Tarot
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The William Blake Tarot of the Creative Imagination
The William Blake Tarot of the Creative Imagination. What a great title. Albeit from now on I am just going to refer to it as The William Blake Tarot because, well, it is quicker and easier for everyone. According to its creator, Ed Buryn, it is ‘a reimagining of William Blake’s art and ideas for modern Tarot.’ Apart from reading The Tyger at university I am not overly familiar with his ideas but I feel that is about to change. Buryn claims, ‘this 79-card deck presents William Blake’s central thesis that human creative imagination is the divine aspect of mankind,’ so I look forward to discovering his philosophy through the…
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Grimalkin’s Curious Cats Tarot
Grimalkin’s Curious Cats Tarot is the latest creation by MJ Cullinane and one of the more recent additions to my collection. I am starting to think I have a bit of a cat obsession since I already had Soul Cats Tarot, Mystical Cats Tarot, and the Black Cats Tarot when I bought it. But, oh well. I would not part with any of them. When I was reading the opening to the accompanying book I found it strange to have a cat deck created by a self-declared dog person but I appreciate the honesty. As a writer, I also recognise a powerful hook when I read one. It made me…
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Quantum Tarot Version 2.0
The Quantum Tarot Version 2.0 has been sitting on my shelf for a while. Recently rewatching Interstellar and reading Andy Weir’s books, The Martian and The Hail Mary Project, primed me to work with this deck. Am I normally a sci-fi person? No. But, since I was engrossed by all three, maybe I am becoming one. The fact that The Martian and Interstellar are said to be highly scientifically accurate fascinates me. So, a deck that combines modern science with tarot was bound to do the same. It did. The Cards This deck is awe-inspiring. From the immensity of galaxies to the microscopic subatomic world this deck shares information about…
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Secrets of Paradise Tarot
The Secrets of Paradise Tarot “takes a Caribbean and Latin American approach to the traditional symbolism of the tarot.” It features and highlights both “regions bountiful cultures, histories and spiritualities.” Leticia Ferrer-Rivera states that her aim was to create a divination tool designed to celebrate culture. I believe she does it well. Opportunities to learn about both cultures are incorporated in such as way as to enhance, rather than suffocate, the card meanings. If I had a tagline it would be ‘The Tarot Nerd’. So me and the learning opportunities intentionally built into this deck are a great mix. Throw in my Caribbean heritage on my father’s side and my…
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The Bohemian Animal Tarot
The Bohemian Animal Tarot is an 80 card tarot deck, similar in concept to The Tarot of Curious Creatures, as it is illustrated with figures that are part animal, part human. This deck, however, has a totally different feel. In part that is because the artwork is bright and colourful and wouldn’t be out of place illustrating a children’s book, but it is more than that. Scott Alexander King has written several books on animal symbolism and he combines his extensive knowledge in this area with mythology and archetypal energies. This is a fascinating deck to work with. The Bohemian Animal Tarot Cards Depending upon your personal approach to tarot,…
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The Earthcraft Oracle
The Earthcraft Oracle is a pretty, pretty deck. It feels condescending to write that because it is much more than its appearance. But, when I look at the cards that is the first thing that comes to mind. I love the artwork. If my artistic abilities were better this is the type of artwork I would create. So much so that it has inspired me to draw again. But more on that later. This is a brightly coloured, inclusive, nature-inspired deck that can be used in so many ways. Above all else though, for me, this deck is all about connection – connection to the Earth, connection to the world…
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White Sage Tarot
White Sage Tarot is a modern minimalist deck by Theresa Hutch. It is a whimsical deck that combines a chakra-inspired, pip-ish Minor Arcana with an animal court and a Major Arcana that, whilst predominantly represented by animals, feels like it has a bit of everything thrown in. That may sound like it makes for an odd mix but, due to the consistency of the muted colour palette, it all comes together really well. The Cards I was drawn to the White Sage Tarot because I like that the chakras form part of the interpretation of the cards. It really puts a different spin on some of them. Incorporating the creator’s…
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The Steampunk Tarot
Barbara Moore writes, “Throughout the images in this deck, you will see humans and machines, nature and devices, science and alchemy, light and dark, despair and kindness, loss and grace, pain and healing.” What I experienced were some aha moments that helped me see certain cards in a whole new light. The Steampunk Tarot doesn’t appeal to me visually in the way many other decks do, but that hasn’t prevented me gaining a lot from working with it. And, as I get to know the characters and spend more time in their world, the artwork is definitely growing on me. I have always looked for how things fit together as…
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How one tarot card can answer so many questions
An exercise that strengthens your ability to use a single tarot card to answer questions and to think creatively.
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Fountain Tarot
The Fountain Tarot is a balanced deck aimed at elevating our perceptions of ourselves and our place in the Universe. Jason Gruhl writes, “The Fountain Tarot mixes classic symbolism with contemporary art, melding the past and present to express the divine.” It’s haunting yet beautiful, subtle yet powerful. This is a great combination for a deck focused on personal development. The Fountain Tarot Cards Often times, counter to what we might think, we don’t need to make bold and drastic changes. And, more often than not, rather than the grand sweeping gestures that gain the most attention, it is the little things in life that have the greatest meaning. The…
