Four Ways Tarot
The Four Ways Tarot (also known as "Four Paths Tarot") was created by Russian illustrator Eya Mordyakova in 2023. Mordyakova is a Moscow-based artist who earned a Master of Arts in illustration at the North-West Institute of Print in Saint Petersburg and also studied art at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. She has worked with major publishers including Harper Collins, and her silent picture book "Beyond the Stars" was named one of the worldwide Silent Book Contest's 13 finalists. The tarot deck represents her personal interpretation of the classical Rider-Waite-Smith tradition, reimagined through her distinctive illustrative vision.
Official Website →Art Style & Visual Character
Mordyakova's art is deeply influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, Pre-Raphaelites, and Art Nouveau, as well as medieval art, Orthodox and Catholic icons, and folktales from various cultures worldwide. Her illustrations create a dreamlike, enchanted atmosphere with vibrant colors and rich textures. The deck employs an innovative structural approach: each suit uses a separate color spectrum, creating visual coherence within suits while distinguishing them from one another. The overall effect is one of magical tranquility — lush, fantastical imagery that transports the viewer into a realm of myth and wonder.
Core Concept & Symbolism
The deck introduces an innovative narrative device: four specific characters, one for each suit, appear throughout all cards of their respective Minor Arcana. This allows the reader to track each character's journey through the suit, creating a continuous story arc from Ace to King. This hero's-journey approach adds a narrative dimension to readings, making the progression through each suit feel like an unfolding tale. The deck is rooted in RWS structure but filtered through Mordyakova's folkloric and fairy-tale sensibility, blending traditional tarot symbolism with rich cultural mythological references.
Reading Experience
As a relatively new indie deck from 2023, the Four Ways Tarot is still building its community presence. The deck is appreciated for its unique character-tracking approach, which helps readers follow narrative threads within each suit. Mordyakova's art is praised by the illustration community for its dreamworld quality and cultural depth. The deck appeals to readers who value both artistic merit and innovative structural approaches to tarot. Its fairy-tale quality makes it inviting for intuitive reading, while the RWS foundation ensures compatibility with traditional tarot knowledge.
Best Used For
- Narrative and storytelling-based tarot readings
- Intuitive readers who appreciate fine art illustration
- Exploring fairy-tale and folkloric archetypes
- Tracking personal journey and growth through suit progressions
- Art collectors drawn to Pre-Raphaelite and Art Nouveau aesthetics
- Readers who connect with Eastern European and multicultural folklore
Not Ideal For
- Readers who prefer photographic or minimalist modern aesthetics
- Those seeking a widely established deck with extensive community guides
- Beginners unfamiliar with RWS structure who need standard imagery cues
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
