CULTORA

CULTORA — is a collection of conceptual Tarot cards created as part of the artistic project Jastiffel, grounded in the study of theology and the history of religious art within the context of philosophy of religion during periods free from primary projects. At the heart of the deck lies an original myth about a lost soul journeying through the realms of Chaos and Order, seeking its true identity.

The story centers on Ora, a sheep freed from the constraints of a sacred ritual who escapes into the unknown. Confronted with a vast and ever-changing world, she begins to rediscover her authentic self. These wanderings, fragments of her path toward self-realization, are captured in each card, transforming the deck into a visual diary of her search and inner becoming.

The ideological and semantic foundation of the project draws on the work of my mentor and professor Dr. Jordan Peterson, particularly his book Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, which provided the conceptual structure and philosophical context for the entire collection.

SEMIOTIC BASIS

The symbols and signs depicted on the illustrations of the cards are grounded in a profound understanding of systemic thinking and logic, as explored in semiotics — the science of symbols and symbolism. The CULTORA deck is not based merely on cultural or religious attributes; it draws on ideas that run like a red thread through ancient myths and legends, uniting archetypal meanings and universal motifs of human consciousness.

The central and most important element of each card is its back design, which features the image of the Ouroboros — the serpent devouring its own tail. This symbol emerged between 1600 and 1100 BCE and, over millennia, has carried a wealth of meanings: the eternal cycle of chaos and order, light and darkness, birth and death, and the cyclical nature of life and all surrounding processes. The Ouroboros appears in alchemy, Egyptian and Greek mythology, as well as in Kabbalistic and esoteric traditions, serving as a universal emblem of infinity, transformation, and inner unity.

In the interpretation of the CULTORA deck, the Ouroboros intertwines with the image of the wandering sheep — Ora — symbolizing the journey of self-discovery, transcendence, and the realization of one’s own identity within the ever-shifting dynamics of Chaos and Order. This visual code establishes a subtle emotional and philosophical connection between ancient archetypes and contemporary artistic vision.

THREAD OF THE BRAND’S SOUL

The core attributes of the CULTORA brand are not simply its naming or the graphic depiction of a sheep, but a holistic, systemic symbiosis of meanings. Particular attention is given to the study of the symbols embedded in the concept: the name of the deck is a fusion of two words — CULT and ORA. CULT reflects ideological unity, spiritual tradition, and archetypal heritage, while ORA is originally derived from the image of the Egyptian god Ra, whose symbol — the all-seeing eye — now appears at the bottom of each card. This element later evolved into the name of the main character — the sheep, Ora.

The choice of the sheep is deliberate. In ancient times, pure white animals were regarded as objects of sacred rituals and sacrifices, symbols of perfect purity. Young lambs or rams were seen as embodiments of virgin revelation, mediators between humans and the divine. Within the myth of CULTORA, the sheep carries these archetypal meanings: she represents purity, innocence, and inner sincerity, while simultaneously becoming the protagonist of a journey in which her life unfolds from the familiar order of light into the wanderings through the world of Chaos.

Ora embodies not only the archetype of purity but also the act of exploring the infinite world, moving through the unknown, and discovering her own identity — a path that is both universal and deeply personal, reflecting our shared pursuit of understanding, self-knowledge, and transformation.

VIBE CINEMATIC

The CULTORA project is distinguished by its rich symbolic density, where meaning is conveyed through words, images, and archetypal signs. To capture the atmosphere and communicate the intended vibe and sensory system, the project team developed an atmospheric cinematic trailer that reflects key scenes from the beginning of the central character’s story.

The scenes are crafted as if from paper, evoking a model or installation created by the very Creator of the world. The visual composition draws inspiration from the heart of the Vatican, where every image is meticulously considered. Everything is executed in a pristine white palette with soft textures, ensuring a pure perception free from unnecessary visual noise. The video serves as an introduction to the story of the sheep, Ora — quiet halls of religious architecture, an atmosphere of mystery, and the depth of the moment, visualized through a minimalist, clean context. These are not just scenes — they are a sensory entry into the myth, an emotional backdrop, and a philosophical space in which Ora’s journey begins.

*Kay frames

MAJOR ARCANA

Each card possesses a unique motif and narrative, based on the archetypes of the Tarot, and is illustrated with the central character of the story — the sheep Ora — in various contexts. One of the key stylistic decisions of the project was the integration of graffiti elements and the creation of a visual context in a grunge style, which serves both an artistic and symbolic purpose. This also creates a striking contrast with the subtle symbolism and the minimalist design of the reverse side of the card, rendered in pure white.

The graffiti elements in the story are not merely decorative; they give the illustrations a contemporary, conceptual edge while reflecting the core idea of the project: entering a world of chaos and order, one’s identity is continuously shaped by the surrounding environment. Words and stylistic elements form a top layer over the pure creation stepping into the world in search of itself, generating the effect of multiple “self”-identities.

👉 [Discover the full CULTORA TAROT case ]