The Lord of the Rings Tarot Deck and Guide

Gilly and Hijo‘s deck is not the first Lord of the Rings tarot, and is unlikely to be the last — but as of this writing (October 2022), it might just be the best so far. Beautifully executed by engraver Tomás Hijo, the illustrations sweep the viewer into Frodo’s quest like few tarots before it. The minor arcana pip cards are stylized but non-scenic, while the suits retain their traditional designations, with the exception of Pentacles — which has been changed to, unsurprisingly, Rings. Instead of the usual guide booklet, the instruction text is printed in the form of a fold-out map sheet, further underscoring the journey-like nature of the deck’s experience.