Introducing: Shadowflora Tarot
Literally everyone who knew me 20 years ago would be unsurprised that I have created a tarot deck featuring dark, monochromatic imagery, giant pill bugs, mushroom people, snail companions, and at least one zombie spider. I’ve always been kind of weird.
But now, I have something to show for it. A few years back, I began working on this project. I became obsessed with drawing each of the cards. It started as a small goal of 22 cards (the Major Arcana,) but by the time I got to the end of that batch of drawings, I knew I was hooked and had to continue to work on my deck. Fastforward to 2025 and I have the deck mostly complete - save for a dozen cards that I wanted to rework.
Now, in 2026, I’m ready to start really sharing my work with folks. Scroll through & read through the descriptions to get an idea of the voice of this deck. She (the deck) is quiet, confident and direct.
I think it would be safe to say that I owe this deck. She’s been patient on days when I wanted to delete her altogether. She’s been brutal on days when I didn’t want to work - but the card I needed to complete was THAT CARD - the one the universe sent for me.
It’s my hope that others can enjoy my work and learn about themselves, as well.
This project features a font face that I designed myself, called ShadowfloraSC. It can be seen in all of the text and/or numbers on the cards.
The Magician
MAJOR ARCANA
Upright:
Self-Reliance, New Beginnings
The Magician reminds us that we have all of the tools inside of us to manifest our desires. This card is the gentle nudge to take the first step on that project you’ve been meaning to start, or to continue work on a project you’ve been working on.
Reversed:
Inaction, lack of progress
In the reverse orientation, the Magician can indicate a lack of action in plans you may already have set in motion. It can also remind the reader that they have all of the skills and tools they need - they simply have not yet maximixed their potential.
The Empress
MAJOR ARCANA
Upright:
Femininity, Abundance, Fertility
The Empress represents a request to connect to your feminine power. She turns to the viewer and asks them to embrace their creative spirit, reconnect with nature, and enjoy life. She can also represent literal fertility - as in pregnancy or birth.
Reversed:
Self-Care, Reflection, Conservation
When reversed, the Empress reminds us to take the time to direct our nurturing energy inward - towards ourselves.
The Hanged Man
MAJOR ARCANA
Upright:
New Perspectives, challenges, exploration
The Hanged Man has chosen to solve his problem by taking the time to look at it from a different perspective. Sometimes the best way to find a solution is to put yourself in a position to see it from a new perspective.
Reversed:
Inaction, resistance
In reverse, The Hanged Man represents the resistance we often feel when it comes to hitting “pause” on a situation. It can also represent the need to move on from a “pause” in a situation. You may need to put an end to a project that has been on “pause” indefinitely. Regardless, action is likely needed - inspect your current situation and uncover where you need to take steps to move forward.
The Star
MAJOR ARCANA
Upright:
Hope, belief, faith, perserverance
When The Star appears, you must remember that you’re a divine child of the universe, experiencing life, The Star often appears after a time of pain and transition. Remember that even when things are hard, you are still just as bright, just as divine as you have always been. Especially at night, the stars shine brightly.
Reversed:
Loss of faith, test of faith
In the reversed orientation, The Star can indicate that we have lost hope. This is a call to self-care, to turning inward and learning what you need as a human (and moreover, as a child of the universe) Reconnect with yourself, with the Earth, and with the parts of our existence that will stay glorious and bright, even when our individual lives seem dark.
Two of Cups
Upright:
Unification, Love, Partnership
The Two of Cups represents the union between two partners (romantic or otherwise) and celebrates the harmony that governs a respectful partnership.
Reversed:
Disharmony, conflict, lack of self-love
When reversed, the Two of Cups can represent a lack of self-love. This card reminds us to turn inward and as ourselves “How can I take care of myself?”
If experiencing conflict, perhaps ask “What am I missing right now?” Sometimes uncovering our needs and then finding healthy ways of meeting them is exactly what our soul craves.
Nine of Cups
Upright:
Success, Accomplishment, Contentment
The Nine of Cups invites us to celebrate our wins, our accomplishments. She is sitting on a wooden bench, a seat that only stays comfortable for a short time, enjoying the fruits of her labor. She rests, she indulges, she recognizes hard work and reward. Now is the time to enjoy your success
Reversed:
Materialism, Greed, Ambiguous discontent
Maybe you’ve accomplished a lot but you’re not happy? Or maybe you’ve surrounded yourself with material goods, but something is still missing? The Nine of Cups, reversed, asks us to consider where in our lives we might be reaching for things that are not actually in our benefit. Are our goals in alignment with our values? Are we following our dreams, or just acquiring wealth?
Queen of Cups
Upright:
Creativity, Authenticity, Intuition
The Queen of Cups is a powerful mother figure. She creates, pouring endlessly from her cup. Her intuition is powerful and trustworthy. When the Queen of Cups appears, we are encouraged to tune into our feelings to decide a direction to move into.
Reversed:
Self-Care, Self-love, Turning inward
When reversed, The Queen of Cups represents the need to turn inward and focus your deeply creative and nuturing energy towards yourself. You have the answers you need - all that’s left to do is listen to yourself. Potentially, you might find that you’re resisting being in touch with your own feelings. Might there be some thoughts or feelings that you’re fighting? Alignment will help you act according to your own internal values and desires.
Five of Pentacles
Upright:
Poverty, Loss of Security, Financial ruin
You’ve entered into a time of your life when you are experiencing a loss of security - in regards to finances, living situation, work, relationship. A change has occurred, and you feel negatively impacted. This can indicate a loss of safety and/or security. The Five of Pentacles is a call to realize what you still have, what you have lost, and to find a way back to security.
