Good Fortune Tarot
The Good Fortune Tarot was one of the decks I included on the Upcoming Decks I’m Excited For post. With artwork by Jessica Roux and a cheeky, yet informative, guidebook, this is an appealing deck. Barbara Moore writes, “the study of tarot is a delicate balance of respecting tradition and not being crippled by it” and the Good Fortune Tarot definitely embodies that sentiment.
The Good Fortune Tarot Deck
Barbara Moore’s aim was to bring the humour of Marseille decks into a fully illustrated tarot deck. With the Good Fortune Tarot I would argue that she has done so seamlessly. I’ll take XI Justice as an example because it showcases the philosophy of the deck perfectly. Rather than portraying Justice as a completely neutral adjudicator, in this deck Lady Justice uses her knee to tip the scales. In response, Moore raises the question, “Who couldn’t use some cosmic beneficence every now and again?” Albeit this doesn’t have to be passive exercise.
As the title of the deck suggests, the Good Fortune Tarot can help us tip the scales in our favour. With the insights gained through working with the cards, we have the opportunity to attract, increase, ground and direct our good fortune through the actions we take. That’s not to say that this deck is unbalanced. What it does well is remind us we have agency and therefore the ability to readjust the scales ourselves when necessary.
The balance is inherent throughout. The artwork represents people of various nationalities, ages and sizes. Further the guidebook honours those that have gone before while encouraging users to seek their own understandings as well. This is so important because, as Simone Benoit, Barbara Moore’s alter ego, states,
Tarot is an imperfect system and is all the better for it. Perfection is fixed and unmoving. It is dead. Tarot is a living system, flawed and beautiful.
Simone Benoit
General information about the cards
This deck is a really clear reader which makes it great for beginners. Multiple interpretations are possible but that doesn’t blur the general meanings. You can tap into the symbols you connect with and go from there.
Take the two cards pictured above as an example. Note The Fool is unnumbered and Death is unnamed. When I look at these cards side-by-side, the first thing I noticed is that they are looking at each other. Then my eyes started jumping around everywhere.
The appearance of the eggs in both cards, their position, and the inferences that can be drawn are important. But, for me, what really stood out was the bee in the bundle. My first interpretation was “the ability to create your own abundance.” Yet, since my name means honey bee, I had the thought that, “wherever I go, there I’ll be.” On its own, going on a new journey will make no difference if I don’t strip away the things that no longer serve me. The skeleton confirms that. You may come to the same conclusion but you won’t necessarily come to it from the same place. That’s great.
Symbols
Together, and individually, these cards highlight that:
Symbols are alive with meaning, yet they don’t mean anything specific. Instead, they pulse with a resonance that interacts with the resonance of another symbol and soon we have a tarot card overflowing with meaning.
Barbara Moore
The Good Fortune Tarot deck is symbolically rich, with many repeating motifs. The cards above show most of the main ones. There’s a rabbit with horns which I find a little strange and I interpret it as such even though the book tells me it symbolises change, fertility, stewardship, protection, unexpected strength, and the element of earth. But, that’s okay. Maybe it will mean some of those things to me as I work more with the deck. Who knows? There’s also the owl with the crown, the mouse with the heart, ravens, keys, ivy, and spider webs amongst others. Each is ripe with multiple interpretations. That is what makes a symbol powerful.
The only change to the deck are the ones already mentioned. Everything else remains standard. Suits are Wands, Swords, Pentacles and Cups with the court is Kings, Queen, Knights and Pages.
Measuring approximately 7cm x 12cm, the cards are printed on linen cardstock and are a joy to work with. They are incredibly flexible yet snap back well and as you can see above, the backs are reversible.
Deck Modification
The only caution I would offer is to be careful if you edge them. I edged mine in a light golden brown and on the cards with the lighter backgrounds you can see that the ink bled. That doesn’t bother me overly, but to prevent this happening I would be careful about what you use. I edge all my decks using alcohol markers because I like that they are fast drying and that the colour never transfers to my hands when I am using the cards.
Discussions on some individual cards
Let’s move on to talk about some of the individual cards and how they speak to each other. I’ll start with The Empress and The Emperor.
III The Empress & IV The Emperor
Both of these cards express the overall energy of the Good Fortune Tarot so well. Both people appear laid back, comfortable, and approachable yet you don’t doubt their power. The card backgrounds align perfectly which highlights that they complement each other. Neither is more important or more valuable. There is a time and place for each. Sometimes, maybe way too many times, this is forgotten and one or the other is placed on a pedestal. To acknowledge one, should never require the other be diminished.
