaje

More often titled ‘The Chariot’, Claudio Favier has renamed this Tarot allegory ‘El Viaje’ (The Journey) i.e. a spiritual journey. The horse is surreal and anatomically distorted, with elongated limbs, exaggerated eyes and a flowing mane. Its posture suggests chaotic or uncontrolled instinctual energy. The humanoid figure seems rather disjointed, as though disconnected from reason or instinct, in a freefall between conscious and unconscious forces. The dreamlike, flowing lines convey interaction or psychic entanglement — as though an existential journey of mystical self-awakening is taking place in someone’s mind. Existential doubts may arise regarding the purpose or destination of the journey... a search for meaning when logic says there is none.

08 - La Justicia

A naked figure of a woman holding scales of justice flies beneath an umbrella. Instead of sitting solemnly with dignity and calm, she is distracted and exposed. Trailing her, beneath a theatrical canopy, is a parade of caricatures and masks, evoking a corrupt or absurd dimension of power and public opinion. The figure wearing a mitre could represent dogma. This satirical representation suggests a system where the ideal is haunted by the grotesque weight of society's contradictions and vested interests. However, the figure of Justice still holds the scales and so the human desire for justice endures even in the context of absurdity and confusion. No single ideology owns justice. The true moral compass still lies with the vulnerable human Justice figure — however burdened she may be.

09 - El Ermitaño

A long-bearded character, representing the hermit wizened by time and solitude, sits on a bed of leaves within a frame of skeletal or decaying bones. His pose is contemplative and hopeful, yet oppressed by black, jagged forms clustered around his head instead of an aura of light: his mind darkened by the rot where light once radiated. In his right hand he offers up a leaf, perhaps an amulet to ward off evil spirits; in his left he clutches a bunch of the leaves. “El Ermitaño” could be seen as a portrait of the modern soul ensnared in the relics of a dying age, reaching for meaning in a materialistic world full of spiritual commodification. In seeking solitude or higher consciousness, the individual is both liberated and consumed — by nature, by time and the haunting echo of mortality itself.

10 - La Fortuna

The human face with a top hat evokes old-world capitalism or bourgeoisie representing wealth, corporate elites or power structures. Pigs are traditionally symbols of greed, indulgence or materialism. This hybrid creature may symbolize the absurdity of how wealth or fortune is often rooted in greed and illusion, yet still controls or influences our lives. The addition of wings suggests a surreal or ironic twist — “when pigs fly”. Many people today feel they’re chasing dreams built on unstable foundations, like the skewed and shadowy shape below, driven by financial markets, corporate interests and media illusions of success in the rat race: "modern fortune is a surreal, grotesque beast—part fantasy, part exploitation—and it flies above the real concerns of everyday people."

11 - La Fuerza

This is not the classical "Strength" archetype of Tarot — the serene woman gently taming the lion . This is strength re-imagined as an internal fury or confrontation with one’s own instincts. The flowing hair suggests unleashed, wild energy and the contorted body is locked in a struggle with itself. Strength is not being idealised as polished confidence like in a TV commercial, but depicted as a sort of radical honesty and courage to face the chaos within. Inner conflict is not masked or suppressed, but is fully embraced without disguise. It requires self-awareness and allows you to confront your fears, understand your contradictions, and meet others with more compassion — because you’ve been there yourself.

12 - El Colgado

A large bird (possibly a heron or crane) soars upwards while carrying several human-like forms playing flutes or horns, with another figure hanging from its beak, suspended upside-down, pierced with arrows, evoking martyrdom, sacrifice or punishment. The whole scene has a dreamlike, ritualistic air, like a shamanic vision, perhaps a farewell to the sacrificed soul.

The imagery points to a necessary sacrifice to attain a new level of awareness or freedom. This might be, for example, activism for civil rights or social equality, or making sacrifices to start a new business enterprise or pay for education. This is the paradox of wisdom through surrender. The Hanged Man represents sacrifice, suspension or a shift in perspective, letting go, surrendering to a higher wisdom or seeing life from an inverted viewpoint. In the house of the hanged, one does not mention the rope. It is often best to suspend judgement and remain silent. Insight comes from detachment or adopting a different perspective.

