It’s a good time to be a tarot reader! Thanks to the increasing acceptance of witchcraft and the occult in the mainstream, plus the ability to fund projects like tarot decks through Kickstarter and Patreon, there are more decks of tarot, Lenormand, and oracle cards than ever before.
Here are some of the best new decks that we’ve come across in our tarot wanderings. Of course, when it comes to cartomancy, “new” is a relative term—most of these decks came out in 2022 or 2023, but a couple are a little older, and a few are still in the works. Happy reading!
Marvel Tarot Deck and Guidebook
With the Marvel comics universe already sprawling, and the MCU growing exponentially, it was only a matter of time before Marvel released a tarot deck. (In fact, there have been multiple decks of Marvel-themed cards.) Want a Justice card with Daredevil, or a Sun card with Ms. Marvel? This deck delivers, in a surprisingly stunning Art Nouveau style! Instead of the traditional tarot spread options, this deck offers Marvel-themed ones. The best may be the Infinity Stone layout, where cards are placed in the same spots as the Infinity Stones on Thanos’s gauntlet and represent space, reality, power, mind, time, and soul.
The Rosebud Tarot
Created by artist Amanda Stilwell and author Diana Rose Harper, The Rosebud Tarot features botanical and gardening-themed collage art full of flowers. This deck shakes up the usual cards in the tarot, replacing the four classic suits with the four elements, and the court cards with Curiosity, Velocity, Generosity, and Sovereignty.
The Gentle Tarot
Created by Mariza Ryce Aparicio-Tovar, a.k.a. Mari in the Sky, The Gentle Tarot is a deck focused on healing and interconnection with nature. The art consists of simple but eye-popping illustrations, and a portion of all proceeds goes to organizations protecting the environment. This deck is a little older than the others on this list, having first come out in 2021, but it’s definitely worth adding to your shopping list.
The Sirens’ Song Lenormand and Kipper Cards
Don’t worry, Lenormand and Kipper readers—there are beautiful decks available for you, too! The Sirens’ Song, by Carrie Paris, Toni Savory, and Tina Hardt, uses nautical-themed collage art to create intricate underwater worlds. The set includes both Lenormand and Kipper cards (two card systems similar to, but distinct from, tarot), which you can use separately or shuffle together for combined readings.
The Dark Crystal Tarot
Our Samantha Puc wrote about The Dark Crystal Tarot when it came out earlier this year, and it’s worth mentioning again. Created by Tomas Hijo and Casey Gilly, this deck features characters from The Dark Crystal in their corresponding tarot positions, like Ogra as the High Priestess and Jen as the Fool. Not all fandom-based decks work, but thanks to its earthy color scheme and woodcut-style art, this one is beautiful in its own right.
Black Tarot: An Ancestral Awakening Deck and Guidebook
Written by Nyasha Williams and illustrated by Kimishka Naidoo, Black Tarot uses exclusively Black imagery to infuse the tarot with social justice and new layers of spirituality. The guidebook is more than just quick card meanings, offering affirmations, insights on moon cycles, and more.
Mike Willcox Tarot and Oracle
At a whopping $155 a pop, the Mike Willcox Tarot and Oracle is definitely an investment, but damn, are these cards gorgeous. Featuring Willcox’s signature Art Deco style, this deck features 22 major arcana, 22 oracle cards, and 12 zodiac cards, along with a hardcover guidebook. If you’ve got the cash, you’d better hurry—each printing of this set tends to sell out quickly.
The Thistledown Oracle
If you like sumptuous watercolors, wholesome woodland creatures, and the occasional dragon, then you’ll want to check out Thistledown Oracle. Created by Stephanie Burrows and illustrated by Adam Oehlers, this oracle deck features a cast of whimsical characters journeying through cards like “guardedness,” “balance,” and “making space.”
Fifth Spirit Tarot
Fifth Spirit Tarot is the brainchild of Charlie Claire Burgess, author of Radical Tarot. Based on the Smith-Waite, this deck features bright line illustrations featuring queer and diverse characters. If you like Fifth Spirit, make sure you check out Burgess’ forthcoming deck, The Gay Marseille!
Good Omens Tarot
Good Omens—yes, our favorite show about a demon and his angel—is getting a tarot deck. For this deck, they changed the traditional suits to be more reflective of the show. There are suits of “demons,” “angels,” “vessels,” and “humans.” There’s a tarot spread called the “Ineffable Plan” so maybe you can figure out what will happen to Crowley and Aziraphale after that heartbreaking season 2 ending. Although it isn’t out yet, the Good Omens tarot set will be out at the end of November, so you can still buy them for holiday gifts.
Cozy Witch Tarot
If you are into cottagecore and fall vibes, the Cozy Witch Tarot is just for you. The adorable art is unique for each card, but stays consistent with the vibe. This deck maybe even better for beginners, as each card has a summation of what the card means at the bottom. Of course, it comes with a guidebook with longer descriptions, but having that note on the card is helpful for newbies. The deck may also help with daily affirmations.
The Enchanted Förhäxa Tarot
The latest tarot deck from MJ Cullinane takes place in the magical world of Förhäxa (Swedish word for enchant/cast a spell). Looking at the art, you can see how this tarot is influenced by folktales and fairy stories. Using the elements instead of the standard Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles, the deck is very nature-focused. Just doing a tarot reading can take you to another world entirely.
(featured image: Pamela Colman-Smith)
Published: Oct 24, 2023 12:00 pm