Reversed:
Financial recovery, Solutions
When reversed, the Five of Pentacles represents a time when you are able to see the light - the solution to your hardship. This card can also represent the spiritual poverty that we often experience. What do you need in order to feel more spiritually satistfied?
Six of Pentacles
Upright:
Charity, Giving, Wealth
The Six of Cups represents a wealth (financial, spiritual, intellectual, etc) which we all posess. This card is celebrating the sharing of that wealth with others. Perhaps you would like to donate some money to a worthy cause. Perhaps you would like money donated to you. Regardless, this card represents that relationship between patron and benefactor, in some shape or form.
Reversed:
Unrequited Charity, Unpaid Debts, self-care
When seen in Reversed orientation, the Six of Pentacles can represent an unpaid debt, or a loan that been extended, but not repaid. Consider if you have been charitable to yourself, if you have been resepected in acts of charity and if you may be overcommiting yourself to others, going into debt to benefit someone else.
Ten of Pentacles
Upright:
Family, financial success
The Ten of Pentacles invites us to consider where we have succeeded. We have gained accomplishments - our families, financial success, or other goals we’ve set out to accomplish. In some ways, we’ve reached a point where we can sit back and say to ourselves “Actually, we have a lot.” This card represents that investment in our futures, the building of a strong foundation that will support us in the future.”
Reversed:
Greed, Materialism, Vanity
The Ten of Cups can, when reversed, can represent the confusion we often experience when we have what we should want, and are not happy. We often check the boxes of a society that wants us to check the boxes and then exist as nothing but checkmarks and accomplishments.
Are we happy? Do we meet our own needs, goals, lofty goals, or are we just doing what is expected of us by those who want to control the “needs” and “wants” of averaage folks?
Five of Swords
Upright:
Conflict, contention, winning at all costs
A falling out. A conflict. A sense of loss. Something has not worked out the way you expected. The Five of Swords asks you “Do you need to fight this battle?” Or do you need to let it go? Maybe you’ve been fighting a losing battle. You may realize that regardless of whether you win or not, you have lost, in the end.
Reversed:
Unwinnable Battles, Futile fighting, the End
When reversed, the Five of Swords can represent a moment when you realize that the battle is no longer worth fighitng. You’ll never win, or your hurting those around you… regardless, the conflict needs to end and you need to move on. Maybe you’ve already walked away and it’s still following you. Now may be a time to re-evaluate when and why you want to walk away.
Six of Swords
Upright:
Change, Transition, Moving on
The Six of Swords represents that inevitable and univseral feeling of “Moving on” from something you’ve grown past. You may be holding on to baggage from you last emotional layover. The Six of Swords invites you to consider in which ways you may be holding onto well-worn assumptions. It may be time to consider your assumptions and potentially shed those that are no longer benefiting you.
Reversed:
Resistance, Refusal to Change
Perhaps you’ve moved on, but you’re having a hard time accepting the change. The Six of Swords often shows up when we are in the middle of a transition but unable to accept truths that have harmed us in the past. Which parts of yourself are resistant to change? Which parts of yourself are resisting the change to that you objectively unable to accept?
King of Swords
Upright:
Intellectual Prowess, Truth, Conviction
The King or Swords represents a clarity of mind, an authority in ventures, logic and navigation of the problems ahead. He reminds you to confer with experts in the field you may be wanting to operate within.
Reversed:
Internal Power, quiet leadership
When encountered in a Reversed orientation, the King of Swords represents the quiet authority, the person who is most knowlegable about a given subject. How can we make the most logical and authentic decision in the situation we find ourselves in? How can we lead, with knowlege, logic and fairnes?
Seven of Wands
Upright:
Challenge, Resistance, Fight
In some ways, you may be feeling challenged. As you gain acclaim, recognition, or knowledge in a field, you may also increasingly experience the need to defend your position. The Seven of Wands represents the fight that occurs in this space - a challenge to your success or your knowledge.
Reversed:
Exhaustion, Giving up
When the Seven of Wands appears, reversed, it can often indicate a resistance to your authority. It may mean that you have given up, that you are worn down by the constant fight. Now may be the time to surrender, or it may be the time for you to shore your own self-worth up, to better defend the attacks of your opposition.
Nine of Wands
Upright:
Persistance, Courage, Refusal to Back Down
When upright, the Nine of Wands represents a fight that we are not able to accept as a defeat. We fight on for what we believe in, regardless of resistance. We stand tall. We are confident and unwilling to resign.
Refusal:
Struggle, Lack of Support, Overwhelm
When the Nine of Wands appears reversed, it can represent a situation in which we feel strongly, but are feeling that we are not supported, or we are struggling to convince others of our opinions. This card often ecourages us to inspect our own confidences and verify that are are feeling strongly enough to continue to fight.
King of Wands
Upright:
Leadership, Honor, Authenticity
The King of Wands invites us to inspect within which aspects of our lives we are living with authenticity and clear vision. Are we being presented with opportunities that we should take? Are we being discerning about what we should and shouldn’t do, moving forward? The King of Wands takes time to make sure that every and all movement forward is reflective of our values.
Reversed:
Unearned Leadership, Unpreparedness
The King of Wands, when reversed, represents a leader that is not meant to be a leader. Perhaps this person is in a leadership role that they are not meant to be in. Perhaps this person is someone who claims the title of “Leader” and is not worthy of the responsibility. The King of Wands asks us to consider the worthiness of folks to be in leadership and asks us if WE are worthy of the role.