Hi friends! I have something really exciting to share with you today. Angie Green, creator of The Simple Tarot, was kind enough to chat with me about her upcoming deck!
If you haven’t heard of The Simple Tarot, allow me to share it with you: it’s a truly genius deck to help you learn the tarot. The card designs are (you guessed it) simple, with the card meanings on each card to help you learn. But that’s not all – while lots of decks have keywords on each card, this is the only one I’ve seen that also breaks down the imagery on each card to explain WHY those meanings exist. I can’t tell you how helpful that is in helping you not only remember the traditional meanings, but tap into your intuition about other meanings you associate with those common symbols.
The deck is currently on Kickstarter until October 31st and I highly recommend it for beginners and advanced practitioners alike – it’s a great way to brush up on your tarot studies and maybe learn a few meanings you wouldn’t have thought of! Back it, then read all about the thought process behind the deck’s creation. Without further ado, here is my interview with Angie!
What was your inspiration for the Simple Tarot?
I picked up my first tarot deck decades ago, but struggled to remember and relate to the cards. About 5 years ago, I was re-introduced to them on a date, where I was shown the logic and patterns behind the cards.
Shortly after, I began a blog (called Learn Tarot With Me) to document my journey of learning the cards. This blog transformed from a personal project to a business (now called The Simple Tarot) where I create resources and tools for other tarot lovers.
Creating this deck has been on my “things I really should do” list for years, but I absolutely dreaded taking on a project this big. I knew my customers and audience wanted and needed it, but I did everything I could to avoid starting. My fears and ego got the better of me.
But once I committed to it and focused on serving others, it came together with such ease. I went from designing the first card to holding a draft prototype of the entire deck, book, and package in my hand within 7 weeks. The images, design, and decisions just flowed out of me. I created the deck that I wish had been around when I was just starting to learn tarot.
What does your own spiritual practice look like?
I’m a rather hardcore atheist and I was raised without religion, so I struggle with the concept of spirituality. When it comes down to it, though, my spirituality is woven into my daily life and is deeply personal.
Professionally and creatively, I’m a writer, an artist, and a maker of things, and I see my purpose as serving both the work itself and the people who it touches. As a practice, this means every day I confront a blank page with faith and belief, and every day the Universe provides.
What drew you to tarot as a tool?
I re-discovered tarot at a time in my life when I needed guidance and some hard truths told. I continue to be impressed with the cards’ abilities to call me on my own bullshit without fail. (Not that I always listen, of course!)
Personally, I use tarot for creativity, problem-solving, and as DIY therapy. I don’t use it for divination, but I respect people who do. I love that tarot can be read in so many ways and meet so many different needs.
What would you love for people to know about this deck?
Tarot doesn’t have to be so hard! This deck was designed to get a tarot beginner reading the cards with confidence in only a few minutes and I’m secretly hoping it acts as a “gateway deck” into the world of tarot. Once someone gains a big of confidence and experience with The Simple Tarot Deck, it’ll make reading ANY Rider-Waite-Smith-based deck easier.
But it’s not just for beginners. We all have those days when we need a quick shot of advice, and this deck acts as a quick oracle deck or an easily-readable reminder when you’re having a brain-dead moment.
***
As I mentioned, you can snag this deck on Kickstarter until October 31st. You can back the deck with keywords on each card, the deck without words on it, or both! Thank you so much to Angie for taking the time to chat with me, and best of luck to your Kickstarter campaign! <3 Don’t forget to like the Simple Tarot on Facebook and follow Angie on Instagram!
Hi friends! Today I have the absolute privilege of sharing an interview with Jennifer Dranttel, the creator of the Nomad Tarot. I’m sure you’ve seen this deck on Instagram – it’s beautiful, both simple and complex in its imagery. Jennifer is currently running a Kickstarter for the second edition of this deck just in time for its 5th anniversary, so if you’ve seen these cards and loved them, now is the time to hop on the train! Back the Kickstarter, then head back here and read this interview. (It’s okay, I’ll wait!)
A post shared by ☾⋆ 𝚏 𝚎 𝚛 𝚗 (@sheofthewildsparrows) on
(Photo used with permission from @sheofthewildsparrows on Instagram!)
