Forgotten Legends tarot
The Forgotten Legends Tarot was created by artist Velga North, who began sharing work-in-progress card illustrations on Tumblr and Instagram as early as 2019. The deck was created intuitively, based on images from dreams, sensations, and an internal understanding of symbolism, drawing on world mythology and folklore traditions. It was published as an indie deck and sold through Etsy and Ko-fi (via Lida Pavlova's shop). A newer edition features golden edges, high-quality 400gsm art cardstock, and a rigid gift box. The deck is now out of print and will not be republished with the same publisher, making remaining copies collector's items.
Official Website →Art Style & Visual Character
Velga North's illustrations are richly detailed and atmospheric, blending fantasy art with mythological imagery. The paintings have a lush, storybook quality with deep colors and intricate scenes. The 22 Major Arcana cards feature gilded embossing, adding a tactile luxury to the deck. Cards measure 7x12 cm (2.75x4.75 inches) on dense cardstock. The overall visual character evokes an ancient, timeless world where legends and fairy tales come alive — each card feels like an illustration from a forgotten book of myths.
Core Concept & Symbolism
The deck weaves together mythological and folkloric figures from diverse cultural traditions into the tarot framework. The Hanged Man draws on the legend of Odin's self-sacrifice on Yggdrasil, while the Six of Pentacles features the Mistress of the Copper Mountain from Slavic folklore — a beautiful green-eyed woman in a malachite gown who protects underground riches. This multicultural mythological approach gives each card a narrative depth beyond standard RWS symbolism, turning every reading into an encounter with ancient stories and archetypes from world legend.
Reading Experience
The deck has earned consistent 5-star reviews on Etsy, with buyers praising its beauty and quality. Community members who collect mythology-themed decks report that the Forgotten Legends holds its own alongside more established titles, with one reviewer calling it "a cool deck" they purchased before it went out of print. The included PDF guidebook provides English interpretations. As an indie deck, it has a smaller community footprint than major publisher releases, but those who own it speak of it warmly. The reading experience is immersive and narrative-driven, rewarding readers who enjoy discovering the mythological stories embedded in each card.
Best Used For
- Mythology and folklore enthusiasts
- Narrative and storytelling-based readings
- Collectors of indie and limited-edition tarot decks
- Exploring world myths and cultural archetypes through tarot
- Readers who enjoy discovering hidden stories in card imagery
- Shadow work informed by mythological themes of sacrifice and transformation
Not Ideal For
- Complete beginners needing standard RWS imagery for learning
- Readers who prefer minimalist or modern aesthetic designs
- Those seeking a widely available deck with extensive community resources
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
