The Tarot Tarts

Its been a while since I’ve had my monthly decks in their original boxes!

It’s here! The most spookiest time of the year! It also is the month that I am most likely to purchase a deck because, well, October sends out a lot of really fantastic and fun tarot decks! Brace yourself!

I have several new decks that I’ll be working with this month and a very beloved old faithful…

Top row: Shadow Night Raven Lenormand, W.I.T.C.H. oracle. Bottom Row: Stars Lightening Up The Night Tarot, Silver Acorn Tarot, TrueBlack tarot

Mmmm, I like shiny backs and I cannot like! This has to be a selection of some of the most beautiful card backs I have in my collection.

The oracle deck W.I.T.C.H. was a kickstarter by Angi Sullins and Silas Toball that was, in my humble opinion, not the best managed kickstarter and I had worries when the deck came VERY late and was VERY glossy and rather darker in imagery than I imagined. That being said, after using it here and there for a few months, I must admit that this quirky deck has really grown on me. I’m not exactly a fan of collage decks (though I have several exceptions), but this one has what the kids describe as “main character energy” so I’m looking forward to using it extensively this month.

And, I almost didn’t include it, but it felt wrong not to, I added my faithful TrueBlack tarot deck. This is arguably one of, if not my most favorite, deck. It’s not exactly a nice reader though so I use it in small doses, but I adore the lux cardstock and the images are just breath taking. And its perfect for Halloween spooky season.

Is there a Tarot deck buyers anonymous support group? I might need to join one. I was SO intrigued by the anime art in Stars Lightening Up The Night Tarot. I don’t usually care for anime art in a tarot deck, but I found many of the images to have striking resemblance to Diana Wynne Jones’s various novel characters. I’m binge reading her novels, many of which I read as a kid, but now am revisiting as an adult, and I’m obsessed with some of the uncanny related images this deck has to her characters. I mean, who doesn’t love Howl’s Moving Castle? This may be the absolute dumbest reason I’ve ever bought a deck, but there it is. It is very close to standard RWS but there is some really intriguing imagery that’s been substituted.

Then, for the same reason as above, I saw the Shadow Night Raven Lenormand deck, which, despite looking like it was produced by the same artist that did Stars Lighting Up The Night, it is not. But you’d never know and assume they were sister decks. I also find the hexagon shape so intriguing to stack and make shapes with. I take small issue with the large gaudy borders, but they seem to aesthetically fit and I find the images fascinating.

I seem to be breaking all the rules this month; I typically don’t care for super “cutesy” decks, and I also don’t usually go for anthropomorphized animals (never mind plants) but the Silver Acorn Tarot just stole my heart. It is so freaking silly and carefree, I adore it.

And now, for da flip!

Well, I intended to draw three Lenormand cards, but the deck gave me two sets of two, so we’re getting four!

Okay, I won’t lie, The Story Keeper is one of my favorite cards in this oracle deck. The guide book asks us what are the narratives we tell ourselves–are they ones of empowerment, or lack thereof? Even when we do not have the agency over our life we want, if we tell the story of how we failed because of this, rather than how we managed despite it, this will profoundly affects how we perceive ourselves and what we’re capable of. I love how she’s sitting at the top most bow of a tree, and has set aside her story to look out at the magic around her. What can she see when she leaves the escapism of her book? Often we can loose our sense of adventure in the real life when we let humdrum take over. Where are you going next in your adventure? How are you going to get out there and find it? What adventure should I jump on board with this October?

My first jumpers from the quirky Shadow Night Raven Lenormand were the Crossroads and the Anchor. At first blush, these feel like two opposing cards–one calls for the need to choose a direction, a moment where paths divide and which will you go down, the other suggests being planted firmly in place, security, and stillness. Does this indicate indecision or a difficult decision? Going in circles? Or perhaps pausing before choosing? Maybe with the keen eyes of the Story Keeper we should first look carefully down each path before striking out?

This Garden seems very regimented, while the Tree grows haphazardly–another set of cards of similar but juxtaposing views! Both have a theme of nature. The garden seems very public and eye catching, and the tree has imperfections but does many services to various life forms and has fantastic yellow leaves. Perhaps this combination is a call to welcome the outside eye to your true self and nature, to allow closeness in your various communities. Don’t be afraid to be your true self, faults and all, in the pubic sphere. You don’t need to put on a farce to fit in with cold columns. You are entitled to basic needs just like everyone else. The best care you can give others is to first take care of your own needs.

