Magic Folk Tarot is a modern tarot deck that draws inspiration from the mystical and enchanting world of fairies, ghosts, and other magical creatures. Created by Lisa Sonora, this deck combines elements of traditional tarot symbolism with a whimsical and fantastical twist. The cards in the Magic Folk Tarot are beautifully illustrated with vibrant colors and intricate details. Each card represents a unique character or creature from folklore and mythology, bringing a sense of wonder and mysticism to the readings. From mischievous fairies to wise old witches, the deck features a wide array of magical beings that resonate with the subconscious mind. The Magic Folk Tarot follows the traditional structure of a tarot deck, consisting of 78 cards divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
The Magic Folk Tarot follows the traditional structure of a tarot deck, consisting of 78 cards divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana cards represent important life lessons and spiritual guidance, while the Minor Arcana cards reflect everyday situations and experiences. One of the unique features of the Magic Folk Tarot is its inclusion of additional cards that delve into the realm of magic and folklore.
The English Magic Tarot: Steve Dooley, Rex Van Ryn & Andy Letcher
This Saturday 8th October marks the launch of a Tarot Deck – one with an interesting story – at our favourite South West comic shop Gnash Comics (in Ashburton, Devon – details below). Whilst that may sound like an unusual venue, a glance at the names involved in making The English Magic Tarot reveals why.
Steve Dooley has worked extensively in Britain and Europe painting murals and trompe l’oeil frescoes), Rex Van Ryn is a comic book and occult artist who has worked for Marvel and IPC and Andy Letcher is an author and folk musician, best known to many of you as ex-front-man of Telling the Bees. He is also the author of ‘Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom’ as well as numerous scholarly articles on paganism, shamanism, and folklore.
A cursory glance into their backgrounds will reveal that all three individuals cross paths regularly in a small town on the north-east edge of Dartmoor called Chagford. It is here that they all live. Some of the cards are based on locals and friends including Rima Staines of Hedgespoken who is the gypsy of the Fortune card.
Talking of the images used, Andy explained recently in his blog (andy-letcher.blogspot.co.uk) how Rex’s graphic-style pictures have a movement and a dynamism that he hasn’t seen in tarot before. “They’re like frames from a graphic novel. They invite you in.”
Rex asked Andy to write the accompanying book and to “think of some overarching theme or narrative that would bind the whole deck together, something to do with English magic?”
Andy describes his and Steve’s input as tellings or interpretations – “Steve’s rendering [colouring of the images] is if you like, the first telling, the first interpretation. My writing is the second.”
Andy also adds another interesting dimension to the cards themselves which go back to his task of finding an overarching theme. “If you look at the cards you might spot strange scripts, odd images and references, letters that are the wrong colour and so on. All are clues that point not to treasure alas, but to something from English magic, something that does indeed bind all the cards together. They’re there to encourage you to look at the cards in different ways.”
The roots to the deck lie in the graphic novel John Barleycorn Must Die produced by writer Howard Gayton and Rex Van Ryn. It’s a metaphysical mystery in which John Barleycorn is a magician-sleuth ‘charged by a mysterious woman to protect a young girl from a sinister fraternity known as The Kingdom.’ You can find out more via the John Barleycorn Must Die blog archives.
The tarot deck is also the first of its kind to draw explicitly on the English magical tradition.
Andy explains more in the accompanying book introduction.
“English magic is a distinctive, local branch of natural magic. It has evolved through many iterations, from prehistoric times to the present day, and freely bends high and low magic. One constant is that it regards the cosmos as animate, and our place in the world as significant. It calls us to rediscover a magical connection with the land upon which we happen to live, whether that be England or elsewhere. It supposes that through practice or study (not least, of the tarot!) we can attain a greater understanding of the disparate parts of the self, and the magical connections that permeate the universe. Through English magic, we can attain a state of gnosis and true knowledge of the world….
“A trip to a good anthropological museum (like the Pitt Rivers in Oxford, which is absolutely stuffed full of magical objects, charms, and spells) shows that magic is universal. English magic is simply the English dialect of a language that’s shared by all human cultures. It is our particular, regional way of doing it. It stands to reason that if magic is natural, then it will be shaped by the land it belongs to and the language and culture of the people living there.
