The Barbieri Zodiac Oracle
Created by Barbara Moore
Artwork by Paolo Barbieri
Published by Lo Scarabeo in 2017
26 cards and guidebook
The Barbieri Zodiac Oracle is essentially a visual bridge between the world of high fantasy and the ancient wisdom of the stars.
It doesn't just show "symbols"—it personifies the astrological signs as epic heroes, gods, and ethereal beings.
The deck typically consists of 26 cards, which is a concise number compared to traditional tarot. It is organised into three distinct categories:
• The 12 Signs of the Zodiac: (Aries through Pisces) Representing personality types and archetypal energies.
• The 10 Planets: (Including the Sun, Moon, and Pluto) Representing the "inner functions" or the "what" of a situation (e.g., Venus for love/values, Mars for action).
• The 4 Elements: (Fire, Earth, Air, and Water) Representing the overall temperament or "vibe" of the reading.
The Artistic Approach
Barbieri’s interpretation of the Zodiac leans away from the "cliché." For example:
• Aries isn't just a ram; it's often a warrior radiating heat and forward momentum.
• Scorpio captures the intensity and "darker" mystery of the sign without being purely ominous.
• The Planets are rendered as celestial monarchs. Jupiter feels expansive and regal, while Saturn feels heavy, wise, and ancient.
Witchy Tip: Because the art is so rich and "busy," this deck is excellent for intuitive reading. You might find a small detail in the background—like a spark of fire or a specific gaze—that tells you more than the guidebook does.
How to Use the Deck
This deck is versatile, but it shines in three specific ways:
• As a "Clarifier": If you are doing a Tarot reading and get a confusing card, pull a Barbieri Zodiac card to see which energy is dominating. (e.g., Pulling "Mars" next to the 3 of Swords suggests the heartbreak is fuelling a need for aggressive action).
• Learning Astrology: It’s a fantastic visual aid for memorising the "personalities" of the planets and signs.
• Daily "Energy" Check: Pull one card every morning to see which cosmic influence you should lean into or watch out for.
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9788865274736/Barbieri-Zodiac-Oracle-Full-Colour-8865274735/plp
The people behind the oracle
While Paolo Barbieri is the visionary behind the artwork, Barbara Moore is the architect of the deck's "voice." In the world of Tarot and Oracle, she is often considered the industry's premier author and "deck doula."
If Barbieri provides the soul and the body of the deck, Moore provides the mind and the instructions.
The "Writer" Behind the Magic
When a deck is a collaboration (like the Barbieri Zodiac Oracle or the Barbieri Tarot), Barbara Moore is usually the one who takes the artist's high-fantasy images and translates them into practical, spiritual advice.
• Her Role: She writes the companion guidebooks. She looks at Barbieri’s art and determines how a specific image of a "StarDragon" or a "Zodiac Hero" relates to your real-life problems.
• Why She Matters: Many artists are great at drawing but don't necessarily know the deep "mechanics" of divination. Moore is an expert who ensures the deck actually works as a tool for reading, not just as a collection of pretty pictures.
A Tarot Industry Icon
Barbara Moore isn't just a writer; she is one of the most influential figures in modern
Tarot history.
• The "Acquisitions Editor": For over 20 years, she served as the Tarot Acquisitions Editor for Llewellyn Worldwide (one of the largest metaphysical publishers). She is the person who discovered and helped develop many of the world's most famous decks.
• The Collaborator: She is the go-to writer for famous artists who want to make decks. Beyond Barbieri, she has written the guides for the Shadowscapes Tarot (Stephanie Pui-Mun Law) and The Gilded Tarot (Ciro Marchetti).
Her Reading Philosophy
Moore’s writing style is known for being approachable, compassionate, and clear. She tends to avoid "doom and gloom" interpretations. Instead, she focuses on how you can use a card to find a solution or a new perspective.
• Accessibility: She is a master at explaining complex mystical concepts (like astrology or the Tree of Life) in a way that someone who just bought their first deck can understand.
Famous Decks of Her Own
While she often collaborates, she has also conceptualised many of her own best-selling decks:
• The Steampunk Tarot: One of her most famous solo projects.
• Tarot in Wonderland: A whimsical take on Lewis Carroll’s world. ( also reviewed)
• Mystic Faerie Tarot: A soft, garden-focused deck.
Why the Barbieri/Moore Duo Works
The pairing is a "Goldilocks" scenario for many readers:
• Barbieri provides the intensity and drama (the "Wow" factor).
• Moore provides the grounding and structure (the "Aha!" factor).
Without her guidebook, a Barbieri deck might just feel like a beautiful art book. With her, it becomes a functional map for your subconscious.
Paolo Barbieri is one of Italy’s most celebrated contemporary fantasy artists. While his name is shared with a famous fashion photographer (Gian Paolo Barbieri) and a historical violin maker, the man behind your oracle deck is a visionary of the High Fantasy genre.
He is Master of "Technical Hybridity"
Barbieri is technically extraordinary. He is one of the few artists who can perfectly mimic the look and texture of oil painting using acrylics. His work often features a "glow" that feels digital, yet it is rooted in traditional painting techniques, giving his cards a depth that feels alive.
The King of Italian Fantasy Covers
Before he became a staple in the oracle and tarot world, he was the "go-to" illustrator for major publishing houses.
• Bestsellers: He has created covers for literary giants like Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park), Ursula K. Le Guin, and George R.R. Martin.
• Licia Troisi: He is famous for illustrating the covers of Licia Troisi’s Chronicles of the Emerged World, which is essentially the "Harry Potter" of Italian fantasy.
Trivia : Aside from the Zodiac and Tarot decks, he has also released illustrated versions of Dante’s Inferno and L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz, which are widely considered some of the most beautiful modern interpretations of those classics.
“The Madonnaro" Roots
Interestingly, Barbieri is also a Master Madonnaro (a traditional Italian street painter who creates massive religious or classical works on pavement using chalk).
• In 2003, he won one of the most prestigious street-painting contests in the world in Curtatone, Italy. This background in large-scale, public art likely contributes to the "epic" and dramatic scale you see in his small oracle cards.
His Artistic Philosophy
Barbieri describes his style as a search for "uncontainable energy." He rarely draws subjects standing still; they are almost always in the middle of a transformation or a powerful movement.
• The "Barbieri Glow": You’ll notice in the Zodiac deck that his characters often seem to be emitting light from within. This represents his belief that every archetypal energy (like a Zodiac sign) is a living, breathing force.
• Beyond Humans: He is obsessed with the anatomy of the "impossible." Whether it’s a dragon’s wing or a unicorn’s muscle structure, he paints them with such anatomical accuracy that they feel scientifically plausible.
Notable Awards
His work is frequently selected for Spectrum, the most prestigious annual publication in the world for contemporary fantastic art. This is essentially the "Oscars" for fantasy illustrators.
https://www.loscarabeo.com/en/collections/paolo-barbieri
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