1. What was your inspiration for the Nomad Tarot?
I was inspired by the natural world around me (at the time I began the project I was living in a small town north of Seattle between the Salish Sea and the Cascade mountains), so I wanted to use those elements as visual cues, and basically began by just creating the deck I wanted to use. I wanted something that felt clean and graphic, with a modern interpretation of the imagery and the ideas behind the Tarot traditions. I tried to keep it simple and crisp, and mostly positive, in terms of the ways I hoped the cards would be interpreted. When I illustrated the deck I was still fairly new to Tarot, which I think actually helped me to create a deck that feels like looking at the Tarot with new eyes. It feels very fresh to me, very optimistic.
2. What drew you to tarot as an artistic medium?
Like you, I grew up very Catholic, so I’ve always been very attracted to religious iconography and imagery- layered and lush compositions where every element is highly symbolic. This is what first led me to research the Tarot, and what compelled me to begin illustrating the Major Arcana. I’d planned to exhibit them for an art show I was hanging in 2014- but once I finished those I couldn’t help myself and became obsessed with having the entire deck in my hands, and illustrated the Minor Arcana using “pip” cards in about three sleepless nights. I was drawn in by the many ways Tarot can be read and interpreted- and how the visual style of the illustrations, the imagery, the colour palette, and every tiny decision impacts the way a reader will feel about a card or a deck.
3. You say in your artist’s statement that your work is inspired by “traditions of healing, superstition and witchcraft, and their intersection with women’s history.” (I LOVE that.) How can we see this vision come to life in the Nomad Tarot?
Well, this research interest is incredibly personal, and it’s what first led me in the direction of the Tarot. As I began to finally embrace my reputation as a “difficult woman” (ie: someone with ideas, passion, and a stubborn refusal to be silent), I began to research stories of such women throughout history. And this led me to the interesting paradox of women’s connection with witchcraft. Those denied traditional routes to social, political, and financial power are often drawn to witchcraft and magic as a means of trying to level the playing field. But the other side of the coin is that accusations of witchcraft have also been weaponized throughout history to silence and punish headstrong, vocal, and powerful women. So I began to be really interested in the ground between these two ideas, in the way women can own their strength, can connect to the energy around them, and that’s when I started to be very interested in Tarot. For me, this deck nods to that, by using images of confident women, but also by connecting that power to the natural world. By connecting with the earth, women have been able to feel a mastery over their own bodies, which mirrors so many natural processes of change, growth, and rebirth. Men’s fear of women, of the mysteries of their bodies and the unknowable elements that come into play during menstruation, childbearing, and birth, has also always equated them with the mysteries of the earth, and he has tried to assert control over both. So for me the Nomad Tarot reflects that connection to the spiritual and physical aspects of nature.
4. What does your own spiritual practice look like?
My own practice at the moment I’d define as spiritual but not religious. I borrow bits from many traditions that I like, and leave the rest. My overarching philosophy is that I believe in a universal energy, being a good and kind person, respecting the sanctity and knowledge of the natural world, and trying to live my life to the fullest in every way. I use Tarot, I read horoscopes, I make wishes on birthday candles, I say Hail Marys when on turbulent airplane flights, and I believe in the swift retribution of Karma. I’m a bit of a mixed bag. I think Tarot is a great tool for self-reflection, kind of a framework that allows you to explore issues and questions that you are struggling with, or a way to look a little deeper at the world around you. I think people use lots of strategies and religious traditions to reach those same means, but Tarot has worked well for me.
5. What would you love for people to know about this deck?
I’d like people to know that I intentionally created the deck to feel simple, quiet, and if this makes any sense, gentle. I wanted the energy to feel very positive and introspective- I have interpreted every card as a positive opportunity for reflection and growth, and really think there are no “negative” cards- just different aspects to life that we need to address, explore, and ruminate on. And I have tried to reflect every Major Arcana as that aspect of our lives or our personality that we all have- so for me The Lovers isn’t about a literal lover, it’s about balancing male, female, and every other type of energy within ourselves. Every card is intended to facilitate looking within, and knowing yourself better.
6.Other than updates to the guidebook and artwork, are there any major differences between the two editions?