Being set as they are in the castle garden speaks to me of being comfortable with your true nature. They both definitely seem aware of what they have to offer. The Empress’s setting is abundant and rich and warm whereas the castle on the hill suggests the Emperor’s abundance. Her shield features a raven, whereas for him, the raven sits on the ram shaped perch. What she knows protects her, while his ability to discover and spread the word strengthens him. Much can also be inferred by the golden egg on his shield. Together they strengthen and protect all that is good within each of them. Power doesn’t have to have a negative impact on our demeanour. This leads perfectly into the next two cards.
5 of Pentacles & 6 of Wands
On the 5 of Pentacles it is clear that the man has let his situation change his disposition. He has given up. Fortunately, he has someone who hasn’t given up on him. Afterall, the path is there. He just needs to take it. Ultimately, where we are at doesn’t have to be where we stay. As confirmation, Barbara Moore notes in the book, “If we cling to the idea that no future could be better than the past, we are doomed.”
Therefore, I’d like to focus on the 6 of Wands because it reminds us of what is possible. Most of us have experienced changes in our circumstances that we never thought we’d get through. But, rarely is that conclusion justified. Somehow, through our own motivation or the help of others, we manage to keep going. And, that in itself is a win that deserves acknowledgement.
This 6 of Wands shows multiple laurel wreaths. This highlights that a big achievement is made up of lots of little wins and quite often the assistance of many other people. Rarely, despite what we might think, are we the only ones responsible for our success. We should always acknowledge those that helped us along the way and help others to succeed when we can.
However, if the 6 of Wands appeared first then it would be a different story. It would be a cautionary tale. Do not allow the need for adoration and acceptance from others deplete your resources – financial or otherwise.
V The Hierophant and XX Judgement
Much of V The Hierophant is fairly familiar but the small changes really stand out. The bonsai growing within the crown is clever. It makes you consider whether it is signifying stunted growth / growth controlled by others? Or is it a symbol of “harmony, peace, an order of thoughts, balance and all that is good in nature” (taken from Bonsai Direct). As a practice bonsai requires ongoing interaction with a living, growing tree so despite appearances there is nothing stagnant about it. Nor should there be with traditions.
The trees and the students suggest both interpretations are relevant.
The student that appears totally engaged in the lesson and is following expected etiquette, (hand up to be allowed to speak), happens to be sitting in front of a dead tree. The other sits comfortably in front of a tree that is flourishing. She seems more focused on growth, than appearance.
This connects well with the next card. I find the artwork on XX Judgement to be one of the more powerful renditions of the card. When I looked at it, one of the first things that came to mind was the phrase memento mori – remember you will die. With that in mind it becomes easier to be like the student on the right. I hope it isn’t the student on the left pictured on the Judgement card, both feet in the grave wondering, “What happened? I tried to do everything “right.””
10 of Wands & 10 of Cups
So many of these cards directly talk to each other through the repeating imagery. On the 10 of Wands, a more positive version than many, you can see the effort the man is putting in to achieve his aim. In the 10 of Cups we see that now the same man is able to sit back and enjoy the results of his efforts with those he cares about.
I find this card combination highly motivating. But, not so much because it shows the rewards of hard work and therefore the benefits, although obviously that is there. What I notice is that the final result is more elaborate than the initial outline suggested. It’s as if in having started his project and seeing it coming together his confidence grew. This takes me back to the 5 of Pentacles and the need to take that first step.
The Good Fortune Tarot Guidebook
The Good Fortune Tarot guidebook is called the Good Fortune Field Guide. It is such an appropriate title. This book definitely helps you to identify various aspects as you navigate the deck. It isn’t prescriptive, but it does make you aware of what to be on the look out for and what you may find, not only in this tarot deck, but in all tarot decks.
Production quality altogether has been ramped up for the Good Fortune Tarot. The box has a linen-texture which matches the cards and it’s nice and sturdy. In addition, the 258 pages of the full colour guidebook have blue edges which is a nice, seldom seen, touch.
Preamble
A Foreword written by Simone Benoit follows a brief Table of Contents and I would dare to suggest this is some of Barbara Moore’s best writing. Here’s a quote from the Foreword that I relate to:
Tarot is a miracle that unfolds in a moment and over a lifetime.
