The Occult Tarot Deck is a unique and highly sought-after collection of tarot cards that has gained popularity among occult enthusiasts and practitioners. This deck contains powerful and esoteric symbols and imagery, derived from various mystical and esoteric traditions. The illustrations featured in the Occult Tarot Deck often deviate from the traditional Rider-Waite design, offering a fresh perspective on the ancient art of tarot reading. Each card in this deck is known for its intricate detailing and rich symbolism, designed to captivate the human imagination and provide deep insight into the mysteries of life. The Occult Tarot Deck encompasses a wide range of subjects, including astrology, alchemy, mythology, and spirituality. The images on the cards provide a visual representation of these complex concepts, allowing the reader to tap into their subconscious and connect with their intuitive wisdom.
Important Bits:
Length: 256 pages
Published: October 13th 2020 by Random House Graphic
Content Warnings: Homophobia, on/off page murder, cannibalism, blood
Awards: None yet.
Also by: I believe this is his debut.
Or in a less colloquial, wordier way The Magic Fish is everything I want at the moment in a graphic novel, especially in one meant for both kids and adults to read. A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected.
The images on the cards provide a visual representation of these complex concepts, allowing the reader to tap into their subconscious and connect with their intuitive wisdom. Many tarot enthusiasts appreciate the Occult Tarot Deck for its ability to offer guidance, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Its unique illustrations and symbolism encourage users to approach each reading from a fresh perspective, delving into the hidden realms of the mind and spirit in search of answers and guidance.
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
Tiến knows that real life isn’t a fairy tale, but he still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents. However, he has a secret that he’s been keeping from his friends and family, a secret that might change everything, but it’s hard for him to find the words. It’s hard enough to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, it’s even harder since they struggle with their English. Is there even a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through. Is there a way to tell them he’s gay?
This novel is amazing in that it’s a fairy tale retelling, a coming out story, a story about immigration, communication and love- all packed into one graphic novel. Tiến, at 13, has a crush on his best friend Julian, we see him battling his teachers’ homophobia and preparing for school dances. At home, we see his tender relationship with his mother and his parents escape from Vietnam. The illustrations do a great job of accentuating the different story arcs by use of color: the present in read, the past in yellow, and the fairy tales in blue.
However, the stories and the colors blend together sometimes, there may be a single blue panel in a field of red to show how the protagonist thinks about something. However, the art style doesn’t change between the different panels, which I think is to show how magical our lives can be and show the parallels between reality and fairy tales. Fairy tales despite being fantastical usually underlined some aspect of the human condition.
Tiến is obviously the main protagonist, but his mother also gets a POV. It examines her life and struggles with immigrating from Vietnam. She escaped her own country to find safety in a far off land. She battles with feeling like a bad daughter for abandoning her mother in Vietnam and having to struggle for years to get her citizenship and not feeling like she fully belongs in America. She left everything she knew and loved for the hope of a better life. She did all this for her future and love, which is what this story about at its heart. Everything in this graphic novel revolves around the actions that someone else takes because they love someone else. And it isn’t necessarily romantic love, friendship is just as strong of a force. This shows a wide variety of love languages from grand gestures and words, down to just small everyday actions to make someone’s life just a little easier.
It’s beautiful and I loved how the stories were woven together. The illustrations were phenomenal, my favorites coming out of the fairy tale sections, based on all of the blue in the middle of this review. My only complaint is that it felt like it ended a little abruptly and I could have used a little bit more for closure, but we don’t always get closure.
I would recommend this for fans of graphic novels, fairy tales, and people looking for Vietnamese representation. However, be aware that as with other fairy tales, there is a bit of darkness such as death and cannibalism. There is also a bit of homophobia from Tiến’s teachers. I think he goes to a Catholic school from the look of it. There is so much going on in this graphic novel that there is something for everyone and there is such a magic to it that it will connect readers no matter their language or age.
Have you read The Magic Fish? What did you think? What was your favorite fairy tale? Do you have another graphic novel that you would recommend? Let me know in the comments below!
Important Bits:
Length: 256 pages
Published: October 13th 2020 by Random House Graphic
Content Warnings: Homophobia, on/off page murder, cannibalism, blood
Awards: None yet.
Also by: I believe this is his debut.
While panels in red follow Tiên’s story, panels in black, white, and indigo follow the fairy tales that Tiên reads. All concern mermaids or magic fish, and all concern girls magically tied to the sea who make their way, and fall in love, on land. One is “Cinderella,” another “The Little Mermaid,” and another still has debts to “The Juniper Tree.” The first and longest concerns a girl in a Shakespearean boy-disguise and the boy who wins her love. All involve children and grandmothers, aunts, magic helpers, and older antagonists; all speak to the ocean, and to the generation, that separates immigrants both from their culture of birth and from their more Americanized children. They also evoke the spells, the determination, and the compassion that come with the right kinds of love.
However, it is important to note that the interpretations of the tarot cards in the Occult Tarot Deck may vary depending on the reader's knowledge, intuition, and personal beliefs. Tarot readings, including those using the Occult Tarot Deck, should always be approached with an open mind and a healthy dose of skepticism. Overall, the Occult Tarot Deck is a fascinating and visually stunning collection of cards that has captured the imagination of many occult enthusiasts. Its intricate symbolism and thought-provoking imagery provide a powerful tool for self-reflection, divination, and personal growth. Whether you are an experienced tarot reader or someone with a curiosity for the mystical and esoteric, the Occult Tarot Deck holds the potential to unlock new insights and revelations..
Reviews for "Exploring the Dark and Mysterious Aesthetics of the Odcult Tarot Deck"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - The Odcult tarot deck is not what I expected at all. The images are very dark and unsettling, and I find them hard to connect with. The artwork is also not as detailed or well-executed as I had hoped. Overall, I don't find this deck to be visually appealing or intuitive to use.
2. John - 1 star - I regret purchasing the Odcult tarot deck. The cards are poorly printed with dull colors and low resolution images. The cardstock is flimsy and feels cheap. Additionally, the symbolism and interpretations in this deck are unclear and confusing. I would not recommend this deck to anyone looking for a high-quality and meaningful tarot experience.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was disappointed with the Odcult tarot deck. The artwork is definitely unique, but it's overly dark and sometimes feels too obscure to interpret. The deck also lacks a comprehensive guidebook, which makes it difficult for beginners to understand the meanings of the cards. While some people may appreciate the unconventional approach of this deck, it just didn't resonate with me.
4. Alex - 2 stars - The Odcult tarot deck is not user-friendly at all. The cards are quite large and difficult to handle, especially for those with smaller hands. The imagery, while intriguing, lacks the traditional symbolism found in most tarot decks, making it challenging to connect with the cards' meanings. This deck may appeal to those who enjoy a more unconventional tarot experience, but it wasn't what I was looking for.
5. Samantha - 1 star - I found the Odcult tarot deck to be overly complex and inaccessible. The artwork is abstract and often difficult to interpret, which takes away from the overall tarot reading experience. Additionally, the cardstock is flimsy and prone to damage, making this deck feel cheaply made. I would not recommend this deck to anyone seeking a clear and intuitive tarot deck.