Somnia Illustrated tarot
The Somnia Tarot: Illustrated Edition is the companion version to the original photographic Somnia Tarot, both created by New York-based artist Nicolas Bruno. While the original deck used surreal staged photography, this Illustrated Edition reimagines every card as a full-color illustration. It was successfully funded through Kickstarter in November 2022 with strong backer support. The deck is sold directly through somniatarot.com and retailers like Artisan Tarot and Etsy, and is also available in a bundle with the original photographic edition.
Official Website →Art Style & Visual Character
Each card features a richly detailed full-color illustration that translates the photographic imagery of the original edition into drawn art. Bruno's signature surrealist aesthetic carries through — dreamlike landscapes, shadowy figures, draped fabrics, mysterious objects, and theatrical staging that evoke the liminal space between waking and sleeping. The production quality is premium: 400gsm cards at standard tarot size (2.75 x 4.75 inches) with full-bleed imagery, gold foil card backs, gilded edges, and a gold foil-pressed burgundy magnetic-lid collection box with matte-linen finish. A 98-page foil-printed booklet tells the stories behind each illustrated card.
Core Concept & Symbolism
The deck draws its symbolism from Bruno's personal dream journals and his experiences with sleep paralysis, which he has channeled therapeutically into art for years. References to the Rider-Waite-Smith structure are present throughout, combined with Jungian archetypes and subconscious dream imagery. The result is a tarot rooted in the territory between conscious and unconscious mind — each card represents not just a traditional tarot meaning but a specific dreamscape from Bruno's inner world. The surreal, sometimes unsettling imagery lends itself naturally to shadow work and psychological exploration.
Reading Experience
Reviews praise the deck's breathtaking artistry and emotional depth. The Patchwork Soul review notes that the deck works particularly well for readers in introspective or emotionally complex states. However, reviewers also caution that this is not a beginner-friendly deck — the surreal imagery departs significantly from standard RWS visual cues, and even experienced readers may find it challenging for everyday use. The deck is best appreciated by those drawn to dream work, Jungian psychology, and surrealist art who want their tarot practice to engage deeply with the subconscious.
Best Used For
- Dream work and sleep/subconscious exploration
- Shadow work and Jungian psychological readings
- Collectors of premium, art-forward tarot decks
- Introspective readings during emotionally complex periods
- Fans of surrealist art and Nicolas Bruno's photography
Not Ideal For
- Beginners learning tarot with standard RWS imagery
- Everyday general-purpose readings
- Readers who prefer bright, cheerful, or traditional tarot aesthetics
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
