The Tarot Strikes Back
Published December 17, 2023
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Updated December 17, 2023
Roy Huteson Stewart's The Tarot Strikes Back combines Star Wars with Rider-Waite tarot imagery.
Roy Huteson Stewart's The Tarot Strikes Back combines Star Wars with Rider-Waite tarot imagery.
"Exploring movies through Tarot," Roy Huteson Stewart's The Tarot Strikes Back unites Star Wars with traditional tarot, offering a deck that includes 22 Major Arcana and additional art cards.
Above: The Tarot Strikes Backcoloring book, combining the art of tarot with the classic imagery of the Star Wars saga, featuring line art for fans to color.
This coloring book, The Tarot Strikes Back, fuses the imaginative worlds of tarot and the Star Wars universe. The left page proudly announces the book's title in a bold, retro font, reminiscent of classic movie posters, with the declaration "May the colours be with you!" playfully riffing on the famous Star Wars line. Below, 'The Sun' tarot card is reinterpreted with the iconic Millennium Falcon against a radiant sun motif. On the right, the figure of Darth Vader takes the place of the Emperor card 'IV', portrayed in a commanding stance with a lightsaber in hand, encapsulated by a fiery backdrop. This book invites Star Wars fans and coloring enthusiasts to engage with the characters and symbols in a uniquely interactive way, blending two distinctive artistic traditions into one creative experience.
Roy Huteson Stewart, a UK-based professional illustrator, has launched his 10th Kickstarter tarot project, The Tarot Strikes Back, themed around The Empire Strikes Back from the Star Wars series. Known for incorporating cult cinema themes like Ghostbusters, Alien, and WWF Wrestling into tarot decks, Stewart continues this trend with Star Wars.
This set of stickers from "The Tarot Strikes Back" presents Star Wars characters in tarot card styling. On the left, Darth Vader kneels, set against a starry background. The center sticker portrays a character like Luke Skywalker in mid-air, wielding a green lightsaber. To the right, the figure clad in Boushh’s bounty hunter disguise, known from Princess Leia's infiltration mission, stands holding a staff, with "RETURN OF THE TAROT" inscribed above. The artist's signature, Roy Huteson Stewart, anchors the artwork. These pieces artistically merge the visual iconography of Star Wars with the esoteric themes of tarot cards.
Above: Sticker collection from The Tarot Strikes Back series depicting Star Wars-inspired characters in tarot-themed illustrations.
The Tarot Strikes Back, which attracted a modest 73 backers, serves as a good example of tarot's growing appeal to mainstream audiences through its use of modern themes. This deck demonstrates the flexibility of tarot, capable of incorporating various interests to create a unique, branded spiritual product.
Stewart’s approach is hands-on, as he describes: "All 22 cards have been drawn, inked, coloured and set up to send to the printers. I create all the work by myself, without any investors or teams to support or help me." This reflects his commitment to creating a high-quality, individualised product.
The art mimics the style of Pamela Coleman Smith's Rider-Waite tarot, which has become the template for many modern tarot decks. This deck is a good example of a modern tarot that mixes popular culture with traditional themes. Stewart notes, "The Major Arcana cards symbolise life lessons, karmic influences, and archetypal themes that impact your life as well as the soul's path to enlightenment." While featuring a Star Wars design, it maintains the structure and symbolism of the Rider-Waite deck, blending familiar tarot elements with contemporary pop culture.
Above: The Tarot Strikes Back series merges Star Wars with tarot, showcasing The Fool with R2-D2, Yoda as The Magician, Leia as The High Priestess, and the Millennium Falcon as The Empress.
The "The Tarot Strikes Back" deck by Roy Huteson Stewart presents Star Wars characters aligned with the structure of the Rider-Waite tarot deck. This series adapts the traditional tarot format, with cards like The Fool featuring R2-D2, The Magician as Yoda, The High Priestess as Princess Leia, and The Empress represented by the Millennium Falcon. Stewart's artwork pays homage to the familiar Rider-Waite designs while incorporating the distinctive Star Wars imagery.
Above: The Tarot Strikes Back series continues with Darth Vader as The Emperor, Obi-Wan Kenobi as The Hierophant, Han Solo and Leia as The Lovers, and the Millennium Falcon and TIE fighters as The Chariot.
In these cards from The Tarot Strikes Back, the essence of Star Wars is interwoven with the tarot. Darth Vader sits as The Emperor, surrounded by flames. Obi-Wan Kenobi stands as The Hierophant on a checkerboard floor, signifying wisdom. The Lovers card features Han Solo and Princess Leia with a cloud and sunburst backdrop, symbolizing partnership. The Chariot card depicts an action-filled scene with the Millennium Falcon chased by TIE fighters, representing motion and progress. Each card incorporates Star Wars imagery into the traditional tarot card format crafted by artist Roy Huteson Stewart.
Above: The Tarot Strikes Back deck pairs Star Wars imagery with tarot cards: Strength with a Star Destroyer, The Hermit as Yoda, The Wheel of Fortune with Dagobah, and Justice as Boba Fett.
In this set from The Tarot Strikes Back, iconic Star Wars elements are skillfully integrated into the classic tarot design by Roy Huteson Stewart. The Strength card is represented by imperial forces, The Hermit by Yoda on Dagobah, The Wheel of Fortune by the verdant planet itself encircled by spacecraft, and Justice by the bounty hunter Boba Fett, each rendered in a style reminiscent of the Rider-Waite deck. These cards blend the visual narrative of Star Wars with the structure of traditional tarot, providing a unique interpretation for fans and collectors.
