Firstly, a massive thank you to everyone who pledged. This is a huge deal, and I have a lot of work ahead of me!

First things first though, things are going to go quiet for a week or two. For the next few days we're vending our only in person event of the year. Then the first thing I have to do is send out the surveys, and get the big pin quote. 

I'll make a decision on how many blood moon pins (we were very close!) before the surveys go out. Then I'd really appreciate it if you guys could answer them asap. You'll be able to change your choices around for a long time after, but I need some idea of which pins people would like - some are always more popular than others, and the distribution will make a huge difference on the overall price. You won't be charged for shipping/add-ons until later on, and you'll get a warning beforehand. The surveys are going to be pretty long, since we now have 28 options for most things, so just bear with me.

There are going to be a few extra things in the add-on store. Mostly the prototype products that we really liked, maybe a few of the extra items I already made. I'm going to do a very limited print run for just the major arcana with the holo film - because I want one 😂. The cards will be smaller because the supplier is different. 

We do have another project launching in June, its the Mythical Garden pins. A lot of the work for that was done last year already, and we're launching as part of a community driven event (Pin Quest 2025). If you feel like buying even more pins, back more than one project for a bunch of freebies.

Otherwise, I'll keep you posted :). Thanks all ~

Its the final day! I can't believe it. Thank you everyone who came to support the project, it means the world to us. 

I've spoken a few times about working on this project with my partner. She is the one who brings the real passion for the deep sea, marine biology and all the strange and wonderful things therein. So I asked her to write up the full tarot break down to post on the final day. Both of us are quite new to tarot, and we approached the whole thing collaboratively and with a lot of love. So without further ado, here's our collective interpretation for the Midnight Ocean major arcana, in her words.

The dumbo octopus (grimpoteuthis) represents the Fool. Known for being shy, yet playful and intelligent, the dumbo octopus has the Fool’s innocence and sense of potential. They’re just little guys trying to get by.

Big fin squid (magnapinna) are majestic, alien creatures full of mystery. Little is known about them, but videos of curious magnapinna squid have been mistaken for displays of aggression by the internet at large, leading some to consider them intimidating. Likewise, the Magician is a card of great potential that signifies making the most of one’s abilities.

Sea pigs (Scotoplanes globosa) are cute, unusual little sea cucumbers that move around on eight ‘tube feet’. Unusually for sea cucumbers, they are also capable of free-swimming, and have even been known to carry passengers - juvenile king crabs have been seen clinging to sea pigs like young holding onto their mother. It is this motherly aspect that links them to the High Priestess, who represents womanhood. Sea Pigs are also known to be adept regenerators, providing a strong link to the secondary meaning of the High Priestess - tenacity.

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are some of the largest animals on the planet, and certainly the largest extant fish. Elegant filter-feeders, they have an enormous vertical range and are known to swim on the surface and dive as deep as 1,900 metres below the surface. Despite this, they have many secrets yet to reveal to us, much like the Empress card they represent.

Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernus) are neither vampires nor squid, but actually a form of octopodal cephalopod distinct from both squid and octopus. They are uniquely adapted to live in near anoxic environments and use their unique filaments to filter feed on marine snow. Unlike most cephalopods, vampire squid can mate and produce offspring multiple times over their long lives, meaning they are one of the only cephalopod species capable of winning a ‘father of the year’ award. Likewise, the Emperor balances orthodoxy against originality and strives to be a stern guide, much like many traditional fathers.

The glass octopus (Vitreledonella richardi) is so called because it is near completely transparent save for its intestine. Like the Hierophant, it believes that clarity and forthrightness are the best policy - when threatened, it uses its photophores to disorient and confuse the attacker before escaping.

Deep-sea angler fish like the Hairy Angler (Caulophryne polynema) exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism. The males are tiny in comparison, and exist for only one purpose - to find a female and bite her. This releases certain hormones and chemicals that cause the male and female to merge into a single organism, essentially turning the male into a pair of testicles. Like the angler fish’s glowing lure, the Lovers card symbolises attraction and success - but also like the angler fish, when reversed this card means an unequal or exploitative relationship.

