L’Œil de L’Âme Tarot

2019 - 2021

Conceived by Charlotte Mui, L’Œil de L’Âme Tarot is a contemporary reimagining of the tarot that emphasises the fluidity of watercolour and the depth of the subconscious. Developed over two years, the deck features 86 cards that weave together art history, theatre, dreamscapes, and the artist's own experiences.

Accompanying the deck is a hand-bound zine that serves as a foundational guide on how to use the deck for divination.

Following a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2021 that raised approximately £12,200, the deck has since gained international recognition, with copies now held in prestigious collections such as the Tate Library in London and the Asia Art Archive in Hong Kong.

My journey with tarot began at fifteen when I discovered my aunt’s Rider-Waite-Smith deck. While she mentored me in the craft, I always felt a disconnect with traditional imagery—it didn't quite capture my personal resonance. Though I had dreamed of creating my own deck since 2010, it wasn't until April 2019 that I finally put brush to paper.

This project is deeply personal; each card is an exploration of specific memories and whimsical, dark symbols that reflect life’s intricate nuances. In late 2019, after completing the Major Arcana, I held my first exhibition at betabularasa in Hong Kong. The event served as a fundraiser for Spark Alliance, providing legal aid for those involved in the 2019 protests. Through the sale of the original paintings and on-site readings, we raised $30,000 HKD. The success of that exhibition—and the connection I felt using my first Major Arcana prototype—inspired me to spend the following ten months completing the 56 cards of the Minor Arcana, including an additional 8 court cards that were not part of the traditional 76 cards.