Thank you for joining us for another of Jac’s reviews! We know it’s been a while, but thank you for sticking with us through 2020.

Here I am going to talk about a deck that is unlike the others we have looked at. The Tarot of Loka, from Ralph Horseley and Alessio Cavatore. This is a card game based on the classic decks we’re all familiar with and designed for playing in mind. It draws its origin from a time before the popular designs of Pamala Smith and looks to her inspiration, the Marseille deck. While these cards can be used for readings it’s important to remember that you can enjoy these as the entertainment they’ve always represented.

Loka is a trick taking game that is designed for four players; two people for each team. Players go around the table placing cards and the highest value card takes all the lower, gaining points for their respective teams. The Major Arcana are the most powerful “suit” and you gain more points for collecting specific cards.

The artwork is imaginative and whimsical in its euro fantasy style. Replacing the traditional suits with the four elements makes the deck feel right in any medieval themed amusements. The Pages and Knights have transformed into Jacks and Cavaliers to more easily relate to playing cards. However in changing the deck to be approachable, to people interested in the game, the Minor Arcana have been reduced to their pips!

Produced by Lo Scarabeo, the instruction manual is multilingual which allows everyone to learn this wonderful game! The cards have a smooth matte finish that makes them easy to slide across the table while dealing. They are also of a moderate thickness that makes them easy to shuffle but not leave you concerned that they will be torn by children who want to learn the game.

The Tarot of Loka is a great deck to introduce people to the idea of tarot without being intimidating. Too many folks have been taught to be nervous around tarot, never exploring the cards and the variety of ways to enjoy them. It’s also a good way to find new joy in what you may think is a tool only meant for divinations. Everyone can come together and learn to have fun and grow a new appreciation for a game that has its root in centuries of history!

Like the look of this deck and want to try it for yourself? Click the links below to purchase!

Tarot of Loka

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