But she doesn’t take herself too seriously. Later she writes:
“Can one even talk about modern tarot without decent knowledge of psychology, ancient mystery religions, and modern physics? Apparently, Barbara doesn’t think that is necessary and barely delves into those topics at all.”
Then when writing as herself, rather than through Simone Benoit, she points out that many external systems don’t relate clearly and that ultimately recognising that fact, “freed [her] from the frustrating search for perfect unity within tarot’s systems.” Like her, I don’t believe they exist. That doesn’t mean I dismiss them. I just use them in ways that work for, and make sense to me. She advises the same.
This book is more blunt and much less neutral than Barbara Moore’s usual guidebooks and for me that is its appeal. As always though, her writing is conversational, accessible, and beginner friendly.
Card Meanings
She uses the same layout for both the Major and Minor Arcana albeit the Major Arcana write-ups are longer. Although, ordering the Minor Arcana numerically, has allowed her to write about each number as well. This adds to the overall information you have to draw from.
She divides the card meanings into three sections: Fate, Good Fortune, and Reversal of Fortune.
I’ll use the 3 of Swords pictured above as the example for each section:
Fate
- An objective description – begins with a bold italicised sentence which for the 3 of Swords reads, “Fate: The heart is often the victim of the weapons of the mind.” The brief paragraph that follows reads:
“Words were spoken that shattered a world. This card does not imply that the words are true because people do not always speak the truth. Whether the speaker intended harm is also unknown. The only clear fact is that a wound was inflicted, and the world will never be quite the same again.”
Good fortune
- Suggests the energy of the card and how to use it. For the 3 of Swords it reads, “How to become a work of art.” The explanation then reads as follows, (I’ve paraphrased some parts):
“Once a heartbreak happens, it can’t be undone. Describing the pain doesn’t help. Fortunately, the card itself, as the cards usually do, gives fabulous advice. First understand the precarious situation: our broken heart is about to sink below the waves of the ocean. This is dangerous and should be addressed.” Second, we extract the swords. Third, you need to repair the wound, here symbolised by gold. “Finally, know that in the end, if done with kinstugi-like care, the result is not a broken thing. It is a strong, beautiful heart, a unique treasure with an even greater capacity for empathy.”
Reversal of fortune
- Gives meanings for reversals. Once again for the 3 of Swords, the bold italic reads “Gratuitous cruelty.” The next short paragraph reads:
“It is bad enough that truth, something that is usually considered pure and good, can hurt, even when kindly delivered. Worse is when truth is wielded like a weapon with the intent of committing as much destruction as possible. Even worse, we often turn this violence on ourselves with toxic self-talk. Silence would be better.”
As you can see this information explains the card well and so it is for each of the entries.
Wrapping it all up
Every card in the Good Fortune Tarot is so readily open to interpretation that I find it a joy to work with. Barbara Moore’s approach to one of the spreads, “Yes or No or Something In-Between,” may even have managed to soften my stance on Yes/No spreads. If nothing else, I had fun playing around with it. Overall, this deck has encouraged me to both lift my tarot game and to let my own version of Simone Benoit out to play.
I’ll give Simone Benoit the final say, because this is the most important message of all:
Your cards don’t do anyone any good closed away in their box,
even if they are wrapped in silk.
Good Fortune Tarot Cards
| Artist | Jessica Roux |
| Card Size | approx. 7cm x 12cm |
| Card Stock | Linen finish, flexible |
| Shuffle | Easy to shuffle in any manner |
| Fan & Flip Through | Smooth to fan and flip through |
| Suits | Cups, Wands, Pentacles, Swords |
| Court | King, Queen, Knight, Page |
| Strength / Justice | Strength VIII; Justice XI |
| Miscellaneous | Solid linen finish box with magnetic closure |
Good Fortune Tarot Guidebook
| Written by | Barbara Moore |
| Pages | 258 pages |
| Appearance | Full colour, perfect bound book |
| Contents | Foreword by Simone Benoit Preface Introduction Chapter 1: Essential Comments & Explanations Chapter 2: Major Arcana Chapter 3: Minor Arcana Chapter 4: Reading the Cards Conclusion Suggested Reading |
| Spreads | The Good Fortune Spread (5 cards) Hand of Fate Spread (3 cards) Call of Destiny Spread (5 cards) Making Choices Easy Spread (3 cards) Yes or No or Something In-Between Spread (5 cards) |
Publishing Details
Created by:
Barbara Moore with illustrations by Jessica Roux
Pictured Version:
First Edition, published in August 2024 by Llewellyn Publications.
Websites:
