Soul Cats Tarot
Introduction
The Soul Cats Tarot is my fourth cat-based tarot deck. It sits alongside Grimalkin’s Curious Cats Tarot, Black Cats Tarot, and Mystical Cats Tarot. Yet it is in no way superfluous. Each have something to offer. Creator Leeza Robertson (Animal Totem Tarot, Mermaid Tarot, Cirque du Tarot), says of the Soul Cats Tarot,
One of the main focuses of this deck is for the soul cats to teach you … that beauty, purpose and gifts have nothing to do with how you look, and that all shapes, sizes, colours and breeds are important.
and I don’t believe it is possible to over share, or over state, that message. This deck has a completely different feel to the others I have.
Soul Cats Tarot Cards
Leeza Robertson hit the artistic jackpot when she partnered with Adam Oehlers. His artwork is stunning. It isn’t just his overall artistry combined with the muted colour palette that makes this deck so special though. It’s that he captures the essence of each cat, and thus each card, so well. For example, how content does the cat in XIX The Sun pictured above look? No-one needs to be told this is a wonderful card when it appears in a reading. You can feel it.
This isn’t a fluffy deck though. As the write up for XV The Devil, which in part reads, “Each decision you have made has brought you to this point,” shows, this deck makes you accountable.
Still, some cards, such as the Queen of Cups pictured below, surprise me. On the RWS version of this card, she is focused on her cup, and only her cup. Yet here, even though her back is turned, her gaze is not. It’s like she is looking back at what is unsettling the situation without letting it overwhelm her. That water is rough but she is looking elsewhere. Maybe she’s looking at someone on shore who’s fear is causing them to hesitate stepping on board. Maybe she is trying to comfort someone on the boat? Either way it’s as if she is urging you to take control of how you see and react to things. After all, it is always up to us which emotions we give our attention to.
I learned that quite powerfully when I looked at IV The Emperor. I have to be honest here and say that I saw IV The Emperor, pictured below, as a “fat cat.” However, I wasn’t referring to his rotund appearance. It was his posture. What I perceived as his demeanour, and therefore who I imagined him to be, made me label him in that way. This says more about me and my attitude than it does about this card.
Why did I feel contempt rather than congratulatory? Why did I not celebrate his success and the fact that he had earned a break. I saw a power imbalance. The book’s guidance opens with, “When the world wants to serve you, enjoy it. This moment that you are in right now more than likely won’t last forever, for building empires takes focus, skill, and work – lots and lots of work.” I understand that. But initially I wasn’t generous enough to consider his right to sit back and allow others to serve him. It was a powerful realisation and one I need to address. Previously, I would never have considered a chubby cat lying in front of a fire to be triggering. This shows that any deck can be used for shadow work. They don’t have to be dark in colouring or imagery to bring the shadow to light.
Most of the cards have a story you can step straight in to. Below you can see the Soul Cat on the Three of Pentacles welcoming a variety of creatures onto his boat. There seems to be no reaction to differences. All who want to be are welcome. I see this as normal and how things should be. Yes simple acceptance, something I should have thought about before judging The Emperor. Besides, my reaction doesn’t make sense.
When I look at the Eight of Pentacles I smile. I love that the cat is taking ownership of his work. After all the scene suggests he has put a lot of thought and effort into planning and designing his creations. I would expect nothing less than for him to be putting his own personal mark on his work. Further, I would say he is then entitled to a break and any recognition that comes his way.
You may already have noticed that different breeds of cats feature in the Soul Cats Tarot. This is intentional. A specific breed represents each suit. Cups are Bengals, Wands are Bombays, Siamese are Swords and Maine Coons represent Pentacles. Adam Oehlers has rendered them all perfectly.
Mixed breeds are used for the Major Arcana. I love how Leeza Robertson refers to them. “They don’t look the same, experience life the same or even share similar values, but they all still believe in who they are and their place and purpose in the world.” This sentiment is in complete alignment with the philosophy of the deck.
Interestingly, when I did my deck review, I received the message that this deck is here to help me embrace the self belief the Major Arcana cats enjoy. Everything works synergistically – the artwork, the book, and the individual personal interpretations that come up to ensure the deck’s philosophy stays at the forefront of each reading.