No, the artwork will be slightly altered and improved to reflect some changes I want to make- after working with the deck for nearly five years I do want to improve some small details that will make it easier to read and clearer in some of the intended meanings. But these changes will all be fairly minor. The biggest improvement will be in the guidebook, which will have beautiful full-colour pictures, more ideas for spreads, details about both the Nomad Tarot deck, but also more insights from professional Tarot reader Sara Galactica (https://www.saragalactica.com/) about how to use Tarot as a tool in your life for self- actualization and a deeper connection to the world around you.
You can find the Nomad Tarot on Kickstarter here! Thank you so much to Jennifer for taking the time to chat with me about this beautiful deck! Do you have the Nomad Tarot? Got any thoughts? Drop me a comment down below, I’d love to hear them!
As you might have gathered from my “Things I Wasted My Money on while Trying to Figure out My Spirituality” post, I’ve always been a spend now, ask questions later kind of gal. That had to change this summer when I quit my full-time job and suddenly found myself in need of a budget more than ever before. That’s been good for my spending habits but also I’ve been dying of decklust ALL SUMMER. Not buying frivolous things is super boring, guys.
It has, however, really made me realize which decks I REALLY need in my collection and which were just passing fancies. So here are 5 decks that I’ll be slowly adding to my collection over the next few months! If you’re looking to add to yours too, you might want to check these babies out.
(I’m embedding images from the artists’ Instagrams to show you the cards when I can – I really encourage you to go follow them! ♥)
A post shared by Tony DiMauro (@darknesstarot) on
The Darkness of Light Tarot
If you follow me on Instagram, you’re probably like “… really?” because this deck is very different than my usual pastel aesthetic, but I’m completely in love with it. (And I do have a lot of non-pastel decks that I love!) This deck is a bit gloomy but with some subtle pops of color that work so well together. Each suit is in a different shade family, such as pink for the suit of Wands, and the cards are just so lovely. I think this would be a great deck for a wide variety of people, as the imagery is dark but not in a “scary” or foreboding way!
A post shared by Michelle Black △ Nature Maven (@michelleblackvision) on
The Universal Mind Oracle
I was so out of the loop on this deck that I didn’t even hear about it until all of a sudden everyone I follow on Instagram was receiving their pre-orders! I absolutely adore the vibe I’m getting from this deck from afar. The imagery is very nature-inspired but with dreamy, otherworldly effects that really make the cards come alive.
The Rider-Waite Smith Centennial Edition
I’ve really warmed up to the artwork on the Rider-Waite Smith deck over the years, but the copy I have has the most garish color scheme that I never want to read with it. The Centennial Edition has much more muted coloring and I think I’ll like it much better. I feel like a RWS deck is a staple in any tarot reader’s collection even if you never read with it just for the sake of being able to consult the original artwork every once in a while, and this is a lovely copy to have if you don’t own one already!
A post shared by Black And The Moon (@blackandthemoon) on
Compendium of Constellations
This is the latest oracle deck by Claire of Black and the Moon and holy wow, it’s gorgeous! (Okay, I love everything Claire has ever done ever so this isn’t a surprise.) I have her second edition Arcana of Astrology deck and I absolutely adore it – the beautiful colors and uncluttered cards are exactly my style. This deck looks to be a different size which is fun, and I love love LOVE the artwork, like, so much. I think I’m going to pop this one on the ol’ birthday wishlist, so fingers crossed it doesn’t go out of stock before November!
Legend of the Wizard Laird Lenormand
I love everything from Malpertuis and have known for quite some time that I wanted my first Lenormand deck to be one of Neil’s. I had been lusting over the Malpertuis Lenormand for quite some time, but as soon as I saw the Legend of the Wizard Laird deck I fell head over heels. I love the gloomy aesthetic and the folk tale behind it. It’s still in-progress right now, but if you’re interested in ordering it when it’s released, you can reserve a copy on the deck’s page!
So those are the five decks on my wishlist right now! What decks are you lusting over? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to know!
Hi friends! Just a short post from me this week, because as you’re reading this I’m probably relaxing on the beaches of North Carolina. (Or so I’d like to think, but I’m probably sunburned and hiding inside with a book instead.) It’s family vacation time and I’m hoping I survive! It’ll be okay. There’s always wine, after all.
