MoonRaven Tarot

Animal Wise Tarot

Author – Ted Andrews

Illustrated by Ted Andrews

Published by  Dragonhawk Publishing, 1999

Card Size/Feel – Just over 4 ½” x 3”, Cards are thick stock but not overly slick or stiff.  Easy to shuffle and very pleasant to work with.

Realistic deck focuses on animals in their natural environment.  Each card is a lavender type of color with an ornate border and in the middle showcases a real high quality photograph of the animal.  Backs are lavender color with 3 griffins of various size.  Would not hide reversals.  In this deck 8 is Strength, Justice is 11.  The suits are changed to Ancients (Fire/Wands), Four-Leggeds (Earth/Pentacles), Shapeshifters (Water/Cups), and Winged Ones (Air/Swords).  Each card has the suit, element, animal type, animal name and a caption of the cards meaning.  For instance 2 of Winged Ones, Air, Swords, Blue Jay, “Proper Choice and Use of Power”.  These cards would be suitable for long time tarot readers or beginners.  The captions make them easy for anyone to understand.  Deck was very well thought out and a lot of research obviously went into this.  A favorite of mine in this deck is the “Death” card which shows a rattle snake and is captioned “Shedding the old and resurrection”.  Perfectly depicted by a snake that sheds their skin to be anew.  This decks pulls from animals classically seen in tarot as well as totem style animal knowledge.  Highly recommended for animal lovers.

Bohemian Gothic Tarot

Author/Designer – Karen Mahoney

Illustrator – Alexandr Ukolov

Publisher – Magic Realist Press, 2007

Card Size/Feel – 3 1/8” – 5 1/8” – Cards are thin but very durable.  Have a nice sheen that makes them feel great to shuffle and work with but doesn’t reflect.  Backs are black with a white/grey pattern with skulls.  Gothic and reversible. 

This is a gorgeous rich gothic deck.  Though it is gothic and dark with images of vampires, Frankenstein and more it is not as “dark” as other decks such as the Vargo Gothic or Grimoire deck.  Major Arcana is not numbered, the creators said this is so you can choose the placement of the cards.  This deck is done tastefully and makes you feel as if you have just stepped inside the scenery.  Rich tones, dark shadows and so much going on in each card.  Don’t forget to look in the backdrop, the towers and gardens…there is always something else to see!  This deck was listed as the Number 1 deck on Aeclectic Tarot and for great reason!  Often colors are muted and black and then the next card shocks you with the richest greens, reds and purples.  Amazing deck that is well thought out, gorgeously illustrated and rich with meaning.  Everyone will gain something from these cards and this easily a favorite deck of mine.  There is also a Silver edition that is very rare and includes a “Danse Macabre” card.  For those not disturbed by the dark nature of the deck and that enjoy tasteful gothic scenes you will love this. 

Celtic Dragon Tarot

Author - D.J. Conway

Illustrated by Lisa Hunt

Publisher – Llewellyn Publications 2001

Card Size/Feel – 4 ½” X 2 ¾”  – Cards have some sheen.  Not glossy or slippery, shuffle well and are well suited for small hands. Card backs are gray marble with a 3 dragon circular insignia that works with reversals. 

This exciting deck takes us back in time and to a world where Dragon's are around us and assist us in our everyday lives.  In this deck Wands are Air and Swords are Fire.  Strength is 8 and Justice is 11.  Some tradition is broken however works beautifully with this deck.  The Magician is a woman thought the deck if not overly feminine.  My favorite card is the Devil which has been changed in this system to "Chains" which has the meaning of us holding ourselves back. Death is a particularly beautiful card with a white new dragon shedding the old black skin, a beam of light and hope shines down upon her.   Artwork is what you expect from Lisa Hunt, well thought out, and muted yet vibrant colors.  Look closely!  The detail is in the trees, rocks and surrounding elements bringing to the cards deep meaning.  Beautifully done and delivers powerful and insightful readings. 

Chat Du Marseille

Author – Elaine Moertl

Illustrated by Elaine Moertl

Self Published, 2004

Card Size/Feel – 4 ½ x 3 ½ - Cards are unfinished, heavy stock paper.  Black and white. 

