Cat's Eye Tarot Deck by Debra Givin

Anyone who has lived with a cat knows they see what we miss. The Cat's Eye Tarot hands the deck over to them, retelling all 78 cards from a feline point of view through the warm, realistic watercolors of Debra Givin, a veterinarian who has spent her career among cats. Built on the familiar Rider-Waite structure, the meanings stay true to the tradition, with each suit carrying a cat's natural prey, fish, birds, mice, and reptiles, in place of the usual symbols. If you love cats, or simply want a gentle, uncluttered deck whose images speak for themselves, this is a tarot you will reach for again and again, as comfortable for a first reading as for a daily draw.

Key Features of the Cat's Eye Tarot Deck

Rider-Waite structure, beginner-friendly. The deck follows the classic 78-card Rider-Waite system in its meanings and numbering, so familiar interpretations carry over and newcomers can lean on the wealth of Rider-Waite resources while they learn.

The world seen through a cat's eyes. Every card is illustrated from a feline point of view by Debra Givin, DVM, whose realistic watercolors capture true cat behavior rather than costumed, human-like figures.

Full deck and guidebook. You get all 78 cards plus a 64-page instructional booklet with card meanings and the Nine Lives Spread, everything you need to begin reading right away.

About This Deck

From the publisher, U.S. Games Systems: every card in Cat's Eye Tarot tells a story illustrated from a feline point of view, with the card meanings and numbering following Rider-Waite interpretations and reptiles, fish, birds, and mice replacing the usual suit symbols. Even a newcomer to tarot can relate to these images and learn valuable lessons from them.

The deck is the work of Debra M. Givin, DVM, who has practiced veterinary medicine for decades, much of that time in an exclusively feline practice. Her close kinship with cats shows in the quiet realism of the art, and the deck has been a favorite among cat-loving readers since its release, earning a 2012 Readers' Choice Award for Best Tarot Deck.

Product Details

• 78-card full-size tarot deck (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
• 64-page instructional booklet with card meanings and the Nine Lives Spread
• Artist: Debra M. Givin, DVM
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
• Based on: Rider-Waite symbolism and structure
• Suit symbols: reptiles, fish, birds, and mice (a cat's natural prey) in place of Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles
• ISBN: 9781572816855
• Card size: approximately 2 3/4" x 4 3/4"
• SKU: DCATEYE

The Spiritual Significance

Long before they curled up on our laps, cats were seen as creatures of the threshold, animals who notice what passes unseen and move easily between the everyday and the hidden. The Cat's Eye Tarot leans into that old intuition, asking you to read the world the way a cat does: alert, unhurried, and attentive to small signals.

Tarot itself is a tool for reflection rather than fixed fortune. The 78 cards trace the human journey, from the Fool's first step through the lessons of the Major Arcana and the daily texture of the Minor Arcana. Because this deck follows the Rider-Waite system, you draw on more than a century of shared symbolism, a visual language readers everywhere recognize, even as the familiar figures are reimagined as cats going about their lives.

What the feline lens adds is a certain honesty. These cats do not pose or perform; they simply are. Working with them can quiet the analytical mind and let your own intuition come forward, helping you see a situation plainly and meet it with a cat's unbothered clarity.

How To Use the Cat's Eye Tarot Deck

1. When the deck is new, clear it in whatever way suits you: passing it through cleansing smoke, resting it under the moon, or simply shuffling while you set your intention for your work together.
2. Spend time with the imagery before you read. Notice what each cat is doing; the deck is built so that feline behavior, rather than dense symbolism, carries the meaning.
3. Choose a spread, whether a single daily card, a three-card line, or the Nine Lives Spread from the booklet, and shuffle while holding your question in mind.
4. Read the cards with the booklet close at hand, but let your own impressions lead; the guide supports your intuition rather than replacing it.
5. Close your reading with a moment of thanks or reflection, and store the cards somewhere that feels right, wrapped in cloth or kept in their box.

Pairs Well With

• Ultimate Guide to the Rider Waite Tarot: because Cat's Eye follows Rider-Waite symbolism, this illustrated guide helps you read every card with confidence.
• Crow Tarot Deck: another animal-led, Rider-Waite-based deck, a natural companion for readers drawn to creatures as guides.
• White Sage Smudge Sticks, Set of 6: cleanse your deck and reading space with sacred smoke before you begin.
• Soul Connection Frankincense Resin: burn a little frankincense as you read to settle the mind and mark the space as sacred.
• Lapis Rune Set: add another voice to your practice; runes offer a complementary path into the same intuitive questions tarot explores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Cat's Eye Tarot good for beginners?

Yes. It follows the traditional Rider-Waite structure and numbering, so beginners can use the many Rider-Waite learning resources alongside it, and the 64-page booklet gives a meaning for every card. The uncluttered, behavior-driven art also makes intuitive reading approachable from your very first pull.

How many cards are in the deck, and what comes with it?

Cat's Eye is a full 78-card tarot deck, with 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana, the same structure as a classic tarot. It comes with a 64-page instructional booklet that includes card meanings and a custom layout, the Nine Lives Spread.

Who created the Cat's Eye Tarot?

The deck was created by Debra M. Givin, DVM, a veterinarian who has worked for many years in an exclusively feline practice. Her deep familiarity with cats shows in the realistic, affectionate way they are drawn throughout the deck.

What replaces the usual tarot suit symbols?

Each suit features a cat's natural prey in place of the traditional symbols: reptiles, fish, birds, and mice. Givin also keeps a consistent palette and breed within each suit, so you can quickly sense the dominant energy of a card at a glance.

How do I cleanse or care for a tarot deck?

Many readers cleanse a new deck before first use by passing it through cleansing smoke, setting it under the moon, or knocking and reshuffling to reset its energy. Store the cards in their box or wrapped in cloth, keep them dry, and handle them with clean hands to protect the art.