Yule & Ostara Wheel of the Year Playing Cards by Jocu

The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of seasonal festivals observed by the Pagans. These festivals are celebrated by observing natural signs. Jocu Playing Cards has picked this theme for a series of playing cards; which started in 2021. After two years of hiatus, the Wheel of the Year is back with Yule and Ostara Playing Cards.

The Wheel of the Year explores the eight festivals that go around in a cycle, thus this playing cards series will have eight decks in total. So far, there are four decks already finished: Beltane – Lughnasadh – Samhain – Imbolc. The remaining four: Yule – Ostara – Litha – Mabon, will be done within this year.

Collecting all of these decks will complete an image aligned with the sides of the decks. This series is proudly in collaboration with artist Zhade Evgenia.

Yule and Ostara explore the folklore of the ancient European civilizations Anglo Saxon. Yule explores some of the traditional origins of modern Christmas, while Ostara explores most of the traditions of modern Easter.

The Aces and Courts illustrations for both editions are different, with each set exploring the mythology and several aspects of the holidays. The tuck box design is similar to other decks in the series – creating one single design, with differences only in the colors, symbols, interior pattern, and foils.

Both decks featured a very thin white border, allowing the detailed artworks to showcase at full potential. In Yule, the back design features a circular wreath wheel wrapped with purple ribbons. There are a pair of antlers poking out and there are evergreen leaves surrounding it.

In Ostara, the back design features a natural wreath made of purple flowers. In the center is an array of colorful eggs. There are yellow flowers around the corners, and you can spot butterflies and caterpillars on the artwork – signifying springtime.

The Aces featured detailed illustrations of enlarged pips containing references to rituals and celebrations of respective festivals, including some that are adapted to modern holidays. The pair of Jokers for each edition represents the lighter side of the festivals – such as in Ostara, the Jokers are shown to hold a rabbit and a basket of eggs.

The courts are representing characters related to the myth and folklore of each festival – you can learn more about them in the companion booklets available as add-ons. Some of the number cards of the deck will have small symbols to correspond with the Lenormand divination system.

Pledge starts from $15 for a single deck between Yule or Ostara or $28 for both decks on Kickstarter. The cards will be produced by Cartamundi, and tuck cases by Boschiero and Newton.

Memoria Playing Cards by Thirdway Industries

Designer Giovanni Meroni of Thirdway Industries has released yet another fascinating series of playing cards full of stories and rich illustrations. Currently funding on Kickstarter, Memoria is a deck of playing cards that unlock your memory.

The series tells of the protagonist who travels in the void searching for life’s purpose. The protagonist happens to be YOU. In the void, you meet with a witch who grants you three wishes. You have used two wishes, in which the first one is to tell who you really are, while the second one is to erase your memories. Now, with the third and final wish, you are allowed to look into the Shard of Memories to discover the memories. These shards are in the form of decks of playing cards, which are these decks!

There are 4 decks available during the campaign. The standard edition set of the series is Entropia and Ancestrale. The limited-edition set (only 888 print runs made of each limited edition) is Entropia Argentea and Ancestrale Aurea.

The tuck boxes for the decks will be made by Boschiero & Newton – marking this series to be the first one that employs them for the tuck box production. For Entropia and Ancestrale, the tuck boxes will be done on premium matte paper stock with two layers of foiling, embossing, interior artwork printing with metallic ink.

The tuck boxes for both Argentea and Aurea will be using an experimental material of mirror paper. It is a highly reflective foiled paper that can reflect objects like that of a mirror. It is complete with embossing and interior artwork printing with metallic ink. The cards for these editions will be gilded – silver for Entropia Argentea and gold for Ancestrale Aurea.

The cards will be printed by Cartamundi – the back of the cards will use full cold foiling. Entropia has the blue and silver color scheme, while Ancestrale has the red and gold color scheme. The artwork featured interlocking geometric hexagonal lines with chains and showed a series of mazes, stairs, and stained glass shards.

The numbered cards will have a custom layout – the pips are arranged on a circular pattern within a hexagonal frame and a stained glass background. Diamonds and Hearts will have a red background with gold and azure accents. Spades and Clubs will have a blue background with red and gold accents.

