By Matt Smith, Director, Posterly
Our new dark fantasy tarot posters take three Major Arcana cards, The Moon, Death and The Tower, and repaint them as if they were stills from a 1970s dark fantasy film. They're our own original artwork, printed in the UK on 250gsm matte paper, and you can buy them one at a time or as a set of three.
Here's what's on each card, what they mean, and how to hang them.
What makes these different from our classic tarot posters?
Our tarot card posters collection is built on the classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck, first published in 1909. These three keep the same symbols, so anyone who reads tarot will recognise them straight away, but the painting style is darker and moodier: deep shadows, rich colour and an ornate card border with a Roman numeral at the top and a title banner at the bottom.
The art is ours and isn't based on any film, game or book. It's the traditional cards, painted in a new style.
The three cards
XVIII The Moon
A full moon hangs over two ruined towers, with two wolves howling either side of a winding stream and a crayfish climbing out of the water. The Moon is the card of intuition, illusion and the subconscious. The deep blue makes it the easiest of the three to fit into a bedroom. Shop the Dark Fantasy Tarot XVIII The Moon poster.
XIII Death
An armoured skeleton rides a white horse through a burning red landscape, carrying a black banner with a white rose. Despite the name, Death usually stands for endings and new beginnings rather than anything literal. It's the boldest of the three, on an aged gold border. Shop the Dark Fantasy Tarot XIII Death poster.
XVI The Tower
Lightning splits a dark tower on a rocky peak, and its crown bursts into flame against a purple storm sky. The Tower is the card of sudden change and upheaval. It's the darkest of the set, so it looks best on a pale wall. Shop the Dark Fantasy Tarot XVI The Tower poster.
Should I buy the set or single cards?
If you want all three, the Dark Fantasy Tarot Poster Set x3 works out cheaper than buying them separately. Here are the live prices:
| Size | Single card | Set of 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Small (A5) | £6.29 | £11.98 |
| Medium (A4) | £10.79 | £19.98 |
| Large (A3) | £16.19 | £28.98 |
| Small (A5) Framed | £12.29 | £29.98 |
| Medium (A4) Framed | £16.29 | £38.29 |
| Large (A3) Framed | £23.19 | £49.98 |
A framed set comes with a frame for each poster. If you only connect with one card, a single is the better buy. The Moon on its own at A4 is what we'd hang above a bed.
How should I hang the set?
All three are portrait. A5 is 14.8 × 21 cm, A4 is 21 × 29.7 cm and A3 is 29.7 × 42 cm.
- Three A4s in a row with 4 cm gaps: 71 cm wide × 29.7 cm tall. That fits above most desks, beds and chests of drawers.
- Three A3s in a row with 4 cm gaps: 97.1 cm wide × 42 cm tall, for above a sofa or a double bed.
- Three A5s in a row with 3 cm gaps: 50.4 cm wide × 21 cm tall, which suits a shelf, a picture ledge or a small altar space.
- Death at A3 in the middle with The Moon and The Tower at A4 either side, centred and with 4 cm gaps: 79.7 cm wide × 42 cm tall.
In number order they run Death (XIII), The Tower (XVI) and The Moon (XVIII), if you'd like them in sequence. For bigger walls, our tarot card wall guide covers hanging all 22 Major Arcana, and the gallery wall layouts guide has more measured options.
What goes with them?
For a classic and dark pairing, hang one of these next to its traditional version: The Moon, Death or The Tower from our Rider-Waite-Smith range. If it's the 1970s fantasy look you like, our Fantasy Art collection has more in the same spirit, such as the Wizard of Eldorin poster.
Frequently asked questions
Are these based on a real tarot deck?
The symbols follow the classic Rider-Waite-Smith Major Arcana. The paintings themselves are our own original artwork.
What sizes and finishes are there?
A5, A4 and A3, printed on 250gsm matte paper, each with a framed option. Unframed prints are sent flat in a protective bubble envelope.
How much is delivery?
Tracked UK delivery is free on orders of £20 or more (after discounts), and £2.99 under £20. We dispatch within 1 to 2 working days, and delivery usually takes 2 to 4 working days after that.
Can I return a poster?
Yes, within 14 days of delivery, as long as it's unused, undamaged and in its original packaging. Email sales@posterlystudio.uk with your order number. If a poster arrives damaged, send us a photo of it and of the shipping label and we'll replace it free. The full details are on our shipping and returns page.
Matt Smith
Director, Posterly