- Artist: David De Angelis
- Guidebook Authors: David and Esther De Angelis
- Publisher: REDFeather Mind Body Spirit
- Publication Date: December 2025
- RRP: GBP £36.99; USD $39.99
- ISBN: 978-0-7643-6990-2
- Reviewed by: Ellie Element
Having been lucky enough to see David Bowie perform live, I was excited to receive this re-issued deck based around the iconic performer. I haven’t seen the original version (released in 2018) so have no preconceived ideas about comparisons to the first edition.
My first impression on pulling the box out of the package was – WOW!! The presentation box definitely delivers and is a work of art in itself. It opens along a jagged gold lightening bolt to reveal the guidebook and tarot deck. At 8.5cm x 13.3cm the cards are slightly larger than most of the decks I work with but still fit nicely into my hand. The card stock is of a good quality with gilded edges. The backs of the card are textured at the top and bottom, which feels slightly odd, but doesn’t seem to affect the shuffling process.
The guidebook is 200 pages long and gives detailed insights and meanings for each card, as well as brief chapters on the history of tarot, the elements, astrology, tarot and the body, how to use tarot, and a couple of spreads. De Angelis also describes his creative process and drive behind remastering this deck, and is at pains to point out that while AI has been used to help create the artwork, a significant number of the elements woven into the deck were originally drawn, written, painted and created by his own hand, and painstakingly collected together over many years. He asserts: “AI, no matter how sophisticated, cannot feel the energy and emotion or traverse the life experiences and potent connections that infuse a work of art, an idea, with tangible, living presence.”
The style of artwork is described as electrifying techno-shamanic digital art infused with “sacred geometry, esoteric philosophy, ancient mystery traditions, and a futuristic spiritual aesthetic.” It draws on the art forms and mediums of experimental typography, street art, eroticised sci-fi imagery, influences of Caravaggio and the Renaissance, chaos theory, punk, Sola Busca and the Japanese art of kintsugi. It won’t be to everyone’s liking, but it is certainly visually striking.
Some of the cards have been re-named: The Fool becomes “The Sacred Clown,” The Magician “The Starman,” and The Hermit “The Alien.” In the guidebook all the cards, Majors and Minors, have been given a strapline, for example, The Lovers – I am the gateway to divine love; The Devil – I am the false light, the great spoiler; it’s time to break the spell; or the Ten of Wands – I carry the burdens of life while marvelling at the small miracles.
Several of the cards use David Bowie’s image, notably The Sacred Clown (The Fool), The Starman (The Magician), The Lovers, The Alien (Hermit), Death, The Devil, and Temperance, as well as the Princes from the Court Cards.
I tried one of the spreads from the guidebook, The Starman Spread. This is a six-card spread, with five of the cards laid out on the points of a star, and the sixth card placed in the centre. It’s a spread “To illuminate your radiant potential.”
The top point of the star is the first card position: The energy source that carries the greatest potential for illumination at this time. I pulled the Nine of Cups “I am lavished by the good things in life” which the guidebook describes as being fully immersed in the pleasures and beauty of life, and having satisfaction with life and my achievements.
The bottom left point is card two: Your female ancestors – the part of the feminine that needs to be acknowledged and expressed. The Four of Wands “I enrol others in the strength of my vision” a card described as being about creating, empowering and potentializing relationships, establishing strong physical and emotional foundations.
Card three, bottom right point: Your male ancestors – the part of the masculine that needs to be experienced and made manifest. The Four of Swords “I allow myself to rest in stillness” a card for taking a break from the persistent activity and thrust of life, for renewal, and a time to support, nourish and cleanse the mind, giving myself space.
The fourth card, on the left point: What is most holding you back and needs to be healed and integrated at this time? King of Wands (Fiery Part of Fire) “I seek to change the world.” The guidebook describes this card as representing the ability to disrupt in a creative and peaceful way, to be able to create our own reality, and having an enterprising spirit.
Card five, on the right point: What energy trait will assist you and carry you purposefully forward. The Three of Pentacles “I relish creative endeavour and collaboration.” Here we have a card about the passion and aliveness that comes from doing something well. It’s about the dedication and discipline needed to apply ourselves to something that isn’t easy, the constant pushing of oneself beyond the comfort zone and the risks involved in doing so.
And the final card placed in the centre: What you are growing into – your radiance and shining potential. The Seven of Pentacles “I will consistently nurture my life vision.” The interpretation of this card in the guidebook talks of manifestation and material wealth, which embodies body mind and spirit (not just money). It’s about nurturing a vision, making the impossible possible. Patience and tenderness are required alongside sustained effort and delayed gratification.
I was surprised by how much this reading resonates with me, and I feel the cards are more than just a gimmick connected to David Bowie, but have a deeper meaning, brought to light by De Angelis’ vision and artistic skill. I’ve done a few more readings using these cards, some 3 card spreads and a 10 card Celtic Cross, and the interpretations have been very revealing and on point.
To end this review, I thought I’d include a picture of the four Aces, which are among my favourite cards in this deck. All four ooze with the pure potential of their suit and sense of something bursting to be brought into being. The Ace of Wands states: “I am the Catalyst”; the Ace of Cups – “I overflow with the essence of life”; The Ace of Swords declares “I live through my highest values;” and the Ace of Pentacles “I carefully tend the seeds of success.”
These Aces embody what this deck is about – a living energy which, in De Angelis’ words will help us “explore and visualise the nature of reality” and be “granted a vaster viewpoint of our life and the dynamics that shape our destiny.”
As it says on the back of the box, with this deck you will “embark on a life transforming adventure” and while that may be slightly over-egging it, I think, if you tune in to the technoshamanic art style, you’ll get a lot out of this deck.
Author Bio:
Davide De Angelis is a visionary artist, designer, and creator of sacred objects. He has produced art, designs, and creative campaigns for some of the most innovative companies and leaders in the world, including David Bowie, Apple, Virgin, and Sony. He resides in the UK. To know more about Davide, please visit him at www.daviddeangelis.com
0 Comments