Above: he Tarot Strikes Back series showcases The Hanged Man with Luke Skywalker and R2-D2, a duel between Vader and Luke on the Death card, balance on the Temperance card, and Vader with captives on The Devil card.
In The Tarot Strikes Back deck, traditional tarot imagery is transformed with Star Wars characters by Roy Huteson Stewart. Luke Skywalker, captured in a precarious moment, is depicted on The Hanged Man card alongside R2-D2. The Death card portrays the fateful duel between Luke and Darth Vader. Temperance is illustrated by a figure thoughtfully mixing two substances, and The Devil card ominously features Vader, presiding over figures in chains, evoking the theme of domination. These cards merge the storytelling of Star Wars with the iconic design of the Rider-Waite tarot deck.
Above: The Tarot Strikes Back deck interprets The Tower with the Death Star's explosion, The Star with Darth Vader and Luke's reflection, a confrontation on The Moon card, and The Sun card with the Millennium Falcon.
This selection from The Tarot Strikes Back tarot deck captures pivotal Star Wars moments within the traditional tarot card framework. The Tower card is represented by the dramatic destruction of the Death Star. The Star card depicts Darth Vader, contemplating his connection to Luke Skywalker, symbolized by the reflected image. On The Moon card, a standoff unfolds under the celestial body, and The Sun card prominently features the Millennium Falcon against a radiant backdrop, evoking a sense of adventure and vitality. Each card translates the cinematic energy of Star Wars into the static imagery of the tarot, offering a unique collectible for enthusiasts of the franchise and tarot readers alike.
Above: The Tarot Strikes Back interpretations of tarot cards include Judgement with a lightsaber and the Death Star, two versions of The World with Darth Vader and Star Wars characters, and the card back design featuring Star Wars faction symbols.
The Tarot Strikes Back series delivers a Star Wars twist on traditional tarot cards. On the Judgement card, a figure confronts the Death Star with a raised lightsaber, signaling a decisive moment. The World card is represented twice: once with Darth Vader central among Star Wars figures and symbols, and again with a levitating figure surrounded by companions, indicating completion and unity. The card back is adorned with a repeating pattern of Rebel and Empire symbols, encapsulating the dualities of the Star Wars narrative within the familiar backdrop of a tarot deck.
Above: The Tarot Strikes Back series expands with art cards of 2-1B the medical droid, Korin Pers in a village scene with the head of C-3PO, and a seated stormtrooper in front of nine cups.
In The Tarot Strikes Back, the art cards add layers of Star Wars-inspired storytelling to the tarot experience. The first card's 2-1B, juxtaposed with a winged emblem, references its role in healing and repair. The second card illustrates Korin Pers in a serene village setting, a nod to the broader Star Wars narrative, with familiar droids. On the third card, a stormtrooper is positioned before a backdrop of cups, suggesting a moment of reflection or achievement. These cards weave the essence of Star Wars characters into the visual language of tarot, offering a unique collectible for fans.
Above: The Tarot Strikes Back series shows a Rebel pilot on the Seven of Pentacles, Willrow Hood with a camtono on the Page of Pentacles, a Wampa on the Five of Swords, and a Probe Droid on the Knight of Swords.
In The Tarot Strikes Back deck, familiar Star Wars characters are featured within the Minor Arcana. The Seven of Pentacles card presents a Rebel pilot reflecting on his efforts and rewards. The Page of Pentacles card humorously portrays Willrow Hood clutching a camtono, a nod to his background as "the Ice Cream Guy" in fan lore. The Five of Swords card captures the raw strength of a Wampa, suggesting triumph or aggression. On the Knight of Swords card, the Imperial Probe Droid is depicted in action, echoing themes of pursuit or a mission underway. Each card is a playful yet respectful blend of the Star Wars story with traditional tarot elements, designed by Roy Huteson Stewart.
Above: In The Tarot Strikes Back, AT-ATs march on the Six of Wands, FX-7 appears encircled by wands on the Ten of Wands, and Lobot stands with a wand as the Page of Wands.
The Tarot Strikes Back deck brings a Star Wars perspective to the tarot's Wands suit. The Six of Wands depicts the formidable AT-ATs, iconic to the Empire's ground forces. The Ten of Wands features FX-7, the medical droid, surrounded by wands in a formation that suggests burden or challenge. On the Page of Wands, Lobot is seen with a communicator device, known for his resourcefulness and intelligence, attributes resonant with the card's symbolism of curiosity and potential. Artist Roy Huteson Stewart's adaptation of these characters into the tarot framework creates a compelling blend for both Star Wars enthusiasts and tarot collectors.
Above: The Tarot Strikes Back series features Star Wars bounty hunters on the Justice card, including Boba Fett, Zuckuss, Bossk, Dengar, IG-88, and 4-LOM, each embodying the balance of Justice.
The Tarot Strikes Back deck assigns the Justice card to the formidable bounty hunters of the Star Wars universe. Boba Fett, Zuckuss, Bossk, Dengar, IG-88, and 4-LOM are each portrayed with a backdrop of scales, representing the balance and fairness that the Justice card signifies. In this series, the hunters' representation on the Justice card suggests a theme of karmic balance and the law, as these characters often operate within the complex moralities of the galactic underworld. Each card is a fusion of Star Wars narrative and the symbolic gravity of the Justice tarot card, offering a unique twist for tarot enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike.
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Adam has been involved in developing the site as well as reviewing new decks and conducting research. He is particularly interested in innovation, Kickstarter and East Asian cards. He is a member of the IPCS and webmaster of the EPCS.
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