13 - La Calaca

A winged, demonic creature clinging to a bearded man playing a guitar hovers above a skeletal figure or ”calaca”, symbolic of death and a happy afterlife. The calaca waves a wand emitting a cloud of magic sparkles, like a swarm of bees forming the shape of wings. He also reads from a book or manuscript, which is a musical score. The three figures are united in a mystical performance. The image alludes to the inevitable presence of death in the face of all worldly pleasures or vices. This is a Mexican theme based on Day of the Dead imagery. The calaca symbolizes a humorous or philosophical take on death, mocking or trivializing it. The winged creature represents the absurdity or spectacle of life serenading death, only to be mocked in return.

14 - La Templanza

The artist approaches the idea of Temperance in his characteristic psychological style, quite different from the traditional image . The woman to the left, with flowing hair, is introspective, perceptive and serene. Her feet are on the ground. The shocking head on the right perhaps represents the shadow self, unconscious aspects of our personality, the traits, desires or impulses that we often reject or suppress because they don't align with our ideal self or societal expectations. Temperance is a necessary counterbalance to all such dualities, transmuted into an harmonious integration of wisdom and restraint. She models the effort and courage required to stay calm and centred.

15 - El Diablo

The artist sees The Devil as a necessary and transformative force, a disruptive energy that catalyzes growth and creativity, but also carries risks and consequences. It represents untamed aspects of the human psyche that must be confronted to achieve true wisdom, such as the shadow self, primal instincts, fear of vulnerability, cognitive biases and sudden emotional outbursts or tantrums. Each of these elements holds both destructive and transformative potential. By facing them with courage and curiosity, we can turn the untamed into the refined, leading to wisdom born of self-knowledge and balance.

16 - La Torre

The Tower expresses repressed emotions which are uncomfortable and which we unconsciously push away. These might be guilt or self-judgement, shame, fear of failure, sadness, inadequacy etc which inhibit personal growth and spiritual freedom. Thus we may not accept ourselves or embrace the present moment. When we repress these emotions, they can manifest in subtle yet harmful ways—through stress, physical ailments or a sense of being stuck and not good enough. The potential revelation of these hidden truths is an opportunity for renewal or metamorphosis along with a release of new energy. True spiritual freedom often involves confronting these emotions with honesty and compassion, allowing us to process and release them in healthy ways.

17 - La Estrella

Claudio Favier's surreal and dreamlike style enhances the ethereal nature of "The Star". Keeping in mind the traditional imagery of pouring water from two urns, this underwater scene emphasizes energy flow and balance between opposing forces. The positioning of the human figure and mermaid inside a sort of egg or womb can be seen as mystical union or gestation. The mermaid-like figure's expression of dismay could be a reflection of the challenges in confronting the unknown forces within our own minds. This is a profound but often daunting journey towards new growth. Hope and inspiration can be found even in the midst of inner turmoil from supportive friends, mindfulness and being present with thoughts and emotions.

18 - La Luna

The butterfly is a symbol of transformation, metamorphosis and the psyche. She has a trance-like expression, the musical instrument and her beautiful wings add enchantment. In contrast to this we see a dog gnawing a string of gnarled bones, evoking primal, unconscious forces like hunger or jealousy. The Moon in the Tarot depicts psychic transformation taking place in the face of instinctual fears, a metaphor for the tangled, contradictory and often surreal nature of being human. Our inner lives are full of paradoxes and liminality. For example, moving from one phase of life to another — adolescence to adulthood or parenthood to empty-nester — or personal crises such as relationship breakdown - can leave us in a state of flux where old identities fade and new ones are not yet fully formed.

