Fyodor Pavlov Tarot

Fyodor Pavlov has gifted us with one of the most beautiful and classical tarot decks I've seen. These works are hand-painted in watercolor and ink, expressive of multicultural motifs, queer sexuality, and occultism.
Pavlov tells stories contextualizing queer identity in a Romantic style that reimagines a society—and a history—liberated from suppression.
The Fyodor Pavlov Tarot took five years to bring to life, and memorializes a great depth of research into history and culture.
You see a lot of inspiration from Parisian Art Nouveau and Japanese printmaking, a Pre-Raphaelite Nazarene redux for the 21st century, and yet mastering a timeless aesthetic. I love the color coding in the four Minor Arcana suits.
U.S. Games Systems has produced a top quality deck with unique design elements, such as the tented arch in the box lid and the hardcover guidebook. Magical, functional (a readable RWS deck), and perfect as a go-to workhorse deck.

—Benebell Wen, Tarot Author & Reviewer at benebellwen.com

I have been reading for over 25 years, and this is now my standard deck. Pavlov's work shows an intense understanding of the historical development of the standard symbology, with a radical inclusion of human experience not previously seen in tarot. Furthermore, the inclusion of more marginal people is not "random," but adheres to the storytelling of tarot itself. An image of a returning hero has assistive devices for disability. An image about the strength of family shows two women and their family in a spirit of teamwork and gentle love. These deep knowledges of human experience across all spectra of life make this deck one of the most potent and beautiful that exists, and I can recommend no deck more. Additionally, the printing is buttery smooth. Card edges slip easily against each other. The printing is durable against scuffing and scratching. The box is attractive, though I think I preferred the red of the original Kickstarter run.

—Sata Prescott, tarot reader for over 25 years

I have so much to say in this review that I hope my thoughts come out organized! First, I have been reading a long time and have clearly defined my likes and dislikes when it comes to tarot decks. That’s the subjective part. If you love the beautiful and slightly ribald art reminiscent of Edwardian and Victorian times, you will LOVE this deck. I LOVE this deck. The art is familiar, beautiful and in some cards, haunting. As much as I truly want to purchase and enjoy many of the amazing and more inclusive decks that are, happily, available today they are often too modern or too comic book style for my taste. This is as it should be because the newest and future generations of readers ARE more modern.
 But I know there are tons like myself, who love classic art AND who want to see the cards represent what life and families look like in real life. And this deck does that seamlessly.
 
 Now we get to the more personal part of my review. As I flipped through these beautiful cards, I actually cried. Because it’s as if this artist knows me and my family, and the people closest to me, and drew them into this incredible deck. My daughter and her trans husband. My gay son. The boy (now all grown up) like another son to me who, while in America can live his life free to be himself, but when in his mother country has to live a lie that is killing his soul more every day.
 But here is the kicker…I also see my oldest son and his wife. I see my youngest daughter. I see myself (albeit 30 years ago lol). There is absolutely not one thing forced here. This is not a deck that you pick up for a specific person in your life to make them feel seen. This is a deck that you pick up to read for anyone at all. You pick it up because it’s so beautiful and it fits ALL of life. I’ve never seen a deck do this so seamlessly and perfectly. I will tell you that if I had to hesitate to use this deck for someone I was doing a reading for, then I would have to hesitate about having an association with them, period. Someone who would object or be unhappy with anything they may see within these brilliant renderings would find no space with me and mine. The Only exception to that would perhaps be someone sensitive to nudity of any type, as there is a fair bit here…all gorgeously done. So yes, I feel like this deck was a gift…and I will treasure it. Thank you Fyodor Pavlov.
 
 Now for the mundane details! When I first saw the pre order up for this deck, it was new to me. I had not seen the Kickstarter for an indie version. I initially thought…whoa! That’s a bit pricy for a mass market offering. I started watching reviews and was just blown away. I needed this deck. But almost 50.00?. If I was going to spend that much I figured I may as well spend a bit more to find and buy the indie. The indie has gold foiled stars on the back. It’s printed on lovely linen finish stock. Who knows what we would get with a mass market?? Well, I will tell you what we get! We get a beautiful box, a hardcover book even nicer that the indie, which has no photos of the cards. This book has a small color photo of each card, and is printed on a smooth and lovely paper. But the Most Important thing, the cards, are also right on par with the indie. A thin and flexible linen like stock that shuffles like a dream straight out of the box. Gold gilt edges that do not stick at all. Not one card even hinted at sticking to another. More than worth the price because there is nothing here that isn’t as good as the indie. It’s worth every penny. Lastly, the deck follows the RWS very closely. It reads easily.
 
 In my opinion this deck is an absolute must have treasure.

—Jennifer Pollitt, Amazon customer