Comb jellies aren’t jellyfish, but they are covered in combs (or rather cilia) that they use to become active swimmers. The blood belly comb jelly (Lampocteis cruentiventer) on this card is another deep sea creature with a large vertical migratory range, coming up to the surface at night to feed before sinking back into the depths to digest. Their red colouration serves as optical camouflage, hiding any light their often bioluminescent prey may emit and preventing it from giving away the comb jelly’s position. The Chariot represents travel, but also both sides of the quarrel-succour dichotomy. The bloody red of the cruentiventer is reminiscent of poppies and other symbols of war as well, fitting that aspect of the Chariot.

Gulper eels (Eurypharynx pelecanoides) are beautiful and elegant predators - up until the point where they inflate their mouths and start rolling around like underwater beach balls! It takes a lot of courage to build an identity around being silly, and that strength and energy flow through this card as well.

Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) are old. They are thought to be some of the longest lived animals on the planet, with one female estimated to be over four hundred years old. As with the Hermit, old age and treachery will always overcome youth and enthusiasm. Though many greenland sharks are blinded by parasites, they continue to cruise and hunt in the frigid waters of the north atlantic for centuries.

Long-claw spider crabs (macroregonia macrochira) are related to the more famous Japanese giant spider crab. Like all crustaceans, they go through a cycle of vulnerability and invulnerability as they moult their hard shells in order to grow. Likewise, the Wheel of Fortune is ever turning, bringing with it reward and potential ruin.

Yeti crabs (Kiwa hirsuta) live in the deepest parts of the ocean as part of vent ecosystems. Their hairy setae are home to millions of chemosynthetic bacteria that filter out toxins spewing from the hydrothermal vents they live around and convert them into food that forms the basis of some of the most ancient food webs on the planet. They balance poison against life and so far, their unique Justice has come out on top.

Chimaera are primitive cartilaginous fish distantly related to sharks and rays - one of their common names is the ‘ghost shark’ (Chimaera willwatchi). Though their ancient lineage can be traced all the way back to the devonian period, this relationship with modern fish means they are not classed as ‘living fossils’. Despite this, they have been around for a long time and seen a great many things. Suspended between two worlds, they embody the hanged man who teaches his wisdom to any who care to listen.

The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)  has gotten a poor rap over the years thanks to the Jaws movies, but there is no denying that these enormous sea puppies are dangerous. They are also sociable, curious, and even playful. For a long time it was thought that if they stopped swimming, they would die due to their reliance on ram ventilation. In 2016, however, video footage was caught of a great white named Emma sleeping in a strong current. To die, to sleep - perchance, to dream.

The ‘mystery mollusc’ (Bathydevius caudactylus) is the only nudibranch sea slug to live in the deep water column (that we know of) rather than dwelling on the sea floor or in the pelagic open ocean. Somehow, and we don’t know how, they use their hoods to trap and consume much faster prey such as free-swimming crustaceans. Like Temperance, they are all about economy - moderation of energy expenditure and management of competing interests.

Devil rays (Mobula mobular) are related to the more widely known manta ray, and are so named for their cephalic horns. They are the only mobula species to have a spined tail, and despite their usually gentle nature they are easily mistaken for much more threatening predatory ray species when they loom above you. The Devil card represents vehemence and force balanced against weakness and pettiness. Devil rays have powerful wings and sharp spines, but little desire to bring harm.

The oarfish (Regalecus ruselli) has long been compared to dragons, sea monsters, and hailed as an omen of destruction. They are thought to surface before earthquakes, or even cause them. There is no more fitting fish of the midnight zone for our Tower, the card that represents catastrophe and distraction.

Sea angels (Clione) are deceptively innocent looking sea snails that are active predators hunting down sea butterflies and eating them straight from the shell. Like the star, they promise bright prospects and bring only loss and suffering.

The fireworks jelly (Halitrephes maasi) is gorgeous under the lights of an underwater exploration vehicle, but left to its own devices it floats, near-invisibly, and waits for prey. Like the Moon, it is cloaked in mystery and danger.

Snailfish (Pseudoliparis swirei) will never see the sun - while they do not explode when brought to the surface, they do not survive the process either. It is somewhat ironic, then, that they appear so cheerful in their lightless depths with smiling mouths and chubby appearance. Snailfish will never see the sun, but they can be found deeper than any other fish species - and that too is success.

The bright red sea toad or coffinfish (Chaunacops) is a deep sea pufferfish with a glowing lure on its brow and an explosive feeding method. Though they look ungainly and odd, there is no denying the outcome when a coffinfish has you in its sights. Judgement represents a change of position or a decisive outcome balanced against simplicity and careful consideration. As ambush predators who hunt by creating a powerful suction to pull their prey into their mouths and live in a low-nutrient environment, the coffinfish must also practice these virtues.