19 - El Sol

The parody of figures riding a bicycle suggests that identity in life consists of multiple roles, emotions, personas and subconscious drives pursuing “freedom” and illumination. This satirises the psychological complexity of the modern individual trying to steer through life carrying an overgrown, chaotic internal world of dreams and desires. This is not just a celebration of innocent joy and freedom, but unresolved inner contradiction. The bicycle, flowers and music evoke freedom — but they’re tangled within a complex, shadowy internal landscape. The message might be: “rather than escaping from chaos and seeking fun, better to confront and integrate the full spectrum of contradictory forces within and seek to know yourself.”

20 - El Juicio

Judgement is portrayed as a crucial force that emerges, a transformative or revolutionary awakening, a 'eureka' moment or breakthrough, leading to a higher purpose. Sudden moments of clarity, such as during a country walk, meditation or introspection, can lead us to reevaluate priorities and embrace a more meaningful path. The moment Newton observed the falling apple famously led to his discovery of gravity. Einstein’s groundbreaking realization that space and time are interwoven reshaped the fabric of scientific thought. Next time you're stuck in traffic it may hit you that you're always rushing, pressed for time. You might recognize the need to slow down and look at the flowers. Such moments might seem simple, but they can be transformative.

21 - El Mundo

The profusion of life forms and symbolic imagery present in this collage expresses the artist's philosophical view of The World: a pulsing ecosystem of contradictions. This worldview sees an entanglement of consciousness, nature, myth and technology, rather than an harmonious, idealized or sanitized world order. Living in a world like this teaches us profound lessons about complexity, interconnectedness and the need for balance — for example to recognize that diversity, multi-culturalism and multi-polarity are not flaws to fix, but assets to live with and value. On a more homely level, watching sunlight dance on leaves, caring for a houseplant or hearing the rhythm of rain reminds us that everything is fleeting. It teaches us to find beauty in the present moment.

22 - La Huida

The Flight or escape from conventional frameworks of power or oppression, towards the light of truth, requires courage and an open mind. In other words, a rejection of old paradigms. False power often stems from wealth, status or dominance. Instead of accepting authority at face value, critically evaluate whether its foundations are ethical, fair and based on truth. Speaking out against systems or individuals that exploit or oppress others is a key way to challenge false power. Even small acts of resistance can ripple outward. It is popular to speak of following your intuition: conventional thought often prioritizes logic over intuition, so reconnecting with your inner voice can help you make decisions that feel aligned with who you are.

23 - La Tradición

The illustration expresses inter-generational dialogue between the past and the present. Traditional values provide a pathway to follow but can also become a constraint. Personal experience or critical thinking often leads us to question or break away from established norms. Certain traditions suggest family expectations, but on the other hand, it involves courage to carve out a new path. Therefore respect for tradition needs to be balanced with the courage to question it. For instance, tradition may suggest a particular career path as a family expectation, while personal aspiration may desire a different passion or calling. In such cases, the contradiction arises when the desire to honour the past conflicts with the need to grow or innovate.

Above: Tarot de Valverde de la Vera by Claudio Favier Orendáin. 24 engravings, limited edition printed at Las Coscojas Studio, Navalmoral de la Mata, Extremadura, Spain, 1980. Private collection.

Note: art often functions on a subconscious level and the artist may not be consciously aware of all the meanings embedded in their work. Claudio Favier's signature suggests a confident, driven and expressive individual with a desire for control, a strong sense of self and a clear, focused mindset. He balances assertiveness with social openness and emotional depth.

• See also Tarot de las Coscojas►

References

Bibliothèque nationale de France : Tarot cards by Iean Noblet c.1650►

Enciclopedia de la literatura en México : Claudio Favier►

Gutierrez Vega, Hugo : Tarot de Valverde de la Vera, Colección Poesía Nueva, Madrid, 1981, a collection of 24 poems with illustrations by Claudio Favier.

Universidad de Guadalajara : Favier Orendáin, Claudio►

Wikipedia : Calaca►