“No one really knows why, but this small country named England has produced a great many magicians. The foundations of English magic go right back to the earliest days, to the architects who aligned Stonehenge to the midwinter sun, to the Druids with their ogham tree-lore, and to the early Anglo-Saxons with their runes. The traces of our ancestors’ magical practices lie etched across and buried within the English landscape, and if you look carefully you’ll see those traces in The English Magic Tarot cards too.”
Here, with this deck and book, you have the chance to explore the world of English magic directly, engaging with its peculiar charms and eccentricities. And with what excellent guides!” —Philip Carr-Gomm, author of The Book of English Magic
The English Magic Tarot has a dedicated website here: English Magic Tarot
English Magic Tarot Launch Event – Saturday 8th October – 5:30pm-7:00pm – Tickets £2.50 – 10% DISCOUNT on your purchase of ‘The English Magic Tarot’ with your ticket! Details here
One of the prettiest pip decks I have ever seen, the minor arcana has different colorful florals and leaves on them against a black background which makes the colors really pop, giving it a glow in the dark like feel. The major arcana has an additional symbol at the bottom of each card which is explained in the guidebook and adds an additional layer of meaning to your readings. The cards are etched in black, which gives them an added touch of class and are standard tarot card size that are very easy to shuffle. The deck incorporates a diverse array of many cultures around the world and brings them all together in this one deck. If you are looking for a pip deck that is different and unique then look no further as you will definitely be pleased to add this deck to your collection.
These cards provide a deeper connection to the archetypal energy present in fairy tales and mythical stories. They offer insights and guidance on how to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented in life. Whether you are a seasoned tarot reader or a beginner, the Magic Folk Tarot offers a fresh and imaginative approach to divination. It combines the wisdom of traditional tarot with the enchantment of magical creatures, creating a captivating and insightful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. As you delve into the cards, you may find yourself transported to a world of mystery and wonder, where the boundaries of reality and fantasy blur. Overall, the Magic Folk Tarot is a delightful and enchanting tarot deck that invites you to explore the realms of magic and imagination. Its intricate artwork and thoughtful symbolism make it a powerful tool for introspection and understanding. Whether you are seeking guidance in love, career, or personal development, this deck can offer a fresh perspective and a touch of magic to your readings..
Reviews for "Cultivating a spiritual practice with Magic Folk Tarot"
1. Peter - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the Magic Folk Tarot deck. While the artwork was visually appealing, I found the symbolism to be confusing and unclear. The guidebook was not helpful enough in explaining the meanings of the cards, and I felt lost trying to interpret them. Additionally, I found that the cards were flimsy and easily bent, which made them difficult to shuffle and handle. Overall, I would not recommend this tarot deck to others.
2. Jane - 1/5 - I found the Magic Folk Tarot to be a complete waste of money. The artwork was beautiful, but that's where the positives end. The cards were so thin and cheaply made that they began to fray and warp within a week of use. The guidebook was equally disappointing, offering shallow interpretations that lacked depth and insight. The whole deck felt gimmicky and lacking in the true essence of tarot. Save your money and invest in a higher quality deck with better craftsmanship.
3. Alex - 2/5 - The Magic Folk Tarot was not what I expected at all. The imagery on the cards was interesting, but it often felt disconnected from traditional tarot symbolism. This made it difficult for me to connect with and interpret the readings I did with this deck. Additionally, the cards were smaller than I anticipated, which made handling them a bit clumsy. The guidebook tried to provide explanations, but I found them to be incomplete and lacking in depth. I would not recommend this deck for serious tarot enthusiasts.
4. Sarah - 3/5 - Although the Magic Folk Tarot had some visually stunning cards, the overall quality of the deck left much to be desired. The cards were flimsy and easily damaged, which was frustrating. The guidebook offered basic interpretations, but I was left craving more in-depth explanations and insights. While the deck may be suitable for beginners, it falls short for those seeking a more profound tarot experience. I was left feeling underwhelmed and would recommend looking into other tarot decks before settling for this one.