The court cards will always be the center of the lore in every TWI deck series. Entropia and Ancestrale each will have a set of different courts. This shows the Jack of Hearts from both editions to see they are all different. The left one is Ancestrale “Memory of Betrayal” and the right one is Entropia “Memory of Hate”.

All of the artworks are beautifully done in full detail that shouts the character of the court cards and the Jokers. The faces of the cards have a thin white border, allowing for the artwork to expand to the fullest to show all those painstaking work by Giovanni.

If you wish to dive deep into the story of this series, there is a book provided as an add-on (along with a collectible coin). The book will have a full story about the characters shown in both court cards and jokers, as well as secrets, insights, and interpretation.

The pledge starts from $26 on Kickstarter for a single deck between Entropia or Ancestrale – $48 for a standard set of Entropia and Ancestrale. Also, gilded decks, uncut sheets, booklet, boxset, and dealer coin are available as add-ons.

Under the Moon by Jocu Playing Cards on Kickstarter

Jocu Playing Cards has been known to explore the world of mythology, folklores, and legends from the past. They brought card enthusiasts in not just for the beautifully designed artwork decks, but also for them to learn something from the picked theme for each series.

Jocu had explored the lush forest and pagan deity of “The Green Man” and ventured deep into the depths of the sea in “ONDA”. Now, to complete the loose trilogy, Anthony Holt and Alessandra Gaglioano presented with a series to explore the magic of the animal kingdom- Under the Moon Playing Cards.

There are 3 main editions in the series: Midnight (blue) – Moorland (green) – Moonrise (pink). The artwork on the front of the tuck box shows a rabbit looking up to the full moon surrounded by a beautiful filigree border. The box is made with premium matte stock with embossing and metallic foiling.

There will be a Kickstarter exclusive variants, which feature a triptych image by combining three of these editions altogether – the cards will be the same as the standard editions, only that the cards will be gilded – colors of the gilding are based on the cold foiling on the card. All of the tuck boxes will be produced by Boschiero and Newton.

The card back design features three rabbits running in a circle done in a mirrored design. There is a moon phase drawn in the middle and there is the filigree border surrounding the artworks. The borders and some of the elements of the back artwork will be done in cold metallic foil. Each edition features a respective color of the metallic foiling: Midnight edition has silver foil – Moorland edition has bronze foil – Moonrise edition has gold foil.

The numbered cards feature slightly modified pips with animal tracks scattered around them. The indices for the faces are bold and tall. The fully custom court cards will feature animals related to the mythology and folklore of the ancients. It is a two-way design of beautifully drawn animals done by Alessandra. Each edition will feature its own set of animal courts, thus it makes up to 36 animals in total to explore.

The deck will be produced by Cartamundi on the Slimline stock with Linen Finish. Pledges start on $16 for a single deck of your choosing OR $55 to get a complete set on Kickstarter!

Dualism Chroma Playing Cards

Dualism Chroma, the latest creation from Thirdway Industries, explores the delicate balance between good and evil through this extraordinary playing cards series. Designer Giovanni Meroni transforms the eternal conflict of light and darkness into a tangible work of art, a meditation on humanity’s inner contradictions.

Three decks are on offer during the Kickstarter project: Dualism Nightfall, embodying darkness and corruption; Dualism Sunrise, representing purity and virtue; and Dualism Twilight, a striking fusion of the two, where good and evil meet in a single design. 

This new edition expands upon the original Dualism deck that debuted in 2024 as an exclusive reward for Thirdway Industries patrons. The Chroma version introduces new foil tones, upgraded materials, and refined print techniques, while retaining the same symbolic DNA that made the first edition a cult favorite.

Inside, the card backs feature an intricate design of a two-headed dragon, inspired by both the Ouroboros and Yin-Yang, symbols of eternity, self-destruction, and rebirth. The result is an image that feels ancient yet alive, evoking an endless struggle between creation and decay.

