Sabbath tarot
The Sabbath Tarot was created by fitness photographer Allan Spiers with text by his partner Jeff Cullen. The original edition was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising $41,750 from 520 backers against a $25,000 goal. A 2nd edition Kickstarter raised $37,515, and a 3rd edition followed. Spiers was inspired by his childhood in Peru where "folk magic is practiced as a way of life," and created the deck partly in response to the trend that witchcraft traditions were often female-oriented, wanting to give voice to men who identify as witches. The Sabbath project has expanded to include an Oracle Deck and a Runes Oracle Deck. A Travel Edition is also available.
Official Website →Art Style & Visual Character
The artwork is digitally transformed photography — real subjects photographed by Spiers with magical elements woven through digital illustration. The aesthetic draws from a darker palette centered on the carnal celebration of the human body and the sexual attraction between men. Bodies are partially shrouded in shadows, often partaking in rituals with disturbing imagery including limbs replacing heads, severed parts, bodies at the stake, and burning candles in place of fingers. The images are reminiscent of ancient Greek idealism. Cards are printed on 400 GSM art paper with a soft matte finish, gold foil pentagrams, spot UV elemental and astrological symbols, and deep velvety crimson edges.
Core Concept & Symbolism
The deck captures scenes from the Witch's Sabbath and other rites familiar to witchcraft practitioners, centering masculine and homoerotic energy in a practice traditionally depicted through feminine imagery. A unique feature is three versions of the Devil card (XV), which Spiers calls the Devil's Arcana — they can be switched out so only one is in the deck, or all three can remain for readings. The deck challenges stereotypes about who practices witchcraft while exploring themes of body, ritual, shadow, and the sacred masculine.
Reading Experience
The Wild Hunt's review calls it "sinister and sexy," noting that despite initial reactions to its devilish themes, there have been "magical breakthroughs in understanding of tarot simply by exploring the deck." ZOOM Tarot's review praises the thoughtful card compositions. Tarot with Jeff provides a detailed close-up look at the deck's imagery and symbolism. The deck is particularly cherished by men who practice witchcraft and those who identify as gay or bisexual, for whom it represents "a deep, poignant, and sexy journey into the soul and psyche of the homoerotic masculine." Community members report the project has inspired fitness goals and ritualized routines.
Best Used For
- Shadow work and exploring the darker aspects of the self
- Gay and bisexual men seeking representation in tarot
- Male witches and masculine-energy-focused practices
- Practitioners interested in Sabbath and ceremonial witchcraft
- Body-positive and somatic spiritual work
- Collectors of premium indie tarot with high production values
Not Ideal For
- Those uncomfortable with nudity, homoerotic imagery, or disturbing visuals
- Beginners seeking a conventional learning deck
- Family-friendly or public reading settings
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