So there are a lot of really need tarot and oracle decks coming out pretty soon, and I thought I’d highlight some that I’m really excited about! If there are any I’m missing, totally feel free to let me know in the comments. I’d love to check them out! (All pictures belong to their original owners, since I don’t have any of these decks yet so I can’t photograph them!)
The Darkness of Light Tarot
I’ve been looking forward to this deck for so long! The cards are gorgeous and while it’s a darker color scheme than I usually go for, there are some lovely pops of color and I think it would be a great deck to use for shadow work.
The Mesquite Tarot
A simple, lovely deck that’s meant to be a great starting place for beginners. As of now the Kickstarter is over, but I’m sure there will be ways to preorder the deck soon, so keep an eye out!
The Mystic Mondays Tarot
This bright deck looks like so much fun! I’ve heard SO many people excited about this one. It’s reached its goal already, but you can still get on board with the Kickstarter until June 30th.
The Wild Moon Deck
I’ve been eyeing the Wild Medicine Herbal Deck from this site for a while, and their upcoming Moon Deck looks just as lovely! I’m crazy about this art style and this looks like an amazing deck for working with the phases of the moon.
Ethereal Visions Dreamscape Oracle
I haven’t seen anything about this oracle on social media, but holy crap, it’s gorgeous! The funding goal is kind of lofty but I’m hoping they can make it. I absolutely love this art style and the finished deck will have gold foil, which sounds SO my style.
So those are the decks I’m most looking forward to lately! What decks are you excited about? Tell me all about it in the comments!
It’s been a while since I’ve done a favorites post! I always feel like “who’s going to care?” but then I remember how much I love reading other peoples’ favorites posts so I think doing them once a month won’t be so bad.
February was gone in the blink of an eye around here! I spent most of it packing, painting, working my buns off, and generally running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Tomorrow is the official Moving Day (for those who don’t know, I’m relocating from Illinois to Wisconsin) and after the bulk of the unpacking is done, I look forward to not doing anything for a long while.
As always, affiliate links are marked with a *. (That just means that if you purchase the item, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Without further ado, here are some things I’ve been loving this month!
Blog Posts I’m Reading
This one from The Snow Orchid Witch about her magickal morning routine
This one from Nellie Nutter about how to stop sending bad vibes to people
This one from Highpriestessing about ways you’ve done witchcraft without even knowing it
This one from The Witch of Lupine Hollow on how to make time for spiritual activities
This one from Fire & Joy about rediscovering your magic
Decks I’m Coveting
The Inner Star Oracle is finally on Kickstarter! These are going fast, so snag your copy while you can!
I think my next tarot purchase will be the RWS Centennial Edition.* The colors are so much prettier!
The Brady Tarot is perfect if you love earthy decks.
Books I’m Loving (I talked about these on my Instagram stories a while back, are we friends there? <3)
Curvy Yoga,* for helping me love myself exactly as I am
Wheel of the Year,* for helping me be more mindful in my practice
3191: A Year Between Friends,* for being gorgeous and making me think I could be good at crafts
The Tarot Activity Book,* for being full of fun projects (book review coming soon!)
The Many Moons Workbook (it’s sold out, but you can still buy a print-on-demand copy!) for helping me tune into the moon
Pretty Etsy Finds
Shameless plug, but if you like my purple tarot case, my man Gear Box Leather is offering it in his Etsy shop for you to purchase! I have two from him and they hold up so well.
I need one of these carved Wheels of the Year for my altar, stat.
Also this glass pyramid box. How pretty would my crystals look in there?!
Other Miscellaneous Faves
I would not have slept at all this month if it weren’t for Eden’s Garden’s Good Night oil blend. I have this set* and it’s amazing. (Side note: Young Living has some products I really want to try, so I’ll be ordering those soon, but I promise I’m never going to be one of those people who’s trying to hawk essential oils at every turn. It gets old when people are constantly trying to sell you stuff.)
Whew! That was a lot of stuff for such a short month. What have you been loving in February? Decks, books, other things? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear all about it! ♥
So it’s probably pretty clear from this site, my Instagram, my Tumblr, or basically anywhere else you can find me… but I have kind of a thing for pastels. If I had the choice, everything I buy would be pastel-colored, including food and furniture. (But the boyfriend unfortunately has some say in how our apartment looks, too, so my pastels are limited.) When it comes to tarot and oracle decks, while there are some wonderfully earthy and gritty decks that I adore (hey, Wild Unknown!) I can pretty much say for certain that most of my favorite decks are of the pretty pastel variety.