Each court card appears in three distinct forms across the decks benevolent in Sunrise, sinister in Nightfall, and divided in Twilight, where the artwork itself is split down the middle in a one-way configuration.

Also, the court cards in the deck personifies a human contrast: love and lust, order and tyranny, wisdom and arrogance- reflecting how fragile the line can be between virtue and corruption. Through its art, Dualism Chroma invites players and collectors alike to explore that ambiguity and, perhaps, to confront their own.

The decks are packaged in tuck box by Boschiero & Newton featuring pearlescent paper, holographic foil, and embossed detailing, both inside and out

Each deck is limited to 777 individually numbered units, ensuring exclusivity for collectors. Printed by Kingstar, the decks feature holographic cold foil on both the faces and backs. Pledge starts at $87 for a set on Kickstarter.

NOW on Kickstarter, Secrets of the Sea by FRIS Cards

In an eagerly anticipated follow-up to their previous successful Kickstarter campaign, “The Elves Deck” FRIS Cards launched their latest Kickstarter project titled “The Secret of the Sea.” Embracing the allure of pirates, treasures, and uncharted mysteries of the ocean, this deluxe playing card set aims to immerse enthusiasts in an elaborate world of high-seas adventures.

Inside, each card is a testament to intricate artistry, showcasing hand-drawn, completely unique illustrations of Aces, Jokers, Pips, and Courts cards. The artistic finesse extends to the gold foil adorning the playing cards, providing an opulent touch to the entire set. The deck boasts over a year of dedicated effort, numerous iterations, and countless hours of craftsmanship to ensure every detail is a masterpiece in its own right. According to FRIS Cards,

Everything in this project has been carefully thought and all our cards are custom and hand drawn. Every detail of our playing cards has been studied and revised until we have reached the final design that we are proud to show you today.

The deck’s narrative is set within the Realm of the Elves introduced in the creators’ first deck. Drawing from centuries of sea tales shared in old taverns and recounted by sailors, the creators weave a tapestry of mysterious forces, unknown creatures, and the high stakes of life at sea. The cards portray characters straddling the thin line between life and death, capturing the essence of the sea’s unforgiving nature.

The Pirates, depicted through Spades and Clubs, and Sailors, represented by Hearts and Diamonds, introduce factions such as the Tenshidean Pirates, The Vale Navy, Duiburn Pirates, and The Zrienard Navy. Each group boasts its unique stories, leaders, and relationships with the mystical sea creatures inhabiting their territories.

From the formidable Kraken, Giant Octopus, Sea Dragon, to the menacing Skeletal Snake Monster, the Aces of the deck give form to these awe-inspiring sea creatures, enriching the saga of maritime legends.

The deck comes packaged in a deluxe tuck box, exquisitely crafted with embossing and hot foils, all meticulously designed on premium paper with exclusive hot foils.

Distinctive editions like the Morgan Gold Edition, John Silver Edition, and the exclusive Blackbeard Edition offer varied tuck boxes, foil enhancements, and gilded edges, each promising a unique and captivating visual experience.

This remarkable set will be brought to life through collaboration with WJPC for printing the playing cards, and Boschiero & Newton for tuck box production. Pledge starts at $11 on Kickstarter

Final Hours on Kickstarter, Chaos Playing Cards

Final hours on Kickstarter, Chaos Playing Cards by Thirdway Industries is turning heads with its vibrant, unpredictable designs and a unique concept known as the Chaos Factor. 

The Chaos Bestiary deck, the flagship edition of the series, is a chaotic masterpiece featuring a unique twist known as the Chaos Factor.

Each deck comes with a completely random combination of foil colors, ensuring that no two decks are exactly the same. Backers won’t know which variant they'll receive, adding an element of surprise. 

The deck’s eye-catching design includes holographic foil on both sides of the cards, with intricate fully custom artwork featuring mythological creatures like dragons, sirens, and fish-men. The boxes, crafted by the renowned Boschiero and Newton, are equally dramatic, boasting four foil colors inside and out.

For collectors, the Kickstarter-exclusive Pandemonium edition offers a more consistent design, with holographic silver gilding and numbered seals. 

