Tarot of the Golden Wheel - Slavic folklore on an RWS foundation
Most tarot decks borrow their imagery from Western traditions. This one looks east and draws its symbolism from Russian fairy tales, folk stories and the Slavic traditions surrounding the golden wheel.
Mila Losenko has redrawn the 78 cards of the Rider-Waite-Smith within a world of folkloric figures, traditional dress and natural landscapes. The golden wheel, symbol of the sun, karma and the eternal cycle, reappears across different cards and ties the whole together.
What you see on the cards
The illustrations are colourful and detailed. Losenko uses patterns and forms found in Eastern European folk art: geometric borders, embroidered robes, wooden architecture. The figures often wear traditional clothing, and the backgrounds show forests, fields and villages.
The cards follow the familiar RWS structure, so the positions, actions and storylines will feel known if you have worked with that system before. What differs is the cultural context: instead of medieval knights and Renaissance symbols you see peasant women, woodland spirits and ancestral figures here.
The cardstock is sturdy and has a smooth finish. The cards measure 70 x 120 mm, a standard size that shuffles well and fits most pouches.
How you work with it
The 84-page guidebook describes each card with attention to the folkloric symbolism. You get explanations per card about the meaning and the connections with the golden wheel and the seasons.
Because the deck follows the RWS structure, you can apply existing knowledge and spreads directly. The details in clothing and landscape add an extra layer: notice embroidery, flowers, colours and seasonal elements. They often tell you something about timing, direction or atmosphere.
Look at the background details on each card. Losenko works many symbols into clothing patterns and natural elements that strengthen the main message.
About Mila Losenko
Mila Losenko is a Russian artist with a background in mythology and history. Her work is marked by a love for traditional stories and a visual style that stems from Slavic folk art. For this deck she has redrawn the tarot cards with attention to the poetic and narrative side of folklore.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm
- Finish: Smooth coating
- Cardstock: Sturdy
- Guidebook: 84 pages, English
- Card language: English
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
- Artist: Mila Losenko
Questions we often get
Does this deck follow the Rider-Waite-Smith structure?
Yes. The 78 cards, their order and the main themes per card match RWS. What differs is the cultural angle and the imagery.
Are the cards and guidebook in English?
Yes. The cards have English titles and the guidebook is entirely in English.
