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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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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…
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Pastoral Tarot
I have only pre-ordered three decks since I began my collection: Runic Tarot, Tarot of Oneness and Pastoral Tarot. As soon as I saw snippets of this deck I knew I wanted it. The watercolour artwork, the theme, and the way the cards told their story felt so right. A little backstory here will explain why. When I was at uni, wherever possible, regardless of the subject but especially in English, I would choose to explore the idea of place. I was, and still am, curious about the impact place has on people, their choices, their way of viewing things, their opportunities etc, as well as how we view people…
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Oracle of the Radiant Sun
Having seen Oracle of the Radiant Sun on several occasions I became more and more curious about it. However, I can’t say it appealed to me. Eventually, for reasons I can’t entirely explain, I decided to purchase it anyway. The fact that The Moon Oracle, also by Caroline Smith and John Astrop, was one of my earliest decks gave me the final nudge. Unfortunately though, when it arrived and I had the chance to flick through it, I did so without any great enthusiasm. In fact I found myself thinking about options I could have added to my collection instead. In an attempt to change that I decided the Oracle…
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The Wandering Star Tarot
As the inside of The Wandering Star Tarot box reads, “There is a Universe inside you” and this deck wants to help you tap into it. I was fortunate enough to be gifted this deck by one of my clients. Otherwise it may never have become part of my collection. That would have been a pity because this is a deck that doesn’t overload people. The images aren’t threatening and yet they don’t shy away from the messages they need to portray. In trying to come up with a word to define this deck I would say it’s identifiable. It reminds me of a colouring book. When you think of…
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The Shadowland Tarot
I don’t have many quirky decks. The Tarot of Curious Creatures, Nicoletta Ceccoli and Deviant Moon Tarot come to mind. But The Shadowland Tarot feels quite different. Even though Monica Bodirsky labels it a shadow deck, she doesn’t drown you in dark imagery. This deck is filled with creatures and monsters that are many things, but terrifying isn’t one of them. There’s a powerful message in that alone. We shouldn’t be frightened to explore our shadow. Therefore the intention behind The Shadowland Tarot is to encourage us to explore our shadow without fear. Monica Bodirsky wants us to befriend our “monsters” and become familiar with our own personal Shadowland. The…
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The Sufi Tarot
Deck creator Ayeda Husain writes, ‘The Sufi Tarot is my way of bringing together two traditions that I love,’ and I believe she’s done an incredible job. This transformative deck views, interprets, and envisions each card through a Sufi lens and I find the two go together really well. The approach promotes the contemplative aspect of the tarot that many of us connect with. The Sufi Tarot Deck The cards remind me of the Ancestral Path Tarot but that may be more a personal connection. Although the oversized, (9 x 12.5cm), thick, matt cardstock and the borderless images might have something to do with it. Even though I didn’t know…
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Tarot of Dreams
Tarot of Dreams is my first Ciro Marchetti deck and I have to admit that the artwork doesn’t align with my general aesthetic. However, I also have to admit that it lives in a wooden box on my desk because it speaks to me so clearly. Basically, this deck served as a further reminder of the need to move away from my favoured art styles and themes more often. The Deviant Moon and Dark Fairy Tale Tarot were others that shared the same message. The Tarot of Dreams Cards There is much to discover in this detail-laden deck. The inclusion of the nautilus shell on the VII of Cups reminds…
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Chrysalis Tarot
Chrysalis Tarot is a storyteller’s deck that took three and a half years to create. The time and effort taken to create it shows. Others agree. In 2014 it was awarded the Tarosophist Award for Best New Deck. I’m not sure how they decide the winner, but I didn’t read that this deck had won and think, “really??” because Chrysalis Tarot has a lot to offer. Covering a range of mythologies and focused on ‘alignment, mindfulness and attunement to the vibrations of life itself’ Chrysalis Tarot is a powerful self-reflective tool. And, I’m sure the stunning artwork and the well-researched and well-thought out book will appeal to many. The Chrysalis…
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Into the Lonely Woods
This oracle is magical, kind, gentle, comforting and full of “oh wow that’s so beautiful” moments. Picking a favourite card is like trying to choose your favourite child/grandchild/pet. The artwork is stunning. Gentle Creature, created by artist Dan May, is the perfect companion when “you feel isolated, distanced from loved ones or wish to embrace quiet, peaceful spaces within a noisy, hurried world.” Into the Lonely Woods encourages you to take time out to embrace solitude in order to meet and spend time with your true self. Looking through these cards makes the idea all the more appealing. Into the Lonely Woods Cards Into the Lonely Woods is a 45…
