Meet Rivermuddes: A Conversation with Rebecca, Creator of the Manzil Tarot
We’re thrilled to introduce Rebecca, the visionary behind two extraordinary tarot decks now available in our webshop: the Manzil Tarot and K.I.S.S. Tarot. Known online as @rivermuddess, Rebecca blends ancestral wisdom, esoteric systems, and personal healing into her creative practice. In this interview, she shares the spiritual journey that led her to tarot, the inspiration behind her decks, and the deep meditative roots that guide her work.
What first drew you to tarot and esoteric art?
“I actually couldn’t connect with tarot at first. All I saw were images on cards, and they didn’t speak to me spiritually. So I set them aside and dove into runes and Nordic mythology. But when my sister stole my tarot deck, I took it as a sign—there was something I wasn’t seeing. I began asking in meditation to be shown the true meaning of tarot. That’s when the literature started appearing in my life, and everything changed.”
How does your background in folk magic, astrology, and psychology shape your creative process?
“It’s all divine inspiration. My grandmother used to read tea leaves and coffee grounds, and I believe that ancestral wisdom lives in our DNA. Folk magic, sigils, astrology, psychology—they’re all part of a larger spiritual language I use to create. They don’t just influence my work—they are my work.”
What role does community play in your work across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok?
“I’m a lone practitioner. I don’t share my practice with anyone in my physical community. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are simply tools for me to share my decks. I don’t have a traditional community, but I hope my work reaches those who need it.”
What inspired the concept of blending Kabbalah, lunar mansions, and Agrippa sigils into a single deck?
“It all started with meditation. I was practicing chakra healing with crystals and asking to be shown the true meaning of tarot. One day, I felt compelled to paint the mansions of the moon. That’s when I realized they were hidden behind the constellations—the same constellations tied to the Kabbalah and tarot. It was a moment of revelation. The deck became a way to reveal what was always there.”
How do you envision readers using the Manzil Tarot—ritually, intuitively, or analytically?
“All of the above—but especially for healing. Ancient Egyptians worshipped the stars, and throughout history, astrologers have been persecuted for using star magic. Now is the time to reclaim that. Use the deck ritually, intuitively, analytically—but most importantly, use it to heal.”
What was the most challenging part of designing a system that integrates so many esoteric layers?
“The hardest part was acceptance. I didn’t want to create a tarot deck. I was receiving answers in meditation, but I resisted. I was in denial. Eventually, I had to surrender to the process and accept that this was my path.”
What inspired you to create a beginner-friendly deck like K.I.S.S. Tarot?
“I was introduced to the teachings of C.C. Zain and the Brotherhood of Light through a meditation teacher who claimed to be part of that order. His teachings stuck with me. I used to flip through Zain’s book constantly to find card meanings, and I got tired of it. So I created a deck that included the meanings directly—no more flipping pages.”
How did C.C. Zain’s definitions influence the structure and tone of the deck?
“His interpretations are the foundation. I wanted to make his wisdom more accessible. The K.I.S.S. Tarot is a tribute to that lineage, simplified for new readers.”
What do you hope new readers will feel or discover when working with this deck?
“I hope they discover the richness of Zain’s teachings. There’s so much information in that book. I want people to read it, to explore it. The deck is a gateway to deeper knowledge.”
How do you balance clarity and complexity in your deck designs?
“It’s a dance. I try to honor the complexity of the esoteric systems while making them approachable. That’s why I created two decks—one layered and mystical, the other clear and beginner-friendly.”
What’s next for you as a creator—any new projects or themes you’re exploring?
“Right now, I’m focused on healing—healing myself, ancestral DNA, past lives, the Akashic records. That’s my quest. I want to bring awareness to the magic of the stars, to help people understand their birth charts and the talents they were born with. No new projects—just deep healing and sharing what I learn along the way.”
✦ Follow her journey on Instagram ✦