This deck is based of the 1761 Conver Marseille.  Cards follow the illustration/tradition of that deck however use cats in the place of humans.  Drawings are done well and are not cutesy.  This is an unfinished deck and would need to be laminated or colored in then laminated.  I intend to color this deck and then laminate them and begin work.  Backs of the decks show two reversible sun symbols with a cat face in the middle.  Deck is trumps only 22 cards. 

Dance of Life Tarot

Author – Audrey Savage

Illustrator – Paula Scott Franz

Publisher – Bookweaver Publishing Company, 2000

Card Size/Feel – 3 ¾ “ x 5 ¼”  - Cards are glossy and may be difficult to shuffle easily for those with small hands but I wouldn’t let that stop you.  Backs have symbols that were created for the deck and are fully reversible.

DruidCraft Tarot

Author – Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm

Illustrated by Will Worthington

Publisher – St. Martins Press 2004

Card Size/Feel – 5 ½”  X 3 ½”  – These cares are very large, hard to shuffle but well worth the effort. Cards have sheen but are not overly glossy.  Backing has a tendency to fade but face of card remains vibrant.  Backs are simple brown with gold scroll work.  Works with reversals.

This unique system uses large cards that have breathtaking views and colors.  This deck works with Druid and Wiccan traditions.  Each picture appears as if you can step through the card and into another world.  Strength is 8, Justice is 11.  There are some very pronounced differences in the Major Arcana from tradition.  The Chariot is driven by a strong confidant Woman.  The Devil has been renamed to Cernunnos and depicts a horned god in the forest overlooking a sleeping couple.  The Wheel is a woman drawing a circle in the sand on the beach, completing the circle.  Judgment is renamed Rebirth, showing a child and a grey hare.  Temperance has been renamed The Fferyllt and shows a woman mixing elixirs over a steaming couldron.  This is deep in intuition and rich with meaning.  I highly recommend this deck to people who are very visual.  I have found this deck agreeable to both women and men.  Does have nudity but is tasteful and not vulgar. 

Ferret Tarot

Author & Illustrator – Elaine Moertl

Self Published, 2003

Card Size/Feel – 4 ½ x 3 ½” – Unfinished heavy card stock

This deck is unfinished (Not laminated).  I am currently coloring my own deck with colored pencil and will be laminating when finished.  Backs of the cards are full reversible showing mirror image ferrets with the fool puppet.  Major Arcana are not numbered.  Suits are classic swords, pentacles, cups and wands.  I cannot tell you how much I love this deck.  Based of the rider this card has very spare pencil drawings yet pull out rich meaning.  Mixing the ferret world into realistic, humanistic and sometimes magical…also blending in images of the tarot.  This card will sometimes make you laugh out loud.  I love the tower card with the ferret chow bag falling over…we have a terrified ferret with a puffed up tail falling with it and another springing at high speed out of the picture.  My two favorite cards are the five of swords, showing a ferret holding five swords and sticking his tongue out in a bratty face to an unknown foe off the card.  The other is the King of Pentacles showing a ferret smiling in deep happiness and satisfaction and he hugs a group of socks that I can only imagine are hot and fresh out of the dryer.  This deck is adorable, fun as well as intuitive and full of meaning.  Get your hands on one of these, you won’t regret it! 

The Halloween Tarot

Author – Karin Lee

Illustrated by Kipling West

Published by US Games – 1996

Card Size/Feel – 2 ½” X 4 ½” – Feels like playing cards.  These feel much more “papery” but not cheap.  Shuffle well. 

A very cute and fun deck that is sure to be a hit for Halloween!  Strength 8, Justice 11. This deck features the Bats for Air (Swords), Imps for Fire (Wands), Ghosts for Water (Cups) and Pumpkins for Earth (Pentacles).  Fun artwork and based of the Waite this deck may look like all games but gives excellent readings!  Some is fun like the Bride of Frankenstein representing the Empress.  Each card has a black cat in it.  Backs are black and orange with skulls, bats, the reversible black cat and spider.  Works with reversals well.  Uses traditional symbols of Halloween as well as pagan tradition to come up with a rich deck you want to pull out all year. 

