Crooked Way tarot
The Crooked Way Gothic Tarot was created by Doug Thornsjo, a writer, cartoonist, and graphic artist whose fiction has been published in The North American Review and Kinesis and broadcast on National Public Radio (nominated for the Pushcart Prize). Thornsjo also created the Tarot of the Zirkus Mägi, Tinker's Damn Tarot, and Trick or Tarot oracle. The Crooked Way was funded through Kickstarter, with a later "Re-BOO-ted Noble Blood Edition" raising 138% of its goal. The deck is published under Thornsjo's Duck Soup Productions label.
Official Website →Art Style & Visual Character
Lush, vintage-gothic illustration style with rich detail and a darkly humorous sensibility. Every card is populated by an extended cast of ghouls, vampires, witches, and monsters from the fictional town of Dreary, Maine — specifically its "Ghastlight District." The art goes well beyond standard horror tropes of skulls and bats — expect teeth, brains, a Hand of Glory, and inventive gothic imagery throughout. The style has the feel of classic horror illustration mixed with narrative cartooning, maintaining personality and dark wit even in the most macabre cards. The "Bitter Pill" edition features an alternative color scheme.
Core Concept & Symbolism
A fully illustrated 78-card gothic tarot that builds an entire fictional world around the traditional tarot structure. The residents of Dreary, Maine serve as the tarot's cast, with recurring characters across the Major and Minor Arcana creating a coherent narrative universe. The deck uses gothic horror as a lens for traditional tarot meanings — Death becomes literal, the Tower becomes truly terrifying, but the humor and personality keep it from being gratuitously dark. Comes with a downloadable PDF guidebook.
Reading Experience
Praised for being "cleverly done" with genuine depth beneath the gothic surface. Designed for "powerful readings year-round" by both practitioners and novices — not just a seasonal Halloween novelty despite its horror aesthetic. The fictional world of Dreary, Maine gives readings an immersive, story-like quality. Reviewers appreciate that the gothic framing actually enhances shadow work and honest self-examination. The dark humor makes difficult cards less frightening while maintaining their interpretive power.
Best Used For
- Shadow work and honest self-confrontation
- Readers who love gothic horror, dark humor, and macabre aesthetics
- Halloween and Samhain readings
- Year-round readings with a dark but witty energy
- Those who find "light and love" tarot aesthetics off-putting
- Creative writers and storytellers who enjoy narrative immersion
Not Ideal For
- Readers who are disturbed by gothic or horror imagery
- Children or very young readers
- Readings where a gentle, nurturing tone is needed
- Those seeking bright, colorful, or minimalist design
Major Arcana (22 cards)
The 22 trump cards representing life's spiritual lessons and karmic influences
Minor Arcana (56 cards)
The 56 suit cards reflecting day-to-day events and practical influences
Wands
Fire element — passion, creativity, ambition, and spiritual growth
Cups
Water element — emotions, relationships, intuition, and inner feelings
Swords
Air element — intellect, conflict, truth, and mental clarity
Pentacles
Earth element — material world, finances, health, and practical matters