Add-ons such as enamel pins, a custom Chaos coin, and exclusive bundles are available. With its vibrant designs and whimsical concept, Chaos Playing Cards is a must-have for any collector seeking something wild, colorful, and truly unique.

Printed by King Star and pledge starts at $21 on Kickstarter.

Samhain & Imbolc Wheel of the Year Playing Cards by Jocu

Samhain and Imbolc continue Jocu's exploration into ancient legends with the Wheel of the Year series in collaboration with Evgenia Zhade. This is the second campaign in what will be an eight-deck series exploring all the festivals of The Wheel, including not just the main four holidays celebrated by the Celts but the quarter points held more dearly to the Anglo Saxon and Norse inhabitants of the ancient British Isles. According to the Kickstarter campaign page,

As winter arrives and darkness begins to fall, we explore strange worlds and creatures with the festival Samhain, before looking forward to the light of the coming Spring with Imbolc, largely celebrated as the festival of Bridgid but also an important symbol of the changing seasons.

Samhain was a time for honoring the dead, and would later become the modern Halloween. Legends and stories of heroes, monsters, and bizarre happenings were told during these times much like today, and the Samhain deck will explore some of the most curious tales that were said to have occurred during the 'thinning of the veil' between the lands of the living and the dead. Samhain's back design references a recurring Jocu theme of The Green Man.

After the hard winter months, Imbolc was a time for renewed birth and energy as the snow melted to give way to new life. Snowdrops began to spring up through the melting frost and livestock once again started to produce milk. Imbolc explores the most important goddess of the Celts - Bridgid. The Imbolc back design features the traditional symbol of the Bridgid's cross along with ritual candles which are lit to this day in the Christian variant of the holiday 

Both decks come with unique artwork. Each character in Samhain and Imbolc comes from Celtic folklore and mythology. Evgenia's aces for Samhain and Imbolc contain references to ritual and celebration of the festivals, as well as some cheeky nods to modern incarnations of the holidays. Also, the jolly jokers show the lighter side of the festivals. A nod to the old Irish custom of carving turnips for Samhain and the milking of ewes during Imbolc. 

The decks are packaged in luxury matte tuck boxes with Jocu's regular collaborator Boschiero & Newton in a traditional style with metallic foil accents and interior foiling. The planned eight-deck eventual series will sit together to form one single design when the decks are laid out together.

Printed on slimline card stock with premium B9 linen finish by Cartamundi and pledge starts at $15 on Kickstarter.

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On Kickstarter, The Elves Playing Cards

A beautiful fantasy-themed deck by Fris Cards (Instagram: @friscards) headed by Federico and Lene. The deck features hand-illustrated artwork and eye-catching tuck box that will stand out in your collection.

A lot of hard work has gone into this Kickstarter project. Elves playing cards took 2 years from the first prototype of the originally designed deck manufactured by MPC to the final design we see now on Kickstarter.

There complete rework of all the graphics, the tuck box, the typography, the pips, and the court cards, which needed some adjustments… and the result is simply stunning. On the origin of the deck, Federico told Kardify,

As a kid, I used to collect playing cards and still do, and it was just in recent years that I discovered modernly produced decks. It was thanks to Giovanni of Thirdway Industries that everything was set in motion. I had the chance of meeting him some years ago since we are both Italians, to buy some of his decks. Since then, I regularly met with him to purchase all of his creations and he was a true inspiration and motivated me to start working on something. Together with my partner Lene, we decided to work on a fantasy-themed project, as we both liked the setting and theme around it and chose the Elves as the main theme.

A lot of time and energy have been invested in this project. the Fris Cards team chose to work with Boschiero & Newton for the tuck box, and the results were nothing short of amazing.

We worked on the tuck for 6 months straight and tried different solutions for the foil until we finally found the sweet spot with some special foils manufactured only in the UK, giving it a bit of exclusivity. We had some great advices both from Giovanni and from the amazing Tim The Card Guy and we would love to acknowledge how important that has been for us.

Inside the deck is fully custom, from the beautiful mirrored card back, and gorgeous Ace of Spades to the hand-illustrated elves’ court cards and Jokers.

