Tarot decks

Wild Reflections Tarot

Published in 2024, Wild Reflections Tarot is a contemporary, nature-inspired deck that’s great for beginners. This deck is often compared to the Light Seers Tarot and yes, I agree that the art style is similar, and even that some of the cards are alike. But the focus, the colour palette, and the overall feel is very different. This doesn’t surprise me because I have many RWS-clone decks that feel different to each other in spite of their similarities. Once I started working with the Wild Reflections Tarot I found that to be the case here as well. These cards have an energy that very much reflects their title.

This quote, taken from the guidebook sums it up well:

Imagine the delicate caress of a breeze, the electrifying surge of a thunderstorm, the steadfast embrace of ancient trees. This deck captures the essence of these sensations and weaves them into a narrative that resonates with the human soul. It’s an invitation to rediscover our own nature by delving into the grand tapestry of the world around us.

If you connect with this idea, then I’d encourage you to read on.

The Wild Reflections Tarot Deck

It’s not often I would select two court cards as the opening illustrations for a review post. But in Wild Reflections Tarot they are a stand out feature that add to the beginner friendly nature of the deck. So, it feels appropriate. To support this suggestion, I’m going to include all the queens below so you can see how distinct their personalities are. It’s no accident that a couple of the knights get a look in too during the post. When you look at the two kings above, the King of Cups and the King of Swords, you can imagine how differently they would approach a situation. There is nothing vague, or overly confusing, about them.

Most cards feature the yellow sparkles. I see these as reminders that within every situation there is usually something you can use to light your way. The Three of Swords pictured below doesn’t pretend that the experience is pleasant in any way. But it does suggest that in time we can learn from the experience. Swords after all linked to the mind.

The cards themselves are printed on 400gsm matte cardstock with gold gilding and measure 7 x 12cm. Being on slightly thicker cardstock they are a little stiff to riffle but surprisingly for matte cards, they fan smoothly.

As you will see below the backs are fully reversible.

They follow standard RWS nominations with Strength VIII and Justice XI. There was a printing error on the original Kickstarter project that remained when the deck went mass market. The Moon is numbered XVII, (you can see that on the main image of the post), and The Star is XVIII, (pictured above), but that is not the case in the book. The numbering is subtle enough on the cards that I choose to ignore it, but I do wonder if, at some stage, it will mean something to me during a reading. Time will tell.

Discussions on some individual cards

0 The Fool & Two of Wands

Lately I’ve noticed foxes cropping up on many decks – Rosebud Tarot, Witches’ Wisdom Tarot, and Tarot Landscapes are some I’ve reviewed of late. The fox on The Fool card here works well because it aligns with the wild nature of the deck and the symbolism is apt. Foxes can symbolise playfulness, resilience, adaptability, intelligence, cleverness, cunning, wisdom, slyness, powers of observation, integration and whatever they bring to mind for you. I like to think of all those traits coming along on the journey with The Fool. Okay, maybe without the slyness because we don’t like to think of ourselves in that way, but maybe it could be necessary, or maybe in fact it’s a big part of the message.

Next, when I first looked at this Two of Wands, I thought the globe was actually a disco ball. I think the festoon lights gave me the party vibe and my mind went from there. Nevertheless I still find it relevant. I see it as, “if you’re willing, the world is your playground,” and I think that’s a pretty good approach to this card. This energy sitting alongside The Fool is a great reminder not to take life too seriously. Instead trust in your ability to adapt to whatever comes along as you go after whatever it is that lights you up.

Ace of Pentacles & Knight of Pentacles

However, these two cards together serve to remind that you don’t have to be completely foolhardy in your approach. In many ways they align with the previous two cards. One speaks of the potential, the other of the plan to do something with it. The sunflower sprout won’t survive long just sitting there in her hands. Something needs to be done with it. The Knight of Pentacles has a plan and a means to bring it to fruition. The Ace on its own, while wonderful, is not enough. So, while he might not be as exciting as some of the other knights, with the Knight of Pentacles in charge you know you’re going to get to where you intend.

