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 inspiration when reading the cards adds meaning as well. For example, the cups on the cards pictured above are modelled on coffee cups Hutch had on her wedding registry. Knowing the cups on these cards have sentimental value creates an emotional connection.

In this case, they are linked to a marriage and all that entails. This brings different insights to the fore. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Since the cups are modelled on specific coffee cups, I find everything feels more real. As someone who a) drinks way too much coffee, and b) loves going out to grab a coffee with my partner, layering on my personal associations leads to more nuanced interpretations.

As an example of how it all works together, when I look at the yellow ribbon indicating the Solar Plexus Chakra and consider the 5 of Cups alongside notions of personal power and self esteem I sense the need to claim your power back when things don’t go as you’d hoped. Also, because the bigger cup at the bottom seems to be cracking under the strain of trying to hold up all the smaller cups, I feel the card also suggests the need to unload some of the things that can weigh us down. In my experience, I know I can find ways to manage the “big” things that test me. Unfortunately, just like the cup on the card, it’s the little things that can push me to breaking point.

With the Swords, Hutch tells us to pay attention to their direction. I do this naturally. But being directly told to do so makes me focus on them even more. Add the chakra colour to the interpretation and the message quickly starts to form. For example, because of the muted colours throughout the White Sage Tarot, I see the ribbon on the 9 of Swords as red and thus referring to the root chakra. The root chakra is associated with feeling grounded, stable, and secure. However, the way the ribbon is presented here suggests the opposite. It’s all coiled up as if trying to escape the swords that surround it.

Here the swords imply that, in these situations, it is our thoughts causing the overwhelm. Strangely, I look at the ribbon and sometimes I see a rose. This may seem incompatible but, the more I look at the card, the more relevant the impression feels. For me, roses represent love, kindness, compassion and care, each of which can be an antidote to the poisonous thoughts that can unravel us. It surprises me just how much it is possible to unpack from such pared back artwork.

In stark contrast to many decks, I see the 7 of Swords in a largely positive light. It has a partial, 7 of Wands, stand your ground vibe, but, more importantly, it suggests the need to stay aligned with your personal truths even if they challenge the norm. There is a real strength in this card. When I consider it alongside the 6 and 8 of Swords I see that if you decide to leave something behind because you know it doesn’t serve you then stand firm. Don’t let the thoughts and opinions of others imprison you in situations that you know are not right for you.

Pictured above are examples of the court cards. All the Wands court cards are represented by various raptors. Otters are used for the Cups court, big cats for the Swords, and elephants for the Pentacles Page, Knight, Queen and King.

As already mentioned, whilst the Minor Arcana is ordered and well contained, it seems the choices for the Major Arcana are whatever Theresa Hutch deemed the best way to represent them. For example, take the Judgement and The World cards pictured below. There’s a light bulb on one and an acorn set on a diamond on the other. This is unusual when considered alongside the rest of the deck and yet, they both represent their message so well and, when they appear in a spread, they fit in perfectly.

The aha moment suggested by the lightbulb was clear to me. But when I read, ‘A lightbulb shines. Is it an interrogation light or an “aha” moment? The choice is up to you,” my perception shifted. I found myself considering thoughts that don’t normally surface with the Judgement card. With the style of the bulb ‘everything old is new again’ came to mind too. I understand what that expression means but that idea, in conjunction with the card’s overall meaning, makes me feel there is a lot more for me to unpack with this Judgement card.

The acorn on the diamond is a wonderful way to show the idea that The World represents both a culmination and a new beginning. In the book Hutch writes, ‘Just as a great oak starts as a wee acorn, we need to suspend our belief that life is limited to our simple vision.’ I don’t generally relate that to The World card but I recognise how the idea is represented.

The cards themselves are traditionally named with Strength as 8 and Justice as 11. I do prefer Major Arcana cards to be numbered using Roman numerals though. I don’t know if that is because they stand out more, or because I’m more of a traditionalist than I realise.

On the White Sage Tarot a circle encloses the number to signify the Major Arcana. As I was writing that several symbolic associations came to mind. Once again I’m reminded that everything on the cards has relevance. For me when I’m working with cards, for the most part, I believe that if I notice something, it holds some significance.

The suits are the standard Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. Pussy willows represent wands. Hutch chose them because they look like wands and because she received them as a gift for Valentine’s Day. Pentacles are sand dollars because she liked that, despite being light, they can hold themselves down even in heavy winds. She also points out that shells were once a form of currency. These ideas taken together show why using the sand dollars to represent pentacles was a clever choice.

Before I move on to the book, I should note that these are small cards. They measure approximately 5.5 x 9.5cm and come packaged in a tin.

The White Sage Tarot Book

Often times I like a good, thick guidebook but that’s not to say that LWBs can’t be adequate. Like most things, there’s pros and cons to both. One can overwhelm. The other can underwhelm. In the case of the White Sage Tarot‘s 63-paged LWB, there is definitely enough to get you started so the balance is fine. Besides, it would feel weird to have a big guidebook with such a minimalist deck.

I like the way the book shares that many of the elements have personal significance to the creator. Doing so makes sense to me because intuition talks to us through our own knowledge and experiences. What I learn through the book allows me to layer my own stories on to hers.

The book opens with a basic introduction. Headings ‘Getting Started,’ ‘Reading the Cards,’ ‘A Different Perspective,’ and ‘Chakras’ follow. Each has a short paragraph or two of information. Then it’s straight into the card meanings.

The layout for the information provided for both the Major and Minor Arcana is the same. The card title is followed by upright keywords and the meaning. A description of the image is included in this section. Then there are reversed keywords and the suggested meaning if the card presents in that way. Each meaning wraps up with the associated chakra, and its name, location and colour.

There are two information cards in the tin as well. One has information about the Chakras and the other has the Chakra Energy Rainbow Spread.

Spreads

Four spreads are included:

• Three card spreads
  • three options
• Chakra Energy Rainbow Spread (7 cards)

I like that these cards are modelled on things from real life. They are not based on out there, untouchable, unimaginable elements, people, or concepts. This is a really grounded deck. I love “busy” decks but it is nice to sit down with a deck that offers straightforward guidance. If you’re not sure about a card, a quick flick through the book will tell you what each element represents. Then, you can go from there.

Anyone who has owned or been around a puppy can identify with the energy of The Fool pictured above. Hutch’s goldendoodle Mauer was the inspiration there. The Hanged Man is based on the Monarch Caterpillar, which I learned “crawls up to a leaf and turns into a “j” shape.” Albeit, I associate The Hanged Man with the children’s book The Hungry Caterpillar. Through recollecting this story, I see the drive to follow instincts, the discomfort that can lead to, and the transformation that is possible as a result so clearly.

The White Sage Tarot really encourages / forces you to tap into, and create, your own associations. For me, doing so has led to some profound and insightful readings. I know some people find minimalist decks difficult to read intuitively, but I found the opposite to be true in this case. The Hermit from this deck says it all. If you slow down and take your time with it, you may be pleasantly surprised by how much information makes itself known.

Publishing Details

Created by:

Theresa Hutch

Pictured Version:

Published by US Games Systems in 2018

Website:

White Sage Tarot