I get asked a lot about what my favorite decks are and it turns out a lot of them sort of match, so instead of making another post about that, I decided to break all of the decks I have and love into categories depending on aesthetic! If you love pretty decks, I hope you discover a new one here that tickles your fancy. If you prefer darker, earthier decks, I’ll do a post on those soon, too!
This is by no means an exhaustive list – just the ones that I personally own and love. Affiliate links will be noted with a little * – that just means if you purchase the product, I get a small commission at no added cost to you. There’s some overlap between this list and my top indie oracle decks post, but I thought it would be better to include them all just in case. Anyway, in no particular order, here goes!
1.The Starchild Tarot
This was one of the first few decks I bought and I’ve been in love ever since. This deck is exactly all of my favorite colors and imagery bundled into one lovely package. If you want to snag one for yourself, there’s actually a standard-sized edition coming out very soon – check it out!
2. The Linestrider Tarot*
I love everything Siolo does and this deck is no exception. I have the first edition and it’s the deck I carry with me in my purse on the daily. Pretty watercolor images mixed with the traditional symbolism of the tarot = heaven. Don’t be fooled, though – these cards aren’t all pretty and sweet. Some of them are pretty dark in their own way!
3. The Victorian Fairy Tarot*
I don’t use this deck nearly enough, but it’s freaking gorgeous. It’s basically exactly what the title says – images of the fairies living a Victorian-style life, with the four suits represented by the four seasons. I find this to be a very calming, gentle deck that’s super easy to read intuitively with. I would 100% recommend this deck to anyone who’s looking to expand their collection with something unique but not entirely unfamiliar.
4. The Fountain Tarot
This deck has a lovely pastel-ish color scheme, but not in the same way as the others – it’s less about “pretty” and more about soft images that make you feel like you’re in a dream. I love using this deck for client readings.
5. The Sacred Creators Oracle
This oracle deck was created by Chris-Anne and is amazing for anyone who has a soul-centered business (or really anyone who wants to put something out into the world.) I use this all the time for business readings. It’s sold out right now, but you can pre-order the second edition!
6. The Sacred Wild Oracle
I can’t rave enough about how much I adore this tiny deck! Each card has a word on it and a brief message about what that word might mean for you. Zoe did an incredible job putting this deck together and I’ll be singing its praises forever basically. The cardstock is super sturdy and it’s the perfect size to slip in your bag!
7. The Animal Kin Oracle
I have the first edition of this deck and I love it. Gorgeous animal images with uplifting messages? Sign me up! I use this deck for spellwork a lot, because I find the one-word cards are perfect for setting intentions. I also just love looking at them because they’re so, so pretty.
8. The Shadowscapes Tarot*
I don’t give this deck nearly as much love as it deserves – it’s beautiful. The pictures are gorgeous and each card has a shimmery silver border that gives them a truly magical feel, and the cardstock is flexible without being too flimsy. I highly recommend this deck to any reader who wants a pretty, professional-looking deck without having to pay an arm and a leg for it. Actually, I think this is a really great deck for beginners for that reason, and because the cards are loaded with symbolism that makes intuitive readings really easy!
9. Mandala Medicine Cards
I have the mini and the full-size version of this deck and I love them both! Steph really did an amazing job of putting these together. Each card features a mandala with a few words describing the image and the intent behind it. These are perfect for setting an intention or displaying in your sacred space, and I really like using them for my daily draws!
10. Arcana of Astrology Oracle
This deck is a beautiful way to work astrology studies into your tarot practice! It’s an oracle deck with cards for each of the 12 zodiac signs, plus the planets and the phases of the moon. It looks like it’s sold out on Claire’s website right now, but keep an eye on her shop – she’ll be opening up more orders soon, and judging from her Instagram she has a new deck in the works that looks pretty amazing…
So those are all of the decks I own, love, and recommend that fit the “pretty and/or pastel” description! I’ll be rounding up my earthier decks for another post soon – it’s kind of funny that all of the decks I own pretty much fit into one category or the other… I guess I’m predictable D:
Do you have any pastel-ish decks? Which one is your fave? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to check it out! 😀