Here again is another example of how clear these court cards are to work with. You can see that he’s heading off into unknown territory but he’s not doing so blindly. He has a map and some idea as to where he’s going.

XIII Death & Three of Wands

The Wild Reflections Tarot version of XIII Death is different to anything else I’ve come across. I look at it and think it’s time to stop following the herd. It might be hard and it might be scary, actually there is probably no might about it. It most probably will be both hard and scary, but so is living in an inauthentic manner that you know no longer serves you. As I look at the cloud formation above his head, the three layers suggest that if you can stand firm in the storm there’s a real chance to level up and transform your life.

On the Three of Wands the sky is still stormy and so the man sits and waits for better conditions. He knows what he wants but there is no point in trying to take photos if the lighting is not right. In the meantime he can sit in comfort and enjoy the view. When I look at the fact that even though there is a second cup on the table the seat is pushed in I don’t imagine someone was sitting there. Instead I feel that not only is he patiently waiting for the right circumstances, he is also waiting for the right person/people to join him. Afterall, there’s no point moving away from one situation that wasn’t right for us if we going to let just anyone or just anything come in and take its place.

Eight of Swords & Seven of Wands

Sometimes though it is possible to get a bit caught up in your thinking. The Eight of Swords in the Wild Reflections Tarot reminds me of the Cook’s Tarot and the Light Seers Tarot version of the card. It makes it clear that it is your own thinking that is limiting you. There might be barriers that restrict your movement but it is how you think about them that decides the outcome. Here we see the swirling water which highlights that going around and around in circles in our mind is not going to achieve anything.

Fortunately tarot is great for helping us generate new ways of viewing situations. However, just as potential on its own is not enough, neither, on their own, are ideas. Action is required.

Due to the approach of the Wild Reflections Tarot this Seven of Wands is perfect. Standing there holding your ground isn’t going to get you too far when you’re out in the bush. Here the woman has encountered a problem, but it hasn’t lessened her resolve. Instead she’s focused on finding a solution that aligns with her goal. Personally, I don’t know if I’d be stepping on that makeshift bridge, but I like the idea the card is expressing.

XXI The World & XII The Hanged Man

As is the case with all the decks I write about, there are so many more cards I could talk about. But I’m writing a post, not a book, so I’ll wrap up with XXI The World. It seems quite appropriate. This is another card whereby the Wild Reflections Tarot took quite a different approach to most. I think it is a great interpretation. So often we complete one goal, and we are straight onto the next. There is no time to rest, no time to savour the moment. Yet, this card suggests we do otherwise. Maybe when we write down a goal, the final step should be, “Take the time to celebrate your achievement.”

If we keep chasing the next goal then the next, we never give ourselves an opportunity to appreciate what we’ve done. Rarely do we miss an opportunity to beat ourselves up over the most trivial things so we shouldn’t deny ourselves the opportunity to acknowledge what we’ve achieved. Otherwise what we’re doing becomes part of a cycle of never enough and that is not healthy on any level.

You can see that the person on XII The Hanged Man in the Wild Reflections Tarot isn’t going to allow himself to fall into that trap. He is taking time out to take care of himself. Plus, in doing so, not only is he likely to feel better, he is also granting himself time to gain some perspective. He has time to think about his next goal and check that it is still in alignment with who he is and what he wants. This makes so much sense. As does this deck.

The Wild Reflections Tarot Guidebook

The 196-paged, perfect bound guidebook has white and bronze writing set on dark slate-grey matte pages complete with full-colour thumbnails of the cards. This is a beginner focused guidebook which is great for those starting out. However, for seasoned readers most of the value is to be found in the opening two sections.

