The Tarot de la Nuit is a deck that invites users to explore the mysterious and often misunderstood beauty of the night. Meaning "the night" in French, this deck represents a journey into powerful darkness, framed by moonlight, glamour, and magic. Created by Carole-Anne Eschenazi with artwork by Alexandra V. Bach, the deck is published by Lo Scarabeo and is based on the Rider-Waite system, though it infuses the traditional structure with a distinct Gothic and mystical atmosphere. The source material describes the deck as a "dreamy deck with echoes of Alice in Wonderland and the dark allure of traditional fairytales." It is designed to express the beauty of the night world, dreams, and possibilities, suggesting that night is not merely an absence of light but a separate, vibrant world.
The artwork is a central feature of the Tarot de la Nuit. The illustrations are described as borderless, allowing the art to flow beyond the edges of the cards and into the imagination. Alexandra V. Bach, a French digital artist, aimed to create "a whole universe in which darkness would have a deep beauty, a rich poetry, and its own light and black stars." The imagery often incorporates dark femininity, mythical creatures, black magic, and witchcraft. While the deck has a "Gothic vibe," reviews note that it is not overly gloomy; rather, it pursues the beauty of the night world with rich colors and expressive figures. The deck size is standard, 70mm x 120mm, similar to the Rider-Waite deck, and it comes in a sturdy box decorated in silver, giving it a gorgeous and shiny impression.
Understanding the Imagery and Symbolism
A distinctive visual element of the Tarot de la Nuit is the presence of blood figures and blood stains on many cards. For example, the Sun card depicts a woman in a blood-stained dress jumping off a cliff. However, the source material explicitly states that this imagery carries no negative meaning. The blood is interpreted as part of the aesthetic pursuit of the night world's beauty, rather than a symbol of harm or misfortune. This contrasts with traditional interpretations where such imagery might suggest trauma or loss. In this deck, the blood is part of the "dark allure" that contributes to the deck's unique artistic identity.
The deck embraces themes of solitude, strength, and the closeness of the faery realm. The guidebook welcomes the user to a world where "dark femininity reigns, where solitude is strength, where faery is close at hand, where melancholy brings enlightenment, and where dreams are real." The interpretations of the cards are often written from the point of view of the card's character in the first person, adding a personal touch to the readings.
The Angel de la Nuit: A Symbol of Hope and Renewal
Among the cards in the Tarot de la Nuit, one specific card stands out as a unique addition: the "Angel de la Nuit." This is a bonus card included in the Major Arcana. It is not part of the traditional 78-card structure but is provided as an extra element to enhance the deck's thematic journey.
Visual Description
The visual impression of the Angel de la Nuit card is initially dark. It features a woman with black and devilish make-up. This imagery might initially appear ominous or negative to those unfamiliar with the deck's specific symbolic language. However, the source material clarifies that despite this dark presentation, the card is "indeed, a very hopeful card."
Meaning and Message
The core meaning of the Angel de la Nuit is the promise of the end of suffering and the arrival of better times. The card signifies that "the long, dark nights will soon end and golden dawn is coming." It serves as a beacon for those who feel they have been walking in darkness for an extended period.
The guidebook for the deck provides a specific message from the perspective of the Angel:
"I am the angel of night. If you’ve picked me up, then my message to you is that your inner night is soon coming to an end. You may have walked in darkness for some time, but soon, very soon, a new full moon will rise and will show you the way. My phosphorescent butterflies are here to guide you. Believe in luck. Believe in me. Believe in you. My black soft wings are protecting you from now on. Into your heart, I whisper my sweet lullaby; ‘Have no fear, honey, everything is going to be fine. The night is nothing to be afraid of any more. And the warm sun that you hold within is ready to shine again’."
This message emphasizes protection, guidance (symbolized by phosphorescent butterflies), and the internal readiness to shine again. It reframes the night not as a permanent state of despair but as a necessary precursor to the dawn. For users seeking guidance through difficult times, this card offers a specific affirmation that the darkness is temporary and that internal light is waiting to emerge.
The Companion Guidebook and Reading Tools
The Tarot de la Nuit comes with a companion guidebook written by Carole-Anne Eschenazi. The book is relatively concise, with the English content covering approximately 55 pages. It is available in multiple languages, typically including English, Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Russian (or the standard five languages for Lo Scarabeo decks: English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German).