Illuminated Tarot

Author & Illustrator – Carol Herzer

Self Published

Card Size/Feel – My deck is medium which is 2 ½” x just under 4”. You can buy this deck in mini, small, medium and large when she has the proper stock.  Cards are light and easy to shuffle.  Extremely flexible and light yet easy to shuffle.  Glossy but not sticky or slippery.

This is a gorgeously  re-colored Rider-Waite.  However this is a 5 star deck that has new life breathed into it.  Each card is hand painted and you can have one or two coats of paint.  Each deck is one of a kind and glows with color and depth.  She uses a subtly metallic pain that gives an unbelievable depth that can only been seen in person to be appreciated.  In my deck Strength is 11 and Justice is 8.  Many Major Arcana names are changed such as 5 The Initiate, 9 The Guide, 12 The Unconscious, 13 Transformation, 15 Illusion, 20 Awakening, 21 The Universe.  The rich coloration and use of color brings out the meaning of these cards.  I love strength in which beams of light and energy are surrounding the woman in the picture.   The 7 of wands and other wands cards have swirls of light and dark energy surrounding them.  Cards are given a depth and intuitive push of life that is impressive.  You will want to look at these all day.  I love to read these in the sunlight, under brighter lights or even candlelight to bring out the ethereal glow.  These are self published and each deck is painted to order.  More pricey that other decks but well worth every cent. 

Inner Child Cards

Author – Mark & Isha Lerner and Christopher Guilfoil

Published by Bear & Co, 1992

Card Size/Feel – Massive cards are similar to the size of the Druidcraft.  These are 3 ¾” x 6”.  Hard to shuffle but worth the effort.

Wow these cards are intensely beautiful.  They look like oil or water color paintings and the colors are vibrant.  This deck is based on the inner child in each of us and pulls from classic childhood tales to folklore of gnomes and mermaids.  Major Arcana is based on fairytales.  Strength is 8, renamed and depicted appropriately by Beauty and the Beast.  Backs are purple with a yellow sun pattern that are fully reversible, however reading reversals with this deck is not recommended by the authors and since this deck has light and dark side cards, I agree.  I love The Moon which has been redone into the big bad wolf and shows the wolf wrapped around the tree in the night.  Suits are done a bit different there are wands which look like magic wands tipped with butterflies, swords in which all cards are done in medieval type times such as dragonlore, hearts showing mostly mermaids and crystals which showcase gnomes mostly in the classic red hats.  Court cards are Child (Page), Seeker (Knight), Guide (Queen) and Guardian (King).  However the Guides are male and the Guardians are female!  Very interesting deck, cards are detailed and fun to look at.  Comes with a great book that gives ideas for spreads for self enrichment and discovery.  I highly recommend this deck for anyone. 

Medieval Cat Tarot

Author – Gina M. Pace and Lawrence Teng

Illustrated by Lawrence Teng

Published by US Games Systems, Inc. 2004

Card Size/Feel – Just under 2 ½” x just over 4 ½”.  Cards have the look of being long and skinny.  Cards are very slippery making them a little hard to shuffle but still manageable.

Adorable and ornate deck of cats based back in medieval times in full renaissance regalia.   This is not a “Cutesy” cat deck.  These cats are aristocratic and have an air of elegance.  All are pale and humanistic in activity.  Card backs have a maroon and gold ornate decoration and are fully reversible.  Titles are standard in the major arcane except the Hierophant is The Pope.  Suits are Swords, Cups, Wands and Coins.  Follows Rider Waite in style/meaning.  Pip cards at first glance look like a traditional non-illustrated card except each one has a little window that shows a cat that gives feeling and meaning to the card.  Most cards are shades of gold, bronze, maroon etc.  However when you least expect it a card will have a vibrant splash of color such as the knight of cups with beautiful contrasting aqua tones.  Major Arcana are not numbered so if you have a preference of where you feel Justice and Strength should be it won’t be a problem with this deck.  Cards are suitable for beginners and advanced readers alike.  A favorite card of mine is the 8 of swords which in the window shows a cat in jail with a large heavy chain and padlock.  Hanging within reach is a key.  Great deck, a true favorite of mine and I highly recommend this one!

