Shango is the archetype of the king, warrior, and dancer. He represents law, justice, masculinity, and lightning-fast power. When Shango appears, you need to take charge. Be bold. Reversed: abuse of power, tyranny, or explosive anger.
Oya is the guardian of the cemetery and the winds of transformation. She is not evil; she destroys only to make room for the new. Her card signals sudden change, ancestral messages, and psychic storms. Reversed: resistance to change, grief that won’t heal, or chaotic endings. tarot of the orishas pdf
This report provides an overview of the Tarot of the Orishas (often referred to as the Tarot de los Orishas), a divinatory deck created by Italian-Venezuelan artist Maestro Gonzáles Rodriguez. The report analyzes the deck's structure, its synthesis of Western Tarot traditions with Yoruba/Santería spirituality, and addresses the availability of digital resources (PDFs) related to the system. Shango is the archetype of the king, warrior, and dancer
The deck is noted for its vibrant, art-brut style and specific color coding, which is essential to the system’s interpretation. The Major Arcana: The Major Arcana are heavily reimagined
The Major Arcana: The Major Arcana are heavily reimagined. While the Fool remains the traveler, the other cards depict the Orishas in their anthropomorphic forms, surrounded by their specific implements (otanes, tools, and nature elements). The imagery serves a dual purpose: acting as a standard tarot reading vehicle and an educational tool for identifying the attributes of the Orishas.
Yemaya is the ultimate mother. Her card brings healing, protection, and emotional cleansing. Like the ocean, she is vast, nurturing, and terrifying when angered. This card asks you to trust the flow of life. Reversed: drowning in emotions, co-dependency, or maternal smothering.