Most of the cards tell their story very clearly and are in line with the typical RWS meanings, albeit with their own interpretive additions. For example, when I look at VIII Strength, I see the need to be willing to do what you believe is right even if it means putting yourself in a vulnerable position. Applicable across a wide range of situations, from trusting in love, helping someone you doubt would help you, taking a risk on a business, etc. I love that the explanation remains simple. If someone asks you why you would put yourself in such a precarious position the answer remains the same – because to me it was the right thing to do.
I hope that I will remember to be as brave as this mouse. It also serves as a powerful reminder that it isn’t about being the biggest, or most powerful. It’s about being the one willing to get in and have a go to create a positive outcome. The 3 of Swords also says so much, so clearly. It provides an invaluable reminder that we shouldn’t ignore pain, hurt and loss. You can see the cat is well aware the hurt is there. But, you can also see he isn’t caught up in it.. Therefore, this card suggests to rise above, observe, and seek to understand your pain and then, when you’re ready, (and not before), move on.
I love the Soul Cats Tarot version of the 2 of Swords pictured above. Unlike the possible interpretation from the RWS version of the card where the blindfold can symbolise going within to find answers, here not being able to see is a hinderance. Fumbling around can leave you vulnerable and moves you no closer to a decision.
I was watching Diary of a CEO on You Tube one day and Steven Bartlett was talking about the two types of choices. The first type is a choice that you can’t turn back from so you need to take your time making your decision. The second type is one you can reverse at a later date if you change your mind or circumstances change. These choices can be made quickly.
What he didn’t mention is the third choice that we often don’t consider. No choice is still a choice which is fine if it’s done consciously. But, that’s rarely the case. Instead, opportunities pass you by, you let options bounce around in your head without getting anywhere, or something comes along to make the choice for you. Hence the XVI The Tower I have placed beside the 2 of Swords. Better to decide way before The Tower comes in to decide for you.
The meaning of some cards, while clear once you look at the book, otherwise benefit from some previous knowledge. Then they really come to life. When I look at the 2 of Pentacles above it is clear that rather than trying to juggle everything, you can stop, relax, and take a break. Everything doesn’t automatically fall apart if you put things on pause for a while. If you really think it might, then give others a chance to pick up the slack for a while. There is usually more than one way to do things.
The 6 of Cups offers another example where combining my existing tarot knowledge with the card really brought home the message. The 6 of Cups often indicates nostalgia, a longing for a return to the happiness and ease of times gone by. However, what I get from this version of the card is that, just as the flowers floating in the cup will soon be gone, the past has as well. We can’t dwell there. It is fine to reminisce and remember, but life goes on. Rather than looking back and wishing for times gone by, it’s important to remember that every day offers an opportunity to do and experience things that will be worthy of looking back on at a later date.
Then we get to cards that have slightly different meanings to those often discussed. For the 9 of Pentacles, Leeza Robertson writes, “Today you are being asked to find a space that makes you feel safe and empowered – a space where all your troubles seem to just melt away.” Having, or creating, this space is so important for our sense of wellbeing. So, whilst it isn’t the typical meaning of prosperity, success and reward for effort, it is an invaluable part of our lives that we can all benefit from.
The 4 of Cups also has a different energy. There is no apathy or boredom here. Instead this version gives off a very 4-of-Swords-type restful energy. That is until you look at the 4 of Swords pictured below. Then the energy differences become more clear. He does look like a very content cat though. It’s as if he understands that there’s no need to worry about what may have gone, or what may not be, because he knows new opportunities will come. No wonder this cat ultimately becomes the 10 of Cups below.
You really can follow the story of the various cats as they move through the suit. Nowhere is this as clear though as when you look at the Ace and then the King. Here you can see the embodiment of the potential and energy of the suit. The King of Wands owns his power, but if his crown position is anything to go by, he wears it lightly. Still, he has earned his position and he knows who he is, what he is capable of, and what he’s about. The same can be said for these cards. They never waiver from the philosophy that drives them.
