“From Dust To Onyx”, my current series of paintings, uses tarot to visually explore the complex and rich layers of Blackness. This series includes 78 paintings that were created using mixed media collage. They used a variety of materials, from paper clips to glitter to layer them. These applications allow you to explore the intersections between Black identity and symbolism. They also include historical facts, cultural myths and symbols, as well as icons from the Black Diaspora.

Dust II Onyx – A Melanated Tarot by Courtney Alexander is a rich, complex and multi-layered deck that was first published in 2016. This deck examines cultural myths and symbolism as well as history and icons from the Black Diaspora.

Courtney writes about the original series of paintings:

“From Dust To Onyx”, my current series of paintings, uses tarot to visually explore the complex and rich layers of Blackness. This series includes 78 paintings that were created using mixed media collage. They used a variety of materials, from paper clips to glitter to layer them. These applications allow you to explore the intersections between Black identity and symbolism. They also include historical facts, cultural myths and symbols, as well as icons from the Black Diaspora.

I take the fragments of my identity as a black/fat/queer women and weave them together into a mosaic that presents blackness as universal spirit. This contrasts with the idea of light and whiteness that was a part of my experience of higher consciousness.

Mixed media collage is how I explore the complexity of blackness as both a human experience as well as a color story with negative connotations. I then re-imagine a timeless realm that feels ancient and yet is intrinsically connected to this modern world, born from a place that is both everything and nothing. In a non-binary world, I see myself as reflections of darkness and blackness. These are powerful and eternal em>

View Courtney’s interview with Asali in the original deck publication, 2016.

These cards include 78 mixed media collage paintings, accented by metallic and holographic foils. They also feature cultural myths and symbolism from the Black Diaspora. Numerous keyword lists (numerological and elemental), as well as full-color images of artwork with unique titles. Each card is meticulously researched and cites nearly 75 sources, giving you a wealth educational material.

This is the second edition. You can also purchase a travel-sized edition or a guidebook.

Contents:

Complete 78-card deck with gold foil-accented cards

Hardcover 200+ page guide book packaged in a sealed box

Book and deck presented in a gorgeous keepsake box

What is the difference between this second edition and the first?

Designer packaging featuring hinge-lid box

Vade Mecum (guidebook), Improvements to Dust II Onyx

The hardcover has new artwork

An additional tarot card can be used in place of the blank one.