Hmm, quite the curious draw thus far, lets see what else.

Such a stately King of Wands! Dare to see things how they can be rather than what they are now–you have the ability to take yourself where you need to go! Be the boss you are. You have mastery over your passions and you can be comfortable in your skill to get to where you need to be. You have succeed and used one success to springboard another. While you have many things at play, you have it under control and can sit back and watch it unfold.

Temperance as a trickster fox? Hmm! Not what I’d expect! I typically read Temperance as balance of give and take, blending ideas, patience for an outcome, and practicing moderation. But, the fox as our temperance angel, I’m getting a bit of a showmanship feel–like a magician who sets up a trick and employs misdirection. Showing a calm peaceful exterior while hiding a clever mind. Employing social savvy to make the seemingly impossible happen.

And finishing up with the two of swords–oftda! The card of heart/mind struggle, break down of discussion into discord, miscommunication, misunderstanding, refusing to see. Following the cool headed portrayal of King of Wands with a rather crafty Temperance, I’m really tempted to read this two of swords as purposeful misunderstanding! Or sly use of words to hide one’s actual goal. Employing evasive maneuvers in writing or spoken commitment.

Okay, so taken together, this is what I’d read: you are searching for your ideal path and next adventure (in fact your rather distracted about it), but you have social pressures holding you back from what you want to achieve. While you are a presence in many places, you are not bound to these various communities. You grow with in them perhaps, but also despite them–you are your own person. You got the chops and the social grace to pry yourself away with gentle misunderstandings or outright topic changing when people want your commitment when you do not wish to service them. Being completely honest all the time (especially when others take things personally) doesn’t always serve you.

Wow! Looks like I’ll have some demands on my time this month! What decks are you bringing out for this special season and what did they tell you to look forward to?

I won’t lie, I simply choose decks that make me happy this month! I have too many decks that have a great September vibe. It was hard narrowing it down to just the four tarot and choosing one oracle. With summer winding down, I suddenly have time to sit and play with the cards on the regular again!

Clockwise, starting from the far left, Trionfi del la Luna Illustrated Pips Paradoxical edition, The Citadel Deck (original partner deck with the Limited Edition Seed and Sickle Oracle), 5¢ Tarot (second edition), Santa Muerte Tarot, Llewellyn Tarot.

I suspect there are some people out there that would shudder to think that spooky season begins September 1st, but I am already full steam ahead on the spooky train! I really love having fun with my Tarot decks in the fall season (even if we’re at the tail end of summer), and that fun-ness really comes out in the silly Trionfi del la Luna deck! I have used my standard illustrated pips edition to death (haha), and broke out the paradoxical to mix it up. I just adore this deck, it very much feels like the Deviant Moon, but it does not take itself seriously at all! Its like catching up with a dear old friend and having all the laughs, even at things that normally are not laughed at.

I can wax on and on about the beauty of the Llewellyn Tarot. It’s a crying shame the beautiful watercolor paintings are so small with the massive border. I have a dream they will reprint it properly. Anyway, it has such beautiful late summer colors and harvest season vibes I cannot not use this deck in the final days of summer. It’s a work-horse reader and sweet deck; it will be hard not to use it solely throughout the month.

The Santa Muerte Tarot is usually a deck I use in late spring because of the brilliant colors and floral themes, but it kinda got set aside and I wanted to see how it reads closer to The Day of the Dead. This unique deck has a sense of humor. I like how it can surprise me, even though I’ve used it for so long and feel very familiar with it. The spellbinding skeletons, rather than being morbid, are encouraging me to live my life to the fullest!

I recently acquired the 5¢ Tarot after many years of debating if I wanted it because I’m personally not a huge fan of keywords on Tarot decks. Oh my goodness, am I in love with this deck! It’s such a cheeky personality with a great vintage vibe. It also has a bit of a cute/spooky feel that gets me into the spooky season nicely. I will say that this deck, while very pretty, does have a heavy dose of snark and bit of a mischievous personality.

