Manara Erotic tarot
The Manara Erotic Tarot was first published by Lo Scarabeo in 2000, with the artwork by renowned Italian comic artist Milo Manara. Manara began his career in the 1960s working on "fumetti" (Italian illustrated paperbacks) and rose to prominence through the magazine Pilote in 1976, eventually becoming one of the most celebrated erotic comic artists in Europe. He has collaborated with creators like Neil Gaiman (Sandman: Endless Nights) and Alejandro Jodorowsky (The Borgias). The deck has been released in multiple editions, including a De Luxe Edition in 2006, a mini/pocket version, and remains in print through Lo Scarabeo and Llewellyn distribution.
Official Website →Art Style & Visual Character
Manara's distinctive illustration style combines elegant linework with a playful, witty sensibility drawn from the European bande dessinee tradition. The artwork features sensual, curvaceous figures rendered with confident draftsmanship and a warm color palette. Notably, not all cards are overtly sexual — many use humor, mystery, and narrative storytelling to convey meaning, giving the overall deck a balanced and relaxed feel rather than being gratuitous throughout. The women in the deck are frequently depicted in positions of power and agency, controlling the scenarios rather than serving as passive objects.
Core Concept & Symbolism
The deck follows a loosely traditional tarot structure with some notable renamings: The Hanged Man becomes "The Punishment" and The Wheel of Fortune becomes "The Mirror." The Minor Arcana suits are renamed to their elemental associations: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Through erotic imagery, the deck explores themes of desire, power dynamics, vulnerability, and self-knowledge. The sensual lens serves as a metaphor for deeper emotional and psychological truths — passion, surrender, control, and liberation all become reading themes.
Reading Experience
The deck is rated 4.9 stars on Barnes & Noble and is well-regarded as one of the most artistically accomplished erotic tarot decks. Reviewers describe it as "naughty but nice" — clever, fanciful, and genuinely functional for readings rather than being merely a novelty. The community notes that if readers approach it with an open mind and study the accompanying guidebook, they find a surprisingly effective reading tool. The multi-language Little White Book (English, Spanish, French, Italian, German) follows Lo Scarabeo's standard format. Critics appreciate that Manara's women are portrayed with agency, distinguishing this deck from more exploitative erotic tarots.
Best Used For
- Exploring themes of desire, relationships, and intimacy
- Readers who appreciate fine European comic art
- Couples or relationship-focused readings
- Collectors of Milo Manara's artwork
- Breaking taboos and exploring shadow aspects of sexuality
- Mature audiences comfortable with explicit imagery
Not Ideal For
- Readers uncomfortable with nudity or explicit sexual content
- Professional client readings in conservative settings
- Beginners who need traditional RWS imagery to learn
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