The decks will be printed by the United States Playing Cards Company and pledge starts at $10 on Kickstarter.

Kardify Magazine Issue 101 Now on Patreon

We just dropped Kardify Magazine Issue 101 on Patreon! Patrons who pledged $3 or more will be able to download the latest issue from our Patreon page. This issue compiles selected articles published from mid-September to mid-October. Deck images, articles, and news to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest playing card news, releases, and previews. If you love playing cards, you will love Kardify Magazine!

Also, don’t forget to check out our other cool reward tiers on Patreon! The tiers include monthly desktop and smartphone wallpapers, a mystery deck shipped to you every 4 months of ongoing contributions, social media shout-outs, and multiple sponsorship tiers! Check it out!

Funds received from the magazine will help us keep the site running and growing, and bring new quality content to you. Our aim is to support designers by backing crowdfunded projects and supporting magic and playing cards retailers with their new releases. If you want to support us, please head over to our Patreon page. If you have an idea for an article you would like us to pursue, do get in contact with us. We hope you enjoy the read. In this issue:   

+ 52 Plus Joker 2025 Club Deck: The official 2025 club deck, Moonbound, a striking collaboration of Giovanni Meroni, Boschiero & Newton and Legends Playing Card Company. Find Out More!

+ Odd Fellows: The story of Stockholm17’s Odd Fellows continues at 17 Sinner’s Street. The story unfolds through a deck of playing cards smuggled inside modified hip flasks.

+ Dualism Chroma: Check out the latest creation from Thirdway Industries, explores the delicate balance between good and evil through this extraordinary playing cards series. 

+ Medusa: Designed by Midnight Cards and produced by Mike Wilson, this striking deck features a hypnotic back design of swirling snakes in vivid green and orange, printed on holographic foil. Check it out!

+ Strange tales from a Chinese Studio: Bloom Playing Cards latest deck transforms ancient Chinese tales of love, and the supernatural into an intricate collection of illustrated cards. Find Out More!

+ Butterfly Try-All Set: Butterfly Cards is asking fans and collectors to help decide the future of the next Butterfly deck by allowing you test and compare three unique card stocks, while influencing the deck’s upcoming second edition.

+ Virtuoso P1 SG: The Virts announced the launch of a special edition Virts deck created to honor Singapore’s 60th anniversary!

… and more! 54 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Incubo Playing Cards by Thirdway Industries

For this brand new series, Giovanni Meroni of Thirdway Industries manifests the nature of monstrous nightmares onto decks of playing cards. Incubo Playing Cards are now seeking funds on Kickstarter.

There are two main editions on offer during the campaign: Mezzanotte and Divoramondo. Incubo Mezzanotte features tuck box made with Italian luxury black paper with 2 layers of matte foil and embossing. The artwork is done with yellow and white matte foil. The interior of the box has an artwork done in black metallic foil.

The card back design features a two-way graphic artwork of a bird cage keeping a raven with a key and the border is colored with vibrant yellow.

Meanwhile, Incubo Divoramondo features a tuck box made with premium “reef” paper with ultra-red foil and embossing. There is a beautiful and shiny bloody red foil on the box, with interior artwork done in black foil. The box comes with a custom-numbered seal.

The card back design features a two-way graphic artwork of glowing patterns in circular arrangements. It has a deep black background with hot foil stamping in red foil. The edges will be gilded with stunning red metallic foil.

The series features at least 32 distinct characters: 16 for each deck – 12 court cards and 4 jokers. The characters are illustrated as one-way full-length artworks.

As the decks prioritise “art” over playability, the faces of the cards only have one index located in the top left corner. A booklet is available as an optional add-on if you like to explore the lore of the characters.

All of the tuck boxes are crafted with Boschiero and Newton. The Mezzanotte edition will be printed with USPCC, limited to around 1600 decks, while the Kickstarter-exclusive Divoramondo edition will be printed by Legends Playing Cards, limited to around 975 decks.

Pledge starts from $18 for Incubo Mezzanotte OR $42 for Incubo Divoramondo on Kickstarter.