It’s not 2020 yet, so I’m still allowed to write 2018 reflection posts, right? That’s the rule?
This post is super late because all of January was spent trying to orchestrate an out-of-state move. That’s right, folks… I’m moving to Michigan! In two weeks! I’m so beyond excited, you have no idea. If you’re in the Grand Rapids area, hit me up and tell me where all the cool hangout spots are!
Honestly I’m skipping an overall 2018 reflection this year because… it totally blew. I don’t mean to be a downer but there was not much I enjoyed about 2018. 2019 is already off to a better start though (I got engaged!! I’m moving to Michigan!!) so I’m not dwelling on it.
What I do want to do, though, is give a shoutout to the cool decks I loved in 2018! These will be new decks that either came out in 2018 OR that had a Kickstarter in 2018, even if I didn’t receive them until early 2019. I know I haven’t used many of these decks for very long, but it’s less about my experiences with them and more about shouting out cool deck creators in the community.
Also, I just want to say, please don’t get caught up in the consumerism of witchcraft and divination if you don’t want to. You can read tarot with a deck you print off the Internet onto computer paper! You don’t need to spring for new decks as soon as they come out. Unless you want to and maybe have a hoarding problem. But I don’t know anyone like that, do you??? Certainly not… *shifty eyes*
Okay, here goes! Get ready for a ton of pictures…
1. the threads of fate oracle
Starting off strong because this was my favorite deck of 2018, hands down. I had been following Blaire and Brit on Instagram throughout the creation process and I so admire their dedication to quality on this one. These amazing folks put in so much time and effort and the end result is nothing short of stunning. (I also own, treasure, and recommend their Book of Days planner as well.)
This is a beautiful oracle deck with gold foil detail. It looks gorgeous in readings with the Starchild and Moonchild tarot decks, which, as you all probably know, are My Aesthetic to a T. But it also provides clear and wise readings all on its own. I love it more than I have room to say and if you don’t have it, you should get it!
2. the moonchild tarot
And on that note, The Moonchild Tarot! This was another strong fave of 2018. I had been waiting for this deck to become a reality for years, ever since buying the Starchild Tarot years ago. I might even go so far as to say I prefer this deck to the Starchild Tarot…
The colors are beautiful, the collage-style art is cool, and the symbolism is rich and detailed. I don’t have much to say that hasn’t already been said. Overall a gorgeous deck!
3. the illustrated herbiary oracle
This struck me as amazing because I would never have even thought to combine a book with an oracle deck, but here we are! This deck pops out of the back of The Illustrated Herbiary, which is a lovely book to help you understand some common witchy plant allies. Because you pop this out of the back of the book, the cardstock is a little flimsy, but I don’t mind. The deck backs and illustrations are simply lovely and this was such a cool and unexpected inclusion to The Illustrated Herbiary. Plus, the author Maia Toll is a wonderfully kind person and you should absolutely want to support her work!
4. the nomad tarot
The Nomad Tarot is not a new deck, but the second edition was successfully Kickstarted in 2018 so I have to spread the good news! I did an interview with the author, Jen Dranttel, here if you’d like to read. The deck has some beautiful natural imagery and I love the art style. It looks like the deck is sold out from the creator’s shop, but you can still find it at some third-party sellers I believe!
5. the visionary tarot
The Visionary Tarot was a deck I backed on Kickstarter without knowing too much about it (because I’m impulsive like that.) I was delighted with the final product when it arrived on my doorstep! This is a black-and-white deck with some really cool nautical/ocean-inspired imagery, so perfect for all you merpeople out there. The packaging was gorgeous with a really sturdy box and the cards are edged in silver! Sadly I don’t think the gorgeous deck cloth is available anymore, but you can still get the deck from the creator’s Etsy!
6. the lovely omens tarot
HELLO, what’s not to love about this deck?!?! This was another Kickstarter I backed last year. The amount of witchy femmes and cats alone is enough to make me want to treasure this forever, but on top of that it’s PINK! I’ve really loved this deck for lighthearted readings throughout the year. You can find it in the author’s Etsy!
7. the children of litha tarot
I just received this deck in January but I backed it on Kickstarter in 2018. This deck has a sturdy box, gold edging, beautiful art, AND a very diverse set of people and animals depicted in it. It’s very animal-focused but does have a fair amount of humans thrown in the mix. I can’t say enough good things about the Children of Litha tarot – it’s a stunning deck and I can’t wait to read with it more this year!
8. the open portals oracle deck & game
This is a new deck from James R. Eads, creator of my all-time favorite deck The Prisma Visions Tarot. (Note: my edition is the Darkside colorway with the limited Kickstarter edition red edging, but the regular deck is available in either white or Darkside with gold edging and is equally lovely.) This deck can be used as an oracle deck or a card game and has instructions for both. I’m in love with everything about it, from the packaging to the cardstock to the way the guides unfold. Sadly I have not yet played it as a card game, but I’m very interested in trying it!
honorable mentions
Okay, I didn’t buy 10 decks in 2018, so these are some that I don’t have in my collection (yet) but I still think they’re really cool and want to acknowledge them!
9. The Simple Tarot: Angie Green created this really cool deck for helping people learn or study the tarot. I had the opportunity to interview her on my blog this year which was a super memorable experience! Definitely check out this deck if you’re new to tarot or are looking for ways to further your study of the symbolism and imagery!
10. The Spirit Keeper’s Tarot: This deck is by the incredible Benebell Wen and is rich with symbolism, complete with a thorough Book of Maps to guide you through it. It sold out super fast but she’s working on a second edition right now. I didn’t manage to get my hands on it the first time around but am so looking forward to the new edition! She also chronicled the deck creation process on her blog in a totally honest way, which is a must-read if you’re thinking of creating your own deck someday.
And that’s my list! What decks did you love in 2018? Let me know in the comments, I want to check them out!!
