As the name suggests, Pastoral Tarot was inspired by the rich pastoral tradition of the arts that honor and celebrate the sweeping majesty of the countryside. Like the poetry, literature and music that creatively captures the peaceful idyllic life, Pastoral Tarot takes us to glorious places where we can appreciate the beauty and bounty of nature as we stroll through apple orchards, lavender farms, pumpkin patches, golden cornfields, woodlands, pastures and meadows. We are beckoned to pause by sweeping seaside vistas, colorful gardens, and verdant hills and valleys. ~ Lynn Araujo

In Pastoral Tarot we encounter a menagerie of animals, both wild and domestic, many that are helpful to farm life and others that are potentially harmful. For rural life is not without its challenges and threats. Some of the wisdom shared in this deck comes from the animals themselves, while other gentle lessons from the idyllic countryside are told through time-honored proverbs, parables, and folk wisdom.

~ Lynn Araujo

Some paintings flowed from my brush more easily than others. Several were downright challenging, but interesting all the same. Each piece of art has its own story to tell and with some paintings, I can remember what I was otherwise doing during the time I was working on them. -Lisa Hunt

Redrawing a piece is one of my favorite creative activities during this process. Using a mechanical pencil, I enjoy elaborating on the original drawing with additional and often spontaneous detail such as vines, pebbles, and foliage until the drawing met my standards for completion. Using Windsor and Newton watercolor paints, I would begin with larger washes of color, faces, and hands being among my favorite things to paint. I would use less and less water as I progressed and utilized dry brushing (paint with little moisture) for fine details such as eyes and ears. The painting process goes fairly quickly depending on the complexity of the piece. - Lisa Hunt

This tarot deck also explores the other sense of the word 'pastoral,' meaning to offer spiritual guidance. It is the aim of this deck not just to inspire readers but to offer spiritual signposts for the seeker who wanders many paths in search of self-actualization. We are all wayfarers searching for illumination on our place in the world. Hopefully some of the countryside scenes in Pastoral Tarot will also resonate for readers and bring them insightful new perspectives. ~ Lynn Araujo

Pastoral Tarot explores how a sense of place reveals who we are, where we belong and where we have been. ~ Lynn Araujo

The Hermit

Unlike decks I’ve done in the past, the card orientation is horizontal rather than vertical. This interesting format is conducive for landscape painting; just the thing for a deck that focuses on the countryside. The paintings created for Pastoral Tarot are larger than other decks I have painted. I liked the freedom a larger dimension afforded and was able to include lots of detail, especially when painting people, flowers, and farm animals. -Lisa Hunt