And for my oracle, I picked up my love/hate oracle, The Citadel Deck. I love the artwork and the concept of this deck. It is actually the reason I ended up getting the Seed and Sickle deck (I actually wanted this funky hexagonal deck more that the S&S). I love how it has “roles” as archetypes for the cards and I love the black/white simple line art with the bronze foil accents. What I don’t love is they ended up reprinting this deck as a more complete deck with different cards and different structure and a partner deck in the fancy Liminal 11 Limited edition—and I love that one too—and I was so mad they remade it, I didn’t preorder the fancy shiny new version and get the big fat discount, and then I had a bad case of FOMO, and couldn’t stand it every time I reached to use this deck so I ordered the limited edition of the new one this month seeing as I’m thinking about it every time I pick up my cards and now I had to pay all that extra money and shipping has gone up and I’m just mad about it.

Already I see a similar theme from the past two months!

When I think of “Champion” I think of someone who has sworn fealty to either a person or a concept and they will fight for that person/idea no matter what the cost. The guide book takes a more practical approach of someone who has success and achievement and something to lose. The book says “yes you’ve had success but don’t let it go to your head!” A very Six of Wands feel. What person/ideas am I willing to fight for? Does this mind set help or hinder me? Is there honor in my choice of priorities? Enjoy my success but still practice prudence and know there are more battles to be fought.

Or…being a bad ass is a lifestyle, baby! It ain’t all fun and games.

The Sun! And what a devilish Sun it is! It makes me think The Champion is referring to another person seeing this card! You have had success, you are living in balance, but be aware who you give yourself to–be sure they are taking with your permission. Be aware you are not taking advantage of another. Give and take should be part of relationships but make sure it’s balanced. Or perhaps, are you taking too much of your self to see success? Do not abuse the good side of your nature. Or perhaps you established a healthy balance and you only need to be brave enough to get to the next step? Hmmm….

The Ace of Pentacles—is this what the devil plucked from the angel’s belly? A new opportunity to make something grow and prosper! We see opium poppies (a rather dangerous dream inducing drug) along side the start of an apple orchard. Dreams are the foundation of making reality, but rarely does reality resemble the dream. What dreams and ideas do you need to start growing into something real? Now is the time to give action into those ideas! Again. So it seems, seeing as this card appeared in last month’s draw which also reminded me of apples. Perhaps there’s an element of resourcefulness–you can make much which is already at your disposal.

So…there are a few cards that really puzzle me in the Santa Muerte Tarot and this is one of them! I also frequently draw it as well. To me, it is not at all a traditional RWS take on the Four of Pentacles. And, it is also a grabbing hand, isn’t it? Go after what you want! You are in a comfortable position of power and you can take what you want, but be choosy and careful in what you do take! There are expectations of what you do and you have to navigate these things. If you choose to do something out of desire, be careful this aligns with your end goals and you do not step unnecessarily on toes. When in doubt, exercise reservations until you know the best move. Get the most bang for your buck.

I have gone on a quest this year to read only upright cards, but with the 5¢ Tarot having written reversal key words I’ll make an exception for this deck. With the Three of Needles (Swords) in reverse we are given relief, acceptance, growth. What is done to the poor moth is done, what can we learn from this? When you go through heartbreak, moving on eventually happens. It’s a process and you learn things when you walk this hard path. These opportunities you are seeing are a result of moving on. You are moving beyond your past sorrow and now can look forward to better times of growth!

Ah, I’d say this is a Carpe Diem draw isn’t it? I think I’ll have a very fun September!

What do your decks say about the month ahead?

Y’all. It’s HOT out!

Without fail, August is the month where I realize I STILL haven’t finished that summer project, I also plan all my travel in August because I wouldn’t be bogged down with project responsibilities (insert laugh-cries), its the Month of Chaos(TM), and the time one can let go of all irrational expectations you had in spring about summer and just be, its the bitter sweet realization that summer is at its end,and holy hell, why is it so friggen hot?

These past two days have been like living on the surface of the sun outside so I guess that’s good because I can finally get to publishing my August decks!

Starting left, clockwise: The Light Seer’s Tarot (Mass Market), The Golden Journey Tarot (Luxury/Light Edition), Tarot of the Golden Wheel, The Enchanted Tarot (30th Edition). Middle: Baba Studio’s The Bohemian Fortune Telling Cards (Traditional/Smaller Edition).

