previews of my 2 cards (ace of swords and ace of cups) for the divine inspiration witch hat atelier tarot deck @divinewhatarot ☆
preorders are open until july 11, if you want the deck don't miss out on the preorders because it will only be printed once! everyone in the team put a lot of love and effort into this project ♡
So, I've seen around that they've made an official (?) tarot deck with the chapter covers illustrations and it got me curious as to why certain covers/characters were chosen, if it was a pure aesthetics choice or if we can glean something more from it so here, have my 2 cents on the tarot deck.
I'm dividing this in multiple parts for an easier read, you'll find part one under the cut, and the links to the other parts on each post.
Obviously, SPOILERS FOR THE ENTIRE MANGA UPT TO CH 98!
part 2 - part 3 - part 4 - part 5
0 - The fool
To begin with, we have Coco in the cover art for chapter 61.
This is the chapter with the parade during silver eve when Olly and Coco present their contraptions, and where we get the Arkco "clasp of covenant parallel" panel once Coco's plan fails.
The Fool usually means new beginnings, freedom, innocence, originality, adventure, idealism and spontaneity meanwhile in it's reversed, it can mean recklessness, naivete, being taken advantage of or inconsideration.
It's fitting that we start with Coco, she's our protagonist after all, and all these meanings fit well for her, both in general and in this chapter in particular. She is filled with creativity and a bit of recklessness after all, and she's also very firm in her idealism that magic is something that exists to help people, even when she's confronted with the darkest part of magic.
I really liked that, with all the covers we have of her, they chose this one in particular since The Fool is associated with being on a journey and her leaving the door behind to go into the world really conveys the idea of the starting a new journey.
I - The Magician
Fittingly, for The Magician we have Qifrey from the chapter 8 cover. This is a very relaxed chapter where Qifrey and the girls have their picnic in the rain after the dragon incident and it's also Olly's introductory chapter.
The Magician can mean willpower, desire, being resourceful,, skill, ability, concentration or manifestation in its upright position, while if reversed it means manipulation, cunning, trickery, wasted talent, illusion or deception.
I don't think I have to spell out why all of these fit QIfrey's character but I'm not sure why it was chosen this specific cover for this card. He's just chilling in this, and the chapter itself is rather relaxed, if not for the confrontation with Olly at the end... could this be a nod to their promise from ch 93? His need to lie and be resourceful stems from his condition yes, but Qifrey was fine with the silverwood taking over, it's Olly that makes him promise to live and to do that he has to lie, to be cunning and to not give in to the tree. This is Qifrey's card, but it's Olly that pushes him into being a magician. If that's why they chose this specific chapter for The Magician I'm going to combust.
II - The High Priestess
Next we have Tetia, from the cover of chapter 52. This is the chapter where she hangs out with Eoleo and they become "friends".
The High Priestess means intuition, mystery, spirituality, higher power or insight if upright, meanwhile it can mean repressed intuition, hidden motives, superficiality, confusion or cognitive dissonance if reversed.
I find it really interesting that we get Tetia for this card. Specifically in the chapter she deals with Eoleo, who definitely has his own agenda, and she immediately clocked that there was something wrong too. Tetia is socially smart, she's friendly and bubbly and maybe a bit naive but she's not blind which certainly is something interesting once you realize she's blindfolded in this cover art. Like she's been lead astray on purpose.
I wonder if maybe we should read this card in the reversed meanings for her future storyline. As if something is going to go wrong because she didn't listen to her gut feeling with the prince.
Shirahama, please don't put my bubblegum daughter in the torture loop as well I beg you T.T
III - The Empress
Next we have Agott from the chapter 62 cover art. This chapter is the one that immediately follows Coco's Fool card and in it Agott saves Coco's idea, making it something everyone would want to use. This is also when the giant leech appears.
Upright, The Empress card means divine femininity, sensuality, fertility, motherhood, nurturing, creativity, beauty, abundance and nature, meanwhile reversed it means insecurity, overbearing, negligence, smothering, lack of growth or lack of progress.
While the uprights are not things I'd usually associate with Agott, they fit her really well for this chapter and the character development she's had during the series. It's in this chapter that we fully see her bloom into a supporting and kind person. The hints where there before, but she was too held back by her past before for us to truly see this aspect of her. It's like if this chapter is when we finally see the reversed card being turned upright and we can finally see ALL of her.
