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Big Top Tarot by RJ Ruano

Big Top Tarot by RJ Ruano



Step right up and enter the extraordinary world of Big Top Tarot, an independently created 78-card deck by artist RJ Ruano. Inspired by the rich traditions of clowning and the symbolism of the Rider–Waite–Smith tarot, this wonderfully unconventional deck transforms familiar archetypes into a colorful cast of jesters, harlequins, mimes, and fantastical creatures.

Playful, theatrical, and occasionally mischievous, Big Top Tarot invites readers into a world where whimsy and the unexpected reveal new dimensions of familiar tarot symbolism.

$90.00
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Artwork & Symbolism

RJ Ruano's illustrations bring together the visual traditions of tarot, the theatrical history of clowning, and the expressive possibilities of contemporary character design. Bold outlines, vivid colors, elaborate costumes, and delightfully exaggerated figures create a world that feels both familiar and wonderfully strange.

The artwork draws heavily on the iconic compositions of the 1909 Rider–Waite–Smith tarot. Recognizable gestures, arrangements, and symbolic details provide a foundation for interpretation, even as the characters themselves take unexpected forms.

There is also a fascinating interplay between comedy and the uncanny. Some figures are endearing and exuberant, others mysterious or slightly unsettling. This balance of beauty, absurdity, and the grotesque gives the deck a personality that extends well beyond its playful surface.

Throughout the cards, clowning becomes a language for exploring transformation, emotion, identity, and the many roles we inhabit.

Reading with Big Top Tarot

Despite its unconventional cast of characters, Big Top Tarot remains closely connected to traditional tarot structure and symbolism. Its 78 cards follow the familiar Major and Minor Arcana, making the deck approachable for readers already comfortable with the Rider–Waite–Smith system.

The imaginative artwork encourages fresh interpretations of familiar archetypes. Humor, exaggeration, and theatrical expression can bring surprising perspectives to a reading, while the recognizable compositions offer a reassuring point of reference.

An accompanying 48-page illustrated guidebook provides upright and reversed card meanings, making it a useful companion for exploring the deck's distinctive visual world.

Big Top Tarot is especially appealing to readers who enjoy character-driven decks, unconventional interpretations, and the unexpected insights that emerge when familiar symbols are seen through a different lens.

Featured at the 2026 Los Angeles Festival of Tarot

Big Top Tarot was selected for Ecosystems: Worlds Within Cards and the Ecology of Meaning, a special exhibition presented during the 2026 Los Angeles Festival of Tarot. Hosted at the Philosophical Research Society, the exhibition brought together artists exploring the imaginative worlds and interconnected systems of meaning found within tarot.

Ruano's richly imagined universe of clown characters offered a distinctive contribution to this exploration.

The artist also participated as a panelist in the exhibition discussion, sharing perspectives on the creative process and the development of the deck's visual world.

TarotArts was delighted to offer Big Top Tarot during the 2026 festival and is pleased to continue sharing RJ Ruano's imaginative work with our community.

About the Creator — RJ Ruano

Rick “RJ” Ruano is a digital illustrator with a BFA in Drawing from the University of Florida's College of the Arts. Specializing in figure drawing and sequential art, Ruano creates character-driven work that explores identity, fantasy, gender expression, and the fascinating intersections of beauty and the grotesque.

Influenced by manga, anime, the macabre, and theatrical traditions, Ruano's illustrations embrace flamboyance, humor, and the unconventional. His work frequently brings together elements of fantasy and horror with expressive character design and visual storytelling.

Ruano approaches his artwork as a collection of souvenirs from imagined worlds, finding particular inspiration in comics, animation, and tarot, where storytelling and visual accessibility meet.

Big Top Tarot is an expression of this artistic sensibility. Ruano independently conceived and illustrated the entire deck, including its packaging and accompanying materials, bringing a singular creative vision to every aspect of the project.

Specifications

  • Creator and Illustrator: Rick “RJ” Ruano
  • Deck: 78 cards — 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana
  • Tradition: Rider–Waite–Smith inspired
  • Card Size: Approximately 2.75 × 4.75 inches
  • Card Stock: M31 linen finish
  • Guidebook: 48-page illustrated booklet with upright and reversed card meanings
  • Packaging: Rigid illustrated box
  • Publication: Independently created and published