I won’t lie, my choices this month were all over the place. I really wanted to focus on using the only AI created deck I own (The Golden Journey), and to bring some well-loved decks that I’ve never used together, the Light Seer’s, the Golden Wheel, and the Enchanted Tarot. I also picked the new Bohemian Fortune Telling Cards for an oracle deck.

I will say, that though the back of the cards don’t really seem to match together all that much, I DO really love how saturated and bright all the colors look together once flipped over into a proper draw!

For the monthly theme I drew Love, followed by the Ace of Pentacles.

I really enjoy the juxtaposition of card shapes and sizes together. The Bohemian Fortune Telling Cards, like all Baba decks, are very lux with metallic overlay, but they are also quite small, barely palm size. They remind me of fine jewelry, in a way. I recognize the heart cushion as a grandmotherly object! I’ve seen these small pillows filled with fragrant dried herbs and flowers, embroidered with a loved one’s name, have a ribbon for hanging! It’s a very nostalgic, old-fashioned image of love, one of fondness and “absence makes the heart grow fonder” in my mind! What old-fashioned kind of love am I in need of this month? Well, taking things slow for starters! I feel like I’ve been in a race all summer and gosh darn, am I tired! I also haven’t given the time I’d like to, to my dearest one and this is a good reminder that I need to attend to this. Cultivate the world you want to see.

I know a lot of people hate the massive borders, and also find the size cumbersome, but I really love the giant-ness of The Enchanted Tarot. I find much of the tapestry imagery often too busy to be able to use in more than three card spreads, but I also love that it’s easy to really fall into a card and get lost in all the details. A comparatively plain card in the deck, the Ace of Pentacles immediately brings to mind the inner star of an apple core where the seeds are stored. I’ve been quite upset this summer upon learning that our much beloved apple trees are sick and need to be removed this fall. It’s been hanging over my head, and I’ve been doing my best to not think of it. But, being the Ace of Pentacles, this is a card that reminds me that there is a new beginning at hand, a new opportunity to plan and plant something new. What can I put in the tree’s place that will bring me excitement and new opportunities?

The Golden Journey, and AI created deck from images created by people for specific use in THIS deck (rather than grabbing images willy-nilly) is a very beautiful and strange deck. It’s haunting but also does feel “off” at times. Without a doubt it leaves an impression. I drew the Ace of Swords (another Ace–I guess new-ness is afoot this month!). Doesn’t it look like The Tower?!? But the obelisk cuts through the organic overgrowth and shines like a beacon rather than crumbling. A break through is here! It’s time to leave an old thing behind that isn’t serving your mindset and set forth clearly in the direction you want to be taking! Time to de clutter so you can think clearly ahead and make future goals. A strong idea will cut through that which tries to hold it back. Also, perhaps this card is telling me that not only do I need to say goodbye to our dying trees but maybe it’s time to weed too.

I love this Knight of Wands in The Light Seer’s Tarot. It may be my favorite Knight of Wands of all my decks, even if the “follows the beat of her own drum” is a bit cliche. Doing what you love will light a fire in you and free you from restraints (like that dancing horse). It asks “What sets you free? What make you feel like your best self?” You have the energy, confidence and motivation to face the world when you are aligned with your passions.

And the wonderfully precarious Ten of Wands from the Golden Wheel. What a challenge this person faces, blindfolded, carrying ten batons, trying to cross a precarious river. It’s not easy being true to yourself and cutting through the bs and continuing to grow as a person. It’s a lot of work! Expect to slip and fall, expect to have to give up for the night on occasion, and expect to ask for help. You have a lot of responsibility and demands, but it is possible to manage even if you don’t exactly do everything perfectly at the first try. Keep at it.

This months reading comes across to me as very “stay true to thyself” and roll with the punches sort of draw! All I can think of is SNAP! The Power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm6DO_7px1I . Life isn’t always easy, but you can do yourself a favor by asking “what opportunity does this challenge/disappointment offer?” Sometimes it can be difficult to see, especially if there is a problem or you are particularly emotionally attached to an outcome. But, sometimes you have no choice but to be resourceful and find the opportunity!