It's also probably meaningful that a card associated with motherhood, was given to the chapter when we finally have a tiny focus on her mother. Agott has complicated feeling about her mother, rightfully so, but I wonder if it extends to the concept of motherhood in general? To give her such a loaded card is something.
I really love that they chose this specific chapter to give this card to her.
Next we have Rili, form the chapter 70 cover. In this chapter Rili meets back with Richeh, Agott and Tetia among the chaos of the leech attack and he helps Eoleo get back in touch with Tetia who then uses her tents to help the people with his and the queen's help.
For the upright meaning we have sacrifice, release and martyrdom while for the reversed we have stalling, needless sacrifice or fear of sacrifice.
Now, to be honest, I don't thing this has much of a deeper meaning that the illustration being really close to how the hanged man is generally represented in tarot. Unless this is a giant hidden foreshadowing for Rili and Eoleo's interactions in the latest chapter taking a dark turn in the future, I can't really see these meaning apply to Rili, not even with the context of his backstory in mind. I mean, I guess he technically did sacrifice himself for Richeh so that she would be spared from the physical abuse so I guess there is that, but it feels a bit superficial of a connection to me.
The chapter contents don't feel particularly relevant either?
I don't know about this one.
XIII - Death
For Death we have Coco and Brim Coco from the chapter 28 cover page.
This is the chapter where the girls try to undo Euini's transformation and Iguin tries to tempt Coco with forbidden magic.
Upright this card can mean end of cycle, beginnings, change or metamorphosis while reversed it symbolizes fear of change, holding on, stagnation or decay.
I mean, the upright meanings are exactly what the brimcaps hope Coco could be, the herald of a new age of magic. Meanwhile, from their prospective, the reversed meaning are exactly what witch society is for magic. In that sense I can see this card being from the brimcaps POV, where Coco is both the upright (Brim Coco) and the reversed (pointed hat Coco) meanings for magic.
Oh I really like the duality of the tarot being represented by the two version of Coco.
XIV - Temperance
Next we have Coco and Tartah from the cover art for chapter 17. This is the chapter where Coco creates a spell to help Tartah with his silverwash while looking for medicine for her.
Upright it symbolizes the middle path, patience or finding meaning while reversed it can mean extremes, excess or lack of balance.
The upright interpretation could apply to the content of the chapter, Tartah does find a path for himself through Coco's magic this chapter after all, but I wonder if this card is for just him, for her or for the both of them together. Coco finds a path this chapter as well, since she figures out that reversing the signs could be the solution she needs to save her mother. They find hope together, but that hope and trust is currently broken and out of balance, taking on the meaning of the reversed card.
Uh... This is an interesting one to think about.
XV - The Devil
For The Devil we have Ininia from the cover for chapter 66. This is the chapter directly following the Knight's Justice, though I'm not sure it's relevant. This is the chapter where Ininia is adopted found by Galga and Atwert as they want to escort her to safety.
Upright it signifies addiction, materialism or playfulness while reversed it can represent freedom, release or restoring control.
Honestly? I've got nothing about this one.
The chapter itself doesn't seem to be related to any of these meaning and Ininia is still too mysterious to pin to any of them as well.
I guess we got cool unsettling cover for a cool mysterious antagonist and they went with The Devil because it fit the vibe?
Honestly, I personally would have seen Iguin fit this one more but maybe I'm just missing something.
Visually it looks cool.
XVI - The Tower
For The Tower we have Coco (and Brushbuddy!) with baby Qifrey and Baby Olly from the cover of chapter 91. I don't think I have to say it but this is one of the baby orufrey flashback chapters, specifically, the one with the liongoat adventure and where Olly tells Qifrey you have to lie to live sometimes.
Upright it can mean sudden upheaval, broken pride or disaster while reversed it can mean disaster avoided, delayed disaster or fear of suffering.
I'm not sure if we have to read this in the sense of its reversed meaning since baby orufrey successfully avoided doom both in the chapter and over the years for now or if we should take it as an omen of what's destined to come (Treefrey)
For sure I'm the one scared of suffering.
I do like that visually the three of them are positioned in a way that looks like a tower though.