Preamble

The guidebook has a comprehensive contents page, which is followed by the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • Introducing the Enchanting World of Wild Reflections Tarot
  • Divination with Tarot Cards
  • How the Deck is Structured
  • How to Begin
  • Five Easy Ways to Begin Your Tarot Reading
  • Card Layouts

Since this book is beginner-focused some of the information is quite prescriptive but I wouldn’t expect anything less. It is nice to be given some straight forward instruction when you are starting out. In time you learn what you want to retain and what you want to let go. Obviously you can make those decisions on day one of your practice too. The Five Easy Ways chapter has some good tips and provides simple breakdowns of elemental and numerical meanings.

Card meanings

Each card has a two-paged spread. The left-hand-page has the upright meaning and the right has the reversed. Both offer general keywords, followed by keywords targeted for each of the following: love, career, and finance. This adds to the beginner friendly aspect as it helps to show how one card can be interpreted for different questions. Each individual page entry wraps up with a brief overview paragraph.

Example: II The High Priestess


Upright Keywords:

Unconscious, intuition, mystery, spirituality, higher power, inner voice

The meaning of the High Priestess is related to inner knowledge. Her appearance in a reading can signify that it is time for you to listen to your intuition rather than prioritizing your intellect and conscious mind.

Upright Love Meaning:

Remain patient in love, calm exterior with inner passion, intimacy

Upright Career Meaning:

Education, creative inspiration, guide, mentor, use instincts

Upright Finances Meaning:

Keeping your financial situation private

The High Priestess represents someone who is intuitive and beginning to open up to their spirituality. Meditation, prayer, new spiritual work are indicated.


At the end of each section, ie Major Arcana, Wands, Swords, Cups and Pentacles, you’ll find a quick reference guide as well.

The book also includes a QR Code that gives you access to additional educational material. And, there is an additional card in the deck with another QR Code that allows you to download a Tarot Journal.

Wrapping it all up

The Wild Reflections Tarot is a pleasure to work with. It is direct without being harsh; gentle without being passive. By placing yourself within the scene and imagining how it would feel it becomes easy to draw meaning from these cards. Nevertheless, if an interpretation doesn’t readily come to mind the guidebook is there as a quick source of inspiration. This deck has a lot to offer so I have no hesitation recommending it to both beginners and more seasoned readers.

In this deck too, I’ll give the creators the final say:

Embrace the elements that reside within and around you, and let the beauty of nature’s diversity mirror the magnificence of your own wild spirit.

Wild Reflection Tarot Cards

Card Sizeapprox. 7cm x 12cm
Card Stock400gsm matte with gold gilding
ShuffleOkay to shuffle in any manner
Fan & Flip ThroughSmooth to fan and flip through
SuitsCups, Wands, Pentacles, Swords
CourtKing, Queen, Knight, Page
Strength / JusticeStrength VIII; Justice XI
MiscellaneousSolid two-part box

Wild Reflections Tarot Guidebook

Pages196 pages
AppearanceFull colour, perfect bound, card-sized book
Contents– Introduction
– Introducing the enchanting world of Wild Reflections Tarot
– Divination with tarot cards
– How the deck is structured
– How to begin
– Five easy ways to begin your tarot reading
– Card layouts
– Major Arcana
– Quick reference meanings Major Arcana
– Wands
– Quick reference meanings Wands
– Swords
– Quick reference meanings Swords
– Cups
– Quick reference meanings Cups
– Pentacles
– Quick reference meanings Pentacles
– Afterword
– Education material
NOTE – the contents provide page numbers for every card
SpreadsPast, Present, Future (3 and 6 cards)
Ask three times: Yes or No? (3 cards)
Celtic Cross (10 cards)
The Week Ahead (8 cards)
The Month Ahead (8 cards)
The Chakra Spread (7 cards)
Some spread positions are hard to read due to the size and colour of the font.

Publishing Details

Created by:

The team at Wyspell

Pictured Version:

Originally offered through Kickstarter but now available mass market by the creators

Websites:

Wyspell

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