Mystic Dreamer Tarot

Creator Heidi Darras

Book Authored by Barbara Moore

Illustrated by Heidi Darras

Published by Llewellyn, 2008

Card Size/Feel – 2 ¾” x 4 ½” – Cards are virtually matte but have good slip for shuffling.  Easy to handle and read with for all sizes of hands

This deck is a dreamy ethereal world that will catch your attention and leave you looking at it for hours.  Very detailed this deck offers strong intuition and is rich with symbolism from classic tarot and dreams.  The deck is predominately pretty blond women.  I would have enjoyed more diversity but it does not detract from the rich beauty of the deck.  The cards are bordered in a gold/yellow.  Strength is 8 and Justice is 11.  Backs of the cards are goldish with a greenish inside that show reversible faces in the moon, each moon has a figure over and under.  These work well with reversals.  There are some differences from the classic feel such as the Hanged Man and The Devil are both depicted as women.  Also the Hierophant is not our usual priest or dominating figure but instead that of a young thoughtful looking man.  I actually like this change.  The artist explains that in the dream world Ravens stand for the subconscious, representing what we need to know, even if we don’t want to know it.  The Moon is representative of mystery, emotion and intuition.  Both are used often in these cards as a window into the mysteries of the mind.  I highly recommend readings for any situation that you would like to dig deeper on especially any concerns that focus on introspect.  This is an absolute favorite deck of mine.

Navigators of the Mystic Sea

Author/Illustrator – Julia Turk

Publisher – US Games Inc, 1997

Card Size/Feel – 2 ¾” x 4 ½” – Cards are small and easily handled in all hands.  They are have sheen but are not glossy or shiny and easy to work with.  The back of each card has a colored design with the tree of life imposed over it.  The card backs are not reversible.

Nefertari's Tarots

Authors – P. Elligo & S. Alasia

Illustrated by Silvana Alasia, Gold Layout by Pietro Alligo

Published by Lo Scarabeo 2004

Card Size/Feel – 4 ½” X 2 ½” – These card shuffle easily and are layered in gold.  I love to read in the sunlight, candle light or other well lit area that brings out the gold in these cards. 

Come join is in a walk through Ancient Egypt.  Egyptians used the Tarot dating back to the 1500's for divination.  This beautiful deck is layered in gold, shining and glowing with life.  Justice is 8, Strength is 11. Card backs are black with white eye of hours design repeated top to bottom.  You will be able to tell a reversed card with this deck prior to turning it over.  I find this deck to have a nice blend of interpretation from both the Rider and Thoth.   Rich with Ancient Egyptian culture and symbols, such as Anubis on the Death card.   For those of you that enjoy Ancient Egypt this deck will not disappoint you!

New Orleans Voodoo Tarot

Authors – Louis Martinie & Sallie Ann Glassman

Illustrated by Sallie Ann Glassman

Published by Destiny Books 1992

Card Size/Feel – Just over 2 ½ V 4 ¼” – Very easy for someone with small hands, pretty much the size of a playing card.  These are easy to shuffle. 

A very unique deck that draws on the wisdom of the Loa.  Backs are purple with a yellow/gold veve that will reveal reversals.  This deck uses the tradition of African and New Orleans Voodoo as well as Santeria the blend of Voodoo, Catholic religions.  Very unique Tarot that has its own systems and meanings, it is a blend of Rider Waite and Thoth and heavily incorporates the Kabalistic Tree of Life.  To use these cards to the full effect knowledge of Voodoo, Santeria are helpful.  There is also an in-depth book by Sallie Ann Glassman by the name of Vodou Visions that compliments this deck beautifully.  I get very strong readings from this deck regarding spiritual path and matters.  Colors are rich and vibrant and all cards have their own names such as World Egg for the fool.  The four suits are Petro (Fire), Congo (Water), Rada (Air), and Santeria (Earth).  There is also a wild card “The Baron” depicting Baron Samedi and crew.  I LOVE this deck, not for everyone but a favorite of mine.