Honestly I'm surprised we don't have an Olruggio cover for this card, given how important it is for him being narratively likened to stars and guiding lights. Also, the contents of the chapters don't seem particularly relevant since it's Jujy, Hiehart and Luluci mainly dealing with the leech. I think this might be a case of aesthetics over substance, given how the deer Coco is sleeping with is covered in stars.
Upright this card can mean hope, faith, or rejuvenation while reversed it stands for faithlessness, discouragement or insecurity.
Again, this scream Olly to me but whatever. It's pretty
XVIII - The Moon
For the Moon we have the gorgeous cover page of Custas from chapter 51. This is the chapter where Coco and Tartah are first confronted and blackmailed by Custas and Ininia.
Upright The Moon means unconscious, illusions or intuition and reversed it means confusion, fear or misinterpretation.
I feel like all meanings fit well for both the chapter and Custas in general, especially in the reversed reading.
XIX - The Sun
For The Sun we have the girls from the chapter 29 cover. This is the chapter that concludes the Serpentback Cave Arc and it's also the one that directly follows Coco's Death card.
Upright it symbolizes joy, success, celebration and positivity while reversed it can mean negativity, depression or sadness.
Again, I feel these meaning are perfect for the chapter chosen. We do feel all of the joy and success in having partially restored Euini but we are also sad because he has to be sent away. And there is also the injury Qifrey has to deal with so it's a bittersweet ending to the arc that incapsulates both reading of the card, although the art of the girls smiling is definitely more on the upright side of the card for me.
XX - Judgment
Next, it's Olruggio's turn, with his beautiful cover page from chapter 77.
This is mainly an action chapter, with him against the leech. It's also when he freezes mid-fight and get injured and he blames himself exactly like he did after Nauz.
Given that the Judgment card can mean reflection, reckoning, awakening but also lack of self awareness, doubt and self loathing if reversed I think we are meant to read this as the reversed card for Olly this chapter, as he froze mid fight because of his trauma.
In general, these are all things that fit Olruggio well though, because he does tend to be smart and reflective but also he's too hard on himself and his role of Watchful Eye fits well with a Judge.
I really like that the cover art for this chapter really gives off the idea of him opening a veil to the truth to pass judgment on in. It fits the card really well.
XXI - The World
Fittingly for The World, we end with all of the girls in the chapter 20 cover page.
With all the the different illustrations with the four of them together I wonder why this one was chosen. The chapter after all, is the direct sequel of Richeh's Chariot but it's just more early second test shenanigans and Qifrey telling the story of Romonon to Coco and Tetia.
Upright the card can represent fulfillment, harmony, and completion while reversed it can indicate incompletion or lack of closure.
This might be another case of aesthetics over meaning, since the illustration does fit the theming very well with it's sun/moon/storybook motive, but the meanings could apply to all four of the girls together in any illustration, I don't feel like it has to be this one in particular. It is pretty thoguh.
Aaaaaand WE'RE DONE!
Thanks for coming to my unhinged thoughts, hope this was somewhat interesting!
And now for my favorite combo, we have Qifrey from the gorgeous cover of chapter 85 for Strength.
I'm sure most of us remember, but this is the chapter where Custas sprouts and Qifrey tells Coco what is going on with Custas and the silverwood.
Upright the Strength card means inner strength, bravery, compassion and focus while reversed it can symbolize self doubt, weakness and insecurity.
Strength perfectly fits Qifrey and his struggle with the silverwood, and all the pain he has to carry to live and the fact they chose this specific chapter cover for this card just sends me. It's like each aspect of Strength is present within each portrait.
When I look at this I just want to cry, this is perfect.
IX - The Hermit
Next, it's Euini's turn, from the cover for chapter 21.
This is the chapter Euini figures out how to use his weakness to his advantage and he alters the scalewolf cloak to make hiself a shadow.
Upright The Hermit means contemplation, search for truth and inner guidance while reversed it symbolizes loneliness, isolation and loss of your way.
All are meaningful for Euini's character journey. In my opinion he starts on the reverse of this card to grow into the upright side during the second test arc... before tragedy strucks at least.
X - The Wheel of Fortune
For The Wheel of Fortune we have Coco on the cover of chapter 83. This is the chapter where the Leech is finally defeated with the counterclock spell.