The viperfish (Chauliodus) travels great distances during its diel vertical migration. They are found all over the world, and are instantly recognisable by their enormous teeth that if misaligned can easily penetrate the viperfish’ own brain case. 

And that's the full set!  We'd love to hear your opinions, alternative interpretations, all that fun stuff.  
For comparison, here are the six guaranteed major arcana blood moon cards;

Not all of the pins are complete yet, but here's the first three;

That leaves the four court cards to come.

I'll be showing some of the concept art and WIP work for the minor arcana cards soon, we're just prepping for our only in person event of the year (this weekend!). Once that's over its back to work. 

I think this is our last major update before the campaign is over, so thank you all again and see you on the other side! 

Just 44 hours left and time for our final card reveal; this time its the Vampire Squid.

They can turn themselves inside out to hide from predators. 

And the fabulous red version;

Finally for today, I have the Mystery Mollusc card pin, to match the rest of the set. And also the card back design. The middle of the design features the same whale fall that's in the background of all of the major arcana cards. Its possible that I might change just the middle section, but this is the overall design. 

Stick around for our final couple of days, we should have at least one more big update tomorrow :).

Second to last card; the rosy coffinfish.

Also known as the deep sea toad. They walk along the sea bed on their big pectoral fins, which is kind of awesome. 

As the name hints, they do come in an outrageous shade of red, so its definitely one for the blood moon deck;

The red tones are still a little WIP.

In other news;

We have a new stretch goal!
If we hit 20k then I will definitely make red pins for all the blood moon cards. This is how much I need to feel comfortable about making them all; if we don't reach that far I will still make some of them, how many will just depend on the manufacturer quote.

I've also added a couple of new add-ons as we move into the final few days.

The Blood Moon Supplementary Pack
This is only the blood moon cards, for people who want to have both versions of the cards, but not two whole decks. This does not include the rest of the major or minor arcana; it only contains the red cards. There will be at least ten included; six major arcana and four court cards. There may be more, but these are guaranteed (the firework jelly, the sea angel, the spider crab, the blood belly comb jelly, the rosy coffinfish, ???, and the four court cards).

The Bullshark Mini Pin
It was 3am, I thought he was a juvenile great white. Did the whole design, came back after sleeping and knew immediately I done buggered up. But he's cute and I'm gonna make him anyway so if you want one... There he is. 1.75in with screen print shading.

Gulper Eel Promo Cards
The manufacturer printed a double batch by accident so there are nine more in stock. I'm not getting them made again, I just have twice as many as I expected. 

My long awaited test product order came in, so hopefully tomorrow I'll have some things to show you :)

Thanks for sticking with me ~

 

The poll was super helpful, thank you everyone. 

(Adding the text is the last phase of prepping the card art so excuse all these being blank).

So first things first, I tweaked the colours on the teal card, according to some suggestions. 
(New -- Old)

It was a small change but I do think it made a pretty big difference. This is the card for the default deck. (The pin hasn't been tweaked yet but it will match when I add it to the full collection).

I had a long think about what people said and the poll results, and realised it would be weird to have just one of the red things be red, when everything else is teal. And having just one red card stands out. Red actually is one of the more common colours at this depth, because it reads as black without light so its great for camouflage. Enough so that looking at the collection as a whole, I could add red accents to enough cards to make it cohesive.

So we're going to be offering an additional alternate edition of the deck, where some of the cards are switched out for the 'red' version. Same animals, same card art, only the colours are different and only on some of the cards - enough to make it more of a set. The same thing already exists in the teal collection, where certain shades are only on say half a dozen of the cards so it should work as a cohesive whole. The red really pops on the teal background. The specific palette is still being tweaked, but here are a couple of examples;

I've been calling it the blood moon edition, after the blood belly comb jelly that kicked the whole thing off. 

Anyway you'll be able to freely choose between either version, it won't cost any extra to have one or the other. There'll be about half a dozen major arcana cards with significant changes, and it'll carry over to one or two court cards per suit. I am not 100% promising red versions of all of the relevant pins, but because they share the same mould design as the originals its a solid possibility. 

So to recap; two versions of the same deck with slightly altered colourways. Everything else will be the same :). 

Thanks for sticking with me as we get into the final week!