Art of the Oracle

A collection of 9 gothic style designs of Major Arcana Tarot cards. Drawn for "The Death Rose" store of gothic clothes and accesorises thedeathrose.com

Designing the first card I abandoned the traditional plot (the moon with two towers, a dog and a wolf) and traced my chain of associations, which leads me to moonlight reflections in water, the open ocean and monsters in its depths. 
The High Priestess card usually means intuition, divine feminine, sacred knowledge, the subconscious mind. Pillars on the background mark the entrance to the mystic Temple of Solomon ('J' and 'B' for Jachin and Boaz). 
Strength card represents power, courage, persuasion, influence.

I've pictured the world entwined by Ouroboros, a serpent eating its own tail as a symbol of incessant cycle, wholeness or infinity. 
The Magician card means manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action. In this character I've combined the images of the sorcerer and alchemist. 

The Hermit card refers to soul-searching, introspection, inner guidance. Which can also be interpreted as isolation, loneliness, withdrawal.
The Hierophant represents spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, conformity, tradition, institutions. 
The Death card shows a Grim Reaper, personified Death – a skeleton riding a horse.