Upright it means change, cycles or inevitable fate but reversed can mean no control, clinging to control or bad luck.
It's a fitting choice for the chapter where a fate of doom is finally changed into hope thanks to Coco's ingenuity and everyone's hard work and sacrifice. I also like to think that the spells on the cover are the wheels of fortune themselves. Not only they are round like a wheel, but it's magic that changes and guides the fate of this world.
XI - Justice
For Justice, we have the knights from the cover art for chapter 65. In this chapter we see the knights, and Utowin in particular, worry about the Outsiders seeing Olly and other witches wage war. We also have Coco confide in Qifrey about the Custas situation.
Upright this card can mean cause and effect, clarity and truth while reversed it means dishonesty, unaccountability and unfairness.
Honestly, this might be the obvious choice for Justice, but I have to admit it really fits the Knights like a glove. And I don't mean the individuals but the organization as a whole.
It's worth noting, in the card version of the illustration the image is cropped, cutting out Luluci and focusing on Easthies and Utowin. Now, this is probably only due to the size of the cards, after all, all other illustrations are cropped as well, but I think it's telling Luluci is the one being cropped out. She's currently experiencing doubts about the organization she is part of and being cut out of the card that represents them could be hidden foreshadowing for her turmoil or even of the possibility of her leaving. By that sense, let's also note how both Galga and Easthies are turned away from the viewer. Galga, has had to leave the knights because of the memory loss and Easthies is currently in a precarious spot after his rampage so they don't face us. Utowin is facing our way but his attention is on Easthies, his true ideal of justice and the twins also are looking to the side, probably because they are too young to fully understand Justice. The only one truly looking at the viewer is Luluci, who again is cut out of the picture for Justice. It's like none of the knights are facing true Justice but their interpretation of it and the only one truly looking at us is the one that doesn't fit with the order so she's been cut out.
Now, I don't think it was intentional to have all of that implied by this card, and I don't think this choice of illustration/card has much to do with the chapter itself either, this was probably one of the few covers with the knights together but it sure has a lot of potential interpretation in it. and I'm loving it.
For The Emperor we have Beldaruit from chapter 74. This is the chapter where Coco comes up with the idea to use the counterclock spell to stop the leech. Fun fact: according to the wiki, this is the shortest chapter in the entire story, not sure it matters but I thought I should point it out.
Now, The Emperor card can mean stability, structure, protection, authority, control, practicality, focus and discipline, but if reversed it can mean tyranny, rigidity, stubbornness, lack of discipline or coldness.
This card is fitting for Beldaruit as one of the Three Wise, and specifically in this chapter where he uses his influence to support Coco's plan.
I don't think we have seen any of the reversed meaning in him yet, though we did see how rigid he can become for the sake of the magic he wants to protect so it wouldn't surprise me if we see more of his harsher side moving forward.
V - The Hierophant
Next we have Dagda in the cover from chapter 55. This is the chapter we find out about the counterclock seal on his chest.
Upright this card can mean tradition, conformity, morality and ethics while reversed it means rebellion, subversiveness and new approaches.
These fit well with Dagda being an outcast who still is a good and righthous person. But the fact they chose this chapter specifically might have to do more with Custas than with him, after all, Custas is the one breaking the rules, both of nature and of the witches, to keep him alive.
Either way, still very fitting.
VI -The Lovers
For The Lovers we have Galga and Atwert.
Of course this card went to one of the few canon couples we have, but this is the only illustration in the set that doesn't come from a chapter cover, it's actually an illustration Shirahama posted on X back in 2022.
The fact that upright this card means partnerships, duality and union but reversed it means loss of balance, one-sidedness and disharmony has me in shambles knowing what happens to Galga.
VII - The Chariot
Next, we have Richeh, from the cover of chapter 19, the true start of the second test arc, with her first flashback and the apprentices entering the cave.
Upright The chariot means direction, control and willpower meanwhile reversed it signifies lack of control, lack of direction or aggression.
Richeh is usually steadfast and headstrong, she knows what she wants to do and who she wants to be, which fits this card perfectly, but I also find it interesting that the reversed could apply to her as well, especially in this arc, where she's confronted with the reality of needing more spells than just the ones she comes up with herself.