The Soul Cats Tarot Guide Book
The Soul Cats Companion is the approximately A5-sized, stunning, full-colour guide book that accompanies this deck. If you love the cards, you’ll love seeing their full-page, full-colour reproductions in the book. I know I did. Everything about this book is wonderful – the colour coded sections, the clear and encouraging writing, the overall presentation. It all comes together so well.
I like the suggestion to set an intention rather than ask a question when addressing the cards. For example, “In this reading I intend to get clarity around my current job.” This is an empowering approach that is in keeping with the aim of the Soul Cats Tarot. As I said earlier, this deck doesn’t waiver from its overriding premise.
Also, as you would expect with this deck, equal attention is given to both the Minor and Major Arcana. Each card opens with a message, shown in italics, followed by sections titled Guidance and Protection. Guidance provides the upright meaning for the card and the Protection section covers reversals. Leeza Robertson has dedicated the same time to both presentations.
Reading this guidebook adds meaning to the cards. Whilst you can easily interpret most cards purely from the imagery, the book connects you with the intention behind the artwork. For example, II The High Priestess promotes the idea of being aware of our day to day rituals and the impact they are having on us. This is not referring so much to the conscious rituals we enact. Instead it is encouraging us to consider the ritualistic ways we go about our day without giving much thought to what we are doing. The guidance is to make them, and therefore your life, intentional. Still present though is the more familiar message to “tap into the mysteries of the higher realms.”
The guidance section for The High Priestess ends with, “from this moment forward, make a commitment to yourself that everything you do will be done to honour who you are, and the life you have come to live.” The protection section reminds us we are not meant to know everything. We need to know “when to seek and when to surrender.” I’ll be curious to see how this approach transfers over to other decks when I’m reading with them.
This is such a positive deck because it is constantly encouraging you to realise your worth. IX The Hermit provides another example, albeit in a different way. Leeza Robertson writes, “Coming back to oneself is harder than it sounds, as we all spend our lives being compared to and conditioned by others. This narrative from outside forces puts a wedge between who you are and who others want us to be. Now it’s time to come home to yourself.” As you have no doubt already assumed, this tone continues throughout the book.
Conclusion
The Soul Cats Tarot is a beautiful deck both in its intention and its presentation. As the back of the box states, with this deck you can “rediscover your passion for play, your sense of adventure, and your capacity for love…” The Soul Cats “teach you that, no matter how you look, you have beauty, purpose, and important gifts” and I think this is a message that never gets old. Rather it is a message that most of us need to hear on a regular basis.
Wrap it up in an RWS-based deck with stunning artwork and a fantastic, clear and accessible book and you have in your hands a means to constantly remind yourself of who you are and what you are capable of. Best of all, as a package, this deck helps, and encourages, you to use your potential to bring your hopes and dreams to fruition. For this reason I would say this deck is suitable for anyone.
Summaries
The Soul Cat Tarot Cards
| Artist | Adam Oehlers |
| Card Size | approx. 7cm x 12cm |
| Card Stock | Glossy, flexible cardstock |
| Shuffle | Easy to shuffle in any manner straight out of the box |
| Fan & Flip Through | Easy to fan, flip through, and generally handle |
| Suits | Pentacles, Swords, Cups, Wands |
| Court | Page, Knight, Queen, King |
| Strength / Justice | Strength VIII / Justice XI |
| Miscellaneous | Solid box with magnetic closure. |
The Soul Cats Tarot Guide Book
| Written by | Leeza Robertson |
| Pages | 196 pages |
| Appearance | Perfect bound, full colour, approx. A5 size |
| Contents | Introduction Major Arcana Minor Arcana Spreads and a Spell Conclusion About the Author About the Artist |
| Spreads | A Quick Pounce Spread (4 cards) Cat’s Eye Spread (5 cards) Cat and Mouse Spread (4 cards) Love Cats Spread (4 cards plus VI Lovers) Soul Cat Monthly Forecast (3 cards) |
Publishing Details
Deck Creators:
Leeza Robertson with artwork by Adam Oehlers
Pictured Version:
First Edition, First Printing, published by Llewellyn Publications in 2022
Websites:
