Technically Tarot over Turkish Coffee and a Valentine’s cookie!

This is a bit belated. I wanted to let 2023 sink in so I could look back with a more critical eye rather than rushing onward towards the new year, which I am wont to do!

This is a tag I fist watched Coyote Tarot post (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyU7z6IUtIM) and I think it’s a great end of year summation. I believe there are many Tarot-Tubers out there that have done this tag, so go watch a few!

So, unless I’m doing a deck review and am referencing specific cards, I randomly draw cards to share. I feel this is fair to the decks rather than letting my bias show through. However, upon reflection, one of these cards is not like the other and that devastating Knight of Wands feels a little, violently, out of place.

Deck you used the most: The Slavic Legends Tarot

I will admit it took me a while to break down and buy The Dark Mansion Tarot deck, but once I got a copy in hand, I fell absolutely head over heels and it remains to this day my favorite read- for-others deck. When I heard the same makers and publishing house was ready to release a new deck, I didn’t even have to see any specs or sample images to know I was going to pre-order The Slavic Legends Tarot; but don’t get me wrong, I spent an hour drooling over the card photos they had released! I knew was going to love this to pieces, and I could not help myself but use it continuously throughout the year. It’s so lush, both in artwork and in cardstock that it’s hard to NOT reach for it! The deck is conscious of the seasons so no matter the time of year you’ll find seasonal themes represented in various cards throughout the majors and minors. I love that the images all are very consistent in art style and theme and are extremely detailed—in fact, I’d worry that the standard size version might lose some of that fine work! It is RWS without feeling boring or clone-like. This deck is not nearly as jovial as the Dark Mansion, and there are some heavier themes of war, fears, challenges, etc, but it also has a lighthearted moments. There are rumors that a collection of all the various legends and myths that are represented in the cards are being compiled, which would have to be my one gripe with this deck. It would be great to have a card by card explanation or better yet, BIG BOOK telling us all about the stories portrayed. I’d say this is my Deck of 2023!

Deck you didn’t use at all (in 2023): The Endless Oracle

I focused in January using this deck, but given my excitement to see it arrive once the Kickstarter ended, I was shocked I didn’t seem to find the time to work with it in 2023! This was not at all a case of I didn’t like this deck, to the contrary, I think it’s a really neat deck, but rather I had so many other things planned for the year it kinda fell off the to-do list, oops. I am a huge fan of Maille’s art, so of course I enjoy this deck, but I will admit that it was a challenge for me to use it seeing as it was so outside of my normal “oracle” style deck. I really enjoyed it though and now feel quite confident pulling it off the shelf!

Most recent addition: 1999 Bizarre Summer Lenormand

This weird little deck cracks me up, and really is the reason I decided I need to up my Lenormand game. The premise is looking back at the age between child and teen, as a girl growing up in the weird, turn of the 21st century. That would be me! So there are some funny, retro-manga style images that really hit home. Oh, and the deck has a MINI version, and rocking cardstock. What else can you ask for? It is not at all a “traditional” Lenormand image-wise, but it feels very accessible and I cannot wait for the creators to release their tarot they have in the works!

Deck you re-homed (or put in purgatory): Threads of Fate Oracle

Ah, I wish I would have taken more pictures of this deck. There were a handful of beautiful cards in this deck, but it really did not speak to me and also made me a bit Oracle-scared for several years after my failure with it. It was gifted to someone else who LOVES it and has a better home!

Favorite pairing: The original Citadel Deck with literally any other deck

A variety of different decks paired with The Citadel.

So I had some serious salty feelings when I saw Liminal 11 was coming out with a rebooted, bigger better spot-lighted Citadel (oracle) Deck. I aggressively used my “limited print” version I got with their special fancy-pantsy Seed and Sickle oracle as much as I could to try and convince myself I didn’t need the new edition. I discovered I really, REALLY dig this deck; I love how it will read with ANYTHING, and I really like its structure and the companion booklet. I eventually broke down and bought the newer, fuller edition and I love that as well, but there’s something funky and special about this little do-it-all deck.

Favorite mod or bag made (or any accessory): I made a Tarot reading/wrap cloth for a friend’s birthday!

That’s five different pieces of fabric! I’m really pleased with how well I was able to get it to turn out, especially how sewing is NOT my forte!

What deck do you want for Christmas: Le Authurien Tarot!

I had NO IDEA Ana Tourian had released this deck until I read her newsletter in December. I immediately had to share with my French bestie seeing as she’s a tarot enthusiast as well. She was immediately on the ball, and snagged me a copy in France! What a wonderful gift!

I have yet to work much with this deck, but I already am in love with it—it is not at all your typical RWS, and I find the images very intriguing, like all of Tourian’s art. The Arthurian theme is perhaps over-done in tarot, but somehow this is very fresh feeling. This deck may well be a favorite, if not THE favorite of 2024!

Deck you’d gift others: Ephemere Tarot

As I was an early-bird Kickstarter backer, I was able to snag a second deck on discount and it went to my bestie (see above) for her holiday gift. This is certainly NOT a deck for just anyone, nor an easy or “beginner” deck, nor does it even follow a traditional system (Arthur Wang really remade the system for himself and I love it), but it IS a great gift for the seasoned tarot reader who has it all. Its simple, lux, beautiful, haunting, ethereal, and unique.

Deck you fell in love with: Silver Acorn Tarot

I mean, don’t call me shallow, but one would have to seriously work hard to not fall in love with this deck. It was a deck I bought because it was so dang cute, but it is a great RWS reader. It makes me laugh every time I take it out. It is sweet, and wholesome, and doesn’t have a mean bone in its body. What more can you want?

Which card sums up this year as a whole: Knight of Wands

This one, that’s the bastard right there!

I pulled this card continuously in the early start of last year and it continued to haunt me (still does, tbh). Let me tell you, it was spot on. I’ve been charging forth on new adventures left and right all year—it’s been exhausting!

Pull a card for the new year: Knight of Cups

Oh boy…I seem to be in my Knight phase! Year three of knights! At least this one is calmed down!

How did YOUR year look like with the cards???