Universal Folk Tarot

I have to admit that I started out with limited expectations for this tarot deck—I love the artist’s art, but the words accompanying her oracle deck (which I also find exquisitely beautiful) just didn’t resonate with me, so I rarely use it. (I’m going to give it another try now.) Therefore, I was quite surprised at how much I immediately bonded with this deck. So you know where I’m coming from, I’m a periodic “serious dabbler” in tarot and oracle decks and own around 100.The substantial, black-edged cards are pleasant to hold and shuffle. The wonderfully detailed artwork echoes the symbolism of the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith deck. Minor arcana cards are given a subtitle, which I found that I like (ex. King of Swords/The King of Reason, Two of Cups/Eternity, and Eight of Pentacles/Jackalope Garden). There is some color diversity among the people as well as some gender neutrality.The guidebook is quite thick (243 pp) with around 2.5 pages about each card and a decently sized color reproduction. She gives keywords; crystal, elemental and numerological correspondences; and a quick list of key object symbolism. The well-written, detailed descriptions point out lots of symbolism and interpretations. Read this part slowly to let the energy of each card really sink into you. Upright and reversed messages follow to help you quickly place the card in the context of your reading. I generally don’t use reversed interpretations, but hers are worth reading for the advice, even if the card is upright.Overall, the set is fairly large and heavy, not one that I’ll casually throw in my purse (though I have). The production quality and design are what you’d expect from a company with so many decks under their belt. The guidebook is larger than the cards, which sit in a recessed insert under it. A ribbon helps you lift both from the sturdy box.Of course finding a deck whose art and guidebook resonate with you is a deeply personal thing, but I think it says something that I got this just for the art and have found myself eager to use it as a regular go-to deck.One request, if the artist reads this—if you are ever inclined, I’d love to see some artwork (maybe a whole deck, pretty please?!) with larger animals and few or no people… just my preference, not a criticism of this deck! Thank you!

Great job must have ❤️