Structure of the Guidebook
The guidebook is structured to help users navigate the unique themes of the deck: * Creation Story: It includes a short artist statement and an explanation of why the deck was created. * Concept: It welcomes the user to the "Kingdom of De La Nuit," describing the deck's concept and the world it inhabits. * Card Entries: Each card entry features the card title, a personal message (in first person), divinatory meaning, and keywords. * Bonus Card: It explicitly covers the "L'Ange De La Nuit" (Angel de la Nuit), explaining its divinatory meaning and noting that the user can choose to leave it in or remove it from the deck. * Usage Instructions: It provides suggestions for an initial ritual and tips on using the deck. * Spreads: It includes prompts for one-card readings and a specific 7-card spread called "The Night Spread."
The Night Spread
The guidebook contains a specific spread designed for this deck, known as "The Night Spread." This is a 7-card spread. While the source material does not detail the specific positions of this spread, its inclusion highlights the deck's desire to offer tailored tools for its users, moving beyond generic tarot spreads to embrace the specific "night" narrative of the deck.
User Experiences and Connection
Reviews from users indicate a strong personal connection to the deck. One reviewer noted that the cards "connected with me instantly and have been the most insanely accurate." The imagery, described as "beautifully dark and realistic," appeals to those seeking human realism, dark fantasy, and a "goth edge." The reviewer mentioned that the Empress card on the box represented their own representation card, suggesting that the deck allows for deep personal resonance.
Another review mentioned purchasing the deck for a professional cartomancer, indicating that the deck is considered suitable for serious use, not just casual collection. The deck is praised for its sturdy cardstock and the quality of the box, which is described as sturdy and gorgeous.
Holistic Context of the Tarot de la Nuit
While the provided sources focus specifically on the Tarot de la Nuit deck, the context of the PruthaVastu website suggests a broader interest in holistic energy and spiritual guidance. In this light, the Tarot de la Nuit can be viewed as a tool for introspection and navigating the "darker" or more hidden aspects of life.
The Night as a Spiritual Space
The deck challenges the common association of night with negativity or fear. Instead, it presents the night as a realm of "deep beauty" and "enriching poetry." For individuals seeking spiritual well-being, this perspective offers a way to embrace solitude and melancholy not as states to be avoided, but as potential sources of strength and enlightenment. The deck's philosophy—that "night is another world different from daytime"—allows users to access different parts of their psyche and intuition.
The Cycle of Light and Dark
The Angel de la Nuit card specifically addresses the cyclical nature of experience. In a holistic approach to energy balancing, the concept that "long, dark nights" are followed by a "golden dawn" is a fundamental principle of renewal. This aligns with natural rhythms and cycles, suggesting that periods of difficulty or introspection are necessary for growth and that clarity will eventually return. The imagery of the "warm sun that you hold within" reinforces the idea that the source of light and hope is internal, a concept central to personal growth strategies.
Art as a Vibrational Tool
The artwork of Alexandra V. Bach is described as empowering users to find the answers they seek. In the context of energy harmonization, visual art can act as a focal point for meditation or intention setting. The specific aesthetic of the Tarot de la Nuit—with its rich colors, expressive figures, and borderless design—may serve as a vibrational tool for those who resonate with its specific "Gothic" or "night" energy. The guidebook's suggestion of an "initial ritual" further suggests that the deck is intended to be used as a sacred object, not merely a game of chance.
Conclusion
The Tarot de la Nuit is a specialized deck that offers a unique journey into the symbolism of night, darkness, and the eventual return of light. Created by Carole-Anne Eschenazi and illustrated by Alexandra V. Bach, it combines the familiar structure of the Rider-Waite system with a distinct, darkly beautiful aesthetic. Its key features include borderless artwork, a bonus card (the Angel de la Nuit), and a guidebook that offers personal, first-person interpretations and a specialized 7-card spread.
The Angel de la Nuit card serves as a central pillar of hope within the deck, explicitly promising the end of a period of darkness and the arrival of a "golden dawn." It encourages users to believe in their own inner light and the protective forces surrounding them. For users of the PruthaVastu platform interested in holistic energy and spiritual guidance, this deck provides a tool for exploring the hidden depths of the psyche, embracing the beauty of solitude, and trusting in the natural cycles of renewal and transformation. It validates the experience of walking in darkness while holding the promise of the sun that resides within.