Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join me as I unbox and walk through the beautiful Arcane Wildlife Tarot, created and hand-illustrated by Jack Brutus Penny.
Jack is an English writer, illustrator, storyteller and award-winning playing-card designer based in Japan. His distinctive work brings together wildlife, folklore, fable, wordplay and whimsical storytelling. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jack here on The Hermit’s Cave back in February, while the Arcane Kickstarter campaign was under way, so it is wonderful finally to have the completed deck in my hands.
The Arcane Wildlife Tarot is a traditional 78-card deck, but its familiar archetypes are expressed entirely through animals. Rather than simply placing animals into recognisable tarot scenes, Jack uses their natural behaviour, character and relationship with their surroundings to communicate each card’s meaning.
The Major Arcana retain their archetypal weight, while the Minor Arcana reflect Jack’s background in playing-card design. These are pip-based cards, but each one presents a small unfolding scene filled with movement, personality and visual clues. The imagery guides without dictating, leaving room for numerology, elemental associations and intuitive interpretation.
With its intricate linework, earthy colour palette, botanical details and blend of English storybook whimsy and Japanese influence, this is a deck with plenty to discover. I have a feeling its hidden connections and visual stories will continue revealing themselves over many readings.
I would love to hear what you think. Which cards stand out to you? How do you feel about the scenic pip cards, and could you see yourself reading with the Arcane Wildlife Tarot?
My Interview with Jack - youtube.com/live/tBNWO477x1k?si=tfzQpNM8qMHdxYGy
Sources: Jack Brutus Penny’s official website, original Kickstarter campaign, campaign results, and Jack Brutus Penny creator interview.
#ArcaneWildlifeTarot #JackBrutusPenny #TheHermitsCave #TarotUnboxing #TarotWalkthrough #TarotDeckReview #IndieTarot #AnimalTarot #TarotCards #TarotCommunity #PipDeck #TarotTube
Join me as I unbox and walk through the beautiful Arcane Wildlife Tarot, created and hand-illustrated by Jack Brutus Penny.
Jack is an English writer, illustrator, storyteller and award-winning playing-card designer based in Japan. His distinctive work brings together wildlife, folklore, fable, wordplay and whimsical storytelling. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jack here on The Hermit’s Cave back in February, while the Arcane Kickstarter campaign was under way, so it is wonderful finally to have the completed deck in my hands.
The Arcane Wildlife Tarot is a traditional 78-card deck, but its familiar archetypes are expressed entirely through animals. Rather than simply placing animals into recognisable tarot scenes, Jack uses their natural behaviour, character and relationship with their surroundings to communicate each card’s meaning.
The Major Arcana retain their archetypal weight, while the Minor Arcana reflect Jack’s background in playing-card design. These are pip-based cards, but each one presents a small unfolding scene filled with movement, personality and visual clues. The imagery guides without dictating, leaving room for numerology, elemental associations and intuitive interpretation.
With its intricate linework, earthy colour palette, botanical details and blend of English storybook whimsy and Japanese influence, this is a deck with plenty to discover. I have a feeling its hidden connections and visual stories will continue revealing themselves over many readings.
I would love to hear what you think. Which cards stand out to you? How do you feel about the scenic pip cards, and could you see yourself reading with the Arcane Wildlife Tarot?
My Interview with Jack - youtube.com/live/tBNWO477x1k?si=tfzQpNM8qMHdxYGy
Sources: Jack Brutus Penny’s official website, original Kickstarter campaign, campaign results, and Jack Brutus Penny creator interview.
#ArcaneWildlifeTarot #JackBrutusPenny #TheHermitsCave #TarotUnboxing #TarotWalkthrough #TarotDeckReview #IndieTarot #AnimalTarot #TarotCards #TarotCommunity #PipDeck #TarotTube
